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science_expat
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« on: July 10, 2011, 10:36:25 AM » |
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I'll be flying from London to Auckland in August and am looking at transiting through LAX. However, the description on the Air New Zealand site for its "direct flight" (NZ001) seems pretty dire.
Does anyone know if i) US citizens can escape the transit lounge and ii) if we can leave things such as duty free on board (or convey into the lounge without them being lifted)?
Cheers.
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It's not procrastination. It's "just in time" delivery.
Nutso is the new normal.
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theblondeassassin
Rootin' Tootin' Invigilatin'
Member-Moderator
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 2,952
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« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2011, 11:03:39 AM » |
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When I was on that flight a few years ago, no and no (not sure what the dutyfree rules are though I think that would be OK). It was pretty grim in the transit lounge, IIRC, but not an excruciating long period of time.
Last time I came through from NZ to London via LAX it was a connection between flights, which meant I could get outside and have a wander, which was much nicer. It's a freaking long time on the plane.
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My hovercraft is full of eels, so I don't suppose snails in a fish tank is so very strange.
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science_expat
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« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2011, 11:18:52 AM » |
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Yeah, it's looking grim.
I was originally thinking of stopping over in Sydney for a couple of days but then tended towards direct option in premium economy with new Spaceseats. Am now moving rapidly back to Sidney option - may need a new thread.
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It's not procrastination. It's "just in time" delivery.
Nutso is the new normal.
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theblondeassassin
Rootin' Tootin' Invigilatin'
Member-Moderator
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 2,952
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« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2011, 11:42:47 AM » |
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I did Christchurch-Sydney-Christchurch very cheaply on Emirates for a short break from NZ. I'd highly recommend it.
I found the best prices on lastminute.com.au, which had great deals on both flights and accommodation (it covers AU/NZ and Southeast Asia).
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My hovercraft is full of eels, so I don't suppose snails in a fish tank is so very strange.
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wegie
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« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2011, 06:30:16 AM » |
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I'll be flying from London to Auckland in August and am looking at transiting through LAX.
Don't do it! Take the direct flight that stops in Hong Kong instead. |
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wet_blanket
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« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2011, 09:42:57 AM » |
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I'll be flying from London to Auckland in August and am looking at transiting through LAX.
Don't do it! Take the direct flight that stops in Hong Kong instead. Yes. LAX has no redeeming features. It is one giant hassle. Usually going through Hong Kong costs less than going throught the US. Alternatively, can you go through San Francisco? I know there's a direct akl-sfo on AirNZ, but it may be code share between SFO and London. |
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Wet Blanket will find success. The spreadsheet is the way...
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frogfactory
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« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2011, 10:42:30 AM » |
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I'm probably just too used to looking at Mercator projection maps, but wouldn't it be much easier to fly East than West?
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At the end of the day, sometimes you just have to masturbate in the bathroom.
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science_expat
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« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2011, 11:02:25 AM » |
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There's not much difference (like 20 minutes) timewise.
Thanks for the comments, all. I've decided not to go this route but am slightly concerned that the NZ end may have booked it. But also moderately optimistic that they lack sufficient info to do so.
Working on plan b - mentioned upthread - involving a few days in Sydney.
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It's not procrastination. It's "just in time" delivery.
Nutso is the new normal.
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cranefly
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« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2011, 04:24:23 PM » |
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My one rule of flying is never go through LAX. Worst. Experiences. Of. My. Life.
Nightmare airport. I'd rather fly through Heathrow, and that says a lot.
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Oh yeah--Professor Sparkle Pony. "Follow your dreams, young genius, and you will meet with success!" Students eat that up.
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helpful
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« Reply #9 on: July 15, 2011, 04:30:07 PM » |
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I agree. LAX is horrible. No signs saying which terminal X airline flies from, etc. etc. And no helpful desk or personnel to give directions. I had to rely on fellow travellers. Avoid at all costs. Another airport I avoid is La Guardia. One has to leave secure area to get to another gate by another airline. 'So antiquated. Nothing against bus terminals, but LGA feels like a hot and stinky bus terminal. Again, avoid at all costs.
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drb20
New member
Posts: 12
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« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2011, 10:28:26 PM » |
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I agree that the transit in LAX is awful but we *always* fly back to California from London on Air New Zealand and last time in May 2011 we got their new sky couch. It was wonderful. This is also the only airline where if you fly economy plus it feels like any other airline's business class, the food is so good, service great. Btw, they changed the procedure in LAX so now they ask (and this is the US customs who have decided, poor ANZ have nothing to do with it other than the hassle) all the *through passengers* to Auckland to exit the plane first and go into the transfer lounge before all us getting off in LAX can exit. This of course meant chaos on deplaning and I am sure that the hours in the transit lounge are not fun. But I would still take ANZ over any other airline, so perhaps try the other way, through Hong Kong.
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ucprof
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« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2011, 01:04:26 AM » |
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It's not so bad if you fly in biz and the Koru club at LAX is quite nice. But the back of the plane is not such a great place to be on this long a flight I would not do it personally. I flew ANZ to London a few years ago but fortunately I got a really cheap biz seat and had one of those pods - it was a hard seat but the space was incredible compared to coach. Lately I've gotten much better deals on VS from CA to London compared to ANZ. Have not flown ANZ to OZ or NZ, just London. If you can not afford the cheapo biz seats I would look at what you can get in premium economy on that long a flight. Both ANZ and Virgin have excellent PE seating more or less like a US domestic biz seat it's both wider and longer pitch than the coach seat.
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