Runway23 From US Minor Outlying Islands, joined Jan 2005, 2043 posts, RR: 39 Posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 8673 times:
Air New Zealand (Star Alliance)
Tuesday 19 February 2008
Flight NZ 704
From: Sydney (SYD), Australia.
To: Auckland (AKL), New Zealand.
Aircraft: Airbus A320-232. ZK-OJN (CN 2594. Del. 16 Nov. 2005 to Freedom Air).
STD: 1130LT (AM).
STA: 1630LT
Flight Duration: 2hr40.
After arriving from LAX on UAL 839, passing through a strict security (and resulting secondary search of my bags) and getting my boarding pass for my following flight which was NZ 704. Check-in was done by Qantas, and the lady was very pleasant in checking me in. A 10-15 minute walk ensued and I was off to the opposite side of the terminal in Sydney. SYD kind of reminded me of LHR as there are shops all over the airside concourse. Nowadays, when I enter into malls I almost feel as if I’m in an airport and vice versa.
I reached the Air New Zealand lounge well ahead of time, in fact about 3 hours prior to the flight. I felt relaxed and not at all tired thanks to sleeping a solid 9 hours on my flight down from California. One thing I was in need of was a shower, and I was quickly on my way to one of the numerous ones at my disposal.
The NZ lounge was very large, had a lot of seats, food and beverage. Even the Flight status was spotter friendly with registrations, flight loads, bay positions. Quite a remarkable thing which I haven’t seen in any other lounge. The lounge dragons were extremely friendly and gave me advice on what to see in Auckland. All in all, the product was excellent and I for once felt like a valued customer (very rare in my mind). Things were looking good even before the flight.
Boarding commenced about 30 minutes prior to departure. I was the first one on board. There also, NZ’s welcome onboard was different to any other airlines. “Welcome aboard Mr. Runway23. Let me escort you to your business class seat 2F.” This was on an A320 trans-tasman flight, another positive was the small business class cabin (8 passengers). The flight attendant offered me a blanket and asked if I would care for a pre-flight drink, whilst handing out the menu.
The seat itself was very comfy and similar to first class seats in the United States. Not much more was really needed for a 2hr30 flight. The economy class cabin also looked immaculate.
My neighbour installed himself next to me. A Japanese business man, who was extremely friendly and spoke fairly good English. What came next is one of those moments which impress you and almost make you choke on whatever you are reading. The flight attendant welcomed the passenger and spent a good 5 minutes speaking to him and addressing all his needs in Japanese (the flight attendant was a kiwi). What a refreshing change from US airlines where some flight attendants don’t even speak English (as on a recent CLE-BWI flight on ExpressJet).
We pushed back and taxied out to the runway, whilst catching a glimpse of Sydney before taking off.
After departure, one of the flight attendants asked if I would care for a DVD player and movie. As I was not planning on sleeping, I took her up on the offer and my DVD player was at my disposal shortly after.
The snack was a pack of (excellent) cassava crisps. Yummy!
The appetizer and main course were handed out. Both were well presented and excellent to eat. Take note United, your first class meals do not compare favourably to NZ’s trans-tasman meals.
Finally, the ice cream handed out was very tasty also.
All in all, a brilliant meal. I was really surprised by how good NZ’s ground and air product is.
We arrived in Auckland on time, during some light drizzle. Temperature was a very pleasant 23C, really the temperature which I like (not too warm not too cold). All in all, I give top marks to Air New Zealand for service and food. The seats were not quite there (but as I said I don’t expect much more for anything of that flight duration). This flight was probably my best flight in the past 3-4 years.
I was through immigration in about half an hour. The immigration lady gave me strange looks when I told her I was only staying for two days. I had planned my trip with more time to visit Sydney than Auckland which I had heard was not all that exciting as a city (which was quite true, and sadly I had no time to discover the natural beauty of New Zealand).
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5702 posts, RR: 39 Reply 1, posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 8506 times:
Nice TR! Thanks for sharing! Woah I'm quite impressed by the food in business.. Also the stuff in the lounge! What a change compared to the QF one in AKL IMO. However I don't think I'll ever fly AKL-SYD on business. Pics are great too!
Nicholaschee From Australia, joined Oct 2005, 661 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 8462 times:
Great TR! Still in doubt over a MR on AN fo SYD-AKL-SYD but I must say that your TR has made me want to try NZ now! I have heard many negative comments Flyertalk about AKL's immigration.
Davescj From United States of America, joined Jun 2007, 2266 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 8246 times:
Awesome TR! I greatly enjoyed reading about NZ. Sounds like an airline to try trans-pacific!
Kaitak From Ireland, joined Aug 1999, 11997 posts, RR: 36 Reply 5, posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 7864 times:
Great report; did you pick the 320 specially, since presumably NZ has 744s and 777s on that route? I'm wondering if some pax choose the 320 because they prefer the conventional layout, rather than the J class seats on the 744/777, which don't really offer much of a view?
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8278 posts, RR: 56 Reply 9, posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 6675 times:
Great report, thanks!
Quoting Runway23 (Thread starter): The NZ lounge was very large, had a lot of seats, food and beverage
- Looks pretty neat, like it.
Quoting Runway23 (Thread starter): Even the Flight status was spotter friendly with registrations, flight loads, bay positions
- Now that is cool, do like that!
Quoting Runway23 (Thread starter): What a refreshing change from US airlines where some flight attendants don’t even speak English (as on a recent CLE-BWI flight on ExpressJet).
- A shame, real shame but I've seen it myself.
Quoting Runway23 (Thread starter): The appetizer and main course were handed out. Both were well presented and excellent to eat. Take note United, your first class meals do not compare favourably to NZ’s trans-tasman meals.
Khaleej777 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2007, 90 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (5 years 1 month 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 6191 times:
Hi Runway23,
Thanks for a great trip report and pictures. The NZ experience on the ground and inflight looks top quality (apart from the rather dubious brown upholstery).
Quoting Runway23 (Thread starter): I for once felt like a valued customer (very rare in my mind)... This flight was probably my best flight in the past 3-4 years.
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4664 posts, RR: 27 Reply 11, posted (5 years 1 month 2 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 5872 times:
Quoting Runway23 (Thread starter): Even the Flight status was spotter friendly with registrations, flight loads, bay positions. Quite a remarkable thing which I haven’t seen in any other lounge.
This feature is also available landside at the skydeck cafe.
Quoting Runway23 (Thread starter): The flight attendant welcomed the passenger and spent a good 5 minutes speaking to him and addressing all his needs in Japanese (the flight attendant was a kiwi). What a refreshing change from US airlines where some flight attendants don’t even speak English (as on a recent CLE-BWI flight on ExpressJet).
Yes compared to your last UA international flight in First Class, this is a world of a difference. It is kind of sad, isn't it? So much effort is put into this relatively short regioinal flight but the long-haul across the Pacific was below par.
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