BEVS

I am looking at return flights to the UK. Needs to be around June/July outward unfortunately , if it is to happen at all , otherwise no point.

I am seeing quite some mighty prices. These days we have to think very hard on what is sensible or doable.

Not of an age to do the yo-yo, multiple ups and downs to get there. Needs to be just the two flights out and then back. We might be able to do a few days stopover. Not sure.

What sort of prices would anyone expect please?

old.sparkles

I did a quick search from here and got $3176 AUD which I think is around $3400 NZD.

How does that compare to what you get?

ETA - that was departing 18 June for 3 weeks.

spouse of scouse

What are your departure and arrival airports M?

BEVS

That is cheaper. I was getting a good $4/5K . However that would include us having to get from Nelson to Auckland ( internal flights)

Is that two direct flights ? Would have to encompass the 8th July with a week before for jetlag and settling and then some weeks after . I have not been back since 2009. Himself has been back but not since 2015.

old.sparkles

That was Auckland to US (George Bush International I think) to LHR so 1 stop and about 26 hr total with the stop over I'm afraid.

I looked at any NZ to Perth then non-stop to LHR as well, but that had an added stop in Melbourne and was more expensive.

old.sparkles

I added the start at Nelson, and the price is now showing as nearly $5k NZ, but I haven't been using private browsing which won't help

springbeeagain

In my experience, the Nelson leg adds considerably to the overall fare. Most specials are also only from Auckland/Wellington etc.
BEVS A good way to find fare differences through the year is to look at Google Flights, it will show you projections depending on dates/duration etc so you can play around. Fares that have more than 1 stop are more expensive as are shorter duration flights.
Final word of warning is that sometimes fares are advertised from weird sites so make sure you book finally from a proper site eg. the airline direct. Good luck and safe travels.

BEVS

Yes. I agree. Nelson always adds a premium. The only way is to book the internal on a AirNZ flight saver and stay the night in Auck. However these days any changes to flights stuffs you up.

I am not fond of Auckland airport but there is little choice now.

No worries. I would never book anything that I was not sure about. It would need to be the airline direct tbh , otherwise much poo could ensue.

Justcol

I'd drive to chch and get a cheapo flight to Auckland the day before. Cheap return and a night in the airport hotel will only be a couple of hundy each, a lot less than booking from nelson as part of the package.
July is pretty short notice for int flights so it's gonna be up there. Don't forget seat selection and can add a bit to the initial price you are given.
Search 2 or 3 days either side of both your departure and return dates. Prices can drop hundreds from one date to another, and believe it of not, the best day to book flights is a Tuesday. No idea why but there are cheaper options available on Tuesdays.
personally, without searching, I don't think you get much under 4k each for the whole trip

spouse of scouse

Calling M! Would you be ok departing from Christchurch or does it have to be Auckland? Which UK airport do you want to arrive at?

spouse of scouse

Sample - Etihad Airways flights. Would have to spend the day in Melbourne (13 hours) Other transit times are good.

Depart 6.00 Sunday 18 June, Christchurch to Melbourne. 4 hour flight, arrive 8.00am Melbourne time.
Day in Melbourne 13hr10min
Depart Melbourne 21.10 18 June, Melbourne to Abu Dhabi. 13hr 50min flight, arrive 05.00 Abu Dhabi time.
3hr 25min layover Abu Dhabi airport
Depart Abu Dhabi 08.25, arrive London Heathrow 12.50 19 June. 7hr 25min flight.

Return route is the same but transit times are much better, depart Heathrow 3 August (night flight)
3hr10min Abu Dhabi airport transit
4hr5min Melbourne airport transit
NZ$3,308 per person

Pollyana

That looks like a pretty good route, I was also thinking of Melbourne, Perth then non-stop to London - cuts out the hassle of security checks reboarding in the Middle East, and it was a great flight for sleeping on. Might cost a bit more but I'vé done it twice now and thought it was worth it.

BEVS - don't go via the USA, you need the ESTA etc, rechecking your luggage, lots of unnecessary hassle.

BEVS

I hadn't actually thought about flying out of Xchurch. Not sure why now I think about it . I suppose I was assuming most all ,double , long-hauls were out of Auckland atm.

Christchurch NZ would be a 5/6 hour drive or an internal but doable. Aim would be to fly into London. First stop = Dorset .

I'll discount the USA routes then as we've no need for extra hassles and 'mares . Thanks for the tipoff. We'd just want as smooth as poss but we need to be able to afford it too.

On top, there is the cattery for puss ; transport the other end ; and finding somewhere to stay for a good 4 weeks as I think that if we can get there at all , then we need to make the most or best possible. I also need to remember that himself is not feeling the same on this , particularly on the expenditure front.

spouse of scouse

I love the idea of a non-stop Perth - London flight and would definitely do that if London (and surrounds) was my destination. I'm too scared to do Perth - London - Manchester because Heathrow terrifies me! We usually have a stop in the Middle East then on to Manchester.

BEVS

Where's me thanks words. They be missing . Soz.

Anyway. Thank you
M