flight times

Hi,

I've been researching flights to Rarotonga and it seems that no matter which day I choose the flights arrive or depart late at night, or very early morning. I've seen hotels mention this too and offer early/late check in to deal with this.

I was wondering why this is... Are there certain airlines which get priority for daytime arrival/takeoff (I was checking out Air New Zealand) or are there connecting cities which have better schedules (I've been searching with Aukland and Los Angeles, though anywhere in North America would be fine for me)

Thanks

Edited by: moremanoi

There is exactly one direct flight per week between North America and Rarotonga only - and that is the Air New Zealand flight you found. There are no others ...

However if you are willing to spend much more time and money to arrive at more convenient times you can go from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Auckland and take a plane to Rarotonga from there. There is at least one arriving in the afternoon. Or you fly to Tahiti and take a plane to Rarotonga from there (2 x p week).

It's always been that way with a few exceptions, since the 1970's. Flights are designed to leave LAX in the evening, and arrive in NZ at a convenient time in the morning. This allows for US travelers to connect up with that LAX flight from other cities in the US during the day, and on the other end, continue on to Wellington, Christchurch, etc. after a morning arrival.

Same applies for flights from NZ to the Cooks and back to NZ. Domestic NZ flights can't really travel anywhere late in the evening due to noise restrictions at many airports after a certain hour, and besides that, not much domestic traffic between NZ cities at night. At one time seeral yrs ago, the last flight from AKL to WGN left at 7pm!

So, Air NZ has the choice of leaving these planes sitting on the ground all night, or heading up to the Cooks, Tonga, etc., at 9 or 10pm etc., and they land around 3 or 4 am, turn around, and get back to NZ in the normal morning hours, where they then head down to WGN, CHC, etc.

There was one afternoon flight from NZ to the Cooks landing Fri afternoons, and another on Sat afternoons, but these are seasonal and depend on when Air NZ has extra planes not being used so much on domestic routes.

So, it's no conspiracy, just use of planes to go to less-visited places when they can't really use them in NZ, or at a convenient time for long-haul travelers.

So, just grin and bear it. If you need a place for a few hrs at a 2am or 3am arrival, in RAr, Aquarius is just across the road and has reasonable rates. Several places offer discounts for early check-in as well.

You could try flying Pacific Blue from Auckland to Rarotonga - although obviously you still have to get to Auckland.

The flight out of Auckland is at 7:15pm (arriving just after midnight) and returning from Rarotonga at 1:20am arriving just before 5am.

The times aren't fantastic but they do allow you to leave Auckland at a decent time and to return at a decent time (or at least in time for any connecting flights).

Edited by: sneaker_fish

Oh and the cost of that flight would be around NZD600 as long as you weren't going around the march-october period. During that time the prices can skyrocket.

The OP is looking for decent times (not midnight) to arrive in Rarotonga. There is no option from North America for that, as #2 expertly explained.

The only International Arrivals into Rarotonga during daylight are:

from Tahiti (Air Tahiti): Tue, 11.10 am; Sat, 2.55 pm
from Auckland (Air New Zealand): Mo,. Fr., 4.15 pm

I am aware of that, however, if the OP was considering going to NZ for a connecting flight to Rarotonga, the virgin blue flight is an alternative.

It is not a great time but the departing time (which was mentioned by the OP) was at 7:15pm - not great but not a 4am departure either.

I agree with you - it would be definitely better to fly direct but as the OP mentioned that he/she was looking possibly at flights through Auckland it seemed to have been an option they were willing to consider.

Edited by: sneaker_fish

Well - I would always prefer to go LAX-RAR directly in about 10 hours, even though it might be a 4 am arrival. Instead of spending more money and 20+ hours traveling via Auckland or Papeete, which always means an early morning arrival there as well, coming from the US ...

You guys are fighting for no reason. The flight times are as they are. OP has a choice, and I'm sure it depends on a lot of factors such as whether or how long to spend in NZ, etc. But I would NOT go LAX to AKL to RAR just to arrive at RAR a better time on some afternoon!! It's a nice non-stop flight from LAX to RAR, just get some sleep if you can. Watch the usual Disney-type movie they offer, some aren't too bad!

My point re Virgin Blue (which I helpfully forgot to mention) was that Virgin Blue wouldn't appear on many (most?) websites which provide flight options.

No, I think going via Akl wouldn't be the best idea either.

Thanks for all your replies. I am flying from Canada and hope to stop in LAX and Rarotonga on the way to Aukland to break up the flight (small children) with the same stops on the way back. Air New Zealand offers this multi-stop flight for almost the same price as a direct flight Hopefully there will be some changes in the upcoming year to the schedule. Arriving middle of the night is not much fun with luggage and little ones, but I'm sure it will all seem worth it once on the beach!

I really hope that you will still get the chance for the beach ... Because with the new schedule it will certainly not get better. Right now Air New Zealand announces to scrap the Rarotonga-LAX connection too if they do not get money from the Government as subsidies. Same blackmail goes with the LAX-Samoa-Tonga-AKL flight. So do not expect anything to get better - be happy instead if it will be still the same at least.

Yes, if it is still on when you'll be traveling, grab that LAX/RAR/AKL when you can. Don't worry too much about the arrival time. Couple of tips: Just try to get a couple of hours of sleep on the plane, then when you check in at 4am or whenever, sleep until 11am or noon or so. DON'T sleep any later or your whole vacation will reallly be out of whack. Then go to sleep about 10pm or 11pm---somehow stay awake even if dog tired----and by the next day you'll be back on schedule. I've done it this way about 50 times, and it works for me.