Air New Zealand Air Points - tell me the truth

i am going to NZ on the 26th dec from lhr via hong kong to napier it will be the first time i have seen my family there EVER so very excited.:D
my question.
i really really hate flying although i travel a lot over the world :( i have this deep fear, i will be flying on the 747 in business so i can lay down lol,(i will be taking sleeping pills) ^ once i get to auckland i have a 4 hr layover before my flight to napier.so to my question
what will the plane be like from akl to npe ive done some checking and its a bombadier q300 flight no nz8403 i have seat 6b my fear is of small planes will i be better off hiring a car and driving down i dont care if it takes 2 days.
by the way
my seat numbers for the lhr to h/kong is 4a and from h/kong to alk is 18a upstairs.
sorry if it has dragged on any info would be great
thanks debbie ^

The Q300 is a nice prop aircraft. It seats 50 (some other airlines squeeze in a few extra seats) so it is not too small. Seat layout is 2+2. Row 6 might be slightly noisy (it is near the engine), but overall noise is okay in this aircraft type (the Q stands for Quiet!).

thanks Kiwi Flyer
do these small planes get thrown about with turbulence im so scared will the flight be full do you think,
am i better off driving down and if so can i hire a car with sat nav
thanks debbie

No more so than small jets (eg 737, A320). While we can never rule out the possibility of turbulence (eg if the weather happens to be bad that day), most domestic flights in NZ will not experience it.

Hi Debbie,

Personally, Id recommend not taking sleeping pills. You'll be stuffed a few days later, and you will naturally sleep fine in Business Class anyway.

As Kiwi Flyer said, its just a plane. Its not like a Single Engine Cessna 172. As with any flight in New Zealand, theres a reasonable chance of turbulance, but usually Napier is a very sunny location (Sometimes :p) so I wouldnt worry.

The Flight will probably be reasonably full, im not familiar with that route though.

Driving probably isnt a bad option. If you have never been to New Zealand before, the drive down would be fantastic, and possibly you could stop and smell the roses!

Perhaps, take the flight down, and if it really scares you, drive back to Auckland on your return, but I dont think you will have much trouble. the Dash 8 Q300 is a reasonably big prop plane!

Hi Debbie

I agree - give the sleping pills a miss as you'll arrive in NZ feeling likea dogs dinner. Remember the flight ex LHR leaves quite late so have a few drinks then fall asleep which won't be a problem in BP I assure you

Don't worry about turbulence on the AKL NPL sector in December as it's summer. it's only a short flight.


Enjoy your stay and flight with NZ,

thanks jetsetkiwi
one more thing
it says my luggage allowance is 30kgs on the international flight but then it goes to 20kgs on the domestic flight if i take the 30kgs will i be charged on the domestic one for extra weight and the same with the return
if only it was that simple MrSidney im scared now and we have 5 months to go.nice idea about a few drinks before the flight but what about when we take off from hong kong another long flight. its the take off i hate untill the seatbelt sign goes off i could die (really).

If the AKL-NPE flight is on the same ticket as your international flight then the international allowance applies. If it is on separate tickets then the domestic allowance applies (which is soon increasing to one piece up to 25kg).

Note if you have star alliance gold status you get an extra allowance (20kgs international, 1 piece domestic).

KIWI FLYER
let me get this straight
yes i am bmi gold
so i am allowed 30kgs plus a further 20kgs WOW
hope theres lots of shopping to be had in hawks bay (napier)

Yes..

Also another bit of advice Deb...

I'd get your seat assignment for HKG-AKL changed from upstairs to downstairs. Upstairs can get quite noisy from the premium economy passengers and also doesn't have as much space as the downstairs cabin. Makes it easier to sleep.

As others have said, forget the sleeping pills and have a few drinks and a sleep. If that doesn't work for you then you always have the sleeping pills as backup. You should be fine in December on the Q300 for that route.

Avis rent cars with Sat Nav if you are really keen on driving down.

Deb

I would not advise driving from AKl NPL after such a long flight. You will be tired and your concentration levels will be low - worse if you have taken a sleep pill the night before.

the reason behind sitting upstairs was that i have never done it.
i was orig in seat 4a for both journeys but changed it to upstairs so i could at least say i have done it.
on the way home im flying sing air 200er to singapore then same plane back to manchester.
MrSidney
if i was going to drive then i would stay over in aukland and drive the following day.i am seriously thinking about it as the flight from akl to npe terrifies me.
debbie
any other info for me to do on the plane from h/kong to akl would be brill
thanks guys.^

Really, I think you should take a chance. Fear of flying is a big thing, but if you can get on the big jet, getting on the small one will boost your confindence even more!

Is there any chance you could perhaps take a flight in the UK, on a little plane, before hand? Surely they have some cheap flights for you to try. Then again, you probably dont want to do that either.

On SQ, try and change to the 77W from AKL-SIN, then transfer to the 772 to manchester.

If you sleep most of LHR-HKG, which you probably will, you wont sleep a heap on HKG-AKL, which is a little bit shorter than LHR-HKG. So just relax! Enjoy flying, and hopefully your fear will fly away.. :)

Seat 4A is nice for your LHR-HKG. I too would suggest staying downstairs in the forward section (rows 7 or smaller) HKG-AKL, a more relaxing environment!

Forward nose, seat 4A is on the left, where the gent with sun glasses has a paper: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-New-Zealand/Boeing-747-419/1065908/L/

Upstairs showing Prem Econ with Biz seats further forward: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-New-Zealand/Boeing-747-4F6/1050526/L/

I guess you have seen the Air NZ 747 'seat map', but if not here it is: http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/on-the-plane/seat-maps/boeing-747-400-new-popup.htm

After 26 hours travel, driving even after a sleep at AKL might not be the best idea. There are good bus services as well if you decide against the flight to Napier. Q300 here:

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-New-Zealand/De-Havilland-Canada/1176849/L/

Nicely done with the photos Thai-Kiwi!!! ^

deb 501...I was a nervous flyer for many years.. so I know where you are coming from!! :D

In my case I actually prefer the turbo-prop aircraft.. they seem to match the "theory of flight" better to me!! (More wing area... visible means of propulsion etc) Silly I know...:rolleyes:

As the others have all said.. it IS quite a decent sized aircraft.. and being a "high wing" design the view from most seats is really good... and it doesn't fly as high as a jet so that only makes the view better... NZ is such a beautiful country from the air! (I'm used to the flatness and "browns" of OZ)

I'd take a deep breath and do it just for that!

Had seat 4A once.. VERY nice indeed.. then on the next flight was upstairs in 16K and didn't experience any significant noise there that I can recall... YMMV on that apparently...

Second the idea of trying to get on Singapores "77W" (777-300ER) to SIN on the return IF your booking allows it etc... That's another very impressive Biz experience.. Seat is HUGE!!:D

Have a great trip.. and if you get a chance afterwards.. tell us how it went!:D

Hi Deb501.

Should you go down the driving route, you can book a Hertz vehicle and get miles on you BMI account.

Also if you have a TomTom, a map of NZ can be got for £69.95.

Whatever you decide, have a good trip. ^

I strongly wouldn't recommend driving. If it's your first time in NZ, then driving from AKL to NPE on Sat Dec 27th could really come as one heck of a surprise. You'll be sharing the roads with plenty of tourists in camper-vans, many of whom have little experience of either driving vehicles that size, nor being on the left-hand side of the road. You'll also be sharing with plenty of Northland / Auckland / Waikato Kiwis heading for East Coast destinations for long breaks immediately after their family Christmas celebrations, plus a horde of people from the same places just doing their usual weekend trips to the Coast. Many of the roads are also quite narrow and winding - certainly compared to main US and European routes, so driving them on your own will be tiring whilst you concentrate, and no fun because you won't be able to enjoy the best of the scenery.

Stick with the flight - as well as all the good reasons made by others here there will be more to see than on the roads, and someone else will be doing the driving.

Thanks guys for all the help ^
great picks also.
ill try and do the plane i think !!!!!!!!!!! lol
and like you all say if i hate it i can get back to akl some other way.
thanks youre all great
debbie :D :D :D

I fly LHR-NPE at least once a year (in business class) as my family is in Napier, and I live in the UK, so this is all very familiar. I would echo the advice of the others. Driving from Auckland to Napier is long, and for most of it not that scenic. It would take a good six hours or so depending on how fast you drive, how often you want to stop. Logically of course, the risk of a accident driving is many many times higher than that of flying. With the exception of about an hour of the trip out of Auckland, it is single carriageway highway the whole way with occasional passing lanes. New Zealand has a far higher per vehicle km accident rate than the UK because its low population means roads that have a higher risk of head on collisions and vehicles not negotiating bends.

A bus trip would be longer still, but each to their own. I find the short flight passes quickly the Q300s are comfortable and safe, with a flight attendant and tea/coffee service.

So enjoy, book refundable domestic flights if you want to return by car or bus, but otherwise have a good trip!

Mostly excellent advice on this thread (especially about flying rather than driving from Auckland to Napier) but I really have to disagree re the sleeping pills. For those of us (like me) who find it hard to sleep on planes, even the very comfortable flat beds in BP are not enough to make you sleep without assistance. I would recommend sleeping pills (especially since it allows you to control your sleeping patterns to get onto the right cycle for your destination, and can often mean the difference between a few short naps and a really good, deep sleep), but the trick is to find the *right* ones - then again, if you're a frequent flyer you've probably figured all of this out already.

I say this as someone who never EVER takes sleeping pills except when flying or recovering from jet lag, so it's not something I do lightly... anyway, each to their own.

And I have to agree with the last post on sleeping pills. It is a matter of finding the right ones. Without a good deep sleep on long hauls it would be impossible for me to function at meetings straight off the plane. The right sleeping pills (it is different for everybody) can have little or no side effects and are worth their weight in gold.

thanks guys for the info its taken onboard

libertyuk
is the plane trip good or boring im not a foodie person so steak and chips for me lol
where do you sit on the plane can i have your feedback
what is the food like
and will the stuardesses talk to me if they know about my fear of flying
tell me about hong kong airport
can i smoke there
I KNOW ITS BAD FOR YOU

also last question
i want to walk to the domestic terminal
so i can have a ciggie (lol)
how do i get there and how long will it take
my plane gets in at 11am i think, and the domestic one leaves about 2pm so i know i will have enough time
debbie

thanks guys for the info its taken onboard

libertyuk
is the plane trip good or boring im not a foodie person so steak and chips for me lol
where do you sit on the plane can i have your feedback
what is the food like
and will the stuardesses talk to me if they know about my fear of flying
tell me about hong kong airport
can i smoke there
I KNOW ITS BAD FOR YOU

also last question
i want to walk to the domestic terminal
so i can have a ciggie (lol)
how do i get there and how long will it take
my plane gets in at 11am i think, and the domestic one leaves about 2pm so i know i will have enough time
debbie

Plane trip is fine. Good food and wine and plenty of AVOD entertainment options. So you can either sleep or watch TV/movies or read a book. Even have a chat to the cabin crew when they are not busy to pass the time.

Where you are sitting (4A) is a very good spot. It's in the nose section of BP and quiet and secluded. The food and wine onboard is excellent and there is a self-service bar where you can get snacks and drinks whenever you feel the need to.

If you mention your fear of flying to the cabin crew then they will take great care of you.

I fly NPE-AKL and back on the Q300's every two weeks. I find the planes to be comfortable. I'd recommend ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones if you are bothered by engine noise (yes the planes are quiet but there is still a low level drone). I have flown in some rough weather on that leg and the pilots are pretty good at finding clear air.

I have also driven Napier to Auckland quite a few times. Its a nice trip - six hours usually though I'd suggest visitors spread it over a long day - or two days.

Of the two options - I'd choose flying unless you want to have a car here. One hour flying is much more relaxing than a day of driving.

And that does mean more time to spend in Napier (and the wineries!)

thanks riskfate
i must sound like a right old hag lol
what is there to see and do around hastings/hawks bay
i wont bother with the wineries as i think all wine tastes like vinegar :td:
debbie :D

Quite a few of the wineries do have excellent restaurants attached to them.
Otherwise - the National Aquarium; Ocean Spa; the gannet colony; museum (with earthquake exhibition) are all worthwhile.
I'm sure the weather will be great down here at that time of year so just walking along the waterfront will be enjoyable.

Yes, I agree with NZ Flyer and I am certain the crew will look after you if you explain your fear of flying. Worth pointing out at check in as it may be noted on the passenger manifest.

Hong Kong Airport is excellent, you can access the United or the Thai lounges there, and both are quite good. United better for bathrooms/showers, Thai better for food (better than most United lounges around the world by a long shot too). On smoking I honestly have no idea, but check out the HKIA website and you may find out if there is a place to go when in transit.

The walk between Auckland International and Domestic is easy enough with a big blue and white stripe painted from the eastern end of the terminal to the domestic terminal. It should take you 10 minutes to walk if you take it at an easy pace. I almost always walk if only because I like having the fresh air after being cooped up in an aluminium tube for 25 hours or so.

No smoking facilities at Auckland terminals. The other thing to note is that arriving off of business premier to do a domestic connection allows you to use the Koru Club lounge at the domestic terminal, to make that more pleasant, but bear in mind it is at the opposite end of the terminal from where the regional flights depart, and you need to know to walk back downstairs and to the right and on and on to the very end to get to flights to Napier.

In Hawke's Bay it depends on what you like, it doesn't have much shopping or nightlife at all, but nice restaurants, pleasant beaches, it is mainly peaceful, and Napier is a far nicer city than Hastings. Quite a bit to do if you like the outdoors, and the wineries are not all just wine either, some do port and cider.

The other thing to note is that arriving off of business premier to do a domestic connection allows you to use the Koru Club lounge at the domestic terminal, to make that more pleasant, but bear in mind it is at the opposite end of the terminal from where the regional flights depart, and you need to know to walk back downstairs and to the right and on and on to the very end to get to flights to Napier.

Actually the AKL Koru Club has a special door inside (at the end) to get to the prop gates. If it isn't open already it certainly will be by the time the OP's trip.

Actually the AKL Koru Club has a special door inside (at the end) to get to the prop gates. If it isn't open already it certainly will be by the time the OP's trip.

If I'm thinking of the same one, it's open already. It comes out near where the old valet parking desk used to be.

thanks all for all your help.
sorry but one more thing.
when i return i will land in auk at 9.45 pm on the 9th jan but i dont fly to singapore untill 01.10 on the 10th jan, question.
will the kuru lounge be open ,
what time does it close.
i am BMI GOLD but travelling in business.
cheers
debbie

The lounge will be open until you are required to board your flight to SIN.

BMI Gold (*G) or Business makes no difference to access - both entitle you to access.

Auckland's designator is AKL ;)

thanks all for all your help.
sorry but one more thing.
when i return i will land in auk at 9.45 pm on the 9th jan but i dont fly to singapore untill 01.10 on the 10th jan, question.
will the kuru lounge be open ,
what time does it close.
i am BMI GOLD but travelling in business.
cheers
debbie

On arrival at the AKL domestic terminal you will have no access to the Koru Club. Your bags will be through checked so no need to visit baggage claim, and you make your way across to the international terminal. There is a free inter-terminal bus (white). From the arrival at the prop gates, exit the terminal, turn left and walk along until just before the bit that sticks out and has a footbridge to the carpark. The bus takes 10 minutes and there may be a 10-20 minute wait. Alternatively you can walk (takes 15 minutes), is only partly under cover. Follow the signs (or the blue and white painted line).

SQ check in is at the closest part of the international terminal if you need to collect boarding pass. This opens 3 hours before departure (ie not until after 10pm). Once you have BP head up to immigration and security and make your way to the NZ international lounge (open until the last flight boards) which is down a corridor on the right just before the concourse has a left turn and then right up a level.

On deb501's behalf, I wonder that some clarification of the use of "Koru Club" might help.

i.e. There is an NZ lounge in the domestic terminal and another in the international terminal. You will certainly have access to the international terminal lounge before the flight to SIN.

sorry if this is a little dumb but......
if i am bmi gold and travelling on an international flight in business why cant i go in the koru lounge in the domestic terminal.
thanks
debbie

Because the lounge is for departures not arrivals. Yes you have a departing flight, but it is international. Further, you arrive at the prop gate in the domestic terminal which means straight to landside. To reach the domestic lounge (ie Koru Club) you need to clear security (which you shouldn't do as you have no onward domestic flight although in practice this isn't checked). Furthermore, at that hour of the day there are no domestic departures (so cannot go through security and the Koru Club will be closed).

Of course you will have access to the NZ international lounge (which is not called Koru Club).

You will, however, have access to the (small) regional koru club in Napier.

Apologies for any confusion.

PLEASE dont apologise
thanks for clearing that up KIWI FLYER
my question should have stated
ON MY RETURN FLIGHT from napier can i use the lounge
thanks
debbie

Just to clarify further, you'll have access to AKL Koru Club when flying to NPE (as discussed previously). You'll have access to NPE Koru Club when flying back to AKL, and then access to AKL NZ international lounge. No access to AKL Koru Club when in transit between NPE & SIN.

Just to clarify further, you'll have access to AKL Koru Club when flying to NPE (as discussed previously). You'll have access to NPE Koru Club when flying back to AKL, and then access to AKL NZ international lounge. No access to AKL Koru Club when in transit between NPE & SIN.

Though if you have a long layover between domestic and international, and if you ask nicely, you have a good chance of being let in. I routinely do this in WLG when on domestic-international connections, where the domestic lounge is large and has a great spread of food and wine, while the international lounge is small with very meagre offerings. I've never been refused access, though it's always with a warning that I shouldn't leave it too late to head over to the international side. I've done the same in AKL at least once as well.

Technically, however, KiwiFlyer is right as usual :)

WLG is a bit different as no need to clear security in transit in order to reach the Koru Club, whereas for NPE-AKL-SIN you do need to clear security at AKL to reach the Koru Club (and not supposed to go through without onward domestic same day travel).

That's a good point - when I did it in AKL I arrived on a jet flight so was already airside.

thanks guys for the replys
but you have totally lost me lol :D
i will leave napier fly to auk depart the domestic airport and walk to the inter airport (smoking all the way ) :D:D
then check in for my sin flight pay the tax then with about an hour to go go through security and into the lounge and wait to be called for my flight.
once in sin i know what im doin :D
thanks
debbie ^

The international terminal does have a smoking deck so no need to wait before heading through immigration and security. Indeed, there are a number of late international departures so I would not leave it too late to go through.

HONESTLY
i thought smoking in any public building has been banned same as in the uk.
i havent been able to smoke in a uk airport since june the 30th.
wow
im gob smacked ^

On smoking I honestly have no idea, but check out the HKIA website

There are plenty of smoking rooms at HK airport. They are all clearly sign posted and conveniently located close to gate areas.

depending on how heavy a smoker you are, if you are looking to make your flight more comfortable, i would suggest purchasing some nicotein replacement. Smokers sometimes find it difficult to go to sleep, or stay asleep because they will wake and want a fix of nicotein! The best replacement (when I used to smoke) was the small cigarette like puffers. These look like an old-fashioned cigarette holder... you open the tube and place a capsule inside which you then inhale just like a regular cigarette. They are available from most chemists. I found them to be much better than gum or lozengers as you still got the 'action' of smoking, and you could even 'puff' away with your after dinner cuppa while on the plane. (for any non-smokers wondering what i'm on about... these devices are, of course, not lit in any way and there is no smoke... 'puff' is just puffing air...)

regards

lme ff

i thought smoking in any public building has been banned same as in the uk.

I is banned inside, but the deck is outside.

he was talking about auckland airport not hong kong
but thanks for the info anyway
debbie ^
when im on the plane smoking does not bother me but the second i leave it then i want one lol
but its nice to know i can get my fix before the flight to singapore.
kiwi flyer
is it just the inter airport that has a smoking area or every airport in NZ
thanks
debbie

If it's the one I seem to recall seeing from the AKL lounge then it does rather resemble a prison yard!! :D

(Having said that - in MY smoking days that wouldn't have bothered me one little bit...;))

he was talking about auckland airport not hong kong
but thanks for the info anyway
debbie ^
when im on the plane smoking does not bother me but the second i leave it then i want one lol
but its nice to know i can get my fix before the flight to singapore.
kiwi flyer
is it just the inter airport that has a smoking area or every airport in NZ
thanks
debbie

Every airport - it's outside the terminal :p

I haven't noticed any others that are accessible airside (but I'm a non-smoker so may have overlooked it), but the other airports are quick and easy enough to immigration/security if need a fix.

then check in for my sin flight pay the tax then with about an hour to go go through security and into the lounge and wait to be called for my flight.
AKL did not have a "tax" just a departure fee which has now been incorporated in the ticket price. So you can skip that part and "have another one" to tide you over to SIN.

BLACKCLOUD
my tickets were bought before this fee was added to your booking so it looks like i still have to pay it.:mad:

kiwiflyer
as long as when i have gone through security and done some duty free shopping, i can enter the lounge for a drink then go outside and have a fag :D then return back into the lounge i dont care how many steps or fire breathing dragons i have to pass.
it sounds great to me. ^
i hate it in the uk that before i enter to go through security i have to go back outside to have my last fag .then do all the security and getting to the lounge and wanting another but knowing i cant.
thats why i like the us because even if you are airside they will let you back outside to smoke.
the only downside to all this is you have to go through security again.
BUT WHO CARES
thanks
debbie