CatLady1234

Hi there
I'm soon coming out to nz to work. I'm looking at flights. I'm in the UK. Would be flying from London Heathrow to Christchurch.
Ideally I would like to take with me in addition to my suitcase and hand luggage, a bicycle.
Emirates seems more expensive than Singapore Airlines and the flight also takes longer so I don't quite understand this.
I'm just wondering if there's an airline anyone would recommend? Perhaps theres one that has extra baggage allowance?
Many thanks!

sr71

It depends on your combination of bags and whether you need to pay extra. Both those airlines allow up to 30kg including your bike. But anything above that is USD$85 per kg

Air NZ allow a single bag of 23kg, but you can buy an extra bag for 90 pounds which takes it to 46kg

American Airlines allows 2 x 23kg bags.

Bo-Jangles

Emirates takes longer as there are two stops; Dubai and Melbourne. It would have to be considerably cheaper before I would even consider it, as you are adding in that extra step and all that entails in getting off and waiting to get onto another plane, more security / processing, queuing etc.

Ria_

I read somewhere (probably here), that some airlines do packages for new migrants which allow extra baggage allowance.

I know Qantas are partnered with ANZ to allow an additional 15kg per person at no extra charge (for 45kg total), if you create a bank account with ANZ. I believe they have migrant banking packages.

Sources:
Migrant Fares from the UK | Qantas
https://www.anz.co.nz/personal/accou...nking-package/

I haven't looked into what other deals there are for UK migrants yet, just making note if I stumble across anything as I won't be flying for another year at least.

sr71

I don't think bikes are cheap anywhere really, so it would be worth bringing if it's got reasonable value.

As a frequent traveller to the US, Asia and Australia, NZ isn't too bad for prices as long as you buy on special

psychopomp1

I recently flew on China Southern Airlines from LHR-AKL in cattle class and back via Guangzhou (they also fly to Christchurch) and journey went fine without any dramas. They do some cracking fares to NZ and allow 2 x 23kg checked in luggage allowance. One of the reasons why i chose CZ was so that i could have a 12-24hrs rest in a hotel at Guangzhou (roughly mid-point between UK and NZ) as I don't think i could do a non-stop flight from the Gulf to NZ in cattle class....uuuurgghhhh. China visa (up to 72 hrs) & hotel is provided free of charge by CZ.

sr71

I'd pay extra for that, I'm over spending hours in planes and would rather break a journey up. I'd even be happy doing Akl-Mel-Sin-Dubai-Europe rather than an 18 hour flight to Dubai

Tom H

When we flew over in 2011, we were allowed 40kg per person as long as we showed Singapore Airlines our visa at Heathrow. I'm not 100% certain if they still do it, but it's worth checking.

There's also many excellent deals where you can have a 3 night stop over in Singapore. We flew back at Christmas to London for $6000 a few years back, which included 3 nights in Singapore. Great place to stop over if you haven't visited. I'm sure it'll be similar in UK pounds.

If you're coming to Christchurch, Singapore Airlines is a no brainer for European flights. Excellent connection times to Christchurch and only one stop. As much as I like Emirates, the London to Dubai leg is a killer!!!!!

If you're arriving between October and April, check out Cathay Pacific. They're flying direct to Christchurch this year in our summer months. Another excellent airline to use.

desmondo84

Singapore air had a deal if you were emigrating you could bring 40 kg - we had 2 toddlers so that was 160 kg plus hand luggage plus a double buggy!!! Savage amount of stuff.

We found them really good.

Scottishedo

Oh this could be worth looking at for us, we also have a double buggy to bring 🙈

sr71

Buggies are usually free anyway

CatLady1234

I am going out on a work to residence visa to NZ.

Are these extra baggage allowances still available from airlines for those emigrating?

I am unsure if my visa would qualify though, it lasts for 3 years then I can apply for residence.

Pollyana

You'd probably need to check with the individual airlines for their current policy.