Flying to New Zealand? why not use your local airport?

Auckland
Auckland

With Air New Zealand axing London flights, what are the options?

With Air New Zealand (NZ/ANZ) ending its London to Auckland via Los Angeles service from October 2020, the time has never been better to use your local airport to fly to New Zealand.

Direct flights have never (and not likely to be any time soon) an option to New Zealand but whilst NZ1 via Los Angeles has been the most famous route to Auckland, it is certainly not the best route.

So what are the other options?

If you are in the South West of England or Wales then why not fly from Cardiff Airport (CWL/EGFF) to Auckland via Doha with Qatar Airways. Flights to Auckland start at £756 and passengers are also able to take advantage of a free 24 transit visa for Doha if you want to break the journey up.

Qatar Airways Boeing 787-8 preparing for take-off at Cardiff Airport (Image: The Aviation Media Agency.)
Qatar Airways Boeing 787-8 preparing for take-off at Cardiff Airport (Image: The Aviation Media Agency.)

Those in the South East can choose London Gatwick (LGW/EGK) also with Qatar Airways. Like Cardiff Airport, fares start at £756 and can include the free visa. Emirates has fares available via Dubai from £769.

Travelling from the Midlands? Birmingham Airport (BHX/EGBB) offers flights to Auckland via Dubai with Emirates Airlines. Flying on the Airbus A380 on both legs, fares we found start at £444.70 in March 2020. Qatar Airways also flies from Birmingham.

An Emirates Boeing 777-300
An Emirates Boeing 777-300

Up in the North of England? Manchester Airport (MAN/EGCC) has options with Qatar Airways and Emirates. Qatar Prices start at £822 and Emirates start at £819. You can also fly from Newcastle (NCL/EGNT) with Emirates from £819.

In Scotland, Edinburgh (EDI/EGPH) has flights with Emirates Airlines via Dubai which start at £819.

Why not use our free flight search tool powered by SkyScanner to find a flight that’s right for you!

About Nick Harding 2026 Articles
Nick is the senior reporter and editor at UK Aviation News as well as working freelance elsewhere. He has his finger firmly on the pulse on Aviation, not only in the UK but worldwide. Nick has been asked to speak in a professional capacity on LBC, Heart and other broadcast networks.