Fare wars: How airlines stack up

By STUART DYE

Air New Zealand's and Qantas' new, low-cost fares are on sale now - the Air NZ service starting on October 29 and its Australian rival on October 15.

For a total return fare of $489.10 Auckland to Sydney, Air NZ offers five flights a day, with four on one day at the weekend, in one of its new Airbus A320s.

The in-flight service is scaled down to "light and contemporary food and beverage". Special and children's meals are out and infant supplies are not available.

Entertainment will be much the same with a movie, but there will be no on-board selection of newspapers and magazines.

Qantas will also offer five flights a day from Auckland to Sydney, and six on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The fare will be $485 on one of the airline's Boeings. The company says there will be no changes to in-flight entertainment or service.

When Virgin enters the market in February under the name Pacific Blue, it will begin flying from Christchurch to Brisbane.

After an introductory price of about $281 return, the standard price will be $461. There will be only one flight a day on a Boeing 737, leaving just after 3pm. The airline emphasises that it is planning to expand services over time.

Being a "budget service", there will be no in-flight entertainment or food provided, though snacks will be available to buy.