Flighthacker

Southern Alps, New Zealand. Photo: GothPhil

If the smell of fresh snow from across the Tasman has become too much to bear, then take heart. A full-on fare war has begun amongst Jetstar, Virgin Blue and Air New Zealand over the hotly-contested east coast – Christchurch routes, resulting in some of the most competitive peak ski season fares I’ve seen in a long time.

All three airlines are offering promo fares during August, with additional travel dates spanning late-October to mid-December, 2011. Here are the cheapest return fares available at present between Sydney – Christchurch during the August period:

• Jetstar: $199.36 (New Zealand sale)
• Virgin Australia: $222.93
• Air New Zealand: $229.06 (using discount code ‘NZ150′, valid until 2 June)

All airfares include tax and don’t include optional extras like check-in baggage.

Yes, there are direct flights between Australia’s east coast cities and Queenstown, New Zealand’s ski mecca. However, unless you’re short on time, it’s always far more economical to travel via Christchurch, then drive, bus or fly Jetstar down to the snow. With fares starting around the $30 one way mark for the Christchurch to Queenstown leg, you get my drift.

Heading to New Zealand’s ski fields really is exceptional value. Unless you are unlucky enough to encounter a very warm season, you will find that everything from snow quality, to accommodation absolutely eclipses what’s on offer in Australia. So, pull on your boots – if you’re planning to hit the white stuff this season, this is the time to get planning. Happy flight hunting and first tracks!

Find yourself in New Zealand... Again. Photo Credit: Geof Wilson

Just as the Winter ski crowds have started to tramp out after a bumper season, Air New Zealand has given us all a reason to head back, by offering $100 off return fares booked between now and 2 September.

In order to redeem this offer, visit Air New Zealand’s sale page and enter the following code during booking:

100OFF

This offer certainly takes a bite out of your total airfare. For example, Sydney to Auckland is $307 and Sydney to Christchurch is $303 return including tax after this discount. You bargain-junkies may scoff, however given that Air New Zealand is a premium carrier (ie. food + Airpoints), this is an extremely competitive price.

Check out Air New Zealand’s snappy sale page for details. Choice!

Air New Zealand are celebrating 1 million recent Australian visitors to New Zealand by offering 10% off fares*, if you use the promo code:

THANKS10

If you’re planning to travel to New Zealand, check out their “Nothing to Hide” sale – Sydney to Queenstown is $460 return for select travel periods between September and March, 2010. [...]

Photo Credit: Justin Henry

Reading the recent press regarding Jetstar’s embattled launch into New Zealand is very much reminiscent of the press that came in the days following Jetstar’s Australian debut in 2004. The truth is, they have made some mistakes, as they did in Sydney, with reports of extensive flight delays and heaven forbid, passengers missing out on an All Blacks game due to a flight being overbooked. In fact, even I should have a reason to be disgruntled – soon after purchasing Qantas tickets at full rate for Christchurch to Queenstown return, the handover of Qantas services to Jetstar took place, meaning that I paid over 30% more than the Jetstar regular fare for, well, not much. But I digress. [...]