Pacific Blue excess baggage - beware!

[p.dath]

In hindsight I recognise that. It's a mistake I won't make again.

However, their pricing structures have become so unbalanced that sheer stupidity has crept in. If I can fly with them to Auckland, pick up the bag, and fly back - for the same cost (or less) than they would charge to simply send the bag down with my daughter - then the whole process becomes a huge joke.

I can appreciate your frustration. I've done quite a bit of flying, and now I only travel with Air NZ. There are so many gotcha's that make otherwise cheap details more expensive.

When travelling overseas it becomes tricker, as some airlines including landing taxes, entry fees, etc, while others don't. I find Air NZ tends to include as many thigns as they can, so what you pay them tends to be the total price.

ps. I have often courierd stuff up to wear I was flying to in NZ - because as you have discovered it is simply cheaper. It also makes getting on and off the plane faster if you can avoid carrying any luggage.

[Robbo]

Support your national carrier. Budget airlines are good for competition and if its just you and your light carry on luggage and you don't mind being possibly late.

Yes, i used to support our local carrier with a passion untill they treated Hamilton with the contempt that they did. Firstly by pushing out the competition, then by insisting on airport upgrades which was done at great expense to the local areas, and then they just up and walked out when it did'nt suit them.
I believe that this move was also done to increase the demand for internal flights from the various regional airports to fly to Auckland International Airport and had far greater profit margins in it.
I have used Virgin Airlines once since and found that their service and prices were great and now that they have announced their intention to add Hamilton Airport to their international schedule i'm sure their support will continue to grow.

[marty]

It's not all rosy on the national carrier though....

I took a 20kg tool box and a 45kg battery down to Timaru a few weeks ago. Was asked to pay excess luggage.

Wouldn't have been so bad, if I wasn't working for the airline, doing duty travel, to fix one of their planes.....

They saw the funny side.

On the flip side, There is usually no charge on AirNZ for MTB/tri bikes in boxes - I was going to Adelaide for BMX worlds, Adelaide flight looked full so priced AKL-MEL then connection to ADL with Jet*./PacBlue etc A$80pp MEL-ADL, but A$25 per bag, with possibly A$100 for the bike! Was cheaper to get a 1-way car rental and drive the 700kms.

[howdamnhard]

by insisting on airport upgrades which was done at great expense to the local areas

I have used Virgin Airlines once since and found that their service and prices were great and now that they have announced their intention to add Hamilton Airport to their international schedule i'm sure their support will continue to grow.

The upgrades was money well spent as it allowed for Virgin to use Hamilton.Did not agree with the national airline pulling out but I'm am sure there was sound economical reasons for it,don't know what they where so won't speculate.
As regards ,Virgin ,stick with what you like.

[Jez]

INV - CHC rtn $313 for this weekend, fri arvo flight, sunday arvo return. thats with AirNZ

DUN - CHC rtn $197 for the same times, and it sure as hell dont cost me $116 to ride the bike to dunedin airport and back.

So apparently that 90 minute ride is worth $80 after fuel costs, for the pleasure of the ride ... im sold

They are also advertising on grabaseat deals for $61 flights for DUN-CHC-DUN in a couple of weeks....

All i want to do is go to chch for a weekend on the piss with some mates, so luggage is not an issue. You should be thankful you have a choice of who you can fly with. AirNZ aren't the "champions for the people" that many make them out to be.