Airliners.net forum: Vancouver To Auckland 19 August 2011 Air NZ 747

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Topic: Vancouver To Auckland 19 August 2011 Air NZ 747
Username: ryan h
Posted 2011-10-27 05:04:16 and read 10584 times.

Previous Installments:
Adelaide To Vancouver Air NZ A320 & 777 Premium Ec (by ryan h Aug 27 2011 in Trip Reports)
The DHC 2 Beaver Experience Over Whistler (by ryan h Aug 30 2011 in Trip Reports)
The Beaver Goes Island Hopping In The Gulf Islands (by ryan h Sep 11 2011 in Trip Reports)
Getting A Beaver's Eye View Of Vancouver (by ryan h Oct 10 2011 in Trip Reports)

Vancouver to Auckland
Date: Friday 19 august 2011
Flight: NZ83
Seat: 22K
Aircraft: Boeing 747-419
Registration: ZK-NBW

This is the next leg. Off to new Zealand for a few days.

Since our flight is not until tonight, we spent the morning watching arrivals from the well known Templeton street spot.

Interesting flights were Korean 747, Air China A330, Air Transat A330 , which performed a spectacular go around and finally the Air New Zealand 747.

MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall

MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall

Then was time to return the hire car. No issues there.

Now waiting for check in to open. Check in opened just after 4 pm. Was bit of a delay, as the Canadian rugby team was also checking in.

Dad was a bit concerned about our carry on being overweight, but that was not weighed, and the checked baggage was not overweight either. All good.

Next stop was security, as usual where ever I have been it is the same, minimum staff, maximum queues. Got through that ok.

Still plenty of time until boarding, so found a window with a view of the action. Few notable things seen were aeromexico 737, purolator 727 etc.

MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall

MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall

Boarding got underway about 7:15 pm. Felt good going up the stairs on a 747.

Row 22 is an exit row so there is plenty of legroom.

However, the flight attendant seat is on the other side of the aisle and I soon thought if I am seen with a camera out on take off, this will cause problems, but in the end nothing was said. One F/A just said make sure the strap is wrapped around your hand. And that was it.

Boarding went smoothly, but a problem with one of the cargo doors ensured we were about two hours late. Were supposed to depart at 8 pm, but was after 10 pm and was now dark.
That was finally fixed, during which made me think about the crashes over the years that were caused by cargo door problems. Rather be on the ground waiting for it to be fixed, than in the air when it lets go…

MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall

MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall

Soon got going, but were delayed further as the wind had changed direction, so meant a long taxi to the other end of the runway.

Take off was a long one and once in the air, did not climb that quickly either.

MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall

MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall

Before the meal service got underway, took a couple of quick cabin shots.

Meal choices were:

Starter
Marinated prawns and smoked salmon

Main Course
Chicken with asparagus and sweet potato
Grey cod with golden potatoes

Both dad and I went for the chicken. Which was not bad. Was not keen on the starter, as I am not much of a seafood eater.

After the meal, did a bit more to this trip report, after a while started to get sleepy, so got the blanket out put the seat back and well fell asleep, which is hard to do on a plane usually.

Slept for about six hours which is not bad.

However poor dad did not sleep much.

After going to the toilet, I had forgotten how small it is, barely enough room for one, so how does two get in there and do their mile high thing?

MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall

MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall

Breakfast was soon being prepared.

There were several cereal choices, weet biz, corn flakes etc went for the corn flakes. Skipped the scrambled eggs.

Now it's just a case of waiting to get to Auckland.

Landing was quite smooth, it was just starting to get light, as the delay in leaving Vancouver meant we arrived nearly two hours late at approx 6:30 AM, instead of the planned 4:45 AM.

MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall

MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall

Got to see the flight deck of the 747, sat in the captains seat.

He was also explaining that with the wind change in Vancouver we took off on runway 08 left instead of 26 right.

MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall

Once off the plane, was not hard going through the customs process, seems to be quite efficient in Auckland.

Next over to the domestic terminal for the next installment to Wellington...

[Edited 2011-10-27 05:05:14]

Topic: RE: Vancouver To Auckland 19 August 2011 Air NZ 747
Username: gabrielchew
Posted 2011-10-27 07:34:53 and read 10095 times.

Nice rpeort, shame the pictures are so small though

Quoting ryan h (Thread starter):
Seat: 22K
Aircraft: Boeing 747-419
Registration: ZK-NBW

I had seat 23K on ZK-NBW a few years ago HKG-LHR.

Topic: RE: Vancouver To Auckland 19 August 2011 Air NZ 747
Username: LGWflyer
Posted 2011-10-27 07:40:09 and read 10079 times.

Hey great TR, enjoyed it cheers. Btw lucky you for sitting in the Cap's seat! And did he even let your wear his hat? Because if so, what a friendly pilot!

Topic: RE: Vancouver To Auckland 19 August 2011 Air NZ 747
Username: ryan h
Posted 2011-10-27 14:40:58 and read 9074 times.

Quoting gabrielchew (Reply 1):
Nice rpeort, shame the pictures are so small though

I upload the phoros to myaviation.net and then use the thumbnails from there so you don't get the dreaded bandwidth exceeded message if I had used photobucket etc.

Topic: RE: Vancouver To Auckland 19 August 2011 Air NZ 747
Username: EddieDude
Posted 2011-10-29 19:17:14 and read 7274 times.

Great report Ryan! Thanks a lot for sharing.

Quoting ryan h (Thread starter):
Few notable things seen were aeromexico 737,

A charter I suppose, as AM is not flying regularly scheduled to YVR... or is it?

Topic: RE: Vancouver To Auckland 19 August 2011 Air NZ 747
Username: ryan h
Posted 2011-10-30 15:12:33 and read 6458 times.

Quoting EddieDude (Reply 4):
A charter I suppose, as AM is not flying regularly scheduled to YVR... or is it?

I am pretty sure it is a regular flight. Saw it on the flight information screens.

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