Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Europe to New Zealand

Direct flight routes to New Zealand

Currently there are no non-stop flights between Europe and New Zealand. The distance exceeds the maximum range of commercial aircraft in service.

Layover/stopover options

• Singapore Changi (SIN) – Singapore Airlines hub offering 4-6 hour layovers to Auckland. Features free city tours for 5.5+ hour layovers, butterfly garden, and premium lounges. Excellent transit facilities.


• Dubai (DXB) – Emirates main hub with 3-5 hour connections to Auckland. Massive duty-free shopping area and multiple lounges. 24/7 operations with frequent connections.


• Doha (DOH) – Qatar Airways hub providing 2-4 hour layovers. Modern facilities with quiet rooms and spa services. Efficient transfer process through single terminal.


• Hong Kong (HKG) – Cathay Pacific connections with typical 4-hour layovers. Express train to city center for longer stopovers. Known for excellent dining options.

Time vs money

One-stop routes typically offer better value than multi-stop options. Flights with longer layovers or multiple stops can be 20-30% cheaper than fastest routing options.

Tips and recommendations

• Book flights Tuesday through Thursday for best rates, avoiding weekend departures.


• Consider seasonal variations – December-February flights cost up to 40% more than shoulder season.


• Middle Eastern carriers often offer free hotel stays for stopovers exceeding 8 hours.


• Connections through Asia typically offer better terminal facilities than Middle Eastern hubs.


• Booking separate tickets for each leg can sometimes save money but increases risk during delays.

• Singapore Airlines’ Frankfurt-Singapore-Auckland route offers excellent value with a technical stop in Singapore, allowing mini-stopover options. Their A350-900 features a generous 32-inch pitch in economy, while premium economy provides 38 inches at prices typically 15% below similar premium products. The route frequently offers promotional fares in February and October.
• Consider Qatar Airways through Doha, which maintains consistent pricing year-round and allows free stopovers. Their route network covers 7 European departure cities to Auckland, with particularly competitive rates from Warsaw and Budapest. Their Q-suite business class frequently appears in sales at just 30% above premium economy prices.
• Emirates’ services via Dubai from secondary European cities like Milan, Nice, or Hamburg often price 10-20% lower than departures from major hubs. Their A380 features wider economy seats at 18 inches and excellent IFE, while their fifth freedom rights allow interesting routing combinations. Premium economy is now available on all A380 services to Auckland.
• Book Air New Zealand’s direct flight from London during their quarterly sales periods in January, April, July, and October. Their innovative Skycouch economy option, allowing a row of seats to convert into a flat surface, typically costs just 25% more than regular economy. The direct routing saves approximately 4 hours compared to one-stop options.
• Malaysian Airlines offers consistently lower fares from Paris and Amsterdam through Kuala Lumpur, with typical savings of 20-25% compared to other carriers. Their A330-300 features a comfortable 3-3-3 configuration in economy, less cramped than competitors’ 3-4-3 layouts. The route allows easy connections to both Auckland and Christchurch with minimal layover times.

1. Not considering alternative routings While most travelers default to routes through Dubai, Singapore, or Los Angeles, better options with shorter total journey times might be available through Seoul, Tokyo, or Guangzhou.
2. Booking during peak season without planning ahead December to February is New Zealand’s high season, and flights can be up to 40% more expensive if not booked at least 6-8 months in advance.
3. Choosing tight connections Given the long-haul nature of flights to New Zealand, booking connections under 3 hours can be risky as delays are common and missing a connection could result in a 24-hour wait for the next available flight.
4. Ignoring Auckland’s dual terminals Some travelers miss their connections by not realizing that Auckland Airport’s international and domestic terminals are separate buildings requiring a 10-15 minute shuttle transfer.
5. Selecting overnight layovers without visa checks Some common stopover points like China require transit visas even for overnight layovers, which can cause issues if not arranged in advance.

Emirates

Best for: Most extensive European connectivity with 21 departure cities to New Zealand via Dubai.

Operates from London Heathrow, Paris CDG, and Frankfurt as main hubs. Known for spacious Economy seats with 32-34 inch pitch and high-quality entertainment system with 4,500+ channels. Complimentary meals are well-rated with multicuisine options and special dietary requirements. Efficient single-stop service via Dubai with typical connection times of 2-3 hours. Passenger satisfaction rates consistently above 4/5 for Economy Class service.

Singapore Airlines

Best for: Superior service quality and comfort in Economy Class.

Serves 13 European cities with main departures from London, Frankfurt, and Paris to New Zealand via Singapore. Offers one of the most comfortable Economy Class experiences with 32-inch seat pitch and ergonomic design. Distinguished by exceptional cabin crew service and premium dining experience with ‘Book the Cook’ option available even in Economy. Connection times in Singapore typically efficient at 2-4 hours.

Qatar Airways

Best for: Most generous baggage allowance (30kg) in Economy Class for Europe-NZ routes.

Connects 16 European cities to New Zealand, primarily from London, Paris, and Munich via Doha. Features comfortable Economy Class with 31-32 inch pitch and acclaimed service quality. Offers varied menu options with regional specialties and complimentary drinks. Modern aircraft fleet with good air quality and lighting systems. Consistently receives high ratings for ground service and transfer efficiency at Doha.

Etihad Airways

Best for: Most innovative Economy Class features including fixed-wing headrests and phone holders.

Services 12 European destinations with primary operations from London, Paris, and Rome to New Zealand via Abu Dhabi. Economy Smart Seats offer enhanced comfort with adjustable lumbar support. Provides high-quality dining experience with ‘Choose Your Meal’ option before flight. Entertainment system features live TV channels alongside regular content. Transfer experience in Abu Dhabi is smooth with average connection times of 2-3 hours.

Save money on long-haul flights with APAC carriers

Breaking up your journey from Europe to New Zealand using Asian regional carriers can lead to significant savings compared to booking with major airlines. This strategy requires more planning but often results in 30-40% lower total costs.

The key is to split your journey into two or three segments, utilizing budget airlines for portions within Asia. Here’s how to make it work:

1. Book a major carrier from Europe to a major Asian hub like Singapore, Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur
2. Use regional carriers like AirAsia, Scoot, or Jetstar for the remaining segments
3. Allow ample connection time (at least 4 hours) as regional flights typically require separate check-in

Top money-saving routes include flying to Singapore with Turkish Airlines or Qatar Airways, then connecting to Auckland via Scoot. Another option is reaching Bangkok with EVA Air or Thai Airways, followed by a Jetstar flight to New Zealand.

Remember to book separate travel insurance and be prepared to collect and recheck luggage at connection points. Despite these minor inconveniences, savings can exceed $800 on a round-trip journey.