QF Wed, Sat, Sun only from/to SYD. Winter flights direct from/to BNE and MEL, weekends only I think. NZ winter flights direct from/to SYD have J class.
Direct it is only Qantas, however Air New Zealand does offer business class which is far superior on their larger 777/747 jets via Auckland which have the fully flat beds not the extra legroom recliners.
If I were you, if you wanted direct, book 'Works Deluxe' on Air NZ because then you will get Priority Check in and Baggae handling as well as an extra checked bag but the difference is LOUNGE ACCESS!!! Qantas will only offer in Aussie, with Air NZ having Koru Lounges in Both NZ and Aussie for both sides of the trip. Virgin Australia permium economy passengers will also be able to use the NZ lounges.
But then again it is up to what you prefer...enjoy your travelling :)
If going via AKL in J do EK, not NZ - cheaper fares, better lounges and A380 service SYD and MEL. Problem is most flights from Australia (any airline) arrive AKL too late for connection to last flight to ZQN so you've got an overnight AKL then another 2 hour flight in economy (no domestic J class in NZ)- flights from AKL back to Australia leave late in the day so connections are doable ex ZQN.
In NZ Works Deluxe the middle seat in rows 1-3 (A320) isn't used, so it's like European business. Has to be NZ metal, VA metal (even as codeshare) does not offer. But, direct flights between ZQN and Australia seem to be possible only on Jetstar until ski season kicks in. At that point you'll get NZ J class at $1200 one way or Works Deluxe for about half that.
CHC is a possible transfer point, but one hour flight to/from ZQN on an ATR 72 at high prices.
How about Jetstar, buy two seats for extra personal space and go direct?
If you want to fly direct to Queenstown Air New Zealand is the best option. However, no matter who you fly with, if you're going for a ski holiday in winter, be wary about Queenstown airport as the weather can be quite variable and it isn't uncommon to find yourself landing in Christchurch and then spending 7 hours on a bus trip down. Personally, I would be happy to take the risk (Small Chance of happening, but still a chance) to fly direct to Queenstown, plan B would be to fly to Christchurch, hire a car and enjoy an amazing drive down and then fly out of Queenstown. And if your outbound flight was weather effected you would have to just spend more time at one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
Downsides to plan B: roads can be icy in winter, Lindis Pass on SH8 can be closed by snow or require chains to get through.
New performance-based navigation system installed at ZQN will make it much more reliable this year. ATR 72 aircraft from/to CHC do not have this - not sure about VA either.
Bad news is most overseas flights arrive in a 3 hour window and immigration/customs delays can be horrendous - I've been in a queue stretching outside the terminal with 50 people waiting out in the cold and 200 more waiting indoors. Departure delays can also be pretty bad, especiually if de-icing needed.
Plan C: fly into Dunedin and drive from there? About 4 hours to Queenstown and no mountain passes to get through.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on
do any airlines fly to Queenstown with business class?
kim
kim
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 01 May 2013
Total posts 54
do any airlines fly to Queenstown with business class?
qfflyer
qfflyer
Member since 26 May 2012
Total posts 131
Qantas from Sydney and Melbourne.
SteveCF
SteveCF
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 15 Aug 2012
Total posts 67
Do Qantas provide a direct flight to Queenstown tho? I don't think they do.
SteveCF
SteveCF
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 15 Aug 2012
Total posts 67
Just answering my own question, Qantas does go Direct.
wilsoni Banned
wilsoni Banned
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Sep 2011
Total posts 302
QF Wed, Sat, Sun only from/to SYD. Winter flights direct from/to BNE and MEL, weekends only I think. NZ winter flights direct from/to SYD have J class.
Koru17
Koru17
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 04 Sep 2012
Total posts 102
Direct it is only Qantas, however Air New Zealand does offer business class which is far superior on their larger 777/747 jets via Auckland which have the fully flat beds not the extra legroom recliners.
If I were you, if you wanted direct, book 'Works Deluxe' on Air NZ because then you will get Priority Check in and Baggae handling as well as an extra checked bag but the difference is LOUNGE ACCESS!!! Qantas will only offer in Aussie, with Air NZ having Koru Lounges in Both NZ and Aussie for both sides of the trip. Virgin Australia permium economy passengers will also be able to use the NZ lounges.
But then again it is up to what you prefer...enjoy your travelling :)
am
am
Member since 15 Apr 2011
Total posts 216
But the almost 2 hour domestic hop from Auckland would be in Economy, which surely defeats the purpose of flying Business in the first place?
The only airline that offers Business all the way into ZQN is Qantas from Sydney.
wilsoni Banned
wilsoni Banned
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Sep 2011
Total posts 302
If going via AKL in J do EK, not NZ - cheaper fares, better lounges and A380 service SYD and MEL. Problem is most flights from Australia (any airline) arrive AKL too late for connection to last flight to ZQN so you've got an overnight AKL then another 2 hour flight in economy (no domestic J class in NZ)- flights from AKL back to Australia leave late in the day so connections are doable ex ZQN.
In NZ Works Deluxe the middle seat in rows 1-3 (A320) isn't used, so it's like European business. Has to be NZ metal, VA metal (even as codeshare) does not offer. But, direct flights between ZQN and Australia seem to be possible only on Jetstar until ski season kicks in. At that point you'll get NZ J class at $1200 one way or Works Deluxe for about half that.
CHC is a possible transfer point, but one hour flight to/from ZQN on an ATR 72 at high prices.
How about Jetstar, buy two seats for extra personal space and go direct?
Best of luck.
SteveCF
SteveCF
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 15 Aug 2012
Total posts 67
If you want to fly direct to Queenstown Air New Zealand is the best option. However, no matter who you fly with, if you're going for a ski holiday in winter, be wary about Queenstown airport as the weather can be quite variable and it isn't uncommon to find yourself landing in Christchurch and then spending 7 hours on a bus trip down. Personally, I would be happy to take the risk (Small Chance of happening, but still a chance) to fly direct to Queenstown, plan B would be to fly to Christchurch, hire a car and enjoy an amazing drive down and then fly out of Queenstown. And if your outbound flight was weather effected you would have to just spend more time at one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
We did plan B and it was great.
wilsoni Banned
wilsoni Banned
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Sep 2011
Total posts 302
Downsides to plan B: roads can be icy in winter, Lindis Pass on SH8 can be closed by snow or require chains to get through.
New performance-based navigation system installed at ZQN will make it much more reliable this year. ATR 72 aircraft from/to CHC do not have this - not sure about VA either.
Bad news is most overseas flights arrive in a 3 hour window and immigration/customs delays can be horrendous - I've been in a queue stretching outside the terminal with 50 people waiting out in the cold and 200 more waiting indoors. Departure delays can also be pretty bad, especiually if de-icing needed.
Plan C: fly into Dunedin and drive from there? About 4 hours to Queenstown and no mountain passes to get through.