Auckland - London in PE. Recommended best routes?
Mar 12, 2023, 3:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 131
Auckland - London in PE. Recommended best routes?
Hi Guys!
We're thinking to do a AKL-LON trip at end of year for Christmas/NY in PE. We have options to go via US on ANZ metal (LAX or SFO) and then on Virgin PE to London or go via Hong Kong and then on Cathay PE to London and vice versa on the way back to AKL.
Any recommendations on which route to take? I've heard both Virgin and Cathay PE are pretty good. Going via Singapore on SG metal is much more expensive so we've taken that option out.
I'm ANZ Gold which means if I take the LON-SFO route on Virgin, I get access to their Clubhouse which is supposed to be very nice!
We're thinking to do a AKL-LON trip at end of year for Christmas/NY in PE. We have options to go via US on ANZ metal (LAX or SFO) and then on Virgin PE to London or go via Hong Kong and then on Cathay PE to London and vice versa on the way back to AKL.
Any recommendations on which route to take? I've heard both Virgin and Cathay PE are pretty good. Going via Singapore on SG metal is much more expensive so we've taken that option out.
I'm ANZ Gold which means if I take the LON-SFO route on Virgin, I get access to their Clubhouse which is supposed to be very nice!
Mar 12, 2023, 3:48 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,006
Going via USA means ESTA, full immigration and customs (with all carry on & checked bags) at first USA port of entry. Many people avoid USA "transits" as USA does not have the concept of air-side or land-side transits.
Why part of the trip with Air NZ? Will be many options for Auckland - London (and not just LHR) with a range of airlines/alliances.
Why part of the trip with Air NZ? Will be many options for Auckland - London (and not just LHR) with a range of airlines/alliances.
Mar 12, 2023, 5:53 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 131
Going via USA means ESTA, full immigration and customs (with all carry on & checked bags) at first USA port of entry. Many people avoid USA "transits" as USA does not have the concept of air-side or land-side transits.
Why part of the trip with Air NZ? Will be many options for Auckland - London (and not just LHR) with a range of airlines/alliances.
Why part of the trip with Air NZ? Will be many options for Auckland - London (and not just LHR) with a range of airlines/alliances.
Although there are a range of options, Air NZ comes up the cheapest and second, will help immensely retain my status with Air NZ.
Mar 12, 2023, 6:10 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,643
But when arrive in US you will need to cross the border, pick up bags, drop bags back off, then got through security again.
US doesn't really have the concept of sterile international departures. So have to enter the US and have bags screen. As in departure area (international and domestic departure is a common space) you can just walk out to land side.
Mar 12, 2023, 6:11 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ Elite, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 908
Have you looked at a LH PE ticket via SIN/HKG/TYO etc.? That way you get *A all the way through. The only thing is that you won't be able to do OneUp or use any RUs on the NZ sectors.
Mar 12, 2023, 6:24 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 131
You will be checked-in all the way through. However, you will need to clear customs/immigration, pick up your bags, and drop them off again at the VS transfer desk (and NZ transfer desk on your return). This is in contrast to going via other countries such as SIN/HKG/DXB etc. where being checked-in for the on carriage flight means that you don't need to do any of the above.
Have you looked at a LH PE ticket via SIN/HKG/TYO etc.? That way you get *A all the way through. The only thing is that you won't be able to do OneUp or use any RUs on the NZ sectors.
Have you looked at a LH PE ticket via SIN/HKG/TYO etc.? That way you get *A all the way through. The only thing is that you won't be able to do OneUp or use any RUs on the NZ sectors.
Will have a look at what options come up with a LH PE ticket. I did want to use a RU but to be fair, I've conceded at the period I'm going, just before Christmas and coming back after New Years, planes will be chocker full and upgrades will be pretty much non-existant, hence why we're willing to just pay for PE outright.
Mar 12, 2023, 6:49 pm
#8
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
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Ah, thanks for the clarification guys! Does sound like a bit of hassle...
Will have a look at what options come up with a LH PE ticket. I did want to use a RU but to be fair, I've conceded at the period I'm going, just before Christmas and coming back after New Years, planes will be chocker full and upgrades will be pretty much non-existant, hence why we're willing to just pay for PE outright.
Will have a look at what options come up with a LH PE ticket. I did want to use a RU but to be fair, I've conceded at the period I'm going, just before Christmas and coming back after New Years, planes will be chocker full and upgrades will be pretty much non-existant, hence why we're willing to just pay for PE outright.
The Congress recently voted to end this requirement, but the President and CDC think it should continue... so another thing to keep an eye on (if that would be an issue).
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...nt-2023-02-08/
Last edited by Thai-Kiwi; Mar 12, 2023 at 6:51 pm Reason: fixing auto-mangle
Mar 12, 2023, 8:09 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,111
Controversial opinion I know but I would always fly via the US. The timing of flights is IMHO vastly superior with TZ differences giving you two nights during the flights.
NZ6/NZ2 used to be the most perfect way to get to the UK, especially when you could go landside and enjoy some In-N-Out!
NZ6/NZ2 used to be the most perfect way to get to the UK, especially when you could go landside and enjoy some In-N-Out!
Mar 12, 2023, 10:42 pm
#12
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New Zealand (when I'm home!)
Programs: Air NZ Elite
Posts: 1,218
Controversial opinion I know but I would always fly via the US. The timing of flights is IMHO vastly superior with TZ differences giving you two nights during the flights.
NZ6/NZ2 used to be the most perfect way to get to the UK, especially when you could go landside and enjoy some In-N-Out!
NZ6/NZ2 used to be the most perfect way to get to the UK, especially when you could go landside and enjoy some In-N-Out!
The timing is another story, I could see why that could be good, it depends on how you sleep so that one I can't comment on. I am not a great plane sleeper so if given the choice, I prefer daytime flights, and then sleeping on the ground where possible.
Mar 12, 2023, 10:57 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
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There is a view that flying ‘west is best, and east is least’ - mainly around lessening disruption to your circadian rhythm when flying. Aviation docs I have worked with have agreed.
This suggests that travelling via Australia/Asia has a lesser impact. YMMV as always.
This suggests that travelling via Australia/Asia has a lesser impact. YMMV as always.
Mar 12, 2023, 11:06 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,111
That's a very controversial opinion. In N Out is an interesting experience with the planes flying overhead for sure, but it sure doesn't beat the experience of not having to clear American customs AND American security, and instead getting to relax in a nice terminal between flights!
The timing is another story, I could see why that could be good, it depends on how you sleep so that one I can't comment on. I am not a great plane sleeper so if given the choice, I prefer daytime flights, and then sleeping on the ground where possible.
The timing is another story, I could see why that could be good, it depends on how you sleep so that one I can't comment on. I am not a great plane sleeper so if given the choice, I prefer daytime flights, and then sleeping on the ground where possible.