AddLee taxi arrived at 12:00 for my 12:15 pickup and promptly fell asleep waiting for me. A gentle window tap at 12:15 soon rectified that. Leaving Chez Decker we headed North instead of the more usual South so I queried whether the M4 was closed? 'No I just came in via Hangar Lane so I'm headed back that way'. For non locals read - 'I just thought I'd add 30 minutes to your journey'. I remonstrated and he turned around and returned around the North Circular - only adding 15 minutes to the trip. Arriving at LHR T3 pretty expeditiously after that he then made the most brain dead set of attempts to pull up at the kerb I have ever seen. Someone would indicate to pull out (thus leaving a gap for us) and he would inch forward to block them. Waiting for another gap where someone was waiting on a traffic jam to move out so we could occupy he became fed up with waiting for them and instead joined the traffic jam himself. Incredible.
Eventually I was at the empty Business Premier Desk (thanking my lucky stars (that I'm not as smart as I'd like to think...) that I wasn't in the snaking economy queue) I was quickly checked in and seeing my VS Au card told to use either lounge 'but I know which one I'd use'. Regretfully NZ1 is not a code share so United's Red Carpet Club it had to be. Think BMI lounge but writ large. Alcohol, soft drinks and a selection on pre wrapped biscuits and cheese and crackers. The only concession to individuality was mince pies and warm mulled wine (which carried the warning label 'Mulled Wine (Alcoholic)'. Phew - not the alcohol free variety then. Somehow resisted the temptation to drink it.
It has previously been mentioned on V-Flyer that the FSM from the flight comes to the lounge to introduce themselves to their pax? Well an announcement was made that our FSM was present at the front desk to answer any questions we might have. I excused myself from my telecon with Mrs D and made my way to the desk where the FSM was noticeable by his absence. I queried with the front desk person whether I was imagining things but she assured me that he wasn't there as 'they never actually stay here for 5 minutes'. Fortunately she was well briefed in ANZ arcania and was able to answer all my questions.
I returned to my kiosk and awaited the boarding call. When it was made I started for Gate 35 and was vaguely amused by the people RUNNING passed me, doubtless spurred on by the 'Gate Closing' caption on the TV screens. When I got to the gate there was no priority boarding so I nipped to the toilet to let the queue abate. When I rejoined it only took about 10 minutes to clear and make the airbridge. Turning left I was greeted by the strangely familiar suites. A few differences sprang to notice immediately. ANZ still have cushions on the ottoman and there is an inflight magazine. The missing bar doesn't leave an obvious gap. The safety cards have much more current detail than the VS ones including
a specific brace position for suites (feet on ottoman, braced against back of suite with knees turned to and touching the forward facing wall)
easier buckles on life vest
The tables are the 'new' design and the buttons have the perspex covers. Interesting the pink marks and 'blue biro' scribbles are present - suggesting perhaps that is CAUSED by cleaning? Along with the worn tray table edges it's interesting to see that ANZ share some of the problems with VS. A noticeable difference is an overhead light in addition to the reading light in the seat which seems to be the old half globe tilt out design.
The CSS equivalent came and introduced herself - initial drink service was as quick as VS but the hanging of coats took quite a bit longer. The inflight map was on for takeoff and was a newer model than v:port's. The handset looks like Odyssey which is a bit scary but the IFE seems easy to navigate although there are no instructions for navigating the map - assuming navigation is possible, I like the 3D features it provides however.
Initial drinks were accompanied by cashew nuts and a small hors d'oeuvres plate of cheese, salami, olive stuffed with almond and sun dried tomato. An initial perusal of the menu and wine list showed where the money saved by no IFBT, no bar and a basic lounge was being spent. Theoretically shortly after takeoff the CSS was meant to bring round amenities but this step was omitted (it subsequently transpired that this was because they hadn't been loaded in London), however the FSM did come round and explain the LAX Transit regs, basically you have the choice, full I94W and Customs Form and clear immigration for the lounge (which MAY be busy) or just Customs Form and hang around in an upgraded transit lounge.
The menu on this trip was put together by Peter Gordon of Providores, London fame. It's been a couple of years since I was last there but I do remember it being good. VS could learn a lot from this menu :-
Starter (no choice)
Baked parmesan ricotta, beetroot (yellow variety), lambs lettuce, Szechuan almonds with pomegranate molasses and avocado oil dressing. This was BEAUTIFULLY presented which given its simplicity was probably easily achieved. I had the black olive sourdough to accompany with some extra virgin olive oil.
Main Course
Braised New Zealand lamb shanks with tamarind and dates, lemon, hazelnut and mint pesto, roasted parsnips, carrots and potatoes.
(I had this and whilst the food was delicious it was served on a plate that more resembled an economy disk and there was thus no room for the manoeuvring required to remove the fat from the shank that (not being a fat fan) was required. I ended up calling the bread plate into service for this. Also there was no sign of potatoes but as this isn't restaurant food it seemed churlish to complain.
Pan seared organic salmon on mushroom risotto with asparagus, courgettes and salsa verde
Roasted chicken leg stuffed with ginger, lentils and garlic confit, sweet potato mash, peas, watercress and tawari honey sauce
Light option of aubergine and tomato vegetarian moussaka with baby leaf salad and lemon olive oil dressing
Dessert
Gourmet ice cream dessert of cappuccino ice cream and peach and red currant ice cream
Banana, fig and pecan sticky toffee pudding with cranberry and passionfruit cream
(I had this and it was tasty although a little heavier than I would have liked)
Cheese and Fruit
A selection of Cashel Blue cheese, Cornish Yarg cheddar and Somerset brie with fresh seasonal fruit
Hot Drinks
Freshly brewed or decaffeinated coffee, tea, herbal tea or hot chocolate.
Whilst I'm in scribe mode I'll add the Light Refreshments which, as I type, have not yet been served
Starter
Tropical fresh fruit salad with kiwifruit, orange and pineapple
Sandwiches
Poached salmon, mayonnaise and cucumber sandwich
Chicken, parmesan, rocket and tomato sandwich
Red Leicester cheese and spring onion mayonnaise sandwich
Ham and egg mayonnaise sandwich
Scones
Freshly baked scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream
Hot Drinks
Freshly brewed or decaffeinated coffee, tea, herbal tea or hot chocolate.
I wouldn't normally bother including drinks as they're the same from flight to flight but as this is not a VS flight....
Champagne
Veuve Clicquot NV
Champagne Laurent-Perrier LP NV Brut
New Zealand Sparkling Wine
Cocktails
Falling Water - a cool delicious re-hydrating combination of lemonade, sliced cucumber and 42 Below feijoa vodka served over ice (unsure as to how an alcohol based drink can be said to be re-hydrating but)
Backyard Bellini
A crisp refreshing aperitif of apple juice and 42 Below feijoa vodka topped up with Champagne and a dash of Cointreau (at least this one sounds like a cocktail rather than vodka and a mixer - I'm guessing sponsorship rears its ugly head again here)
Spirits
Glenfiddich Malt Whisky
Chivas Regal Blended Whisky
Jack Daniel's Black Label
Gordons Gin
42 Below Vodka
Courvoisier VSOP
Captain Morgan Rum
Ron Bacardi Superior
Port and Liqueurs
Portuguese Port
Grand Marnier
Baileys Irish Cream
Beer
A selection of beer featuring Steinlager, Export Gold, Heineken and low alcohol lager
The only reservation that I have about the menu is that it is not well proof read/edited. Lots of small things struck me as I perused it (and yes I'm sorry but I notice these things and they jar). There were a number of commas in inappropriate places, missing apostrophes and general internal inconsistencies that a good editor should have picked up on. I'll forgive them (just) Portuguese Port as Australian 'Grandfather Port' is a personal favourite but still why is it a 'selection of beer' when there are only four beers but not a selection of spirits when there are eight of them? Why don't they feel they need to tell us what Courvoisier is when they need to qualify Glenfiddich?
Note that I haven't mentioned wines... that's because there's a separate 60 (yes SIXTY) page full colour A6 booklet dedicated to New Zealand wines in general and the selection of wines that might be served this flight along with tasting notes for all of them along with descriptions on growing regions, producers (restaurant/wine tasting opening hours) etc. These people mean business with their wine and are obviously proud of New Zealand's output.
On today's flight to LAX we had
Wither Hills - Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc - 2006
Oyster Bay - Chardonnay - 2006
Fromm Winery - La Strada Dry Riesling
Martinborough - Pinot Noir 2005
Craggy Range - Merlot 2005
Forrest Estate - Botrytised Riesling - 2006
As I'd had to work for the first 8 hours or so of the flight I didn't get the chance to check out the IFE as such so I just listened to CDs from their jukebox. This gave me the chance to check out Kanye West's 'Graduation' - I was surprised by how much of it I already knew; Kate Nash - somehow less annoying than Lily Allen, K T Tunstall - inoffensive, Amy Winehouse - well what can you say - shame there was no Valerie and as I type a 4 CD Kiss Live set
. The in seat power adapter distinguished itself from the VS offering. Whilst it was Empower is was 'US plug fitting' Empower, so my normal travel adapter allowed me to plug my normal power unit into the seat and JOY OF JOYS it powers my Vaio at full power - no need to decrease to an in flight setting on my power options. If I try this with my i-Go it just conks out until I reduce my power consumption.My one trip to the loo was a pleasure... the floor was spotless and there was a disposable seat cover in place on the toilet. There was a selection of unguents for use if you were so inclined - all by a famous NZ manufacturer. The flower holder went unused but the towels were terry not paper. Impressed by all of this I replaced the seat cover before I left - courtesy breeds courtesy - hence incidentally my love of the American use of Sir/Miss/Ma'am.
The seat itself is no different and I genuinely don't find it narrower than the VS offering. Incidentally NZ run a 747/400 on 14 crew so you tend not to see crew gathering in galleys to tune into Galley FM. I asked the CSS about this and he said it was more fun to be busy for the entire flight and (controversially I'm sure) considered VS overstaffed although he obviously held VS in great respect - he was VERY surprised that UC uses paper towels and was pleased with my opinion of the food.
(Incidentally given that Gene Simmons is teetotal it's interesting to hear how he eulogises cold gin, tequila et al).
Landing was comfortable and LAX looked gorgeous in the setting sun. An announcement was made that disembarkation would be tiered - Business, Premium then Economy and this was enforced. Wed been told that as Business pax we could go through immigration (filling in I94Ws etc and customs forms) and go to the Air Canada/Air New Zealand/Virgin Atlantic lounge. Listening carefully we also had the choice of joining all the other Pax in Transit - although there is a premium area. I was about 10th off the plane and as we exited the air bridge a gentleman was standing by a sign pointing away from Immigration saying 'NZ1 Transit Passengers this way'. Everyone in front of me followed his instructions to go that way. I remonstrated that I wanted to visit the lounge and he said 'oh then carry on (in the opposite way) then'. I walked rapidly and was the first to an EMPTY immigration hall. I was immediately seen, processed and in the lounge within about 10 minutes of disembarking. I grabbed a shower and freshened up. Not a lot to be said about the lounge that hasn't been said in VS TRs - though the Steinlager is welcome. There is a fair spread of butties and plenty of seating in a fairly empty lounge. It probably helped that for some reason the FSM made a point of playing down the ease of access to the lounge 'there might be a lot of other arrivals, it could get congested at immigration' etc. Fortunately the gamble paid off. Now for the next stretch..
I left the lounge a little early and wandered around before I saw our lounge greeter walking towards the gate with the other pax to board so I rejoined them. The flight was almost completely full for this leg showing 2 seats free in Business and none elsewhere. I had decided that this was to be the sleep leg but at over 12 hours I thought Id eat first, watch a film (Control gosh it took me back to the days of fanzines and Joy Division live at the Bowden Vale Youth Club) and then sleep awakening in time for breakfast.
This leg was not as impressive and as we disembarked I realised why. The first leg is London based crew, so theyre all fresh. The second leg is NZ based crew so theyre returning home so its not just VS!
As I slept for a chunk Ill just justify the comment that they were less impressive.
Toilets were not kept spotless and seat covers were not put on before pax visited
Crew were less friendly
Food seemed overcooked
Coats were almost not returned being returned a few seconds before we disembarked
No priority disembarkation enforced...
The menu was again impressive in choice if not as impressive in execution. This one was designed in consultation with Govind Armstrong.
Starter
Poached prawns with asparagus, red radish and preserved lemon aioli
Main Course
New Zealand beef with oxtail ravioli, Swiss chard and roasted cipoline onions
New Zealand snapper with olive oil braised potatoes, broccolini, crushed roma tomatoes and rocket pesto
Duck leg confit with braeburn apple braised savoy cabbage and glazed chestnuts
Light choice of caramelised fennel and ricotta agnolotti with oak roasted tomato coulis and breadcrumbs.
Dessert
Chocolat pot du cr_me with caramel sauce, flourless chocolate biscuit and toffee crumble
Gourmet Ice cream dessert of strawberry ripple and cream, and pineapple and coconut ice cream
Cheese and Fruit
Fine New Zealand cheese and fresh seasonal fruit.
After eating and chatting to my neighbour about places to go to in Oman (she lived there for years) I decided it was time to kip down so I changed into my VS sleep suit (interestingly seemingly the only person to change into anything), took my melatonin, inserted my ear plugs, put on my eye mask and my Bose and snuggled down, head on ottoman and proceeded to sleep for 5-6 hours.
Breakfast was quite good but nothing outstanding. They do offer a Fast Dine Breakfast - please let your flight attendant know if you would like to sleep in and we will wake you as late as possible and offer you an orange and almond breakfast pastry and a beverage of your choice.
Landing was landing and as stated earlier no priority disembarkation took place so I was off behind about 30 people. Regardless I power walked to immigration and again got a completely empty hall being the first person through so first at the baggage carousel where I waited and waited. Priority luggage was also not in effect. In total it took about 40 minutes to get my bag. Off to a taxi to the hotel (SkyCity Grand), a shower, shave and change and into work by 08:10 where by dint of the sleep I was able to put in a productive 9 hour day.
So all in all I was very impressed with ANZ. Itll be interesting to see if the return flight on Friday reverses the experience.
