[Tiki]

They are currently selling very cheap tickets to Fiji "pending gov't approval". How much of a worry is this? What if the Fiji gov't doesn't approve the routes?

Also heard they were going to start flights to Rarotonga-any inside info on this? We are so fed up with NZ's bad scheduling between BNE and RAR (PPT as well) that force you to overnight in AKL. Would love to see direct flights there!

Originally Posted by Tiki

They are currently selling very cheap tickets to Fiji "pending gov't approval". How much of a worry is this? What if the Fiji gov't doesn't approve the routes?

You give the chargeback master a buzz

[clifford]

Hi Tiki,

I read an article about Virgin/Pacific Blue in the US magazine "Aviation Week & Space Technology" earlier today. It also mentioned that Pacific Blue had "announced" flights to RAR and NAN, but didn't give any further info.

I agree with your comments regarding NZ's woeful scheduling to RAR and PPT, where invariably you arrive around midnight. It's great for Air NZ's aircraft utilisation, but not so good for the passengers.

It's for this reason that I don't travel NZ to PPT any longer (no choice with RAR however). Have you tried phoning someone to get a lift on arrival at PPT at midnight? They only have card-operated phones at the airport, and guess what, cards cost a minimum of $30, if you can get one.

If Pacific Blue's schedule involves getting to RAR or PPT at a more sensible time (for the PAX at least), I'd fly them without any hesitation.

Regards,
clifford.

[Tiki]

Clifford, we were in PPT last year on a UA MP award with NZ which of course got in at midnight. I had a list of airport area pensions I was going to ring like Chez Fifi and ran into the annoying phone card hassle-we finally gave up and spread some newspapers on the floor in the airport, used our bags as pillows and got a little sleep. There were many backpackers doing the same thing. With the price of hotels there, I couldn't see spending over $250 AUD for 5 hours sleep, then having to pay again for the next night. I had booked an internet rate for the Sofitel-next day, as soon as the Le Trucks started running around 6am we got one there. The Sofitel people were nice and let us check in early so we got good value for our money. The rate also included buffet breakfast the next morning, then we went to Moorea.

What is even more annoying about NZ is that there is one perfectly decent schedule from AKL to RAR that goes via NAN and you arrive at 2030 in RAR. The kicker is that NZ won't let you book this flight which goes on a Saturday only as a through AKL RAR either online or by phone! The only way is to book 2 separate flights and pay segment fare. Ridiculous situation!

[clifford]

Hi Tiki,

Just a further hassle to report with NZ to RAR, which I was only advised of yesterday. My family and I (4 of us) were booked SYD-AKL-RAR and return for a week's trip in November.

I was advised by NZ yesterday that they have had to change the dates of the booking, because they no longer fly out of RAR on a Sunday (when we were booked to return). To add insult to injury, our arrival time at RAR was changed to 3 am (from midnight) and we now have a 5 hour layover in AKL on the way there.

Not a change for the better!

[Tiki]

Bummer! Is this an award or paid ticket? Maybe you can get them to pay the extra night in a hotel at least. It's not your fault they changed it. They pulled that on us in 2002 but it was an award ticket so no free hotel-could be worth a try. Airlines should take responsibility when the sell us non-refundable tickets-we aren't allowed to back out of the deal so why should they?

Only 5 hour layover-you are getting off easy-the date I want next April has a 22 hour layover in AKL! Both ways, though if worst comes to worse, I can take Freedom Air on the way back for a same day conx.

C'mon Pacific Blue-take us away from this hassle!