Dilemma and advice needed

The NH's have the enviable task of relocating to Auckland.. I know, it could of at least been Hull, but we'll rise to the challenge.

Having had limited success dealing with the corporate travel agent in NZ trying to book us sensible flights in J at sensible costs, I've taken back in house...(they'll cover via contribution equiv to a Y booked). I lost the will to live when a Air France option came forward.

So far this dilemma revolves around carriers. Bearing in mind the following:

1. Leeds based, so directs from LHR/LGW are a real pain in the rear.
2. Luggage is a major importance- our container will take 8-10 weeks to arrive.
3. I like a decent product having been weaned on UC and won't take no sloping "bed" or glorified armchair.

The finals consist of:

1. Cathay, Ticketed from LBA-LHR-HKG-AKL long haul all on CX metal, but requires a 3 night stop in HKG. Including, yes you read right, 3 nights in Shangri la Kowloon - £2259/pp !! (bear in mind these are one-way).
Their new J product looks excellent. Older one, less so but bearable.
Major downside: only 30kg luggage each (ok I can get 45 with CX Gold amex). 3 nights in HKG not what we'd planned but sounds worth it for this price.

2. Emirates, Will pick us up from home, fly MAN-DBX-AKL (with piss stop in OZ)
circa 3.5k, limo and 40kg baggage, 1st leg likely on non A380/ sloping bed/ 2nd Leg A380 but circa 14hrs...Arrgh.
Emirates J product, even new, only 18.5" width...really? thats economy seat sizing...is it really that narrow.

3. Singapore... well must admit always fancied travelling SQ in J, but mixed thoughts, Bags same as EK at 40kg, fly from MAN.
No limo, have to get to MAN and likely night before..
9am flight, which is pain.
stops in Munich to pick up Germans
BUT- least gets you halfway plus never been to Singapore and mini NH has an unhealthy noodle fetish.
Product, can't expect the latest offering, but you never know.. so some concern on the overly wide seat that is apparently difficult to get comfy in and the bed's not that fantastic
similar price to EK at 3.4ishK

So 3 options... CX does look the front runner, but need to weigh up the offerings.
Traveling with mini NH at 8 years (although an airport pro) combined with mountains of bags, to be considered. Our stress levels also likely high given whats going on so minimal hassle also an advantage..

Thoughts welcome...

NH

Can only comment on EK, so...

1. The seat doesn't feel that narrow; there's a lot of space in and around to store stuff.
2. You're only a 6 hr leg with the non A380 into DXB
3. The CDC was a very good service
4. 14 hours (SYD- DXB) flew (sorry) by. The bar area on the A380 allows for mingling time away from the seat (and provides many delicious snacks, including nuts..)

That said, 3 nights in Hong Kong as part of the life changing trip sounds like it could be fun.

Personally I would go with SQ with a stop of two nights in SINGAPORE so mini NH can indulge noodle fetish lol

Arrange a limo and good hotel at MAN
Then done
I went to AKL with SQ and loved it, though it was in Y lol but actually best ever flight in Y plus CC were amazing

Royal Thai might be worth considering. Flew back from AKL-LHR earlier this year and was impressed.

[honey lamb]

My take.

EK. I've flown 4 legs on EK on my recent trip to South Africa when I experienced two different configurations of the 777 and the A380. On the first leg DUB-DXB the J cabin was quite small and felt a tad crowded because of that. The seat was fine but I didn't recline it into bed mode so I can't comment on that. I didn't feel it was that narrow. The food was excellent but overall I felt the offering was more PE+ than J (although miles better than BA's J product).

On the second leg to DUR, the J cabin was larger and felt more like a J product. However the bed was uncomfortable and one of the sloping-bed type. They bring round "mattresses" akin to what UC give in the suites.

The A380 was great. The seat was just right and slid down into a flat bed rather than having to flip it over. Mattresses are also provided. The bar area is also great and really does help break up the journey.

SQ I've flown two legs on the A380. I found that the seat was a bit too wide - mini NH could easily squish in beside one of you - but in bed mode it was great. It is the flip over type and a tad complicated but the crew are on hand to help. My main criticism on SQ is that on a long trip it is quite boring without the bar area to provide a change of scenery.

We have just stayed at the Kowloon Shangri-La - it is a lovely hotel but felt a bit claustrophobic as there was no outside garden and/or swimming pool. Within an easy walk of Nathan Road, the steam ferry, Harbour City Mall and an MTR station.

We then flew onto Singapore and home by SQ A380 business. We loved the wide seats - I fell asleep without flipping the seat! Food was excellent - we "Booked the Cook" and loved everything, particularly the Lobster Thermidor. The lack of a bar was definitely a downside - there was nowhere really to go during the 13 hour flight home. The inflight entertainment was good.

2. Emirates, Will pick us up from home, fly MAN-DBX-AKL (with piss stop in OZ)
circa 3.5k, limo and 40kg baggage, 1st leg likely on non A380/ sloping bed/ 2nd Leg A380 but circa 14hrs...Arrgh.
Emirates J product, even new, only 18.5" width...really? thats economy seat sizing...is it really that narrow.

NH, I have done most of the route to NZ on the 434 DXB -BNE-AKL several times , but obviously I have got off and stayed off at Brisbane, unlike you who will get off and then get back on again.

The bed is fine. And the 14 hours whizzes by. The IFE is fine, you get regular food and booze runs and there is the bar. You also have onboard wifi , for which you pay. And if that is not enough you can always sleep!!!

What became of the EY Diamond First possibility?

When I emigrated to Oz I used Air New Zealand - at the time very comparable to all the other airlines one way fares but the clincher was the 3 x 23kg bag allowance in J. As you mention it takes a long time for the container to arrive. The longer journey time and transit in LA was worth it.

When I emigrated to Oz I used Air New Zealand - at the time very comparable to all the other airlines one way fares but the clincher was the 3 x 23kg bag allowance in J. As you mention it takes a long time for the container to arrive. The longer journey time and transit in LA was worth it.

Yep, their allowance is immense, connections etc prove a problem and really prefer to avoid LA...

HWV- the Etihad option...grr, just couldn't get it to work productively, mainly due to LHR connection issues and add on costs from SYD-AKL.

At just over 2K door to door and a nice break in HKG included, Cathay seem to be likely..Been reading up on their new Business seat, sounds very impressive.
and looking into sendmybag.com...

Personally I'd go for CX- you won't be too much like zombies either if you've 3 nights in HKG to shake off some of the jet lag. Are they offering any upgrade options to the Horizon level at the Shangri La?
IMHO the price is a bargain ( especially for usually notoriously expensive one ways). My understanding is that all CX flights to/ from Oz/NZ have the new J seat and the various CX lounges at HKG may have some bearing on your outcome.
I'll be doing CX in J next January from HKG down to Oz so I 'd be interested in your thoughts if you opt for them.
DL

When we discuss our UC flights, the subject of 3x32kg luggage allowance (with more if gold) is often brought up.

The only way we've envisioned us using that would be if we moved permanently one way to somewhere, like you are doing.

I'm quite suprised that the other airlines J products have nowhere near the amount...

Yep a clincher DL. Can't ignore that price, may play around with exact hotel, but you raise a very valid point about relaxing off the bulk of the jet lag prior to arrival.
We've though about the luggage, 2 cases each lightly loaded mine a bit heavier (CX gold). We are off loading at HKG with bags due to stop over, then randomly able to chk x3/each totalling 69kg from HKG to AKL..! (piece based not weight)
Mrs NH/ compulsory shopping in HKG...need I say more..

Mrs NH/ compulsory shopping in HKG...need I say more..

Complete no brainier then ): ........all the money you'll save can be spent by her. Simples!
DL

The new CX seat is excellent. It is reverse herringbone so if your feet point to the widow making it feel very private.
For two people the middle seats point slightly towards each other so you can have a nice chat but if you sit back they are very private.
They are mini suites so are very private, huge tv and lots of storage space.
The service has also improved back to where it used to be.

EVA airways interestingly use a version of this seat.
The Thai seat is not flat so you get that sliding feeling.

Well this is a cert then. However had some options on HK hotels:
1. stick with Shangri La - Kowloon - quite like Kowloon, no real outside pool area- (we will need to chillax, well I will, while the girls shop)
2. Langham- at £64/n extra. meh? does have roof pool..
3. Shangri-La, Island...Shiney! I'm tempted- decent location, nice park next door, handy shopping centre and food choice underneath. lovely pool area...+£88/n

Thoughts welcome.

Have You asked CX for a price for the Peninsula ( my favourite HKG hotel ) ?There might not be that much of a price differential ?
Fabulous place with a lovely indoor pool .
DL

Island Shangri-La.
No need to even think about it.
Everthing about it is immepacble. Right next to Pacific Place shopping mall (watch out - high end names only).