Macau to Auckland AirChina Flights

  About Macau

Macau is nestled along the Pearl River Delta on the South China Sea. The city is bang opposite the city of Hong Kong and is recognised as one of the top tourist destinations. It is also known to be one of the most populous regions globally.

Best time to visit Macau

Macau's location on the coast makes it susceptible to extreme heat and humidity. The proximity of the coastal city to the South China Sea further brings over monsoons that could get really ugly. The monsoon is between April through October with July to September receiving maximum rainfall. The torrential rains could put a damper on all your tourist plans. They are so bad that the city streets get flooded and even bring over typhoons. The peak monsoon season is also recognised as typhoon season as the city witnesses a lot of natural calamities. This easily makes for bad weather that is definitely not ideal for vacation. More than ideal, it is actually quite risky as you could get stranded in the city or you might also have to deal with the repercussions of typhoons and heavy rains. Investing for a trip to Macau during this time of the year would only be a waste of money. Although it should be noted that the city's hotels see a drop in prices. But irrespective of the cheap hotel bookings you can make in Macau, it is not worth the money as you wouldn't be able to enjoy the city.

Summer is just as bad. The extreme heat and humidity can get quite annoying. You would have a tough time having fun in the city as the heat would irk your senses. While the water is right there for you to soak in and cool down, it is still not the best season. You should know though that summers are actually peak season for Macau. There are many tourists flocking over to soak in the sun and salty breeze. A majority of the crowd come from the winter locales of China and other countries. The outdoor activities are also enabled during this time, making it an ideal spot for summer vacation. The hotels do see a surge in prices during summers. Booking a hotel in Macau during summers would be splurging far more than your speculated budget. You could get some lovely online deals, but for it, you'll have to make advance reservations. Winter season in Macau, from December to February, is the best and most favourable time to plan a trip to Macau. Not just the weather but even the city's spirits turn happy with festivals and events, which would give you a good opportunity to indulge in their culture.

Places to visit in Macau

Macau has a beautiful balance of ancient architecture and modern skyscrapers. You can start your touristy rendezvous by checking out the Ruins of St. Paul's. It was originally a Catholic religious complex which also had a college in the complex. The 17th-century structure has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Monte Fort is another UNESCO World Heritage Site that was originally constructed to safeguard the city's Jesuit properties from invasion. For some quaint time in the neighbourhood, you should visit Coloane, an island close to Macau. The place is exquisite with Portuguese architecture. While you're here, you can further visit Taipa, another island in Macau that is famously acknowledged for the slew of casinos and interesting structure. The bridge connecting Coloane and Taipa is actually a famous tourist attraction in Macau that deserves some attention. The city does have many beautiful Chinese temples with the construction that will leave you spellbound. Do ensure to visit the many temples.

Things to do in Macau

Macau has some really cool indulgences that you simply cannot miss. One of the biggest attractions is the casinos that are prevalent in the city. You should visit the Venetian Macao casino resort. The estate is owned by the American Las Vegas Sands organisation and is the biggest attraction for many tourists. The huge casino hotel is one of the most posh and luxe structures in the city. The City of Dreams should definitely be on your list of attractions to check out in Macau. The exquisite water fountain show is captivating and too beautiful an experience. Hanging out at the Hac Sa Beach is something you should not miss. The quaint waters touching the shores with a quiet vibe is also a good place where you can relax. For more Portuguese architecture, you should visit the Guia Hill Fortress. The white structure with yellow and orange borders is a lovely space and especially has an exquisite landscape. Make sure that you continue with your food excursion as the city does have a slew of lovely restaurants and food establishments.

Food and restaurants in Macau

Macau's big competition in the culinary field Hong Kong, stands juxtaposed with the South China Sea playing a spectator. Although Hong Kong is recognised to be one of the most hi-tech cities with a thriving food culture, Macau also offers fusion food in this department. The coastal city has a slew of cuisines ranging from Portuguese to Chinese, all of them available with exquisite ambience. Predominantly, Macau favours Portuguese cuisine and has many restaurants and food establishments of the same descent. However, that doesn't mean they do not favour any other cuisine. Macanese cuisine, which is basically fusion food, is quite popular in the vicinity too. The mix of Chinese and Portuguese cultures on a platter is something you might have never encountered. Well, Macau gives you the opportunity to do the same. You can start with your food rendezvous in Macau by visiting the Clube Militar de Macau, a Portuguese restaurant which even has a very colonial-style vibe and decor. Make reservations for this place and definitely indulge in some of their lip-smacking Portuguese food and wine.

Another famed Portuguese-inspired restaurant is Albergue 1601. Hidden away from the city's bustle in Macau is this lovely two-storeyed restaurant which offers a quaint vibe and serves Portuguese and Macanese dishes. You can upscale your dining experience in Macau by opting for a Michelin-starred establishment by visiting Robuchon au Dôme. Make sure to carry enough money for this is going to be quite some indulgence. Also, their 14,500 labels of wine are quite a trip. The city also has restaurants that favour Indian cuisine. Golden Peacock is recognised for its perfectly cooked Indian food with a nice modern touch. You will find dishes such as butter chicken, skewered chicken, biryani and of course, vegetarian dishes too. Macau's Urban Kitchen is another perfect food establishment that you should check out without fail. The place boasts Asian, Japanese and Korean grub with special focus on seafood. You will not be disappointed here, and the all-day buffet system further adds to its perks. For a kaiseki meals setting, you don't have to travel to Japan but can find it in Macau's Yamazato.

How to reach Macau

Even though Macau is quite close to Hong Kong, a dedicated airport has been built to lure more tourists to the coastal city. The flight connectivity to Macau from Indian cities is decent as it is technically not too far. But there are no direct flights connected to Macau from India. Despite the demand for the city as a tourist haven, airlines have not reserved direct flights to the city. Hence, you will have to take flights which have layovers in other cities. Singapore Airlines, NokScoot, Air Macau, Silkair, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, Eastar Jet, Asiana Airlines, to name a few, have flights that have connectivity to Macau. The most popular route chosen to reach Macau is often the one from Singapore and Hong Kong. A transit visa is required to travel as the flights connecting Macau have layovers in cities such as Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok and more. The airports of these cities have made it mandatory for the passengers to carry a transit visa. You can apply for one at the embassy, or you can opt for an easy online application.

The international route to Macau from Singapore and Hong Kong is actually favoured. However, often people choose to take flights to Hong Kong directly and use the means of sea to reach Macau. There are daily ferries that can reach Macau from Hong Kong. As tourists wish to check out both the cities in China, they often pick this option over the others. This is also convenient in many ways as the duration to reach Macau is reduced drastically from Hong Kong by the water body. Not to mention how it also saves a lot of flight ticket cost. You can make your flight bookings to Macau online, but finding cheap tickets would be tough. The city, especially during peak season, sees a lot of crowds. Hence, when you're booking flight tickets to Macau, make sure that you do it in advance to get the peak season ticket without splurging too much. There are always many online flight deals to Macau that you can avail, as long as you are able to find them on time. You can also make your hotel reservations in Macau well in advance to avoid expensive room prices.

  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 Air China

Air China Limited is the official flag carrier and also one of the largest airlines of the People's Republic of China which has its headquarters located in the Shunyi District of Beijing. The airline's flight operations are based in its hub at Beijing Capital International Airport. The airline came into existence in 1988 when the airline's parent company Air China International Corporation was established. In 2002 though, the central government made some reformation plans with respect to the airline industry and decided to merge all the top airlines. This included Air China International Corporation, China Southwest Airlines and China Aviation Corporation to for one company called Air China International Corporation. In 2004, the company went ahead to rebrand itself from Air China International Corporation to Air China Limited. The same year, the airline's company turned into a publicly-traded entity that was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as well as the London Stock Exchange. Air China's corporate logo comprises of a phoenix, a legendary bird that is worshipped by the nation for its symbolic reference that calls for luck and happiness.

The symbol is painted in red, which is associated with all things happy and lucky, according to the Chinese culture and traditional beliefs. The main idea behind choosing this logo is to express Air China's commitment towards promoting the development of China's airline industry while offering a slew of facilities and a pleasant experience for travellers. The core belief of Air China is that the airline would continue to soar right and serve the world. Air China is recognised as one of the only national flag carriers to be part of the airline alliance network, Star Alliance. The airline was also associated as the airline partner during the Olympics Beijing 2008. The airline caters to a phenomenal number of international routes and domestic routes as one of the largest airlines in the country.

Further, it also provides special flight facilities to foreign heads, VIPs and government leaders for their travel requirements. This further adds to their exclusive national carrier status. Air China has branches in several cities, including Southwest China, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tibet, Hubei, Zhejiang, Guizhou and Tianjin, to name a few.

In 2010, the airline completed its shareholding deal in Shenzhen Airlines to become the controlling stakeholder in Shenzhen Airlines. This move enhanced Air China's position in the domestic network market across Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu. In the same year, the airline also received an accolade as the Plaque for Tourist Merit by Spain's highest tourism industry award. Air China became the first airline to receive such an honour given by a Spanish organisation. Further, in the same year, the airline also introduced combined ticket offers that enabled passengers to include domestic flight tickets along with shuttle bus services to nearby cities. With this, the airline once again became the first-ever Chinese airline to combine flight-shuttle tickets. Their first route connected Tianjin via a shuttle bus service whereas the domestic flights passed through Beijing. By 2011, the airline introduced WiFi services on board, making it the first Chinese airline to pull off such an in-flight service. With a view to renewing its fleet, Air China announced in 2015 that it had opted for Boeing 737 Next Generation and 737 MAX for the same.

Fleet size of Air China

Air China's current fleet size stands at 430 aircraft. Considering how the airline caters to a massive number of destinations with both international routes and domestic routes, the fleet is required to be huge and strong. Air China majorly has aircraft compilation of 33 Airbus A319-100, 44 Airbus A320-200, 26 Airbus A320neos, 61 Airbus A321-200, 30 Airbus A330-200, 28 Airbus A330-300, 102 Boeing 737-800, 16 Boeing 737 MAX 8, 28 Boeing 777-300ER, 14 Boeing 787-9 and 14 Boeing 787-9, to name a few. They have a combination of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft to enable easy connectivity with the short-haul, medium-haul and long haul routes. Further, the airline also has about 138 aircraft that have been ordered and are yet to join the Air China fleet. Much of the mixed aircraft have been retired over time with only space for aircraft from the Boeing and Airbus family. The airline also has one Comac ARJ21-700 and Dassault Falcon 7X as part of its fleet. They have further ordered for 34 and 20 aircraft respectively.

Baggage Allowance

Air China's baggage allowance is different depending on the international route, Mainland China route, regional operations and more. In terms of international routes, Air China allows a weight of up to 23 kg for premium economy and economy class passengers. Passengers who are travelling from first or business class are allowed to carry baggage weighing up to 32 kg. The rule does have restrictions to certain cities and routes that the passenger will need to check ahead of the journey. The dimensions for the standard checked baggage should not exceed a total of 158 cm. This includes the wheels, handles and pockets. Rules for the hand baggage as specified by the airline include allocation of two pieces of carry-on baggage for first class and business class. The weight of the baggage should not exceed 8 kg per piece. As for economy class passengers, the carry-on baggage should weigh no more than 5 kg with one piece of allocation per passenger. The dimensions for the baggage that is carried onboard should be within 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm as the bags need to fit in the overhead bin.

In-flight services

As an airline that is celebrated to be one of the best and largest in Asia, Air China's in-flight services boast exquisite facilities. These include a comfortable seating arrangement that caters to the privacy and convenience of the passenger. With great legroom and armrest teamed that also comes with entertainment systems, the journey is easily one of the best experiences. The in-flight services also include delicious in-flight meals that add to the comfort.

Popular routes and top cities for Air China

Air China's international routes and domestic routes have extended tremendously since its inception. The airline has accommodated various destinations across Asia, Western Europe, North American and the Middle East. With hubs at Beijing Capital International Airport and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, the airline now has a significant number of destinations from Shanghai as well. A majority of the international routes operate from cities such as Xiamen, Chengdu, Dalian, Kunming, Chongqing and Hangzhou. Air China is one of the few recognised airlines to cater to all the six habitable continents with a plethora of destinations. The airline's fleet modification and expansion have further enabled adding more routes to its network.

As of 2020, the top cities that Air China caters to Athens, Auckland, Bangkok, Barcelona, Beijing, Busan, Chengdu, Chiang Mai, Colombo, Copenhagen, Delhi, Dazhou, Dubai, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Geneva, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Havana, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Houston, Islamabad, Johannesburg, Karachi, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Montreal, Moscow, Mumbai, Munich, New York City, Newark, Panama City, Rome, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney, Tianjin, Toronto, Vancouver, Wuhan, Yangon, and Zhengzhou, to name a few.

Why travel by Air China?

Air China's illustrious history teamed with its special in-flight services and airport lounge facilities make it one of the most sought-after airlines to pick. The airline is known to offer the best domestic route and international route connectivity in Asia. In fact, Air China is especially ideal for travel plans that are within Mainland China. With their expansion plans over the years, the airline has managed to gather a strong community of loyal customers. Considering the facilities and services that the airline offers, it becomes rather easy to choose the airline. Right from booking an Air China flight online to web check-in services, the airline's website caters to all kinds of such requirements.

Not to mention how you can find Air China's flight schedule and the flight status on their website and other travel portals. Similar facilities have been incorporated on the airline's official mobile app as well. Passengers who are flying from Air China or wish to book a flight ticket from the airline can rake in some benefits on their mobile app. The app is usually full of offers such as discounts on flight tickets and added benefits of booking accommodation and transportation services in the destination. Further, baggage allowance depending on the ticket type can be best understood on their website and mobile app. The consolidated information is mentioned and explained to cater to the understanding of the passenger.

While these benefits do make it a good option, the airline's affiliation with Star Alliance adds to the list of perks. For passengers who are already members of the Star Alliance frequent flyer programmes, they can avail premium benefits when booking Air China flights. Along with the ticket perks, access to airport lounge facilities will also be enabled. Overall, Air China provides world-class services teamed with an excellent domestic route and international route connectivity. Hence, it is one of the ideal airlines to choose, especially when travelling within China.