Woke up nice and early this morning to hit the gym before the flight so that I could get a good work out in and feel better about what would be 24 hours (or more) of indulgence.
After a nice healthy breakfast and some last minute packing of tech gear, it was off to the airport. Thanks to the parents I was conveyed promptly and dropped off at the International Terminal. I bid farewell to the parents, pulled my heavy suitcase out of the car and into the terminal I went. About to begin this epic adventure for real.
I knew exactly where to go after flying this exact same flight back in April (all be it in the back not up the pointy end like today). I made my way to the Priority check in queue and was soon enough greated by a contract Qantas agent. It does seem silly that Air NZ contract out their on ground staff to Qantas considering the amount of flights they have in Brisbane.
After making sure that my bag was tagged all the way to Vancouver I noticed what would be the first hiccup of the trip. For some reason my Air NZ points reference was on my boarding pass. I queried this with the check in agent and she told me she didn’t have access to fix this (bullshit) and that I need to get my travel agent to fix it. I told her I will get it fixed in the lounge and once checked in off I went. Down through security and while I was putting my stuff back together after the dignity strip, I could see out of the corner of my eye the security staff waiting to do an explosives test. Well the thing is, this did not look good for me, there was no one else around for her to pounce on. Wouldn’t you know it as soon as I turn she looks at me and says “sir would u follow me please.” Ahhhh crap!
She took me off behind a little wall for what I figured was just a quick wipe of my stuff and off I would go. But no, apparently when u get swabbed for explosives at the international, you also get a lovely pat down. So I got my first security grope of the trip, and unlike the TSA style in the USA, I didn’t get a choice about it.. yay. After the guy patted me down without even a cuddle at the end, off into Duty Free I went. Tried to find some stuff for my mum for her birthday to pick up on return, no deal, got a few things and then ran some errands in the terminal (TRS, pick up cash etc).
After running the errands decided to head to the lounge. By this time it had been a good 30 mins or so since I checked in so that is not a bad effort considering. I was pleasantly pleased. Once I was buzzed into the lounge (feels very private I guess) I scanned my way in and explained my predicament to the gentleman manning the lounge desk. He then told me what would be my 2nd hiccup of the trip. He can’t fix it but he will try. Because I was already checked in they could possibly have to offload me and then hopefully they could get it fixed, but he would see what he could do and get back to me. Fingers crossed! In the mean time he suggested I speak with my travel agent and get it fixed up.
So first things first, log into the wireless, get the net up and running and get through to my agent. With that done, a quick blog post to start the trip and a few tweets and then it was time to relax a little. Grabbed a scone, a drink and started reading my book. After a few pages I decided to grab a coffee. As I was walking back though after a few sips I noticed something through the window. Though the lounge doesn’t have apron views (just of the car park) it does overlook a window that looks through the terminal to the other side. Through it I could see a very large Singapore Airlines aircraft. It looked like an A380. No… it couldn’t be. Could it? I dropped my coffee, left my bag in the storage at the lounge and headed out to the terminal just to see the SQ A380 turning onto the taxiway headed for the runway. Snapped a few photos and headed back to the lounge for a few more pages of the book. It was then that we were told the flight would be delayed due to the late arrival of our aircraft. I was getting a little bit antsy after a little bit so decided to go out into the terminal for a bit of exploration as we were still delayed.
Took a few photos of the aircraft and then noticed that the time was just about to tick past 12. There was an announcement saying we wouldn’t board for at least another 15-20 mins. Well the Singapore Airlines lounge should be open by now, so off I went to try and talk my way in. I managed to talk my way in (was only really just going to check it out and then head back out again after a few photos). The lounge was much much nicer than the NZ lounge in my opinion and the food miles ahead. I did grab a bottle of water though something the NZ lounge didn’t have as I knew this would come in handy at some stage.
By the time I got back to the gate they gave a preboarding announcement to advise boarding in 5 minutes. So I grabbed a seat with the plebs, remembered to turn my tablet onto flight mode and by the time I had finished doing that, they announced boarding.
Air New Zealand
NZ136
Brisbane to Auckland
1225-1725
Boeing 777-200ER (ZK-OKG)
Business Premier – Seat 4A
Boarding: 1225 (Gate 80)
Push Back 1245
Take Off Roll: 1301 (Runway 19)
Top of Descent: 1651
Touch Down: 1725 (Runway 23L)
Shut Down: 1730 (Gate 7)
Boarding was called and off I leapt, I was not going to be the first onboard but I was going to get into the cabin early to try and get a few pictures. Get down to Door 2L and was greeted with a Welcome Aboard and then, Mr Muir to your left into our Business cabin today. Gotta love those words. I was first in the cabin, dumped my stuff into the overhead and was able to then take a number of photos. Peter the FA came by and even offered to take a photo of me, which I declined, will keep that photo for the newer cabin later (champagne in hand of course). The cabin looked good, even though they are a number of years old now, definitely reminded me of the last time I flew Air NZ back in 2007. Felt good! I settled into my seat and got myself sorted playing and stowing stuff. I got the AVOD started early (NZ is gate to gate IFE) and picked the movie I had worked out I was going to watch a few days earlier. Casablanca. I had never seen this film in all my life and figured why not get it done and dusted (the other choices did not look all that fantastic).
Peter offered me a pre flight beverage of choice however I just decided on water for this flight (was going to leave the alcohol till later and even then only one glass). It was delivered with a smile and I settled in to take lots of photos. We soon pushed back and I snapped away out the window and watched the Safety Video. I was able to enjoy myself as we taxied to Runway 19 for departure. The Business Cabin was about 40% full today and it seems so small on the 777-200s compared to the Giant 747s where there is 3 business cabins.
As the Captain gave his pre departure hello, he told us our flight time today would be 2 hours 25 mins. SAY WHAT! Apparently massive tail winds were going to help us over the pacific today, which is also why our flight was late we were later informed, but still knocking a solid 30 mins off this flight would be fantastic to get us in on time.
We held at the runway while a Qantas Dash 8 landed ahead of us and soon we were turning onto the Active, the two big giant Engines spooled up and we were soon hurtling down the runway. Once in the air, I reclined a bit further (NZ allows you to pick whatever position you wish with their business seats but I kept it fairly upright for take off) and soon enough Peter was around to start drink orders. I was going to be good and stick with Sparkling Water for the first part of the flight and this was shown with a bag of Cassava Chips).
Menus were then passed out and I made a quick pit stop to check out the facilities. The same products that were in use back in 2007 are still used onboard so nothing new to report their but when I returned to my seat, The service was about to begin. Tables were laid out and then the appetizer arrived. First course was some lovely fresh seafood with a weird tasting potato salad but it was good. They had an amazingly good brown bread and I was going to look forward to it.
With this finished, it was promptly cleared and then the main courses were offered. No cart used for service, as Peter came around with the options on a tray. Of todays choices I availed myself of a lovely Hot Smoked Salmon Salad. I figured if I stayed light now, I could indulge more at dinner. Sounds good to me! The salad was beautiful and the mango dressing was just amazing! I could of drank it! More of the brown bread and I was pleasantly satisified. Dessert was soon offered. Plum & Crème Fraiche along with Cookies & Cream ice creams. O yes!
As coffee service began I was going to look forward to a few cups of the Air NZ coffee I enjoyed back in April but was told that we would soon be on descent in 8 mins. Time had flown by! With coffee finished, things cleared away, we were soon on descent into Auckland. Not many bumps during the flight just a few light ones here and there but it was such a pleasant quick flight.
A long circuit around Auckland and landing on 23L. Unfortunately not a quick one into Auckland like my last flights in April but it would mean a shorter taxi, always a good thing when it means more time in the lounge. But things were not to be. Once we pulled into the gate, seat belt sign went off and Hiccup #3 began. The Air bridge could not connect. Not a good thing! We were stuck onboard for a good 25 mins before they could get it connected and we were seat free into the terminal. I made a bee line for International Transfers and got into Security about 10 people down.
Current Location: Auckland International Airport – Air New Zealand Koru Club