Brisbane to San Francisco: Air New Zealand or Virgin & Delta?

Hi everyone, i am comparing economy flight options from brisbane to san francisco. I have Air NZ via Auckland (2 or 3 hr layover each direction) or VA/Delta via LAX (3hr+ lay over). Fare similar. I have VA Gold and priority pass. Which route would everyone suggest?

I would recommend virgin and delta if the price is the same. Since you already have status with virgin, you can enjoy lounge access when flying with them and Delta, in addition to other benefits such as priority boarding and free checked luggage. Not to mention the better economy config in virgin long haul fleet with much wider seats compared to air NZ.

Although it’s certainly not a fun experience, I think LAX isn’t as bad as some people make out I fly there return at least twice a year with minimal dramas. If your layover is 3 hours as you mentioned freshen up with a shower at the Delta Sky Club if you have VA Gold

I'd try to get premium economy for this, Virgin has a good premium economy on its Boeing 777s to LAX although you then have that LAX layover when SFO is barely an hour's flight away. Air New Zealand also has a stopover but that's in Auckland and then you are straight through to San Francisco!

This might be my kiwi bias, but I would absolutely go with the Air NZ option.

From a seat point of view I prefer VA over Air NZ in Y, pitch and width are far superior on VA . Service is about the same. Air NZ has a much better entertainment. If you can afford the extra for Economy X in VA I find it a worthwhile improvement for the extra space. LAX is a lot better than it used to be, and transiting to DL is simple. With good lounge access, extra luggage from gold status along with gaining points. I would likely choose VA.

Virgin is all up a better experience to LA in every class imo- especially with VA Gold. The transfer to Delta in LA really isn't that bad anymore and you get looked after with status. There are some good deals in both Economy and Premium I've seen pop up in targeted advertising too.

booked VA/DL

Which timetable suits you best?

If flying economy I would definitely go VA over NZ. Have done both and the 3-3-3 on VA is so noticeable after flying 3-4-3 on NZ

((For Iltravel01)), KF & VFF now is at 1:1.55, ie need more of each to go for the other.