AIRLINE NEWS
The tradition of ‘Early-Bird’ airfares to Europe, which took a back seat since 2020 are trickling into the market from this week. If you are planning a Europe trip in 2025 we strongly suggest that the best way to save on airfares is to purchase as far in advance as possible. Let your usual ATPI Travel Consultant know if you want to take advantage of these savings.
Air New Zealand has made some changes to its trans-Tasman and South Pacific ‘Seat to Suit’ airfare structure. The ‘Seat+Bag’ product will no longer be offered. The refreshed Seats to Suit structure now includes ‘Seat only’, ‘The Works’, ‘Works Flexi’. When the flight is operated by a widebody Boeing 777 or 787 there is the addition of ‘Premium Economy’, ‘Premium Flexi’, ‘Business Premier™’ and ‘Business Flexi’ fares. The airline’s ‘Works Deluxe’ product which has featured on the narrow body A320 aircraft on the Tasman and South Pacific routes has been cancelled.
Cathay Pacific (CX) has celebrated the 40th anniversary of its inaugural flight to New Zealand. The first CX 747-200 aircraft touched down in Auckland. Cathay, pictured, now operates Airbus A350-1000s on the route to its home base in Hong Kong. The airline builds back to daily flights from late October, as well as four seasonal flights each week Christchurch to Hong Kong. We’ve been receiving some very good feedback about Cathay Pacific’s on board product and in particular its lie-flat Business Class seating. Hong Kong International Airport, which celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year, remains one of the best transit airports on the Pacific rim.
Our Travel Expert Tanya Warman took a peek at the new Emirates Premium Economy product which now features on the airline’s A380 aircraft to Dubai from Auckland and Christchurch. Tanya commented that the ‘luxe look and feel’ of the Business Class cabin is carried through to this Premium Economy cabin with its cream leather seats and gold accents. The pitch at around 40” is similar to most other airlines. As the product is relatively new it does not feature on many of the airline’s Dubai-Europe flights as yet.
Qantas has launched Qantas Club Flexible, a new membership option which allows customers to pay for 28-day access to its 30 Qantas branded lounges. The new subscription membership gives customers flexibility and choice to enjoy access to Qantas lounges on an ad hoc basis, as an alternative option to the annual Qantas Club membership. The cost is a one-off NZ$129 joining fee, plus NZ$99 per 28-day cycle for access to Qantas Club, Qantas Domestic and Qantas International Business lounges in Australia and around the world. Qantas operates their own lounges in Auckland and Wellington airports, this is a good solution if you are about to embark on a business trip which will also include Australian domestic flights.
Summer is almost here and with that, the seasonal flights from quite a few airlines will recommence. These flights generally operate between November and March.
- Hawaiian Airlines (Auckland/Honolulu)
- Cathay Pacific (Christchurch/Hong Kong)
- American Airlines (Auckland Dallas/Fort Worth and Auckland /Los Angeles)
- Delta Airlines (Auckland/Los Angeles)
- Air Canada (Auckland/Vancouver)