Auckland, New Zealand: €3,032 Hainan Airlines Business Class from Vienna & Madrid (Long Layovers in Shenzhen)

Hainan Airlines is offering a business class deal from Vienna and Madrid to New Zealand, starting at just €3,032. This fare includes 2×32 kg checked luggage and all the business class perks. Departures are available in November and December 2025, with limited dates in March 2026 from Vienna.

To get the cheapest fare, you have to accept two long layovers in Shenzhen, that you can use to explore the city, or visit nearby Hong Kong and Macau.

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’ website or check what OTAs have to offer, as they sell these tickets up to €100 cheaper:

First, you will fly to Shenzhen on a Boeing 787 with lie-flat business class seats in a 1-2-1 pattern. You can find a review of the product here. From Shenzhen to Auckland, you will fly again on a Hainan Boeing 787.

Search & Book

This fare doesn’t have an expiration date. There don’t seem to be any restrictions regarding the minimum stay. However, you can stay for a maximum of 12 months. Departures are available in November and December 2025, with limited dates in March 2026 from Vienna.

You can find the flights on Google Flights, but prices are roughly €100 higher than advertised. Alternatively, searching through the ITA Matrix is an option. Use the routing code HU+ to display only flights with Hainan Airlines.

We recommend booking directly with Hainan, 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 Vienna-Shenzhen route and in booking class D for the Shenzhen-Auckland route. Since Hainan Airlines isn’t part of a major alliance, your earning options are limited.

Destination

Information & Tips for Auckland

Auckland offers a variety of attractions for travelers. Key sights include the iconic Sky Tower, offering panoramic views, the Auckland War Memorial Museum for a deep dive into New Zealand’s history and culture, and Waiheke Island, known for its vineyards and beaches, easily accessible by ferry. The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) is the official currency.

Generally, Auckland can be considered a moderately priced destination, with daily costs varying based on travel style. Accommodation, dining out, and transport can be similar to or slightly higher than some European cities, especially in central areas.

Auckland experiences a subtropical climate, characterized by warm, humid summers (December-February) and mild winters (June-August). Rainfall is fairly consistent year-round, so be prepared for occasional showers.

 

→ All Dealz for Auckland

Information & Tips for Shenzhen

Shenzhen, a major city in southern China near Hong Kong, offers a mix of modern attractions and cultural sites. Key sights include the futuristic skyline of Futian, the tech exhibits at Shenzhen Museum, and theme parks like Window of the World and Splendid China. The local currency is the Chinese Yuan (CNY), and most payments are done via mobile apps like WeChat Pay or Alipay, though cash is still accepted. Prices are moderate—cheaper than Hong Kong but higher than many inland cities. The weather is hot and humid in summer, mild in winter, with typhoons possible from July to September.

We’ve compared various eSIM providers, such as eSIM4Travel, RedteaGo, and Textr. To see which plan is best for your travel needs, and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:

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→ All Dealz for Shenzhen

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