saveme

In a fit of pique I quit my job on Thursday although I will probably move into grovel mode on Monday (despite having legitimate grievances.)

I'm definitely going to Sydney at the beginning of November as I've got a long leave of absence approved. I'm intending to fly both ways via US on Air NZ with stopovers in LA, Honolulu and maybe Auckland too. Cost about £4,000 I reckon. I usually fly Cathay Pacific but I want to see my brother in USA.

I'm just interested in any experiences with ANZ flying this way.

Thanks
David

Wol

I've flown both First and Business with them and found them just fine. Mind you, that was some time ago.

Dorothy

We flew ANZ from San Francisco to Adelaide via Auckland. Service was very good.

bcworld

They don't have first anymore, only business. It's essentially the same seat as Virgin Upper class. Probably the best bed seat on the trans-Pacific to Aus/NZ.

saveme

Thanks very much, alerady made provisional booking - 4 Nov LHR - LAX make my own way to Vancouver, fly on to Auckaldn for another stopover then on to Sydney 29 Nov then back the same way in 2009. £3900 plus.

14 hour flight to Auckland from Van - need that flat bed! may pay more to go via Honolulu.

Thanks again
Dave

bcworld

I'm guessing you are already a member of some frequent flyer program(s) but if not this would be a good one to credit miles to bmi Diamond Club. Their program is really good for part cash part miles bookings and you can get a one-way back to Aus in business class for about GBP400 + 37500 miles. I did the same on a mixture of Singapore Airlines and Thai a couple of years back. Well worth it!

Your Air NZ flights would probably earn close to 50000 bmi miles.

Dorothy

Fly Northwest from LA to Seattle and then hire a car to drive across the border. If you go straight up I5 it's only a couple of hours drive through some really lovely scenery. It's much less expensive than flying from US to Canada. We used to fly out of Buffalo whenever we were going anywhere in the States and saved huge $$. Northwest is a good, cheap airline, too.

bcworld

Have you considered buying a RTW business class ticket? You might find it is a very competitive option compared to booking individual segments yourself.

There is a fare called 'The Great Escapade' and it only includes Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand and Virgin Atlantic....although you would probably have to come back via Singapore or Hong Kong as generally with RTW tix you have to keep moving in the same direction.