NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 4894 posts, RR: 50 Posted (2 years 5 months 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 10616 times:
Joyrides Down Under Part 1: Air NZ AKL-CHC-AKL
Joyride Noun: A ride in a vehicle taken solely for pleasure
Verb: A ride in a vehicle with no particular goal and just for the pleasure of it
Ok, there seems to have been a small goal to my joyrides: that of trying out new aircraft and (hopefully) new airlines.
2 International flights.
8 Australian domestic flights, 3 airlines, 4 states, 5 types.
6 New Zealand domestic flights, 3 airlines, 2 islands, 3 types.
Welcome to my next series of Trip Reports. These flights over 3 weeks, summarised above, includes flights on Air New Zealand, Emirates, Qantas, Virgin Blue, Pacific Blue and Jetstar; takes me through New South Wales, Victoria, ACT, Queensland and New Zealand while travelling on 6 different types of planes. I hope you enjoy my journey around eastern Australia and also New Zealand. At the end of the final TR, I’ll write up a comparison between the domestic carriers in both New Zealand and Australia according to my personal experience with them.
This TR will cover the first leg, a daytrip from Auckland to Christchurch on Air New Zealand. I decided to do a follow up on my previous flight
It seemed imperative to me that I should include Air New Zealand in any Trans-Tasman airline comparison. I decided to do a follow up on my previous “domestic competition” trip reports. I was fortunate to find another cheap airfare on the New Zealand flag carrier (NZ$10 one way) and snapped it up immediately. Air New Zealand’s website is the easiest to navigate around out of all the carriers I flew with and the best part about NZ is that they don’t add on extra surcharges or fees or anything like that. Your seat can be reserved immediately.
The day finally came when my flying journey was to begin. No packing was needed for this daytrip so I picked up my camera and was soon on my way to the airport.
Air New Zealand’s check-in system has been in place for over a year now and for some reason upon arrival at the terminal, it didn’t recognise my Air NZ Airpoints card or credit card so I had to get my itinerary out and type in the booking reference. Not very convenient I must say. Because I had pre-reserved my seats, I was on my way rather quickly with both my outbound and inbound boarding passes. Soon I was off to through security and up towards the gate.
Domestic Check In
FIDS
Departure Lounge
My Plane On The Right And A 772 As NZ123 To Melbourne Behind
QF 738 Operated By Jetconnect Off To Sydney As QF142
Original Boarding Pass
Flight Information
18 Dec 2009
Routing: Auckland – Christchurch (AKL-CHC)
Airline: Air New Zealand
Flight: NZ 515
Scheduled Time of Departure: 1005hrs
Actual Departure: 1003hrs (pushback), 1011hrs (rotate)
Scheduled Time of Arrival: 1125hrs
Touchdown: 1117hrs
Flight time: 1hr 14 min
Aircraft: Boeing 737-3K2
Registration: ZK-NGK
Seat: 23A, changed at the gate to 6E
Air New Zealand has made their decision on the domestic fleet and the 737s will eventually be replaced by A320s. It was first registered with Air New Zealand on 9 November 2000, previously flying with Transavia in The Netherlands as PH-TSX.
It wasn’t long until the boarding call was made for the back half of the plane. I was near the front of the queue. Just expecting the usual green light and all when scanning my boarding pass, I didn’t bother taking a photo of it. But for some strange reason it turned red! I tried again, the same thing happened. The gate agent hadn’t come across that before either so she directed me to another agent who was free. Even though I had my boarding pass and everything, the system had double booked my seat and reselected me into 6E. It was very strange and unfortunately for me, there were no window seats available. But having been reassigned to 6E at the front of the plane, I was in a way quite happy to see what Space+ at the front of the cabin was like. There’s a first for everything and that includes being in a prisoner seat! With my new boarding pass, I quickly rejoined the queue and was soon on my way down the jet way towards the Baby Boeing bound for Christchurch.
Reissued Boarding Pass
Jetway
For those unfamiliar with the Air New Zealand 737 seating configuration (or can’t remember back to my first TR), it is split into 2 areas: the Space+ zone covering the first 12 rows, and Economy which are rows 13-23. Space+ gives an extra five inches of legroom but for me, normal economy at around 30 inches is fine. It is all Economy but Space+ is basically reserved for Airpoints Gold and Gold Elite members (and Star Alliance Gold); and also Koru Club members.
The plane seemed at least 95% full. I was sandwiched between 2 people but thankfully they weren’t big but it still felt a bit claustrophobic compared to having a window to one side. Having the extra 5 inches of legroom is very noticeable and there was a lot of room to stretch out in. Not that the extra room made much of a difference to the 1hr flight, I was able to squeeze into the aisle without the person sitting next to me having to move at all! The seat itself seemed quite hard but definitely sufficiently comfortable for the flight.
Legroom
Pushback from Gate 32 commenced a couple of minutes early. A quick taxi to Runway 23L followed and we were off to CHC. It wasn’t long until we were through the clouds. There was nothing else to see but cloud for most of the flight so in fact having a window seat wouldn’t have been that great anyway apart from the fact this would be one of the only times I’d be able to sit next to the engine on NZ’s 737.
I decided to have a wander to the back of the cabin just after the seatbelt sign had been switched off.
Cabin Shot
I finished the brief walk and headed back to my seat as the FAs were to begin service. The snack and tea/coffee run began shortly after, about 20 minutes into the flight. This time there were oat cookies onboard. It was hard and sweet, pretty much what was expected. The coffee I received was a bit watery but acceptable for a domestic flight.
Cup
As we flew over Blenheim, the pilots came across on the PA with a bit more information and also our current flight path. From then, it wasn’t long until descent started into Christchurch followed by a nice landing on Runway 20. A left turn off the runway and the roll into Gate 18 five minutes in front of schedule ended my outbound flight. Disembarkation didn’t take very long as I was at the front of the plane for once.
Front Of The Plane
Northern South Island
Christchurch Airport is New Zealand’s second biggest airport behind Auckland (and a big difference in size between AKL and CHC). It boasts an international widebody service; notably SQ’s 772 to Singapore, EK’s 77W to SYD, BKK and DXB; and QF’s 763 to SYD. Air New Zealand has been operating 772s and 744s from Japan (and also a short period of LAX) over time but the CHC leg of AKL-NRT-CHC-AKL is lined up to be cut. The terminal in CHC is combined with domestic on one side and international on the other. The domestic side is looking rather worn down and the construction of the new terminal probably couldn’t come soon enough. With this major project happening in what used to be the forecourt, it means that the airport at the moment is a mess. The best part of Christchurch Airport is the open air viewing deck which houses itself on top of the Air New Zealand pier. It’s a real shame that this too will give way to construction sometime in 2010. It offers a great experience to get up close to A320s, 737s, AT7s, Dash 8s, B1900Ds and also isn’t that far away from the runway. Knowing that it was soon to be closed, I spent most of my time in Christchurch up there and thankfully it wasn’t too cold. While I was sitting around, an announcement came across the PA system as follows: "Attention, we are a safety conscious airport. Please do not let your children unattended or play on the escalators, thank you". I was really expecting a “Please do not leave your baggage unattended”.
Here are the photos from CHC:
CHC Domestic Koru Club Lounge
Jet Departure Lounge
Air NZ Check In Area
Jetstar Check In Area
Pacific Blue Check In Area
Domestic Baggage Carousels
CHC Observation Deck
ATR 72 Galore
Don’t Understand The Fast Bag – Nobody Puts Anything Into That Trolley! I Guess It Is Loaded Last And Is Pulled Out For Passengers To Collect When They Disembark
Pacific Blue 738
Just Prior To Rotating
SQ 772 Back To SIN As SQ298
Construction In Progress
Brand New Control Tower, Kind Of Looks Like A Carrot
International Terminal
Deserted International Arrivals Hall
International Departures Hall
International Check In Counters
Master Plan
How The Disabled Board Planes On Remote Stands
Landing Light Bulb Change
Jetstar A320
And finally my plane arrived.
Gate Lounge 5
Boarding Pass
Flight Information
18 Dec 2009
Routing: Christchurch – Auckland (CHC-AKL)
Airline: Air New Zealand
Flight: NZ 556
Scheduled Time of Departure: 1430hrs
Actual Departure: 1429hrs (pushback), 1437hrs (rotate)
Scheduled Time of Arrival: 1550hrs
Touchdown: 1544hrs
Flight time: 1hr 14 min
Aircraft: Boeing 737-319
Registration: ZK-NGI
Seat: 16A
ZK-NGI was registered new to Air New Zealand on 20 November 1999 making it 2 days away from being 10 years old when I flew on it.
There aren’t many 737s which use gates on the ground floor. Gate 5 is one of the only stands capable of taking jets in Christchurch which doesn’t have an airbridge, requiring a walk out onto the apron. No problems this time about getting past the boarding machine.
Boarding
And so I was back to a normal Economy seat with normal legroom. There is such a big difference in seat pitch and it’s very noticeable. I was happy I got my window seat back!
Space+ Seats vs Normal Seats Below
We waited a little longer for the plane to fill up before pushing back on time and it wasn’t long before we were lined up on Runway 20 on my way back to AKL.
CHC Terminal
With a load factor around 95%, we rocketed into the skies over Christchurch, making some turns over the western part of the city to eventually head north. The snack (the cassava chips don’t change) came and went but I was much more excited about the flight I was going to take the following day which would be my 2nd A380 flight across the Tasman. The flight was smooth and again the country was covered in cloud apart from one small strip of clearing which happened to be around Cook Strait – the body of water which separates the North Island from the South Island. Cruising altitude for this flight was 37,000ft.
Christchurch City
Former Wigram Airbase Towards The Top Of The Picture
Passing Back Over Christchurch Airport, Below The Cloud
Above The Cloud
Not Much Snow Left Heading Into Summer
Nelson And Tasman Bay
Farewell Spit
It wasn’t long before our descent started. Through the clouds we went and safely onto Runway 23L. This meant that we taxied past the international terminal. Passing by today really showed that Air New Zealand is based in Auckland.
Back Through The Cloud
Spoilers Up
Start Counting The Heavies And The Super!
I Counted 3x NZ 744s, 3x NZ 772s, 2x EK A345s, 1x EK A380, 1x QF 763, 1x LA A343.. That’s 40% of Air NZ’s large widebody fleet on the ground in AKL and probably more in the maintenance area too!
We rolled into Gate 30 on time. I waited for everyone else to disembark and luckily for me, the people at the front of the plane were kind enough to allow me to take a few pictures of the cockpit!
All in all, a satisfying flight with Air New Zealand. They didn’t do much wrong (apart from my seat change), flights were both on time and they were as friendly as always. And with that mini conclusion, I wrap up my first TR of this long series.
I really don’t know how I manage to write such long reports for two 1 hour flights but I do thank you for reading! I do hope you stay tuned for my other (hopefully more interesting) TRs in this series but for now, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May we all have fun flying and writing more TRs next year!
StarAlliance38 From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 1445 posts, RR: 4 Reply 3, posted (2 years 5 months 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 10045 times:
Awesome TR! Thanks for sharing!
I noticed the marks at the plane stands at CHC that they go in a circle. Is that what a rotation is? How does it work?
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 4894 posts, RR: 50 Reply 4, posted (2 years 5 months 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 9880 times:
Quoting Akhmad (Reply 1): I have been waiting for this TR. Great covering with beautiful pictures. Well done!
Thanks, Suryo!
Yeah, sorry it took a while.. I really hope I can get the other TRs up before I forget about the details!
Quoting Spinaltap (Reply 2): Interesting trip report Nicholas. I have a question that perhaps you can answer, when and why did Air NZ stop online check-in.
Hi Spinaltap, thanks for your comments.
I'm trying to think whether the online check-in was actually checking in online.. You see I didn't do that much flying before last year and if I were to fly, I'd be using the check-in kiosks to check in. But the reason to why would definitely be because if you don't have any bags, you can walk right up to the gate and board anyway, hence a step of the process is basically skipped. Hope that makes some sense..
Quoting StarAlliance38 (Reply 3): I noticed the marks at the plane stands at CHC that they go in a circle. Is that what a rotation is? How does it work?
Thanks StarAlliance38!
The circle is a guide for the planes to follow when heading back out to the runway (doesn't require pushback by a truck). If you have noticed, ATR 72s board from the rear and Dash 8s board from the front. What they do in CHC is have 2 markers around the circle for the certain type to stop at so the passengers have more direct access to the door. Take a look at this photo from above:
You can see that there are 2 paths leading into the circle. The ATR uses the left one and stops at that point, the Dash 8 and B1900 use the one which the Dash 8 is currently using, so the door is somewhat aligned with the blue walkway. Then when they're ready to go, they simply turn around that circle to get out. No, this is not what a rotation is. Rotation occurs when the plane lifts off the ground on takeoff. Hope you understand!
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 4894 posts, RR: 50 Reply 7, posted (2 years 5 months 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 9318 times:
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 5): a real well done story, together with nice pictures.
Interesting to follow, with NZ still a white place on my route map.
Hi Markus,
Thanks for your comments! I do hope that the others will be more interesting than this usual domestic flight which must get tiresome to read after a while.. Yes, do come down here sometime and see how Air New Zealand stack up in your view compared with mine!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 5): I like to read more from you´re point of view soon.
Hopefully it won't be long! Fingers crossed..
Quoting Ronerone (Reply 6): Your detailed picture review of CHC was outstanding! And all the pictures were so good it hurts! ... A job well done my friend!
Thanks, Roni! Much appreciated. Hope everything's well in your part of the world. I hope the standard doesn't drop either.. With all these people complaining about your fisheye, maybe you should head for the 10-22mm - the lens that I borrowed from my friend and took the bulk of my photos with Quality is superb from this lens.
Quoting Ronerone (Reply 6): Looking forward to your A380 trip!
So am I! I just reformatted my computer so hopefully I can get onto writing tomorrow. So many photos to edit!
777ER From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 10956 posts, RR: 25 Reply 9, posted (2 years 5 months 11 hours ago) and read 8977 times:
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): Don%u2019t Understand The Fast Bag %u2013 Nobody Puts Anything Into That Trolley! I Guess It Is Loaded Last And Is Pulled Out For Passengers To Collect When They Disembark
The fast drop is for NZ Gold, Gold and KoruClub members. It saves them having to check their bags in at the check-in counters if they already have their boarding pass printed off from their e-mail. They simply either use their personal baggage tag that NZ posts them or use a replacement tag that the gate agent issues. Its perfect for if your running late and don't have time for check-in
I'm a frequent flyer on the WLG-CHC route and NZ still had the online check-in when I went to CHC last month. You access online check-in via seat request on the main page
Don't forget to check out my youtube movies in my profile!
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 5429 posts, RR: 81 Reply 10, posted (2 years 5 months 9 hours ago) and read 8926 times:
Hi Nicholas,
excellent review with many great pictures! Good to see a new report from you!
I'm currently checking trip options for 2010 and I'm also considering to include New Zealand. Your latest report increases my desire to go there. Of course I would add some domestic flights to my itinerary...
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): But having been reassigned to 6E at the front of the plane, I was in a way quite happy to see what Space+ at the front of the cabin was like.
At least a kind of compensation...
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): The best part of Christchurch Airport is the open air viewing deck which houses itself on top of the Air New Zealand pier. It’s a real shame that this too will give way to construction sometime in 2010. It offers a great experience to get up close to A320s, 737s, AT7s, Dash 8s, B1900Ds and also isn’t that far away from the runway. Knowing that it was soon to be closed, I spent most of my time in Christchurch up there and thankfully it wasn’t too cold.
That's very bad to hear.
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): How The Disabled Board Planes On Remote Stands
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4608 posts, RR: 30 Reply 11, posted (2 years 4 months 4 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 8771 times:
There is something very relaxing about your report I can't seem to put my fingers on. Perhaps it was the perpetual cloud cover in NZ... Or maybe it was the thought of that crisp, clear NZ air... The again it could be me working over the holidays wishing I was in NZ instead.
Thanks for the TR, Nich.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 4894 posts, RR: 50 Reply 12, posted (2 years 4 months 4 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 8710 times:
Quoting Bedo (Reply 8): I really enyoyed this trip report.
New Zealand it's the destination of my dreams and that observation deck in CHC it's now on my wish list.
I really want read the next TR.
Hi Bedo, thanks for your comments! There's more to New Zealand than the CHC observation deck, that's for sure But in saying that, you'll have to get here quick if you want to check the awesome observation deck out. Tough luck, the TR is still in my head at this point in time!
Quoting 777ER (Reply 9): The fast drop is for NZ Gold, Gold and KoruClub members. It saves them having to check their bags in at the check-in counters if they already have their boarding pass printed off from their e-mail. They simply either use their personal baggage tag that NZ posts them or use a replacement tag that the gate agent issues. Its perfect for if your running late and don't have time for check-in
Thanks for the clarification Jase. I couldn't get my head around why noone was using it but I guess nobody (apart from NZ Gold, Gold Elite and Koru Club members) would know about it.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 10): excellent review with many great pictures! Good to see a new report from you!
Thanks PH! Boy am I glad to get the first of this rather long series up.. The tradeoff for shooting photos in RAW mode means that I have to go and edit all the pictures individually which takes the longest time out of everything. But I do hope it's worth the wait!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 10): I'm currently checking trip options for 2010 and I'm also considering to include New Zealand. Your latest report increases my desire to go there. Of course I would add some domestic flights to my itinerary...
Great, let me know of any finalised plans. I'll be glad to accompany you spotting around AKL or even take you there! I know you'll be wanting to log a lot of registrations in your time at AKL and it's just the place for Air New Zealand planes!
It's one piece of Christchurch I'll sorely miss. They'd better be building a good observation deck but I have a feeling this will be behind glass just like most other places, including AKL.
Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 11): There is something very relaxing about your report I can't seem to put my fingers on. Perhaps it was the perpetual cloud cover in NZ... Or maybe it was the thought of that crisp, clear NZ air... The again it could be me working over the holidays wishing I was in NZ instead.
Thanks for the TR, Nich.
Thanks Ryan! That crisp, clean NZ air is something you must experience sometime!
I'm sure a lot of people dream of being in this nice country and I hope I've done a lot to either make them envious or satisfy their cravings for a short while at least!
I do hope you all enjoy the rest of the series when I get around to writing it and I'll try hard to get the next one up ASAP!
BNE From Australia, joined Mar 2000, 3119 posts, RR: 15 Reply 13, posted (2 years 4 months 4 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 8683 times:
Thanks for the trip report.
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): Air New Zealand’s check-in system has been in place for over a year now and for some reason upon arrival at the terminal, it didn’t recognise my Air NZ Airpoints card or credit card so I had to get my itinerary out and type in the booking reference. Not very convenient I must say.
I had the same problem with my Airpoints card, at least I am not the only one to have the same problem.
Air NZ check-in is not really like your standard check in; its more print off the boarding pass and bag tag then you do your own bag drop.
Which one of the 27 NZ destinations was featured; clever marketing; I almost didn't want the hot drink and thought about just keeping the cup on my NZ flights 2 weeks ago.
Which safety demonstration do they use on NZ domestic 737s.
777ER From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 10956 posts, RR: 25 Reply 14, posted (2 years 4 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 8466 times:
Quoting BNE (Reply 13): Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter):
Cup
Which one of the 27 NZ destinations was featured; clever marketing; I almost didn't want the hot drink and thought about just keeping the cup on my NZ flights 2 weeks ago
WLG was featured on that cup
Quoting BNE (Reply 13): Which safety demonstration do they use on NZ domestic 737s.
NZ now use their very own made safety video for domestic B737 flights.
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 7886 posts, RR: 57 Reply 15, posted (2 years 4 months 4 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 8306 times:
Hi Nicholas,
Thanks for putting together another very enjoyable TR, nice and easy to read, lovely pictures, well done!
Out of interest, what camera are you using? - I've replaced my Sony DSC-9 with a Panasonic TZ7, looking forward to trying it out!
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): The best part of Christchurch Airport is the open air viewing deck which houses itself on top of the Air New Zealand pier. It’s a real shame that this too will give way to construction sometime in 2010
- This is bad news, are there any plans you are aware of for a new viewing area?
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 4894 posts, RR: 50 Reply 16, posted (2 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 8219 times:
Quoting BNE (Reply 13): Thanks for the trip report.
Not a problem! I also hope you enjoy my other TRs.
Quoting BNE (Reply 13): I had the same problem with my Airpoints card, at least I am not the only one to have the same problem.
I think it's more to do with the system than our Airpoints cards not working. If anything, it should be fixed. It just adds another level of hassle to checking in.
Quoting BNE (Reply 13): Which one of the 27 NZ destinations was featured; clever marketing; I almost didn't want the hot drink and thought about just keeping the cup on my NZ flights 2 weeks ago.
Yes it was Wellington, as can be seen by the bold letters (this is what they do). I've got a few cups somewhere in my room tha I've kept! They're pretty cool. And yes, Jase has answered the last question as well for me! It'd be interesting to see if they mimic the same body paint safety demo in the A320 when they start up on the domestic in 2011.
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 15): Thanks for putting together another very enjoyable TR, nice and easy to read, lovely pictures, well done!
Hi Mark, thanks for your comments! Glad you enjoyed it.
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 15): Out of interest, what camera are you using? - I've replaced my Sony DSC-9 with a Panasonic TZ7, looking forward to trying it out!
I'm solely using my trusty Canon EOS 400D, but it's also the lens which makes the photo better. The super wide angle lens I borrowed from my friend delivered quality I could only dream about! I couldn't be stuffed changing lenses so often so most of the photos were taken with this lens. You can see the quality of it by looking at the cockpit photo and reading the details! Nice camera, I'm sure the photos you take will pay off!
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 15): This is bad news, are there any plans you are aware of for a new viewing area?
It'll be an absolute shame to see it go. From what I see in the building plan, it doesn't seem to incorporate a viewing area, let alone a glass wall to overlook the apron. I hope AKL doesn't make that mistake either when they come to building a brand new domestic terminal!
Are there anymore TRs to expect from you in the near future?
Happy New Year to you all and I really hope I can get the second part of the TR up here soon!
Econojetter From Malaysia, joined May 2001, 427 posts, RR: 6 Reply 17, posted (2 years 4 months 3 weeks 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 7956 times:
Beautiful report! Thanks.
The scenery is just gorgeous. Would autumn be a good time to visit the South island? That would be around May/June, right?
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): Even though I had my boarding pass and everything, the system had double booked my seat and reselected me into 6E. It was very strange and unfortunately for me, there were no window seats available.
Looks like the systems were having a bad day. First, your card was not recognized... and this...
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): The plane seemed at least 95% full. I was sandwiched between 2 people but thankfully they weren’t big but it still felt a bit claustrophobic compared to having a window to one side.
I've been in this situation. A few months ago I was on Turkish going to IST from ATH and was assigned a similar middle seat. It was just behind Business. Unfortunately, it was one of those 3-seaters (more like 2.5-seaters) that European airlines use for short-haul Business, where the middle "seat" is much narrower and part of the seatback can be folded down to function as an armrest/side table in Business class configuration. So I was between two Turkish businessmen (thankfully not oversized), in a seat narrower than anything I have sat in before and a seatback that felt like a plank. And they somehow managed to serve me a meal on that flight!
These are getting rare! Open air decks are the best. Nothing like hearing the whine/roar and getting high on the Jet-A vapors.
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): Don’t Understand The Fast Bag – Nobody Puts Anything Into That Trolley! I Guess It Is Loaded Last And Is Pulled Out For Passengers To Collect When They Disembark
Yeah it looks like a gate check wagon. I guess it could happen that someone had a carry-on that didn't fit into the ATR overhead bins but was connecting to/from a larger aircraft where the he/she could have the bag in the overhead bin.
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): Brand New Control Tower, Kind Of Looks Like A Carrot
Now if they would just paint it orange and the top green! It would then look like a carrot being peeled. lol
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): How The Disabled Board Planes On Remote Stands
Thanks for the comparison. You can really see the difference.
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): I really don’t know how I manage to write such long reports for two 1 hour flights but I do thank you for reading!
Thank you for writing. The text completes the whole picture and we get to read about things that happened and how it felt. Looking forward to your next ones.
Airpearl From Malaysia, joined May 2001, 913 posts, RR: 39 Reply 19, posted (2 years 4 months 3 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 7796 times:
Hi Nicholas,
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): I really don’t know how I manage to write such long reports for two 1 hour flights but I do thank you for reading!
Hahaha... amazing account of 2 short domestic flights... I can't imagine what epic of a journey will emerge if you were to take a long haul NZ flight to LAX!
NZ is one of my favorite airlines. It seems so understated and classy, like the world's best kept secret. Even the domestic flights are such a pleasure that I can remember them from a few years back.
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): Christchurch Airport is New Zealand’s second biggest airport behind Auckland (and a big difference in size between AKL and CHC). It boasts an international widebody service; notably SQ’s 772 to Singapore,
I really like CHC. Landed there on my very first trip to New Zealand - on an SQ 343! It is rather quaint for an international airport imo with an excellent open viewing gallery. Thanks for the excellent spotting pics.
Quoting NZ107 (Thread starter): It’s a real shame that this too will give way to construction sometime in 2010.
That's really sad to hear. Do you know when this will happen? Might be the perfect excuse to make a trip down there before that happens
Look forward to your continuing series. Love the pics. Keep up the great work!
777ER From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 10956 posts, RR: 25 Reply 20, posted (2 years 4 months 3 weeks 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 7775 times:
Quoting Econojetter (Reply 17): The scenery is just gorgeous. Would autumn be a good time to visit the South island? That would be around May/June, right?
Autumn is March - May. Basically every season is a fantastic time to visit New Zealand.
Don't forget to check out my youtube movies in my profile!
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 4894 posts, RR: 50 Reply 21, posted (2 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 7636 times:
Quoting Econojetter (Reply 17): The scenery is just gorgeous. Would autumn be a good time to visit the South island? That would be around May/June, right?
Hi Econojetter,
Thanks for your comments! I haven't been to Central Otago in autumn or winter but I know it's spectacular. April is probably the picturesque time when the leaves start falling off the trees (Wanaka is known for this too) and sometimes there could be snow on the mountains by then as well. But as 777ER has pointed out, any time is a good time to go!
Quoting Econojetter (Reply 17): Looks like the systems were having a bad day. First, your card was not recognized... and this...
I've had my cards rejected quite a few times for some weird reason. But yeah, the change of seat was a very strange one.
Quoting Econojetter (Reply 17): Unfortunately, it was one of those 3-seaters (more like 2.5-seaters) that European airlines use for short-haul Business
Ouch! Glad NZ doesn't have that!
Quoting Econojetter (Reply 17): Nothing like hearing the whine/roar and getting high on the Jet-A vapors.
And knowing that you will suffer from permanent hearing damage from the very 733 you'll be flying out on I can just imagine what it would have been like with the 732s when they were still in service!
Quoting Shamrock321 (Reply 18): Great report and excellent pictures, I love the domestic NZ reports.
Thanks for your comments Shamrock321! Glad you enjoyed. I've got some more domestic reports at the end of this series and I really hope they don't equate to an anticlimax.. The NZ domestic flights seem rather boring now that I've covered the main sectors! I'm not really sure if anyone wants me to do more because it'll end up like a stuck record (starting to already).
Quoting Airpearl (Reply 19): Hahaha... amazing account of 2 short domestic flights... I can't imagine what epic of a journey will emerge if you were to take a long haul NZ flight to LAX!
Hi Airpearl, thanks for your comments!
Hahahaha oh well, one to try out eventually, right? I hope to do this at the end of the year on NZ's new product and their new 77W. Then we'll all see what I can conjure up!
Quoting Airpearl (Reply 19): NZ is one of my
favorite airlines. It seems so understated and classy, like the world's best kept secret. Even the domestic flights are such a pleasure that I can remember them from a few years back.
Hope these TRs entice you to go fly with them again soon and write some TRs on them
Quoting Airpearl (Reply 19): That's really sad to hear. Do you know when this will happen? Might be the perfect excuse to make a trip down there before that happens
I'd say it'll most likely be before 2011, if that's any indication. Here's an extract from the CHC website:
Unfortunately there will not be an exterior observation deck in the new terminal building. It is certainly a feature that has been enjoyed by many people of the years and it is sad to be seeing it go.
You will have noticed that security has gradually increased in Airports, over New Zealand and the world and one of the things that impacts on is exterior public viewing decks. The fact that the decks are open and could provide direct access to aircraft on the ground by any mischief maker means that they are no longer promoted.
We will keep our existing viewing deck open as long as possible, it won't close until the old terminal is taken down for construction of the new terminal or if changes to security dictate.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 5429 posts, RR: 81 Reply 22, posted (2 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 7437 times:
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 12): Thanks PH! Boy am I glad to get the first of this rather long series up.. The tradeoff for shooting photos in RAW mode means that I have to go and edit all the pictures individually which takes the longest time out of everything. But I do hope it's worth the wait!
Hi again, Nicholas! Yes, I know well what you mean. Editing pictures can take a long time...and then you still have to start writing...
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 12): Great, let me know of any finalised plans. I'll be glad to accompany you spotting around AKL or even take you there! I know you'll be wanting to log a lot of registrations in your time at AKL and it's just the place for Air New Zealand planes!
Thanks so much for your offer! Would be great to meet you down there!
A1ring23 From Australia, joined Jun 2009, 196 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (2 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 7411 times:
Hey Nick,
Been meaning to drop you a line but been really hectic lately. I'll write a proper reply when I get some time!
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 15): Out of interest, what camera are you using? - I've replaced my Sony DSC-9 with a Panasonic TZ7, looking forward to trying it out!
Nice one Mark, just picked up the TZ7 myself, loving the HD video and 12x zoom
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 4894 posts, RR: 50 Reply 24, posted (2 years 4 months 2 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 7285 times:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 22): Editing pictures can take a long time...and then you still have to start writing...
Hi again PH, Glad to get the next one done.. But so much more to go to complete the series!
Quoting A1ring23 (Reply 23): Been meaning to drop you a line but been really hectic lately. I'll write a proper reply when I get some time!
Hi Pete,
No problem. You might just want to spend your time looking at the next one instead - just have a quick flick through the first part as domestic flights in NZ with NZ don't change that much, just like I experienced on the other flights to ZQN and WLG. Hope you have time to read the other one - it's a biggie at 4300 words!
25 Econojetter: Thanks for the tips! Hope to be able to make it there sooner rather than later. Oh yeah... the 732s. As a kid I marveled at what noise could come out
26 NZ107: The last time I saw a 732 take off was actually in CHC on a chilly spring morning on my way to ZQN.. I was quite disappointed that I wasn't flying on
27 A1ring23: WOW, they're are heaps! Not much else to add apart from some great shots above the clouds/during descent. You make these domestics much more exciting
28 NZ107: Hi Pete, Lol yeah, I'm glad I've actually been able to make interesting reports out of rather normal flights! Who knows how many good spots will be l
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