Airfares in New Zealand: Are Kiwis being ripped off?

If you’ve been shocked by the size of the dent in your bank account after booking a flight this year, you’re not alone.

Pent-up demand for travel, limited flights and soaring fuel costs have seen airfares skyrocket worldwide since Covid-related travel restrictions eased – particularly over the festive season.

Kiwis have been quick to accuse the national carrier of price gouging on social media, but are we really paying more to fly than those elsewhere?

Here we compare the cost of flying per kilometre on various domestic and international routes. The prices below are the cheapest economy class fares we could find when booking directly with the airlines for a departure date of May 1, 2023 and a return date of May 22, 2023 – far enough into the future to avoid last-minute price hikes.

Budget airlines such as Jetstar, which often don’t include checked bags or meals, are excluded from this analysis.

READ MORE:
* The world’s longest flights: How does Air New Zealand’s new Auckland to New York route stack up?
* Plane seat etiquette: How where you sit determines the rules you should follow
* Brawls, headbutts and broken teeth: Why air rage has spiked during the pandemic
* How airlines decide what to charge you for a flight

Domestic flights

Auckland to Wellington

Distance travelled: 960km return

Airline: Air New Zealand

Fare: $188

Fare per 100km: $19.58

Auckland to Queenstown

Distance travelled: 2050km return

Airline: Air New Zealand

Fare: $248

Fare per 100km: $12.10

Sydney to Melbourne

Distance travelled: 1410km return

Airline: Virgin Australia

Fare: $328

Fare per 100km: $23.26

Los Angeles to New York

Distance travelled: 7872km return

Airline: United Airlines

Fare: $711

Fare per 100km: $9.03

London to Manchester

Distance travelled: 524.82km

Airline: British Airways

Fare: $241

Fare per 100km: $46

International flights

Auckland to Brisbane

Distance travelled: 4578km return

Airline: Air New Zealand

Fare: $731

Fare per 100km: $15.97

Auckland to London

Distance travelled: 36,654km return

Airline: United (partly operated by Air New Zealand)

Fare: $2414

Fare per 100km: $6.59

London to Auckland

Distance travelled: 36,654km return

Airline: United (partly operated by Air New Zealand)

Fare: $1851

Fare per 100km: $5.05

Melbourne to London

Distance travelled: 33,814km return

Airline: Qantas

Fare: $2736

Fare per 100km: $8.09

Wellington to Bangkok

Distance travelled: 19,746km return

Airline: Emirates

Fare: $1594

Fare per 100km: $8.18

Singapore to London

Distance travelled: 21,776km return

Airline: Qatar

Fare: $1425

Fare per 100km: $6.54

New York to Paris

Distance travelled: 11,674km return

Airline: Air Portugal

Fare: $1128

Fare per 100km: $9.66

Auckland to Delhi

Distance travelled: 24,978km return

Airline: Singapore Airlines

Fare: $1517

Fare per 100km: $6.07