Mumbai06 Nov 22 1 Traveller Economy
Showing International Flight from Auckland
About Auckland
New Zealand's most populous city, Auckland, is known to be one of the best cities to visit for a cheap winter vacation. Auckland is a cosmopolitan city that houses multitudes of races and cultures. Not to mention how it is also the abode to the largest Polynesian population in the globe. The city was once a British colony and hence, continues to have some Victorian influence in their lifestyle as well as architecture. The city is known to be one of the most overpriced cities in the world. Yet, thanks to the humble crowd and beautiful landscapes, it easily becomes one of the best places to settle in. The city is vibrant with music and food festivals that take place in spring and autumn, respectively.
Booking flight tickets to Auckland well in advance would be favourable for you. Since the city will be an expensive rendezvous, by striking good flight deals to Auckland, you will be able to enjoy the city's spirit. Not to mention, booking hotels in Auckland much before the date of arrival is also essential. That way, you might be able to get some cheap deals on accommodation as well.
Best time to visit Auckland
The start of autumn in Auckland are pleasant with the temperatures ranging between 10 degree Celsius to 22 degree Celsius which makes it ideal for tourists to engage in outdoor activities. It is easily the best time to indulge in adventure sports such as zip-lining, hiking and exploring the city's green expanses. The months from March to May, which is basically the autumn season, witnesses the most charming weather. Aside from indulging in outdoor activities, travellers mostly root for various festivals that are held around the city. The months are ideal for budget-travellers. In fact, booking a hotel in Auckland during this season is also quite affordable. Patrons of art and culture festivals would have the time of their life during their visit to Auckland in autumn, courtesy all the festive vibe of the place.
September to November is also known to be ideal for a trip to Auckland. These months experience spring season with the cold winters melting away to welcome the summers. Spring is basically the onset of summer and touted to be one of the best seasons for Auckland. Interestingly, since it prepares the city for summers, the weather is charming and the vibe friendly. Although the temperatures are normally on the lower side of the thermometer, you will still enjoy the cold breeze and the occasional showers. During spring, the locals unite to ring in a food festival where there are dozens of delicious dishes that are Auckland-special.
Not only will you experience astounding flavours mixing together but will also enjoy the festive mood that takes over. Flights to Auckland during this time see a tremendous spike as it is the best time to travel. In fact, months from September to February are ideal for travellers who arrive from tropical cities. The summers would also feel like winter. Booking hotel rooms in Auckland during the spring or even summer season would be quite pricey. Unless you have some good saved up miles or savings in general, travelling here during peak season would burn a hole in your pocket.
Summers are perfect in Auckland as the sun is bright while the atmosphere is cool. People traversing from countries with hot climates would find the summers amiable and cool enough. However, summers also bring a plethora of adventure junkies and abundant tourists. No wonder the accommodation prices in Auckland during these months spike up. But if you manage to place in advance, you might be able to snag some cheap flight deals to Auckland and on hotel room prices.
Places to visit in Auckland
One of the biggest attractions in New Zealand has got to be the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. It is a natural wonder located a little away from Auckland but hosts illuminating glowworms that rest easy on the cave ceiling of Waitomo. The exquisite blue lights that they illuminate is scintillating. You can use either a kayak in the cave, or you can book a boat ride to visit the caves. The Auckland Zoo is located approximately 6 km away from the main city. The huge animal sanctuary is sprawled across a vast expanse of green lands which is known to host the largest population of exotic as well as native animals in all of New Zealand.
Many people are not well aware of the history and culture of New Zealand. Having been down under, the country is still a fresh new chapter that needs to be explored for many enthusiasts. With a view to educating tourists about the Maori people and their illustrious history, the city maintains an Auckland War Memorial Museum. The museum sheds light on the militia history of the country as well as venerates the martyrs. Auckland's fame majorly comes from two tourist attractions, the Hobbiton movie set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Although the movie set is located about 177 km away from the main city, the set is a must-visit for all The Lord Of the Rings and The Hobbit movie franchise fans. The lush green spread is too beautiful for words, as is the movie-set experience. Another top attraction of Auckland is the famed Mount Eden, known for its dormant volcano.
Things to do in Auckland
Much like the famous Central Park in New York, the Cornwall Park of Auckland holds the same stature in the country. The park literally sits on a volcanic cone with extensive greenery and dense forests. As you walk around the park, you will find relics of the Maori fort and even the remains of the park's donor, Sir John Logan Campbell. The Waitakere Ranges Regional Park beckons travel and adventure junkies who simply want to unwind by taking up some fun activity. The regional park is sprawled across 40,000 acres of beaches and forests, making it quite an attractive site. The place also accommodates bird-watching, hiking, strolling, biking and taking a swim in the water. Just a day here would put you in a comfortable space. Be it the foodie in you or the adventure seeker, Waiheke island is the ideal spot for you if the water is what you seek.
Devonport is an important harbour in the suburbs of Auckland. The port offers a stunning view of the city and is perfect for photography. You can carry your cameras with you and start clicking away postcard-worthy memories. Aside from all the photography, you can also take a stroll around the harbour and relish the lovely colonial architecture as well as amazing wine and dine options. When in Auckland, you should definitely indulge in some wine tasting and tours of the vineyard. The idea of meeting new people during the wine tour while you sip on exquisite wine sure sounds like a good plan, right? Plus, the vast expanses of the vineyard would undoubtedly intrigue you.
Food and restaurants in Auckland
Auckland's cuisine is all about fresh kiwi and appetising seafood. Some of the signature dishes include hokey pokey, Pavlova, bluff oysters, green-lipped mussels and the all-time favourite, fish and chips. To get the best of these dishes though, here are some restaurants that you should check out during your trip to Auckland. One Tree Grill restaurant and Kazuya Restaurant appeal to a few travellers who are all about experimenting. Whereas the other famous kitchens include Ela Cuisine, Azabu, Best Ugly Bagels, The Sugar Club, Depot Eatery and Oster Bar.
How to reach Auckland
By Air
Auckland Airport is one of the busiest airports in New Zealand. The airport has domestic as well as international flights flying to and from Auckland. Dedicated international flights to Auckland are not present from India yet. You will have to take multitudes of connecting flights to reach the city in New Zealand. There are international routes connecting Auckland to India via cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. Airlines such as Thai Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines are known to have frequent flights to Auckland from India. However, they are not directly connected so you will probably have to change flights from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, depending on which airlines or international route to Auckland you pick.
Singapore Airlines' flights to Auckland from Mumbai are recognised as the fastest route as it takes roughly 16 hours to reach. Meanwhile, cities such as Delhi and Chennai see slight differences in the flight duration. Flight connectivity to Auckland is quite decent from India and favourable to travellers as there are options of airlines to choose from. Flight tickets to Auckland vary depending on the city you choose to travel from.
By Water
Travelling across continents and covering oceans in the process is not a viable option to reach Auckland from India. The international route to Auckland from India via water would take approximately 30 to 35 days. Unless you're going on an expedition where you boycott flying and opt to use cheaper and time-consuming modes of transport, cruises work for you. Even then, the connectivity to Auckland from India is not available via sea. Flights to Auckland from India are your best bet. Plus, depending on the season you choose or how you make use of your miles, you might be able to acquire great flight deals to Auckland. Perhaps even cheap and affordable tickets to Auckland? Travelling by air is comparatively safer and quicker, so look no further.
About China Eastern Airlines
China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited or famously called China Eastern is a Chinese airline which has its headquarters located in China Eastern Airlines Building, within the premise of Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport in Changing District in Shanghai. The airline is one of the top three in China with operations to a slew of domestic routes, international routes and a handful of regional routes too. China Eastern Airlines is the second-largest airline in the country with respect to the number of passengers carried. The airline follows China Southern Airlines as a top airline in China. China Eastern Airlines is a subsidiary of Shanghai Airlines which became the 14th airline to join the SkyTeam airline alliance, in 2011. The airline's parent company is China Eastern Air Holding Company. It was founded in 1988 by the Civil Aviation Administration of China Huadong Administration. Following the unprofitable China General Aviation in 1997, China Eastern Airlines took over the operations and put up the company shares for grabs on the international market, making it the first in the country.
In 2001, the airline wholly acquired a few airlines such as Great Wall Airlines, China Northwest Airlines and China Yunnan Airlines under its wing to form the China Eastern Airlines in 2003 eventually. The government of China holds a massive stake in the airline with a whopping 61.64 per cent of shares while the other shares are owned publicly. In 2006, the airline received more attention from foreign investors as a report of Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines and Emirates eyeing to invest in China Eastern Airlines were confirmed. A final agreement regarding the same was signed in 2007, and a combined 24 per cent of shares were purchased with Singapore Airlines holding 15.73 per cent and Temasek Holdings to acquire 8.27 per cent of shares. Although Cathay Pacific did plan on quashing Singapore Airlines' expansion plans in China but eventually, they opted out of it. In 2009, China Eastern Airlines announced that they would be merging with Shanghai Airlines. One of the main reasons for this move was to reduce the excess competition prevalent in the zone and at the same time, to consolidate Shanghai's status as an international hub in China.
While retaining its brand name and livery, Shanghai Airlines became a wholly-owned and operated subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines in 2010. Later the same year, China Eastern Airlines also acquired China United Airlines to enhance its expansion plans. A joint consortium between China Eastern Airlines and Qantas Group to commence a new low-cost airline, Jetstar Hong Kong, with a base at Hong Kong International Airport was proposed. However, following some issues including a rejection from the Hong Kong authority to issue an operating license, the plan didn't take off. In 2012, the airline received the title accolade Gold Ting Award, at the China Capital Market Annual Conference 2012 as one of the most valuable Chinese brands. It was also acknowledged in the top ten rankings of FORTUNE China in 2013. In 2020, the airline introduced OTT Airlines (One Two Three Airlines) as a subsidiary with a view to operating domestic-manufactured aircraft, including Comac C919 and Comic ARJ21, specifically in the Yangtze Delta region, along with business jet operations.
Fleet size of China Eastern Airlines
China Eastern Airlines' current fleet size is a whopping 566 with 150 more aircraft that are in order. As one of the major airlines in China, China Eastern Airlines holds an abundant fleet to ensure that the operations for both international routes and domestic routes are conducted without any hassle. The airline presently holds a fleet that comprises of Airbus A319-100, Airbus A320-200, Airbus A320neo, Airbus A330-200, Airbus A330-300, Airbus A350-900, Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737 MAX 8, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 787-9, Comac C919 and Comac ARJ21-700. It was the first Chinese airline to order for an Airbus, a European aircraft-manufacturing enterprise. China Eastern Airlines' most important aircraft are all variants from the Airbus family with special emphasis on the services of the A320 series. They are predominantly used for domestic route services. In 2005, the airline announced that it would be placing an order for 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. However, they cancelled the order, owing to the continuous and massive delays faced. Instead, they swapped the 787 order to Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft. In 2011, the airline placed an order for fifteen Airbus A330s while in 2012, they placed an order for 20 Boeing 777-300ERs. China Eastern Airlines received its first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in 2014.
Baggage Allowance
China Eastern Airlines has 'free checked baggage along with ticket' type of baggage allowance model. The airline basically reserves a specific number of baggage allowance along with the ticket for passengers. This varies depending on the domestic route and international route transit of passengers. According to the airline, passengers who are travelling from the regional and domestic routes are allowed to carry a baggage weight of up to 40 kg. Meanwhile, the baggage allowance for business class and economy class stands at 30 kg and 20 kg respectively. With respect to the baggage piece concept, China Eastern Airlines allows passengers flying from first class to carry around three bags which can weigh no more than 32 kg each. As for the business class, super economy class and economy class, the airline allows passengers to carry two pieces of baggage that should not weigh more than 32 kg. Additional baggage can be purchased at the airport's check-in counter or on their official website. The added tariff is usually levied depending on the extra weight per kg.
In-flight services
China Eastern Airlines, with its illustrious fleet, has ensured to provide the best of in-flight services to its passengers. In fact, they have made some significant upgrades with their seats and in-flight services and facilities. Not just that the seats are comfortable but even other services such as impeccable in-flight meals, amenities like personalised entertainment systems, provision of pillows, toiletry kits, earplugs, eye masks and more, have made it quite the memorable experience for passengers.
Popular routes and top cities for China Eastern Airlines
China Eastern Airlines holds a prominent presence in the continents of Asia, North America and Australia. With an increase in its flight frequencies from Shanghai, the airline has managed to become the household name for all domestic route connectivity. Further, they plan to enhance their reach in the international route destinations too by increasing flight frequencies. In 2016, the airline launched non-stop direct routes flights to destinations such as Prague, St. Petersburg, Amsterdam and Madrid, from Shanghai. The domestic route destinations that China Eastern Airlines covers are Altay, Anqing, Baise, Baoshan, Bangkok, Baotou, Bole, Changchun, Changzhou, Chengdu, Chifeng, Changde, Dailan, Daqing, Dazhou, Enshi, Fukuoka, Guilin, Hangzhou, Jinan, Karamay, Korla, Lanzhou, Liuzhou, Mangshi, Nanchang, Ningbo, Quanzhou, Sanya, Shenzhen, Shiyan, Tangshan, Turpan, Wuhanm Wuxi, Xi'an, Yinchuan, Zhengzhou and Zhuhai, to name a few. As for international routes, some of the top cities that China Eastern Airlines operates in include Auckland, Bangkok, Chicago, Clark, Colombo, Delhi, Denpasar, Frankfurt, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Jeju, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur, Los Angeles, London, Madrid, Melbourne, Moscow, Nagoya, New York City, Ngari, Paris, Rome, San Francisco, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo (Narita and Haneda), Vancouver, Toronto and Yangon, and more.
Why travel by China Eastern Airlines?
China Eastern Airlines is the perfect and ideal airline to pick if a traveller needs to explore the domestic route destinations of China. The airline has expanded its domestic routes tremendously in the past few years and even acquired a series of competitors to ensure that they have a certain quasi-monopoly in the market. This has only extended its domestic route wing to be more attractive and convenient for travellers. Further, they have also extended much of their international routes with the severe competition with Singapore Airlines and even Cathay Pacific. Unfazed by any of the challenges, the airline has worked towards adding more destinations that would get them more passengers.
While the connectivity of China Eastern Airlines is worth mentioning, their fleet is just as amazing. China Eastern Airlines has ensured to provide the best services to its customers, and they are utilising their strong fleet with upgraded facilities for the same. This has enhanced China Eastern Airlines' in-flight services and other facilities too.
Adding to its perks, the airline has also brought in better services with respect to the administration-related chores. China Eastern Airlines has introduced web check-in services along with flight status updates on the website. Along with this, China Eastern Airlines' flight schedules have also been shared on its website. Passengers can receive an updated list on their website as well as the mobile app. Further, travellers can also book a China Eastern Airlines flight ticket online as they have a presence on all travel portals and their website. The airline has ensured to share baggage allowance details once the flight ticket has been booked as it will help them plan accordingly. With such good upgrades, China Eastern Airlines easily becomes the best airline to opt for, especially when travelling to China.
