NZ102 SYD-AKL 01 JAN 2007 Y
Posted: 03 Jan 2007, 09:04After 9 days in Australia it was time make the quick jump across the Tasman. Well, most people think its a quick journey I did foolishly. The flight is actually the best part of 3 hours[:I]
Our Great Escapade fare dictated that we would be using Air New Zealand for this leg, not many other options! This was to be the first time I had travelled with them.
Sydney and New year was excellent. I had been in Sydney four years ago for New Years Eve and knew that to get a decent spot round the circular quay area meant a long stakeout. We had an excellent evening and the fireworks at midnight were world beating yet again..[:D]
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We got to bed at around 2am and had to be up at 6am to get to Kingsford Smith. We had decided to take the airport link train service which we had used to get to the CBD from the airport on our arrival.
Even on the morning of New Years Day the service was prompt and good value for money. Each terminal at Sydney has a train station in the basement. This coupled with 6/7 stations in the CBD area makes travel back and forth to the airport very simple indeed.
Once at the international terminal, the entrance from the train station brings you into the terminal around check-in zone A. Sydneys international terminal has check-in zones A through to J. Air New Zealand use zone J, typical! [V][:X]
A 200-300 metre walk followed.
Regrettably I had decided against a trolley for my 2 rucksacks and the girlfriends half ton of luggage. Own goal! [B)][:I]
If it benefits anyone, VS use check-in area G at Sydney.
Air New Zealand had flights leaving for Wellington and Christchurch in addition to the service we were catching to Auckland. The 3 routes arent designated their own check-in counters (Like VS at LHR) so the economy queue was pretty long unfortunately.
25 minutes later we were called forward. We were served by a Qantas agent who appeared to have been drafted in at short notice. He seemed unaware of Air New Zealands systems, checking in 4 passengers took 10-15 minutes. Far took long for my liking given only 4 hours sleep behind us. I am one of these creatures that only functions properly on a solid 8 hours each night[|)]
6 months previously I had called Air New Zealand to reserve seating. To their credit they allocate exit row seating in advance like SQ. We had bagged 4 exit row seats. I was pleased to find that our pre-book was still in the system and we were allocated the seats without questioning. For travel in Y this is a huge benefit and one, I wish VS would consider for FC members.
Quick visit to the ticket desk to try and change our tickets was fruitless. We were told to ring NZ on their free phone number once in Auckland. With a few grumbles about this were progressed through to immigration and security.
We were dealt with at immigration by the same agent as on our arrival; I think he remembered us which is surprising given the volume of people they see. He managed to stamp my passport upside down for the second time.. (Does it matter? Well it might a little to me! Dont ask why!!!) [:I]
Security screening was fast and we soon marched upstairs to attempt at speculative effort at getting access to Air New Zealands lounge. The agent at the reception unfortunately knew her stuff and advised that VS Aus only have access on VS flights. You may ask why I bothered Its always worth a punt in my eyes, case of you dont ask, you dont get.
EK were in the process of boarding an A345 bound for CHC, their gate is directly below their lounge so I positioned myself in there for some free WiFi until our flight was called. Being the 4th or 5th laptop user in their gate area, the staff soon become aware of our game and attempted to usher us out without must success! The gates arent separated from the rest of the terminal so the seating was fair game as far as I was concerned so we stayed put.
NZ called our flight as per the given boarding time We soon found ourselves seated aboard the B763. The cabin crew were an all male team which is something I havent witnessed previously. The aircraft was configured in a 2 cabin format with the old style business class seating and no Premium economy seating.
Doors were closed on time and the safety briefing was conducted with a strong message to pay attention. The crew made 2 rows of people put down their newspapers to watch the large screen at the front of the cabin after the message was ignored.
Pushback commenced and we made the short taxi to 16R for a southerly departure. With no further aircraft in front of us we were soon on our way, wheels up, a turn to the east and out over the southern suburbs of Sydney towards the Tasman.
The crew were keen to get on with the breakfast service. We were given the option of a ham and tomato or chicken toasted sandwich followed by Honey Ice-cream. I selected the Ham and tomato option while pondering where the breakfast had gone.
It turned out to be lunch, and it was probably the worst food I had ever tasted up in the skies. It was cold, the cheese was tasteless and the sandwich contained one slice of tomato. Ice-cream was good though if not a strange choice for a 09.30 flight.
NZs B763s have no seatback TVs let alone AVOD. A flick with Helen Mirren starring was shown on the large screen. It had as much appeal as the breakfast/lunch unfortunately. Not my taste[:(]
The lack of sleep from the previous night was catching up on me. Decided some shut eye was best for the occasion given the lack of entertainment - An hour or so later I was awoken at the top of our decent by the FO giving the obligatory weather reports for our arrival.
Arrival into AKL was via an approach from a westerly direction, a couple of big turns late in our approach provided some excitement. The couple in the bulkhead next to use were squeezing the arms rests with all their might!!! By the time we hit the tarmac, both were as white a sheet!!! Fear of flying must be a real nightmare, Im just glad I suffer with a need to fly! [:p]
Lack of European airlines on stand was very noticeable. SYD I believe is the only Australia/Pacific destination to be served by European carriers now. Please correct me if Im wrong, its a bit of a shame no other destinations can be financially viable.
Very cheery immigration agent kindly helped us out with directions to Paihia where we were spending the new few days after questioning us on our intentions for the next 10 days.
Baggage appeared on the conveyor as we entered the hall. Our 4 rucksacks were within the first 20 bags off which was a pleasant surprise and something thats not a regular occurrence for any frequent user of VS! [:w]
Bags were then screened The airport staff grilled us on whether we had any camping gear as part of our luggage and thoroughly checked the selections were had made on our arrival cards. Everything was cleared and we were free to carry on with our onward journey.
We collected our hire car from Hertz and off we went.
Until the next leg[:D]