Nathan's Insights

Back in 2009 my nephew Andrew Gauci and I undertook a stunning 2009-10 trip exploring some of North and South America as well as New Zealand.

Between 27 November 2009 and 31 January 2010, we visited seven countries – USA, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, New Zealand.

To do this we went on nine flights (across 5 travel legs) and four airlines (QANTAS, LAN Airlines, American Airlines and Jetstar). We flew 20,753 km and where we the air for 59 hours 55 minutes .

Andrew got spoilt (along with me) with two free upgrades, the first on the long haul Melbourne to Los Angeles 14 hour+ flight from economy to premium economy and the second on the Christchurch to Sydney 3.5 hour flight from economy to business class. Not bad since the flights were purchased with Qantas Oneworld Economy Award costing 140,000 points each. I used my points for both our flights and my status top get lounge access at every airport and priority boarding, free baggage and free seat allocation (including exit room for one overnight flight).

Leg 1
12,748 km Melbourne to Los Angeles – 14 hours 25 minutes (QANTAS Premium Economy Upgrade)
Transit time: 1 hour 30 minutes
3,983km Los Angeles to New York – 5 hours 25 minutes (QANTAS Economy)

Leg 2
1,753 km New York to Miami – 3 hours 25 minutes (American Airlines Economy)
Transit time: 1 hour 30 minutes
6,699 km Miami to Rio De Janeiro – 8 hours 35 minutes (American Airlines Economy – Exit Room Seats)

Leg 3
6,706 km Lima to Los Angeles – 8 hours 40 minutes (LAN Airlines Economy)

Leg 4
10,467 km Los Angeles to Auckland – 12 hours 55 minutes (QANTAS Economy)
Transit time: 3 hours 20 minutes
745 km Auckland to Christchurch – 1 hour 25 minutes (Jetstar Economy)

Leg 5
2,219 km Christchurch to Sydney – 3 hours 30 minutes (QANTAS Business Class Upgrade)
Transit time: 1 hour 50 minutes
706 km Sydney to Melbourne – 1 hour 35 minutes (QANTAS Economy)

Total 20,753 km and 59 hours 55 minutes.