Auckland (AKL) is New Zealand’s major international air hub and well connected to Sydney Kingsford Smith international airport (SYD) in Australia.

There are 103 non-stop services flying each week on this particular trans-Tasman route, with the 1,340 mile flight taking around 3 hours. In terms of time zones, Auckland is 2 hours ahead of Sydney.

The following airlines currently serve the route:

Qantas - Australia’s main airline and Oneworld carrier flies 5-x-daily between SYD and AKL. The early flight at 0615 (QF141) is operated using an Airbus A330-200, whilst the other 4 services are flown with Boeing 737-800s. Watch for “Red E-Deal” offers which normally start at AUD 400 return – this will earn Qantas Frequent Flyers 40 status credits. Business class is priced from AUD 2,300.

Jetstar - Qantas “low-cost” subsidiary flies daily using an Airbus A320. Charges AUD 20 each leg for checked bags. Return fares can be found for under AUD 300. Flights can also be purchased on the Qantas website.

LAN - Oneworld member LAN runs a daily flight between the cities using a long-haul Airbus A340. The flight is code-shared with Qantas. Whilst ex-Oz economy prices are similar to Qantas, LAN’s business fares can be competitive from around AUD 1,200 return. However, buy the fare ex-New Zealand and you will pay from only AUD 630 – excellent value and QFF members will pick up a handy 160 Status credits.

Emirates - The Gulf heavyweight flies daily using an Airbus A380. Business class fares (upper-deck seating) from AUD 1,500 return or about 20% cheaper if buying ex-NZ.

Virgin (Pacific) Blue – Flies daily between the 2 cities using a Boeing 737-800. Prices are reasonably similar to Jetstar with 20kg checked luggage included. Passengers can pay AUD 50 each sector to choose “Blue Zone” seating – exit or first row. Note that Virgin Blue’s decent “The Lounge” (AUD 30 for a single entry pass, worth a visit) is only accessible from Sydney’s domestic terminal – whilst the AKL flight departs the international terminal.

Air New Zealand – The Star Alliance airline flies 5-x-daily using Boeing 767-300s (2 flights) and Airbus A320s (3 flights). Air NZ’s cheapest economy fare includes only carry-on bags (7kg) plus a hot drink – priced from about AUD 260 return. You can choose to pay extra for checked luggage, meals, movies and lounge access. Business class is normally priced from around AUD 2,000.

Aerolineas Argentinas – Flies 5-x-weekly using an older series Airbus A340 with economy returns from around AUD 400.

Exchange rates at time of writing:

1 USD = AUD 1.04 = NZD 1.34; 1 GBP = AUD 1.62 = NZD 2.09

Qantas Airlines is aggressively pushing their Hong Kong hub on the long hop to Australia. A special offer LHR-HKG fare of £378 return is available for travel dates 11 Apr 09 to 21 Jun 09 and bookable by 27 Jan 09. Travel between 06 Jan 09 to 02 Apr 09 is priced at £408.

Fellow Oneworlder British Airways is currently holding their worldwide winter sale until 27 Jan 09. Return fares to Hong Kong are set at £429 return, although we found lower BA fares (£406) on some of the major online agents. Don’t forget though – you only earn 25% miles for discounted economy tickets with BA.

Air New Zealand have a similar fare offer to Qantas with LHR-HKG available for just £376 return for travel 11 Apr 09 to 21 Jun 09. Book by 28 Jan 09. They also offer a business class return for £1,698 to November 09 but you must book by 07 Jan 09.

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific have a fare of £379 for travel 13 Apr 09 to 11 Jun 09, bookable until 28 Feb 09.

There are some Virgin Atlantic fares in March and April around this level – the lowest we found was £386.

If you live in the UK regions then you could consider flying with KLM via Amsterdam. Flights from Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle are all offered at just under £400. Depart between 5 Jan 09 and 15 Jun 09, return by 15 Jul 09. Emirates also offer departures from the regions via Dubai, but prices are a little higher at the £420 – £475 level.

The lowest price to Hong Kong is £359 with Qatar Airways, book by 31 Jan 09 for travel up to the end of June.

On the downside for UK travellers is that the Hong Kong dollar is pegged with the US dollar so due to sterling weakness, your expenses in Hong Kong will be higher than 12 months ago.

Since low-cost Oasis Hong Kong Airlines started flying on the popular London to Hong Kong route we have seen some excellent airfares on the market from competing carriers.

Air New Zealand are advertising flights from London to Hong Kong on their website priced from £356 all in. The fare is available until 14th June and also in September and November.

However you can find Air NZ fares as low as £297 with some of the major online agents if you fly in May and June – this is outstanding value, especially considering their generous economy class seat pitch of 34″.

Similarly, Qantas have flights from £320 all in (May and June, also bookable from major online agents).

British Airways currently have a worldwide sale to many destinations. London – Hong Kong return for £329 all in is probably their best offering (thanks in part to Oasis.) Travel must be between 1st May and 27th June. Similar fares can be found with the online agents.

We found some all-in return fares in May on Virgin Atlantic from £345.

Cathay Pacific will charge you from £389 all in for their special offer London to HK flights via their website. Like Air NZ, travel until June 14th, September or November. Note, the outbound leg must be taken on a Monday or Tuesday.

Note, Qantas and BA have seat pitch of 31″, less than Cathay’s and Oasis Airlines’ 32″.

And of course you can find return prices on Oasis on some available dates for under £300.

But that Air NZ fare looks pretty good. So this really is a great time to get over to Hong Kong…