Travel Flights- Australia to USA

[Nelso]

I'm flying Air New Zealand from Vancouver to Auckland next year. What are peoples experiences like with them? They have a pretty good reputation but I've never been with them. It was a good deal, it's about as quick as you can cross the Pacific and I avoid US customs so I'm pretty happy with it.

See 2 posts above.

 

[Catfish Alley]

Saw that. Was hoping for a bigger sample

 

[Tannehill17]

Was about to book yesterday arvo, had some shit to do and the prices went up by a couple hundred by the time I was back on a computer. Ended up get return tickets from Melbourne to LA for about $1600 flying with Delta. Instead of leaving on 31st, im leaving on the 4th so I wont be in seattle to watch us win the Superbowl. Will probably give Seattle a miss and hit up either North Carolina or Indianapolis instead.

 

[DrVanNostrand]

I'm also looking very closely at Air NZ for my trip in March, flying Auckland-San Francisco one-way. Currently $974NZ which is very reasonable, but holding out until it goes back on sale at $874NZ like it was a few months back when I failed to capitalise

 

[Nelso]

Was about to book yesterday arvo, had some shit to do and the prices went up by a couple hundred by the time I was back on a computer. Ended up get return tickets from Melbourne to LA for about $1600 flying with Delta. Instead of leaving on 31st, im leaving on the 4th so I wont be in seattle to watch us win the Superbowl. Will probably give Seattle a miss and hit up either North Carolina or Indianapolis instead.

Dont worry the 49er's will take care of you in the playoffs .

Should be plenty of room on the Delta flight. I would have thought they would be very low down on the pecking order of airline choices to the US.

 

[Catfish Alley]

I'm also looking very closely at Air NZ for my trip in March, flying Auckland-San Francisco one-way. Currently $974NZ which is very reasonable, but holding out until it goes back on sale at $874NZ like it was a few months back when I failed to capitalise

That's a pretty good deal. I managed to get flights for $1,400 from Vancouver to Melbourne.

 

[Aussie Joe]

I'm also looking very closely at Air NZ for my trip in March, flying Auckland-San Francisco one-way. Currently $974NZ which is very reasonable, but holding out until it goes back on sale at $874NZ like it was a few months back when I failed to capitalise

That is a great deal!

 

[JuddsABlue]

Just returned from my 6th trip doing the Melbourne - LA return

First time on Qantas on the Boeing 747, next four times on the Qantas A380 and this time on Virgin

Can't imagine a scenario where I'll fly Virgin again for that leg tbh. It wasn't torture, but Qantas do it so much better even putting the much better plane aside

A few people before said Virgin have a great entertainment system, those people haven't flown Qantas. Virgin has about 15-20 movies to would appeal to the broader audience, Qantas have about 150-200, ranging from new releases to classics and just movies ppl love to watch. Virgin also had a shitty crackling sound in the audio in mine and a few friends seats

LAX is a shit airport, but the virgin terminal is the worst I've ever seen. Nobody can say they'd rather spend 4 hours in there than the Qantas one

I busted my leg in the USA and asked for a seat with leg room (I'm on crutches wearing a moon boot), girl told me she got me a seat in a certain spot which was great, I got on the plane and had a completely normal seat making the flight really uncomfortable. Had the same hoastie kick my leg 3 times and not say a word just kept walking

Add to that of course the A380 is a 50 times better plane than the 777 whatever they run with, more comfortable, more room, more toilets (bigger toilets) and a better overall feel with less annoying staff

Virgin seem to try to pump up the hands on approach, but it was annoying more than anything. Constantly bugged at the start of the flight for 20 different things and having the movie interrupted by the cabin manager introducing himself then the flight manager etc it was just so annoying

So now done both I can safely say Qantas is the far better option. I'd need about a $300 price difference to consider flying Virgin

 

[stanga]

flew V Australia melb to LA for my honeymoon , got upgraded to premium economy which was a surprise , love the walk up bar , 2IC made his welcome speech weather on arrival etc then gave us congrats then the whole cabin gave us a clap , slightly embarrassed , and when we got off the gave us a bottle of champers , was happy to say the least

 

[Nelso]

Just returned from my 6th trip doing the Melbourne - LA return

First time on Qantas on the Boeing 747, next four times on the Qantas A380 and this time on Virgin

Can't imagine a scenario where I'll fly Virgin again for that leg tbh. It wasn't torture, but Qantas do it so much better even putting the much better plane aside

A few people before said Virgin have a great entertainment system, those people haven't flown Qantas. Virgin has about 15-20 movies to would appeal to the broader audience, Qantas have about 150-200, ranging from new releases to classics and just movies ppl love to watch. Virgin also had a shitty crackling sound in the audio in mine and a few friends seats

LAX is a shit airport, but the virgin terminal is the worst I've ever seen. Nobody can say they'd rather spend 4 hours in there than the Qantas one

I busted my leg in the USA and asked for a seat with leg room (I'm on crutches wearing a moon boot), girl told me she got me a seat in a certain spot which was great, I got on the plane and had a completely normal seat making the flight really uncomfortable. Had the same hoastie kick my leg 3 times and not say a word just kept walking

Add to that of course the A380 is a 50 times better plane than the 777 whatever they run with, more comfortable, more room, more toilets (bigger toilets) and a better overall feel with less annoying staff

Virgin seem to try to pump up the hands on approach, but it was annoying more than anything. Constantly bugged at the start of the flight for 20 different things and having the movie interrupted by the cabin manager introducing himself then the flight manager etc it was just so annoying

So now done both I can safely say Qantas is the far better option. I'd need about a $300 price difference to consider flying Virgin

Nothing compares to the A380. Unbelievable plane. The entertainment system is first class.

 

[Goodo73]

LAX is a shit airport

I hear this a lot but have never had anyone stipulate why. Now I've been through LAX a few times, but can't say I've experienced anything which has made me think it's drastically worse than others (that I've been into).

Basically just curious to know what beef people have with it.

 

[JuddsABlue]

I hear this a lot but have never had anyone stipulate why. Now I've been through LAX a few times, but can't say I've experienced anything which has made me think it's drastically worse than others (that I've been into).

Basically just curious to know what beef people have with it.

I'm not a wordly traveller, but from the airports I've been too, the terminals are very poor (old, poor food and entertainment options etc)

The security check points are always the longest and slowest in my experience as well

In comparison to smaller airports then it's fine but in comparison to airports of its size it's old run down dirty and in appealing

As an airport it does it's job fine, but there are so many other airports you would rather be

Also hear a lot of ppl I travel with who are very wordly and seen a lot of airports say the same thing

 

[Nelso]

I'm not a wordly traveller, but from the airports I've been too, the terminals are very poor (old, poor food and entertainment options etc)

The security check points are always the longest and slowest in my experience as well

In comparison to smaller airports then it's fine but in comparison to airports of its size it's old run down dirty and in appealing

As an airport it does it's job fine, but there are so many other airports you would rather be

Also hear a lot of ppl I travel with who are very wordly and seen a lot of airports say the same thing

You can kind of understand it after the Yanks having to live through 9/11. They don't want to take any chances.

I agree with you the airport is outdated but it does it job.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

LAX is going to under go a $4.2 billion dollar upgrade.

Should be good.

 

[Freakie]

LAX is going to under go a $4.2 billion dollar upgrade.

Should be good.

Not enough, they need to spend at least $20 billion to get that place look even remotely good. Shittest airport I've been to (closely followed by Nadi, but that's another story)

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Not enough, they need to spend at least $20 billion to get that place look even remotely good. Shittest airport I've been to (closely followed by Nadi, but that's another story)

LOL - agree with Nadi. That place is as dodgy as ****. But yes, that's another story.

 

[FR0GGY]

Just returned from my 6th trip doing the Melbourne - LA return

First time on Qantas on the Boeing 747, next four times on the Qantas A380 and this time on Virgin

Can't imagine a scenario where I'll fly Virgin again for that leg tbh. It wasn't torture, but Qantas do it so much better even putting the much better plane aside

A few people before said Virgin have a great entertainment system, those people haven't flown Qantas. Virgin has about 15-20 movies to would appeal to the broader audience, Qantas have about 150-200, ranging from new releases to classics and just movies ppl love to watch. Virgin also had a shitty crackling sound in the audio in mine and a few friends seats

LAX is a shit airport, but the virgin terminal is the worst I've ever seen. Nobody can say they'd rather spend 4 hours in there than the Qantas one

I busted my leg in the USA and asked for a seat with leg room (I'm on crutches wearing a moon boot), girl told me she got me a seat in a certain spot which was great, I got on the plane and had a completely normal seat making the flight really uncomfortable. Had the same hoastie kick my leg 3 times and not say a word just kept walking

Add to that of course the A380 is a 50 times better plane than the 777 whatever they run with, more comfortable, more room, more toilets (bigger toilets) and a better overall feel with less annoying staff

Virgin seem to try to pump up the hands on approach, but it was annoying more than anything. Constantly bugged at the start of the flight for 20 different things and having the movie interrupted by the cabin manager introducing himself then the flight manager etc it was just so annoying

So now done both I can safely say Qantas is the far better option. I'd need about a $300 price difference to consider flying Virgin

Yeah I've done both this year (A380 Qantas and 747 virgin) far prefer qantas, virgins plane did not have individual aircon which sucked. I like have to have air on me.

 

[And_ROOS]

So what would you folk recommend in the way of going from Melbourne to Canada? Air NZ seems to be the way.

 

[Catfish Alley]

So what would you folk recommend in the way of going from Melbourne to Canada? Air NZ seems to be the way.

That's who I'm going with next March. I've never flown with them but it looks like a good option. Good price, fairly direct and they are a well rated airline.

There are a number of ways. Qantas or Virgin are pretty good. Air Canada are better than they used to be if you want to skip the States and you can also get to Vancouver through Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific.

I still think Air NZ might be the best option. I'll see how I go in March. Whatever you do, don't cross the Pacific on United.

 

[And_ROOS]

Im wanting to skip over the states, that country holds no interest to me.

Avoiding United and all the Chinese.

 

[Catfish Alley]

Im wanting to skip over the states, that country holds no interest to me.

Avoiding United and all the Chinese.

You don't have to visit the States. Just be in transit. That narrows it down though. Air New Zealand through Auckland or Air Canada direct from Sydney to Vancouver.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Getting the Emirates A380 from Dubai to New York in 60 days.

Fair to say, I'm a wee bit excited.

Not looking forward to the 2 14 hour flights from Adelaide to New York via Dubai but.

 

[Drumroe]

Getting the Emirates A380 from Dubai to New York in 60 days.

Fair to say, I'm a wee bit excited.

Not looking forward to the 2 14 hour flights from Adelaide to New York via Dubai but.

I did the same flights, if you struggle to sleep on planes, depending how long your stopover is, check out the snooze cubes in Dubai airport (google it). I had a good 5 hour sleep in one on my return stopover

 

[Aries]

Flew with Air NZ this year, did the job. From Aukland to Honolulu the plane was empty so had an entire row of seats for every passenger. Seamed like a one off though, the rest of their flights were full to the brim.

Anyone flown with Southern China Airlines. Seen flights to Vancouver (from Perth) for $1300 which is ridiculously cheap. Surely they cant be that bad, right?

 

[Freakie]

Flew with Air NZ this year, did the job. From Aukland to Honolulu the plane was empty so had an entire row of seats for every passenger. Seamed like a one off though, the rest of their flights were full to the brim.

Anyone flown with Southern China Airlines. Seen flights to Vancouver (from Perth) for $1300 which is ridiculously cheap. Surely they cant be that bad, right?

They are that bad...