China’s lone Skytrax Five-Star airline Hainan Airlines is offering a business class deal from Madrid to Auckland, New Zealand starting at just €3,118. This deal includes 2x32kg checked luggage and all the business class perks. The only caveat is that you will have two long layovers (20+ hours) in Shenzhen. Departures are available between April and June.
Our availability calendar highlights all possible flight dates at the lowest price for trips up to 28 days. It will forward you to Skyscanner with your selected flight dates. From there, you can proceed to Hainan Airlines or check what OTAs have to offer, as they sell these tickets up to €100 cheaper:
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First, you will fly from Madrid to Shenzhen on a Hainan Airlines Boeing 787 with a 1-2-1 configuration in business class, arriving in China in the morning. Upon arriving in Shenzhen, you will have a 20-hour layover, which you can use to explore the city or even take a day trip to Hong Kong. From Shenzhen to Auckland, you will also fly on Hainan’s Boeing 787 with the same configuration. You can find a (older and weirdly edited) review of the product by ThePointsGuy here. The inbound flight has the same long layover as the outbound.
Most European citizens don’t need a visa to enter New Zealand for up to three months. An online registration called NZeTA is mandatory.
Until December 2025, citizens of 33 countries in Europe may enter China for 30 days without applying for a visa. The itinerary also qualifies for visa-free transit.
Search & Book
This deal does not have an expiration date, nor a minimum stay, but a maximum stay of twelve months applies. Departures are available between April and June.
You can find suitable dates using our calendar above or with the help of Google Flights. We recommend booking directly on Hainan AIrlines’ website, but you can find cheaper prices with Skyscanner. However, booking on OTAs has its downsides.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Miles & Points
This ticket is issued in booking class R for the flights between Madrid and Shenzhen, and booking class D for the flights between Shenzhen and Auckland. Here are the miles and points you can earn from this deal:
- 31,652 Award Miles on Etihad Guest
- 30,568 Miles on Alaska Mileage Plan
- Customize Calculation
Destination
Information & Tips for New Zealand
New Zealand is known for its dramatic landscapes, including fjords, volcanoes, beaches, and lush forests. Popular sights include Fiordland National Park, Queenstown, Rotorua’s geothermal areas, and the Hobbiton movie set. The local currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). Prices are generally moderate to high, especially in tourist hotspots. Weather varies widely: the North Island is milder and more humid, while the South Island can be colder, especially in winter (June–August). Layered clothing and rain gear are recommended year-round.
New Zealand’s transport infrastructure is fairly developed, but getting around can vary in convenience. Within cities, public transport exists—mainly buses in most places and trains in Auckland and Wellington—but coverage can be limited outside central areas. Between cities, options include domestic flights, long-distance buses, and rental cars, with trains available on a few scenic routes. Roads are generally in good condition, but travel times can be long due to winding, rural highways and limited motorways. Driving is often the most practical option for flexibility.
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