I am getting tickets from Philadelphia to Auckland for $1280 during the last week of Nov. I would like to know if it's a good deal and whether its a good time to visit NZ.
Any help on this matter is appreciated. Thanks.

That sounds like a good price from the East coast. We spent $1100 from Seattle to Auckland (via LAX).

November is a good time to visit, although it will still be cool and rainy in some places, particularly the West coast of the S Island.

Hi Alpha Beta!

That is a good price, but it's such a long haul from the East Coast!

I'm wondering if you have mileage and some extra time to spend to break up the trip?

Because what I'd suggest is that you fly from Philly to San Francisco. We have the direct flight from SFO to AKL, which cuts out approx. FIVE hours of travel time ! (a godsend)! Spend a night in SF, and then go out the next day, avoiding LAX.

Don't know if this is "do-able" for you, but thought I'd throw it out there.

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Kiwi Specialist

In March we flew from PHL to AKL. We stopped overnight in LAX. That way we did not have jet lag when we got to AKL and it made the trip much more comfortable. There was no extra charge for the lay-over. You can get a hotel at LAX very cheaply on Priceline.

I imagine you can also stop over at SFO, but I don't see the advantage.

Also, do you plan to start your trip in AKL?

Melodie - How did you save 5 hrs? We had a non-stop from LAX to AKL.

Hi all,
Thanks a lot for your responses. We did think of a break journey since we have friends in Sfo. But the tickets were turning out more expensive. Also, today I checked that the tickets have come down to $1204. Think I should book them without wasting time. Once again, thanks a lot for all your help.

Jed,

the 5 hr saving time thing is this:

It's an hour flight from SJC or SFO to LAX...then you have to get from the Domestic Terminal to International. Then check in approx. 2 hours earlier than your flight, go thru Security all that stuff. Yeah, it adds up!

The advantage of stopping in SFO vs. LAX, well, of course, SF is MUCH nicer!

Regards,

Melodie

I don't mean to belabor the point, but I have to add:

I live in Philly and do not have any innate preference for SF or LA.

But checking ANZ schedules (week of Oct 30), there are 2 daily non-stop flights from LAX to AKL, and 3 weekly flights from SFO to AKL. Seems to me that this indicates LAX has some advantages for a person who has the choice of flying from PHL to either LAX or SFO as a transfer point for AKL.