SQ kills WLG-CBR, replaces it with WLG-MEL
Jan 26, 2018, 12:05 am
#31
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,114
Well at that price point, I certainly jumped on it. And have joked with my friends that WLG people will be in constant "orbit" over the Tasman if the prices remain at that level (which, sadly, won't happen). I think there may be a fair bit of regional interest in WLG as a departure point, beyond its normal catchment area. I can never see Air NZ interlining and "feeding" this service though, without some sour grapes.
Jan 26, 2018, 1:54 am
#33
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,114
Jan 26, 2018, 12:31 pm
#35
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SJC
Programs: NZ*G, QF NB, UA 1K, AA ExecPlat, IHG PlatAmb, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, ZE1 PC
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I hadn't realized that TT pricing had dropped to that level. In 2006-2007, when I was commuting WLG-MEL or AKL-MEL weekly, I used to pay ~$800 r/t. NZ encouraged me to fly QF in those days, with their non-status-earning Smart Saver fares (QF being the same price, and earning SC/points). There used to be a group of people that I saw every week on those same flights.
Jan 26, 2018, 1:35 pm
#36
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,414
I hadn't realized that TT pricing had dropped to that level. In 2006-2007, when I was commuting WLG-MEL or AKL-MEL weekly, I used to pay ~$800 r/t. NZ encouraged me to fly QF in those days, with their non-status-earning Smart Saver fares (QF being the same price, and earning SC/points). There used to be a group of people that I saw every week on those same flights.
$800-900return you can get an J return special on the Tasman ex-AKL, although with EK exiting the Tasman from AKL those days are probably gone.
Still remember the the best Tasman fare I brought was AKL-MEL for $69 on NZ (Seat Only) It was the day that JQ launched AKL-MEL, NZ undercut the JQ launch fare.
Jan 26, 2018, 2:28 pm
#37
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,114
AKL-MEL,SYD,BNE are often (By often at-least once an week sale) on sale with NZ for between $129-159 oneway, although the rest of the country doesn't seem to be that lucky.
$800-900return you can get an J return special on the Tasman ex-AKL, although with EK exiting the Tasman from AKL those days are probably gone.
Still remember the the best Tasman fare I brought was AKL-MEL for $69 on NZ (Seat Only) It was the day that JQ launched AKL-MEL, NZ undercut the JQ launch fare.
$800-900return you can get an J return special on the Tasman ex-AKL, although with EK exiting the Tasman from AKL those days are probably gone.
Still remember the the best Tasman fare I brought was AKL-MEL for $69 on NZ (Seat Only) It was the day that JQ launched AKL-MEL, NZ undercut the JQ launch fare.
Jan 26, 2018, 3:56 pm
#38
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
The new schedule is much more convenient for travel between WLG and Europe, with short connections in SIN in both directions.
The schedule is also better for connecting NZ domestic flights in both directions (e.g. BHE, NSN).
I notice the Canberra is moving from 4 a week to daily flights, albeit as a triangle SIN-SYD-CBR-SIN. Reinforces my impression (from about a dozen or so trips) that flights between SIN and CBR were full.
The schedule is also better for connecting NZ domestic flights in both directions (e.g. BHE, NSN).
I notice the Canberra is moving from 4 a week to daily flights, albeit as a triangle SIN-SYD-CBR-SIN. Reinforces my impression (from about a dozen or so trips) that flights between SIN and CBR were full.
Jan 27, 2018, 10:35 pm
#39
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG (previously SOU and PLH)
Programs: NZ Elite, QFWP, IHG Plat, *wood Gold
Posts: 532
If SQ brought the A359 to WLG, then i would be particularly interested in this flight. I tried out their A359 on a shortish trip to India and really like the J class offering. Not sure about sleeping though. when I did take the WLG-CBR-SIN the last leg was never long enough to get anything more than a dose. May be due to the angle seats in J, but mostly due to the reduced time CBR-SIN instead of say AKL-SIN which is a longer sector and more conducive to some shut eye.
Could potentially forego all of that for the A359, really like it as an aircraft....
Could potentially forego all of that for the A359, really like it as an aircraft....
Jan 28, 2018, 12:22 am
#40
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
If SQ brought the A359 to WLG, then i would be particularly interested in this flight. I tried out their A359 on a shortish trip to India and really like the J class offering. Not sure about sleeping though. when I did take the WLG-CBR-SIN the last leg was never long enough to get anything more than a dose. May be due to the angle seats in J, but mostly due to the reduced time CBR-SIN instead of say AKL-SIN which is a longer sector and more conducive to some shut eye.
Could potentially forego all of that for the A359, really like it as an aircraft....
Could potentially forego all of that for the A359, really like it as an aircraft....
Jan 28, 2018, 11:44 am
#41
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,114
Swaping aircraft on the WLG route introduces a few additional complexities that all need to be met, one of which being engineering requirements. It's not just a matter of deciding one day to change planes.
NZ would need to train up a WLG based engineer on the A350 or fly in one of their A350 trained engineers from AKL as cover while the plane is on the ground.They have 777 trained engineers at WLG now both for SQ, and so the airport can be used for a divert if needed.
NZ would need to train up a WLG based engineer on the A350 or fly in one of their A350 trained engineers from AKL as cover while the plane is on the ground.They have 777 trained engineers at WLG now both for SQ, and so the airport can be used for a divert if needed.
Jan 29, 2018, 9:39 am
#43
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,114
Jan 29, 2018, 5:56 pm
#45
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SJC
Programs: NZ*G, QF NB, UA 1K, AA ExecPlat, IHG PlatAmb, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, ZE1 PC
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