We departed late due to the late boarding, but were advised we will still arrive on time as the usual strong headwinds are absent.

I'd hoped to get a view of the Southern Alps as we fly over them, but all the passengers near me in window seats pulled down their blinds.

The service was poor, one of the worst I've experienced on Air NZ, with none of the usual touches I've come to expect as an elite pax flying in economy. No personal greeting. No newspaper. No offer to move to a business class seat (there were no passengers at all in business class, even with economy service this would have been a welcome relief as the three of us in my row were all big). No express arrival cards for immigration. Only one drinks round the entire flight. Indeed as we commenced descent into Melbourne an announcement was made apologising for the lack of hot drinks as they'd run out of time (on a 3 1/2 hour flight!).

A disappointment on this flight which is the 105th and final current Air NZ route flown by me (plus several routes no longer operated).