Emirates recent travel announcements provide an insight into its approach to leadership in providing, and encouraging safe international travel.

One of the most popular routes to the UK and Europe from New Zealand is returning with the Emirates direct service between Auckland and Dubai from July 2020.

As Fine Travel's most popular Business Class option to the UK and Europe last year, it was encouraging to see Qatar Airways start offering an alternative for travellers from New Zealand who need to get to the UK and Europe (despite border restrictions).

Heath and quarantine measures have been well covered in the media and will need to be addressed before New Zealanders confidently travel to the UK and Europe again. Based on what we learned as travel agents at the front line of the travel fall-out from the Covid-19 pandemic, we address what else travellers should consider before booking their airfares to the UK and Europe.

Emirates was the first airline to offer Mixed Class airfares from New Zealand to the UK and Europe and their latest airfare innovations expand that offering with a new mixed Business / Economy Class airfare and a new mixed First / Business Class airfare.

Singapore Airlines has announced that from late October 2020 the First Class Suites, Business Class and Premium Economy on the seasonal (summer) A380 service between Auckland and Singapore will be upgraded to its latest seating experience. 

When Emirates made the global announcement that it would be launching a "reduced service" Business Class offering, we were eager to see it in the New Zealand market.  Emirates has now launched the new "H Class" Business Class airfares between Auckland and Bali, selected South East Asian destinations and Johannesburg, so we review the changes.

Air New Zealand offers Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class on its flights between Auckland and Honolulu.  As the flight time is generally over eight hours in each direction, we review the merits of flying Business Class and Premium Economy.

As Air New Zealand has announced that it will stop flying to London (via LA) from October 2020, the important question for loyal Air New Zealand clients and airpoints members is how they fly Business Class or Premium Economy to London with Air New Zealand.

After receiving a few questions from potential Fine Travel clients about the margin we add to discounted Business Class Flights  from New Zealand (or any flights from New Zealand) we thought it was a good idea to be upfront, provide a direct answer and clear up any confusion.