EK406 MEL-AKL 6 APR 12 (BUSINESS)
Posted: 05 May 2012, 06:52Decided to head over to Rotorua for Easter. This year's holidays are all about vulcanolgy (Hawaii in 3 weeks).
My view is that the best carrier across the Tasman in J is EK. We hadn't flown with EK for 2 years and in that time they have replaced the A345 with 777ER. Booked in late 2011 and got, imo, a good fare for the both of us, out in J and back in F (put it this was we paid for 2 what QF or NZ wanted for 1).
We do like the EK lounge at MEL so headed out to the airport at 0430 for the 0710 departure. EK have dropped the chauffeur service on J trans tasman services - but I can understand that given the fares.
Arrived at check-in and were promptly seen, bags tagged, BPs now with lounge access printed on them rather than the old lounge invite, and an security/immigration fast track card. Not really needed as at 0500 the airport is rather quiet.
Made our way through and were welcomed into the lounge at 0500. Settled in to a couple of nice armchairs overlooking the apron and east west runway. Then straight to the kitchen/bar area - Moet and Veuve on offer. Veuve it was plus some nibbles - not too much as breakfast would be served on the plane.
Soon saw the QF A380 from LHR land, followed by the in bound 406 from Dubai and then the SQ A380 all pull up in front of us. Slowly the new day dawned across the apron and the rose - it was forecast for a 30 degree day.
All too soon the boarding call came and we made our way down to the gate. Priority lane clearly marked and we handed our BPs and passports over for checking and the checker said 'I don't know why I am checking your passports as I checked you guys in - enjoy the flight.
Greeted by name at the door and escorted to our seats in row 7 (A and C) in the small front J cabin. Some rate 7A as a bad seat as it it only has one window. It did not bother me. Nice new 777 with the fake teak look around the windows - which I personally don't like. Champagne quickly offered and accepted (Moet).
Mini cabin has a capacity of 14 but there were only 8 pax and no one in F. I really enjoy being able to watch the taxi and take off on the IFE and that the IFE is on when boarding.
After take off drinks orders were taken and delivered and then breakfast orders taken. No prizes for guessing what we drank. I had the mixed grill which was very nice, no eggs, an excellent move as they don't work on planes. OH had the french toast which quickly disappeared so couldn't have been bad.
The supervisor was actively passing around the cabin and offering refills. Service was fantastic. Even to the point of 30 mins out of AKL he offered a refill and jokingly said if I open the bottle you'll have to finish it - we and the guy across the aisle took him up on his offer! Had a good chat with him in the galley about quality of the food and the in flight service in general and comparing EK/VA/EY J products. He also said from October EK would be operating the 380 on this route.
All too soon we landed into a sunny AKL. Said thanks and goodbye and headed to immigration - which was empty - so went to a desk rather than the e-passport machines only to be told I could use the machine! I knew that but thought the human experience would be quicker.
Anyway down to baggage, just enough time for a champagne offloading stop, and the bags came through. Waved passed bio scan and into a cab and off to the Hilton in less than 10 mins.
Overall very enjoyable - and we both re-confirmed our opinions that EK across the tasman as the best.
Seems like EK have their quality of service dispensed consistently throughout all flights - sounds like a textbook flight 