Flights?

Hey All,

Probably don’t need a new topic but I wanted to get a few different opinions from people who might not look in the Canada thread.

Currently I can fly to Canada on 2 different options. 1 way flight = $722 with Air NZ, 19h 45m with a 3h 30m stop over in Auckland, or with Air Canada for $895 direct in 14h 15m (All prices in $USD)

Anyone got thoughts or opinions.

Skytrax ranks Air NZ 4stars in Economy on long haul flights where as Air Canada gets 3.5 for Economy:
http://www.airlinequality.com/Airlines/NZ.htm vs http://www.airlinequality.com/Airlines/AC.htm

Air NZ I can bring 23kg + 10kg carry on (1 bag)
Air Canada I can bring 23kg +10kg carry on + 10kg personal item

Both flights leave at 11:30am so I’m hoping they stay pretty empty and I don’t get squashed in between people. Air Canada arrives at 7:30am and Air NZ arrives at 1:15pm.

Thoughts? Anyone been with either?

Air Canada Direct!!!!!

The 14 Hour Flight is enough without addin extra routes onto it!!!!!

Well worth the pissy difference in price I reckon!!!!!

Are ya takin a board????? Are there any differences in regards to that?????

With such a small price difference I’d go direct for sure I’d value my time at more than that!

The extra carry on may come in handy as well. My biggest issue when booking flights is dealing with oversized board bags so I’d be looking closer into that. Edit: Yeah what Mizu said

I get what you’re saying… but $175 is not exactly a pissy different (almost 20%). And arriving at 7:30am will mean I’m in the middle of Peak hour in Vancouver. I won’t be able to check in anywhere and I’m likely to be tired from a long haul flight.

Cheaper with a stop over (Grab some real food for lunch etc) and arrive at 1:15pm means I can go check into wherever I plan to stay pretty quickly, transportation might be easier and I should be able to push through any jet-lag until night time and set the body clock to an actual good sleeping time.

Won’t be bringing a board, so that won’t be an issue. I might however bring my board bag so when I do get a board in Vanc, I have a way to transport it. Normal travel luggage is normally smaller (and easier to buy) than board bags.

Guess I will see whats available after I have my interview and decide on the day but it’s good to hear everyone’s opinions.

If you plan to stay in Van, then yeah I can see the Check In/Arrival Time as an important thing!!!!! Although ya never mentioned that in ya initial post!!!!!

And by findin accommodation on a whim early, ya can also then leave ya gear at the Hotel/Whatever and go for a quick relaxin glimpse of the nearby surrounds knowin that ya have a bed already sorted!!!!!

Later landing, then a search for accom can sometimes lead to a stress out if ya have no luck straight off the bat!!!!! eg A simple flight delay from SYD and/or NZ can throw a spanner in the works!!!!! Whereas a delay from Sydney direct will only throw things out a touch!!!!!

The Jet Lag thing won’t kick in till the afternoon regardless!!!!!

I’d gladly pay $175 diff for the extra hassle/travel time/earlier arrival!!!!!

There will be shit loads of transport available in the morning????? Just like any Airport!!!!!

Yep, that’s why I’m considering both Mizu.

I’ll book something before I leave (not going to be looking for accom when I get there… too much stress.)

Anyone got any suggestions of a good area to stay in Vanc? Like in Sydney, people think “Central” when really it’s nicer to stay in Wynyard or Circ Quay. I’ll only need a few days to check things out and do the SIN / Phone / Bank stuff. then I’ll hopefully be off to Kamloops / Sun Peaks so I can start looking for a place to live / housemates for the season

My mistake, I took it from your concern about check in and getting around in peak hour transport time!!!!!

But like I said, any accom will store ya luggage for ya, and even that way you can maybe get those things that ya need to do underway as soon as possible!!!!!

If it were me, I’d be lookin at accom down near the water!!!!! Say around Stanley Park area, that way ya can have a bit of city and a bit of water/parkland type of scenery!!!!!

Also, ya can go see an Ice Hockey match if one’s on at Rogers Arena nearby?????

That’s the only area I really know, so I reckon Jez and Michelle will offer better opinions here!!!!!

Flying Air Canada direct was the best thing I did. Air Canada was awesome

Also, with Air Canada, if you have proper Boot Bag (like a ski boot bag) you can have your boots (only your boots) in that and have it with your board bag, and it does not count for your weight limit. So basically u can stuff more into your board bag

Vancouver is playing away for all the games over the period I’ll be in the area :(

There is a WHL game on for Vancouver Giants vs Kamloops Blazers on the Friday night. Might go to that and start supporting the Blazers (they would be the local team for Sun Peaks)

Brad, What made your flights with Air Canada so good? Mainly the directness? I’m going to be trying to travel as light as possible and purchase stuff when I get to Vanc or Kamloops. So likely 1 bag and carry on won’t be an issue.

Any MUST SEE attractions in Vancouver as this 3 day stop over will likely be my only time in Vancouver until after the snow season?

direct, service, comfy seats, good entertainment. My flight from Syd>Van felt shorter than my Cairns>Tokyo flight.
I havent flown Air NZ so cant compare. but I would pay the extra to go direct. Do you have to re check your bags with Air NZ?

Nah, no rechecking. There are positives and negative to both, my air nz flight was good when I flew them but that was a short domestic

Yeah I agree on the direct Air Canada flight, was so much easier and quicker than the stopover variants. Got on, had some food, watch some TV, slept and woke up pre landing in Van. One of the best long distance flights ever…

Direct.

End of story.

There are so many other places you can save $175…

ETA: What date are you putting in for flight searches? I am also confused as to why you are not looking at return fares…

Don’t know about end of story. It’s what I’m preferring but I’m not counting out other options yet.

Why I’m not looking at return flights?
1. Don’t know when I’m planning to return…
2. It only saves me about $50.
3. If I stay for a 2nd season, a return ticket could be completely wasted.

Date searches are mid October. 15th/16th is most likely.

Personally, I haven’t flown with either but have only heard positive things about Air NZ. Saying that though, I would choose the direct flight. Stay awake as long as I can then a few night caps…Hello Canada.
$722 sounds like a decent deal, was that direct through their website?