AKL-CHC-AKL on NZ for Lunch
Background
Around the time when Jetstar started its New Zealand Domestic flights, Air New Zealand. Was doing very good deals on its Grabaseat website, i got a great $28 return fare to CHC.
Part One
AKL-CHC
Date: 28 July 2009
Flight Number: NZ525
Departure Time: 1100
Boarding: 1040
Load: 98%
Flight Duration: 1h03m
Altitude: 36,000FT
Gate: (AKL) 30 (CHC) 16
Aircraft:Boeing 737-319 ZK-NGH S/N 25607 (Delivered 27-10-1999)
Intro
This flight was almost sold out, even though I got 3 seats to myself . Boarding was very fast, it didn't seem like anyone was missing for a nice change.
Pre Flight
Upon arriving at the terminal, I went to a self check machines to see if i could score a better seat. No luck, but i found row13 to be great. In fact it felt like it had more room that row11(exit row). This is when i discovered that my M-Pass wouldn't scan. Has one else had a problem trying to get a M-Pass to scan on a Nokia 6500S ?. In the end the trusty old Airpoints card did the trick. Since my M-Pass didn't work i decided to print both of my boarding passes, rather than risking haveing a problem at the gate.
ZK-NGH turned up at the gate about 15minutes before boarding, which during this time it had a quick clean. At about 1040 the call was made for people seated in rows 12-23. Boarding was smooth i was one of the first on aboard.
On Board
Kiwi Music videos where played on the drop down LCD Screens, while we waited for the rest of the passengers to board.
Seat Pitch
Waiting
Take Off
About 20minutes after door closing we got clearance to take off!
Take Off it self was smooth, it was on of the few days of the year when you take off to South from AKL.
In Flight
The Snack service started at about 15minutes into the flight. With Lolly Bags/ Veggie Chips & Biscuits being offered. I took the Lolly bag, which contained 2Jelly Baby’s & 4 MilkBottles. The MilkBottles where so chewy, made me think they designed them to last your whole flight.
Heading out towards the Tasman
This followed by a free Tea/Coffee/Water Service
The veiw for most of the flight was limited by the thick clould.
Approach
The famous AirNZ Lollys where handed out by two kids.
20minutes out of CHC we finally got a view of the Southern Alps. They are so amazing from 36,000ft.
As we began to get closer to CHC, it started to get very bumpy.
Landing
We made a perfect landing at CHC on time, with a quick taxi to the Terminal. The pursuer came over the PA saying we would be deplaning via rear air stairs . They only said you couldn't use your phone on the tarmac.
In General
The crew where great, very helpful. They where more than welcoming to get people a second drink. It was a great flight for $14. I’m keen to do it again for lunch.
(Part Two to Follow)