Article: 6 Things Stopping Me Flying Air New Zealand More

[Brian Walker]

As a NZ resident I generally avoid NZ. As mentioned the Airpoints scheme is dreadful and air fares from NZ to Aus are generally more than QF and JQ.

Another point to keep in mind is that NZ really hammers domestic travellers. Compare JQ and NZ fares like for like and a 50% or more difference is not unusual. Once you get off the main trunk routes with competition NZ really prices very high, eg $400 plus for CHC ZQN at short notice. Thus is a 40 minutes flight!

NZ charges the "locals" price premium to the max.

Totally Agree Thank God for Jetstar Nz

 

[DSS]

6 Things Stopping Me Flying Air New Zealand More is an article written by the AFF editorial team:

6 Things Stopping Me Flying Air New Zealand More

I fly a lot across the Tasman, but rarely choose Air New Zealand for my flights. Here are six things the Kiwi national carrier could change to change my mind.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

I live in New Zealand but for the exact same reasons I choose Qantas. Im also a Qantas Platinum FF. For the same amount of flying I would barely make it to silver Air NZ Airpoints

 

[Rayesfeg]

Great article and good points.

I make a return trip across the ditch about once every second month and I split these flights between air nz and Qantas (sometimes LATAM) depending on flight times and my final destination.
While I would prefer to sit at the pointy end, work trips under 4.5 hours are in economy so I have a bunch of experience in economy with both air nz and Qantas.
One very very important factor that I think the article didn’t put enough emphasis on is that Air NZ has much better and more comfortable planes. The seats are noticeably better than the equivalent Qantas seats, and don’t even get my started on the ancient and unresponsive IFE on the Qantas planes (if I’m not mistaking they are getting rid of when they retrofit… which is appalling for full service airline), and not to mention the usb chargers that never seem to actually work. Something small but a real gripe when flying Qantas.

 

[XWu]

I am sure Mattg wrote this statement with tongue in cheek
“ I don’t just blindly book with Qantas out of national pride or some sort of misguided loyalty”
but this I still LOL anyway
QF lost any expectations of national pride or loyalty for years before COVID-19 (which gets the blame for plenty but not a valid excuse for that!) but it was only the threat of ACCC action during this pandemic when the airline is made to inform the pax of their right to a full refund for cancelled or retimed flights, so it’s up to the NZ govt to crystallise the same rights beyond what’s stated in their CGA.
The record of “I still call Australia home” on QF ads and fillers must be wearing so thin for so long that I don’t actually remember hearing or seeing any QF ad with this song for last 4-5 years.
The east coast to NZ transtasman flight of just under 4 hours just barely made any cabin service by any full service airline a factor in choice of flights for a large proportion of pax, ultimately the price, the timing and flexibility (or lack of) will be the main decision makers

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF @Kiwi1

 

[VPS]

To be fair it matches the JQ policy.


This is another good point with works deluxe gone. Once upon at time it was a mini euro business and even came with lounge access… not even offered now.

But I certainly wouldn't be flying JQ to NZ or anywhere if I can help it

Totally Agree Thank God for Jetstar Nz

and welcome to AFF

 

[bpc]

A similar regional flight in Australia would also charge quite high under the same conditions.

It would, but that's where QFF triumphs, redemption on regional flights is often about the best value you can get for your points.

 

[henrus]

But I certainly wouldn't be flying JQ to NZ or anywhere if I can help it

When the price is often a quarter of what QF/NZ want then I will happily put up with it. On the JQ routes across the Tasman I take, lounge access is possible thanks to QF status and I pay to select the front seat.

 

[nivicome]

My husband and I had return flights to the US with Air NZ which was cancelled by them due to Covid. No refund, no discussion. Then I was fortunate enough to find out about the US DoT regulations and received my refund. Would never be tempted to fly with them again.

 

[antycbr]

When the price is often a quarter of what QF/NZ want then I will happily put up with it. On the JQ routes across the Tasman I take, lounge access is possible thanks to QF status and I pay to select the front seat.

The other factor in all Tasman pricing is the huge percentage of the fare that’s taxes, fees and charges, in particular the Australian international departure tax. Shows you that JQ make it work for them somehow.

 

[serfty]

There was some significant competition in the mid 00's.

There was the odd occasion I came across sales where mandated government taxes and levies amounted to more than the actual fare being charged.