SYD to ZQN: best airline to travel with?

[R36snowbound]

Hi all,

Looking at heading over to Queenstown New Zealand with the family in late January next year and prefer to fly directly.

From what I can see, Qantas, Air New Zealand and Virgin offer a direct service.

Anyone have any comments on which of the three airlines are the best choice, I pay using either points or dollars?

Thanks in advance.

 

[missafternoondelight]

Depends on schedules, price, what points you have etc... I did this route with Qantas and it was fine, pretty typical QF offering. Only a 737 mind you.

 

[under the radar]

Depends on schedules, price, what points you have etc... I did this route with Qantas and it was fine, pretty typical QF offering. Only a 737 mind you.

ONLY a 737!!! where you expecting an a380???

 

[richie9x]

Assuming you are flying from Sydney then Jetstar will start flying direct twice weekly from 23 December as well.

Honestly there is probably not a great difference between the four airlines. They all fly 737s or A320s on that route. The main difference would be Qantas have business class. Qantas offer full service with a meal in economy. While the others follow more of a LCC model.

Best to go with which ever airline best suits you. Based on departure times time and cost.

 

[Craigie]

Actually I've done both qantas and Air NZ to ZQN and would much prefer air NZ out of the 2.. Better service and better aircraft by a long way!

 

[pauly7]

Not sure if it's a QF mainline 737 or a QF Jetconnect.

If the latter, QF far better than alternatives. If the former it's pretty much even playing field between NZ and QF though I think you pay for extras on NZ...

 

[Mattg]

So are you saying that if it was jetconnect it would be better? Why? (Not that I necessarily disagree, just wondering?)

 

[extracta]

Queenstown is a very unique airport due to the surrounding mountains (very big and very close) and the unpredictable weather it can experience (even in summer).

I have been in ZQN airport when the only aircraft landing were Air New Zealand and all other aircraft were being diverted to other ports further afield.

I always look for best value in a flight when booking except in the case of a flight into ZQN. When flying to Queenstown I always use Air New Zealand. I think that they have the best local knowledge, for some reason they can land and take off when others can't, and they are in the best position to help when things go wrong due to weather etc, which they often do.

 

[richie9x]

Not sure if it's a QF mainline 737 or a QF Jetconnect.

If the latter, QF far better than alternatives. If the former it's pretty much even playing field between NZ and QF though I think you pay for extras on NZ...

Qantas flights to/from ZQN are some of the few Aus-NZ flights that are done by QF proper. As I understand it Jetconnect don't have a base there. Although with more Jetstar flights, both domestic and international, maybe they will be starting one.

 

[straitman]

Queenstown is a very unique airport due to the surrounding mountains (very big and very close) and the unpredictable weather it can experience (even in summer).

I have been in ZQN airport when the only aircraft landing were Air New Zealand and all other aircraft were being diverted to other ports further afield.

I always look for best value in a flight when booking except in the case of a flight into ZQN. When flying to Queenstown I always use Air New Zealand. I think that they have the best local knowledge, for some reason they can land and take off when others can't, and they are in the best position to help when things go wrong due to weather etc, which they often do.

The reason was (and may still be) because Air NZ were able to use a GPS R Nav approach that Qantas could not.

 

[pauly7]

So are you saying that if it was jetconnect it would be better? Why? (Not that I necessarily disagree, just wondering?)

Because the 73H fleet by QF Jetconnect are next gen with AVOD and new seats. But as someone pointed out, moot point!

 

[missafternoondelight]

ONLY a 737!!! where you expecting an a380???

pfffk.. no need to be a jerk about it. I was more meaning that it doesn't show QF's product to it's full advantage, being a smaller plane.
But obviously I'm a cretin, thanks for pointing that out.

 

[R36snowbound]

Thanks for all the replies everyone, very helpful.

Its amazing to think that such a small airport has so many international carriers servicing it, alot has changed in 10 years.

I will take Extracta's advice and book with Air NZ, it makes the most sense.