Air New Zealand Air Points - Lounge access in RAR on NZ54 to PPT

We are booked in C class on NZ54 AKL-PPT via RAR in June. There is a 1 or 2h stop in RAR on the way to PPT and I was wondering whether we can use the lounge at RAR for the time of the stopover (if there is any!). I'm *GOLD as well, but I guess the C class ticket should be enough. Is it actually worth spending the time in the lounge or what else would there be to do at this time of night? We've been to RAR before but never paid much attention to the airport facilities there.

There is an NZ lounge at RAR and and yes the RAR lounge will be open.

Mark

The biggest thing the lounge has going for it is air conditioning. Much more pleasant than hanging around the shops (such as they are). It's very small, seating is packed in tight - but there is not a bad selection of munchies and drinks.

The RAR lounge is great - grab a bottle of wine and some sandwiches and go sit in the garden http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

Cheers, Zac

Thank you all for the information. It's good to know that there is a lounge and it will be open. But has anyone of you used the lounge while in transit on NZ54? I know the airport is tiny and they probably wouldn't stuff you in an isolated room for the time of the stop, would they? But I just want to make sure...

Mrs. Sydfly hopes that there will be plenty of Baileys and those yummy cookies they have in LAX http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif We'll find out soon.

I wouldn't hold out for Baileys and cookies - the selection of food and drink is simple but adequate. Still, it's impressive that there is a lounge there at all. Zac has the right idea - grab yourself some goodies and then enjoy them outside in the balmy tropical evening.

To answer your specific question, no I have not used the lounge when in transit. I do know that they require all transit passengers to disembark from the plane, though, so staying onboard and snoozing is not an option.

Have fun in Tahiti!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sydfly:
will be open. But has anyone of you used the lounge while in transit on NZ54?

I have used it not in transit, but before departure to AKL (same flight). It's a little but nice room to relax a bit. I was surprised that there was a lounge at all. After all it's just a nice tiny laid back airport.

I used it in transit on NZ46 (NAN-RAR-PPT-LAX), I think the stop is about the same length. You're free to come and go from the lounge as you please so you won't be stuck in a room for the stop. I think the great thing about RAR is you're so close to the plane you can watch all the goings on (and the 767 is actually huge - I always thought it was a tiny little plane http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif). I'm glad to hear Mrs Sydfly has such excellent taste in liqueurs, Bailey's is my standard measure of a lounge's quality and RAR passed with flying colours http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif. The refreshments are to NZ usual high standards (and even better than LAX IMHO because there are sandwiches), in fact apart from the size the lounge is no different from the others in the network. Enjoy your trip to Tahiti http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Cheers, Zac

[This message has been edited by Zaco (edited 05-21-2003).]

I've used it on a RAR-AKL flight (after staying in RAR coming in from LAX)... SMALL lounge, but again as mentioned normally well stocked. (including fairly current newspapers considering how old they can be at stores in RAR)