NZ vs QF (operated by JetConnect) for NZ domestic flights AKL-ZQN-CHC-AKL

[dsim]

I am planning for NZ trip in Aug to visit Christchurch & Queenstown for 3-4 nights in each city/town. Arriving & leaving NZ via AKL. Would like to have AKL as my last stop as will be leaving AKL-BWN at a 0940hr flight.

I noticed for NZ domestic flights on Air NZ vs Qantas (operated by JetConnect). Qantas seems to be cheaper for AKL-QZN-CHC-AKL compared to Air NZ.

Anyone has experience on domestic NZ flights on both Air NZ and Qantas / JetConnect can share departure punctuality, service, etc? We are travelling as 2 adults and 2 small children (age 3 and 6).

[SQflyergirl]

I've only flown domestically on NZ so can't comment on QF, but it's an all Y service, and not much to speak about. I would like however, to suggest one thing - between ZQN and CHC ---- rent a car and drive. It is utterly and awesomely spectacular. Doable in about 5 hours via Ashburton-Fairlie-Lake Tekapo-Twizel-Omarama-Cromwell

Stunning. Can't say enough good things about it

[dsim]

I've only flown domestically on NZ so can't comment on QF, but it's an all Y service, and not much to speak about. I would like however, to suggest one thing - between ZQN and CHC ---- rent a car and drive. It is utterly and awesomely spectacular. Doable in about 5 hours via Ashburton-Fairlie-Lake Tekapo-Twizel-Omarama-Cromwell

Stunning. Can't say enough good things about it

thanks for the suggestion, driving between christchurch and queenstown is an alternative we are considering.

the flight tickets between queenstown/christchurch (nzd116-137/way) and queenstown/auckland (nad146-366/way) are the expensive ones, compared to the nzd79 one-way between chc/akl.

dennis

[SQ LPP]

I've only flown domestically on NZ so can't comment on QF, but it's an all Y service, and not much to speak about. I would like however, to suggest one thing - between ZQN and CHC ---- rent a car and drive. It is utterly and awesomely spectacular. Doable in about 5 hours via Ashburton-Fairlie-Lake Tekapo-Twizel-Omarama-Cromwell

Stunning. Can't say enough good things about it

Are you sure it's only about 5 hours? Did you drive the east side? I did the west side. Really enjoyed the glaciers and the scenery of waterfalls and ferns.

[Kiwi]

Queenstown is ZQN.

QF & NZ fares are identical, however often NZ sells out of the cheaper fares earlier than QF.

When are you travelling? In winter I would not recommend flying QF to ZQN, at least not unless you are okay with the risk of having to bus in from IVC (Invercargill). QF will divert to IVC at the slightest hint of bad weather (which is very often at ZQN in winter since it is in the mountains) and bus passengers in to ZQN. The flight out from ZQN is then cancelled and either put on later flight (which could be next day or later) or bussed to Christchurch! Air NZ hardly ever diverts because they have equipment in their a/c that allows them to land in worse conditions, and because they can afford to have an a/c wait out the weather in CHC whereas QF only has a handful of a/c and must either divert or cancel. In summer it is less of a problem, but can still happen sometimes.

Onboard service depends on day of week & time of flight (and for NZ also on the a/c type).

QF will have water and muffin/biscuit/mini pie - except for CHC-ZQN and ZQN-CHC flights which are too short and water only. For AKL-CHC and CHC-AKL flights they might get the same, or get better service (especially weekdays peak hour flights).

NZ have water only CHC-ZQN and ZQN-CHC. For AKL-CHC and CHC-AKL (or AKL-ZQN vv nonstop) again weekday peak hour flights get better service, off peak might get a muffin (breakfast time) or even better in the evening.

QF on time performance is bad - and is worse in afternoon than in the morning. With a small flight any problem (and their a/c are on the old side so seem to attract problems) causes many delays or cancellations. If you have OW status QF will generally put you on the next available NZ flight (which might fly at the same time as the cancelled QF flights, or could be hours later if NZ flights are full). If you don't have OW status then QF probably will transfer to a later QF flight.

If you have NZ status look for A320 a/c and try to nab a seat in the first couple of rows (business seats). If OW status then QF will generally preallocate forward seats - on some a/c (but not all) this is also a business seat.

Note all these comments are in respect of domestic flights within NZ. (QF is Australia is much more reliable.) I have flown into and out of ZQN dozens of times and many hundreds of domestic flights on both QF and NZ so I know well what to watch out for. If you want any further info or tips, please ask.

[Kiwi]

I've only flown domestically on NZ so can't comment on QF, but it's an all Y service, and not much to speak about. I would like however, to suggest one thing - between ZQN and CHC ---- rent a car and drive. It is utterly and awesomely spectacular. Doable in about 5 hours via Ashburton-Fairlie-Lake Tekapo-Twizel-Omarama-Cromwell

Stunning. Can't say enough good things about it

Personally I would fly CHC-ZQN (in that direction) and drive ZQN-CHC.

Firstly the approach into ZQN is stunning - one of the best anywhere as you fly in between the mountains weaving down into the valleys and basin. Flying out is also nice, but not as spectacular. Right hand side has the best views into ZQN but left is okay too.

The drive is very nice, and by driving you don't have to worry about flight out being cancelled due to weather.

[Kiwi]

thanks for the suggestion, driving between christchurch and queenstown is an alternative we are considering.

the flight tickets between queenstown/christchurch (nzd116-137/way) and queenstown/auckland (nad146-366/way) are the expensive ones, compared to the nzd79 one-way between chc/akl.

dennis

Yeah ZQN is more expensive than CHC, but not much more (for a lot longer flight). Unfortunately not too many sales for ZQN (less competition, AKL-CHC has 3 airlines vs only 2 for ZQN, and as I mention above QF has problems serving ZQN).

[Kiwi]

Are you sure it's only about 5 hours? Did you drive the east side? I did the west side. Really enjoyed the glaciers and the scenery of waterfalls and ferns.

Going via West Coast is much further to drive, and also slower (more hilly roads compared with the route inland along the mountains on the eastern side).

[SQflyergirl]

Are you sure it's only about 5 hours? Did you drive the east side? I did the west side. Really enjoyed the glaciers and the scenery of waterfalls and ferns.

Yeah, 5 hours each time i've done it. One fuel stop maybe. I try not to stretch it after learning my lesson one day going to milford sound.

Saw a signboard in Te Anau that recommended filling up before going up to the fjordlands. Refused to listen, and by the time I got up there - the one and only gas station in Milford Sound had run out of stock.

So we waited about 4 hours before replenishment arrived, and as it was a truly self-service gas station, there were no attendants, so you could only pay by credit card... an NZ issued credit card that is.

I ruined my nails that day i can tell you and was thinking that I'd be stuck there a long time until George and Mildred (I do not know their names, but they were an elderly couple, the gentleman rode the bike, the lady rode in the sidecar, hence that's who they'll forever be in my mind ) came by and let us use their credit card and we paid them back in cash.

Going via West Coast is much further to drive

That's the plan for next time

[Kiwi]

Saw a signboard in Te Anau that recommended filling up before going up to the fjordlands. Refused to listen, and by the time I got up there - the one and only gas station in Milford Sound had run out of stock.

Reminds me that BP is pulling the fuel tanks out at Milford Sound airport. Better hope you don't need to do too much extra circling.

[dsim]

thanks for the responses! helps me to decide whether to drive to queenstown or fly in. to drive, i may have to stopover at mt cook / tekapo for a night. i dont think 5hrs is possible - at least for me and 2 small kids at the rear. probably 4hr from christchurch to mt cook / tekapo, stopover for a night, then another 3hr to queenstown the next day.

the driving option from christchurch to queenstown and back... did some maths... minus savings for not purchasing flights to akl, add in car rental + fuel, overnight at mt cook / tekapo... ends up to be the same. the only plus is that i get to have a car to drive around queenstown for 3-4 days.

i only have 11d10n in nz. just received reservation confirmation for my arrival in akl 17-aug 830am and departure from akl 27-aug 930am.

i may also consider leaving out visit to christchurch. so, just visit queenstown and auckland (since akl is my entry/departure point). then again, with akl-zqn-akl will cost about the same as akl-chc-zqn-akl (or akl-zqn-chc-akl) on air nz.

[Kiwi]

Today is a good example of potential issues flying to/from ZQN. Weather is not great, currently raining.

Today's first QF CHC-ZQN got diverted to IVC. The return flight ZQN-CHC is cancelled, as is AKL-ZQN-AKL. The afternoon CHC-ZQN-CHC will be assessed later. For NZ, the jet flights to and from ZQN are all operating. 2 prop flights CHC-ZQN-CHC have been cancelled and an extra A320 flight put on instead.

[dsim]

Today is a good example of potential issues flying to/from ZQN. Weather is not great, currently raining.

Today's first QF CHC-ZQN got diverted to IVC. The return flight ZQN-CHC is cancelled, as is AKL-ZQN-AKL. The afternoon CHC-ZQN-CHC will be assessed later. For NZ, the jet flights to and from ZQN are all operating. 2 prop flights CHC-ZQN-CHC have been cancelled and an extra A320 flight put on instead.

wow, guess i better stick to air nz if i choose to fly in/out of queenstown...

[Kiwi]

NZ is less risky.

[zxcvbn]

This thread reminds me of my flight ROT/CHC/ZQN/CHC on NZ.
Can't remember which plane was used, but it was a tiny prop aircraft.

Was pretty scary flying over the mountains that low