Depends what class you are referring to. If Business class, i would say the EK A380 service with direct aisle access and stand-up bar would continue to be best choice, best value for money, and best experience.
If the question / or flight selection was relating around schedules, EK departure SYD-AKL is hard to connect to from incoming regional flights. On the return AKL-SYD, LAN have got better flight timing to connect onto international or domestic connections, as the EK flight AKL-SYD arrives too late to connect to regional domestic services and majority of any other connections except continuing on to Dubai.
LAN has the edge on pricing - around $780 return Sydney-Auckland - and while the flight is 'only' 4 hours, you still may prefer Emirates' A380 business class if you like direct aisle access and plan to be hopping up and down a bit. I'd be happy to stay put in LAN's Boeing 787 seat, which looks fairly comfy. But as CharlieG mentions above, you can also enjoy a few drinks and social time at Emirates' A380 business class bar. Another factor in Emirates' favour is the timing of the flights: while they both leave Sydney in the morning, LAN's LA801 departs from Auckland at 6.15am (eeek!) compared to EK413 departing Auckland at 5.55pm.
Which FF program are you with, and do you want to earn the most SC if with QF?
I am with QF, recently flew LAN (LAN booking PNR), and I only got 10 SC flying across from AKL to SYD on the 340. Chockers full.
I would have gotten more SC, but I needed to be in SYD earlier than the EK comes in, in the evening.
If you want to collect a lot of SC, or as much as QF allows, fly the EK plane, with a QF flight code.
I have flown the 787 for a short hop, SYD to MEL, haven't done the 380, but would use the 380 for sure across, both for the wideness of the plane, (more space), and to earn more QF SC.
If you have QF PS or higher status, I would also go EK with a QF flight code, if I were you.
QF does codeshare on LAN LA800 service. Make sure that if you choose LA or EK that the ticket is booked through QF and has the QF flight code. I would fly LA to AUK and EK Back and then judge :-)
LAN offers an interesting alternative, especially now the Boeing 787 is about to start on the route. That said, LAN does not fly daily and reliability has been an issue in the past. Hopefully the 787 will reduce the chance of this happening. LAN also appears about the only option where availability for BA Avios points can be found. I will probably stick with Emirates.
I agree with Martin , LAN there and EK back,EK lounge is better than QF with its food selection
If you want a bargain book LAN both ways and maybe stay at the Novotel at Auckland airport, its a two minute walk to the international terminal, Immigration opens i think at about 4am from memory but you might want to check that out first
The Dreamliner is great and very spacious, i travelled earlier this month ticketed by QF
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on
LAN or Emirates to Auckland?
RaptorNation158
RaptorNation158
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Aug 2014
Total posts 185
LAN or EK to Auckland?
Hi, I was wondering now that LAN will soon put it's 787 between Sydney-Auckland, is Emirates' product better than LAN or a bit behind?
Really appreciate all your help, thank you.
charlieg
charlieg
QantasFF Platinum
Member since 16 Feb 2012
Total posts 133
Depends what class you are referring to. If Business class, i would say the EK A380 service with direct aisle access and stand-up bar would continue to be best choice, best value for money, and best experience.
If the question / or flight selection was relating around schedules, EK departure SYD-AKL is hard to connect to from incoming regional flights. On the return AKL-SYD, LAN have got better flight timing to connect onto international or domestic connections, as the EK flight AKL-SYD arrives too late to connect to regional domestic services and majority of any other connections except continuing on to Dubai.
RaptorNation158
RaptorNation158
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Aug 2014
Total posts 185
Thank you very much Charlie!
David
David
Member since 24 Oct 2010
Total posts 1,021
LAN has the edge on pricing - around $780 return Sydney-Auckland - and while the flight is 'only' 4 hours, you still may prefer Emirates' A380 business class if you like direct aisle access and plan to be hopping up and down a bit. I'd be happy to stay put in LAN's Boeing 787 seat, which looks fairly comfy. But as CharlieG mentions above, you can also enjoy a few drinks and social time at Emirates' A380 business class bar. Another factor in Emirates' favour is the timing of the flights: while they both leave Sydney in the morning, LAN's LA801 departs from Auckland at 6.15am (eeek!) compared to EK413 departing Auckland at 5.55pm.
RaptorNation158
RaptorNation158
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Aug 2014
Total posts 185
Much appreciated, thanks David!
henrus
henrus
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Oct 2013
Total posts 765
I personally would pick LAN having hardley flown international to/from sydney (It would give you the chance to try something else out)
It is for Business or for the fun of it?
Andrew Barkery
Andrew Barkery
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Mar 2011
Total posts 433
Which FF program are you with, and do you want to earn the most SC if with QF?
I am with QF, recently flew LAN (LAN booking PNR), and I only got 10 SC flying across from AKL to SYD on the 340. Chockers full.
I would have gotten more SC, but I needed to be in SYD earlier than the EK comes in, in the evening.
If you want to collect a lot of SC, or as much as QF allows, fly the EK plane, with a QF flight code.
I have flown the 787 for a short hop, SYD to MEL, haven't done the 380, but would use the 380 for sure across, both for the wideness of the plane, (more space), and to earn more QF SC.
If you have QF PS or higher status, I would also go EK with a QF flight code, if I were you.
RaptorNation158
RaptorNation158
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Aug 2014
Total posts 185
Thanks a lot Andrew!!
msport2012
msport2012
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
Member since 14 Apr 2013
Total posts 294
QF does codeshare on LAN LA800 service. Make sure that if you choose LA or EK that the ticket is booked through QF and has the QF flight code. I would fly LA to AUK and EK Back and then judge :-)
Richard Brown
Richard Brown
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 26 May 2012
Total posts 132
LAN offers an interesting alternative, especially now the Boeing 787 is about to start on the route. That said, LAN does not fly daily and reliability has been an issue in the past. Hopefully the 787 will reduce the chance of this happening. LAN also appears about the only option where availability for BA Avios points can be found. I will probably stick with Emirates.
watson374
watson374
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Aug 2012
Total posts 1,285
LAN is now daily.
akronflyer
akronflyer
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Jul 2014
Total posts 145
I agree with Martin , LAN there and EK back,EK lounge is better than QF with its food selection
If you want a bargain book LAN both ways and maybe stay at the Novotel at Auckland airport, its a two minute walk to the international terminal, Immigration opens i think at about 4am from memory but you might want to check that out first
The Dreamliner is great and very spacious, i travelled earlier this month ticketed by QF