Brisbane to San Francisco: Air New Zealand or Virgin & Delta?

15 replies

lvtravel01

Member since 01 Sep 2015

Total posts 9

Hi everyone, i am comparing economy flight options from brisbane to san francisco. I have Air NZ via Auckland (2 or 3 hr layover each direction) or VA/Delta via LAX (3hr+ lay over). Fare similar. I have VA Gold and priority pass. Which route would everyone suggest?

If VA/Delta, I get status. With Air NZ, I can avoid LAX (is LAX bad?).
Thanks a lot for feedback.

Andrew Barkery

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 21 Mar 2011

Total posts 433

With AirNZ, some days, there are premY seats on sale, for $400 more than whY.
Go with that if you can afford it.
If you do decide to fly AirNZ, join SQ's KF and earn points with KF, points can then be transferred to VFF at a discount.
If you fly AirNZ premY, you will earn more points than in whY.
If you choose Y(X) with VA, you don't earn any extra in VFF.
I prefer a wide body for my flights, so would go with AirNZ if I were to do this flight, don't like small planes.
Yes, with AirNZ you don't get status credits, but at the least you do still get miles, and a bit of plushness in premY.

djtech

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Sep 2018

Total posts 375

I would recommend virgin and delta if the price is the same. Since you already have status with virgin, you can enjoy lounge access when flying with them and Delta, in addition to other benefits such as priority boarding and free checked luggage. Not to mention the better economy config in virgin long haul fleet with much wider seats compared to air NZ.


As long as you leave ample time for your connection at lax (2-3 hours), you will be fine. Although, it may seem daunting to fly through LAX, it is not that bad. Even if you miss your connecting delta flight, you will be rebooked. During the layover, you can even enjoy the Delta SkyClubs at LAX.

If you’re booking with Air NZ, you don’t get the benefits such as lounge access. Auckland is a better airport to transit through but no lounge access is a deal breaker for me.

Last editedby djtech at Dec 10, 2018, 11:22 PM.

lvtravel01

Member since 01 Sep 2015

Total posts 9

I would recommend virgin and delta if the price is the same. Since you already have status with virgin, you can enjoy lounge access when flying with them and Delta, in addition to other benefits such as priority boarding and free checked luggage.

As long as you leave ample time for your connection at lax (2-3 hours), you will be fine. Although, it may seem daunting to fly through LAX, it is not that bad. Even if you miss your connecting delta flight, you will be rebooked. During the layover, you can even enjoy the Delta SkyClubs at LAX.

If you’re booking with Air NZ, you don’t get the benefits such as lounge access. Auckland is a better airport to transit through but no lounge access is a deal breaker for me.

Thanks a lot. Thought the same. Though i have prioritypass to get lounge. Havent experinced air nz and va international flights. Be good if anyone knows how they compare - seat/hardware/service.

lvtravel01

Member since 01 Sep 2015

Total posts 9

Hi everyone, i am comparing economy flight options from brisbane to san francisco. I have Air NZ via Auckland (2 or 3 hr layover each direction) or VA/Delta via LAX (3hr+ lay over). Fare similar. I have VA Gold and priority pass. Which route would everyone suggest?
If VA/Delta, I get status. With Air NZ, I can avoid LAX (is LAX bad?).
Thanks a lot for feedback.

Thanks! I thought kf-vff is at 1:1.35 both way? Not sure of the kf to vff discount.

GB18

Member since 24 Oct 2018

Total posts 16

Although it’s certainly not a fun experience, I think LAX isn’t as bad as some people make out I fly there return at least twice a year with minimal dramas. If your layover is 3 hours as you mentioned freshen up with a shower at the Delta Sky Club if you have VA Gold

Anna80

Member since 09 Mar 2015

Total posts 15

I'd try to get premium economy for this, Virgin has a good premium economy on its Boeing 777s to LAX although you then have that LAX layover when SFO is barely an hour's flight away. Air New Zealand also has a stopover but that's in Auckland and then you are straight through to San Francisco!

MRYJDrake

Air New Zealand - Airpoints

Member since 31 Oct 2016

Total posts 206

This might be my kiwi bias, but I would absolutely go with the Air NZ option.


The lounge at Auckland is worth it, and if you're not flying J, then you can always buy into the Strata Lounge, which I've never had a problem with. Food is OK, the showers are good (it used to be the Emirates lounge before it became the Emperor lounge then the Strata Lounge), and then you're straight to sleep on Air NZ direct to SFO.

mcglynp

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 20 Jan 2016

Total posts 48

From a seat point of view I prefer VA over Air NZ in Y, pitch and width are far superior on VA . Service is about the same. Air NZ has a much better entertainment. If you can afford the extra for Economy X in VA I find it a worthwhile improvement for the extra space. LAX is a lot better than it used to be, and transiting to DL is simple. With good lounge access, extra luggage from gold status along with gaining points. I would likely choose VA.


However, Hawaiian is a good option from BNE transiting through HNL to SFO. Still get points and lounge access and it breaks the flights down to more manageable chunks. Hawaiian have a well priced extra comfort option in Y that is worth the extra.

Last editedby mcglynp at Dec 11, 2018, 10:11 AM.

FrequentFlyer

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 20 Mar 2012

Total posts 198

Virgin is all up a better experience to LA in every class imo- especially with VA Gold. The transfer to Delta in LA really isn't that bad anymore and you get looked after with status. There are some good deals in both Economy and Premium I've seen pop up in targeted advertising too.

lvtravel01

Member since 01 Sep 2015

Total posts 9

booked VA/DL

yay!

Red Cee

Member since 15 Feb 2018

Total posts 151

Which timetable suits you best?

MelbFlyer

Air New Zealand - Airpoints

Member since 23 May 2013

Total posts 25

If flying economy I would definitely go VA over NZ. Have done both and the 3-3-3 on VA is so noticeable after flying 3-4-3 on NZ

Andrew Barkery

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 21 Mar 2011

Total posts 433

((For Iltravel01)), KF & VFF now is at 1:1.55, ie need more of each to go for the other.

IF you have 5000 KF, you get less VFF and vice versa, can't remember when the date it was to happen, or has happened.
Edit: https://www.ausbt.com.au/your-virgin-australia-velocity-points-are-about-to-lose-their-value

Last editedby Andrew Barkery at Dec 12, 2018, 01:07 AM.

rossma

Member since 05 Feb 2018

Total posts 1

Hi everyone, i am comparing economy flight options from brisbane to san francisco. I have Air NZ via Auckland (2 or 3 hr layover each direction) or VA/Delta via LAX (3hr+ lay over). Fare similar. I have VA Gold and priority pass. Which route would everyone suggest?
If VA/Delta, I get status. With Air NZ, I can avoid LAX (is LAX bad?).
Thanks a lot for feedback.

We have flown both VA and Air NZ business and we think VA wins hands down. Also loathe that extra leg via AUK, makes for a long trip. Also do VA premium economy and really excellent and, as some have said, lounge access in LAX is great with VA.

Last editedby rossma at Dec 12, 2018, 03:54 PM.

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