Kia Ora A380
 

It is a delight to see the A380 now bookable from AKL (for dates > 1 Feb 2009). Given it is scheduled to depart within 5 mins of EK407, us Auckland folk now have the choice of two one-stop services to DXB leaving at a good time in the evening. I don't know how the AKL EK Lounge is going to cope (it can fill even with EK433 and EK407 during peak periods) but that isn't really my worry. I am so pleased Emirates is committed to New Zealand. The arrival of EK418/9 to Christchurch will be wonderful too...a 50% increase in capacity and a service outbound to Asia (only SQ offers this since KE and NZ pulled out from ICN/SIN). I would love if they were to offer cheap launch fares and discounted Skywards seats when they bring these beasts over from SYD. . . hopefully that's realistic.

Thanks Emirates!

cw

Yes Watch Out For Ek Marketing
 

Tena Kohe,

EK 's loadings trans tasman are not that good most of the time.

My partner and I have puddled jumped SYD CHC a few times during 2007, all at the last minute, due to family crisis's, and only 1 flight was full or close to it.

Last time I travelled Dec 16 SYD CHC - only 70 and most of those were long hauls, and the return on Dec 24 CHC SYD only 90.

So a big A380 - there is going to be lots of good seats going at budget prices for a while anyway.

Adam

The transtasman flights seem to be the ultimate oppurtunity to try out EK in all different types of classes. The First cabin seems oober exclusive given the poor loads to AKL, so it's relatively empty & an extremely personal level of service offered...:D

Frankly, this will only get 'worse' with the A380. I do think however that 1000s of A380 fans will be flying down to SYD to catch this whalebuses puddlejumps...

I can't speak for CHC but loads are usually quite good on the AKL-SYD route. And of course the cargo bellies are chocker with lucrative cargo contracts.

EK loads are generally good on AKL routes.

Just flew AKL-SYD-AKL and J and Y were very full. Y was completely sold AKL-SYD and J had two or three free. F had a few pax too including a freaky guy who strolled the plane the whole trip...:rolleyes: SYD-AKL was a little less full, but still well sold (as good as any QF or NZ flight).

I work in travel too and EK flights AKL to Australia are always popular especially their business class to BNE now that it is the new product.

I flew MEL-AKL on the 12th Feb on the A345, and I was upgraded from J to F. There was one spare seat in F, so presumably it was also the only spare seat on the aircraft.

SMH story - I've put it in NewsStand.

So, where is the A380 Do thread? :D

I'd love to join you in a trip on the AKL A-bus. ^

I guess this is a great shot in the arm for NZ tourism (and a shot in the a$$ for Aussie companies who will lose $$). As quoted above, it will hopefully mean some competitive sales ex-SYD.
This could also help Emirates' Aussie tourism venture.
Is there a similar 'farm / lodge' resort planned in NZ or already operating?

Woohoo! Hopefully Amex will keep the 2 for 1 First and Bus tickets ;)

Bit puzzled?

just looked up 417/8 DXB-BKK for next Feb, still showing 777-300 ER, they always show fully booked for that sector if you are doing DXB-BKK only, that is where the 380 will be most beneficial.

BB

EK418/9 will reroute DXB-BKK-SYD-CHC instead of AKL, and will continue to be operated by the 77W.

The A380 service, IIRC, is an additional third daily to Sydney operating DXB-SYD-AKL (or is it replacing the current EK412/3 operated by the A345?) Either way the A380 will not be operating EK418/9.

definitely looking forward to seeing their new F.

what is the fare for AKL-SYD F?
im getting error messages at the moment.

wonder how price will compare to SQ's SIN-HKG.

re amex plat/cent 2 for 1 - thats for full fare tickets only.

Used to be a little over NZD1000 one way (ie less than QF biz fare), less in sales (but there haven't been any trans-tasman sales in biz/first for a long time).

yeah i seem to recall ~$1000 OW for A345. but what is the A380?

hopefully no more (they have extra seats to fill and AKL-SYD vv is hardly low on premium capacity)

Return AKL-SYD pricing at about $700 T class, $1600 C class, $2100 A class.
Return AKL-LON pricing at about $12000 A class. Makes SQs $26000 excluding taxes look rather ridiculous for suites seeing as we can be pretty sure EK will bring something just as good to the table. Oh, and that suites price is J to SIN then suites to LON.