AUCKLAND to MELBOURNE (AKL-MEL) on Emirates 777-300ER in first class
When I arrived at check in I was pleased to see it was open and no queue in the first class line. With no bags to check, I was soon issued 2 boarding passes. Unfortunately I couldn't get boarding passes for the subsequent flights, beyond the turnaround point. I wish they would relax the "rules" and give them as it would save time and stress, while withholding them provides little or no benefit that I can see. Some airlines are more than happy to issue return boarding passes (eg Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Air NZ, American) while others don't (eg Lufthansa, Thai, British Airways).
Anyway, I wasn't too worried as my turnaround on this trip isn't too short - it is more a convenience thing this time than a genuine concern I'd miss the return. The agent advised premium immigration wouldn't be open yet but I confirmed I'd seen an immigration officer on my way past a few moments ago.
That too was dealt with quickly and soon I was upstairs making my way past the carry-on checkers to the pre-cleared line. One of these days I'll try out the smartgate exit immigration, which I've missed every time since it was introduced due to using pre-clearance or premium check in lobby immigration desks.
I got lucky with security - there was little queue and I was soon welcomed back to the Emirates lounge. I requested towels for the shower, since as with many airline lounges these days they don't keep towels in the shower rooms any more. After a day rushing around I was pleased to have a refreshing shower and partially reawaken. I was tempted by the Moet (it had been too many hours since the last bubbles!) but decided to save my palate for the better bubbles on board and instead had some nice Mt Difficulty Pinot Noir. For those who prefer white wine there was Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc. I ignored the nice hot and cold snacks since the food in Emirates first class is truly wonderful in quality and range - it is a shame to eat before the flight, unless needing to get to sleep immediately.
I caught up on some messages while the lounge quickly filled to bursting point. It seems that all 3 Emirates flights today (which depart in the space of about 30 minutes) are fairly full in first and business class. The way things are going, Emirates will soon have the most premium seats across the Tasman despite only having 4 routes - far less than Air New Zealand, Qantas and Pacific Blue. Indeed, with some Qantas flights replaced with Jetstar and Air NZ recently removing business class from A320 flights, it may already be at, or close to, supremacy in premium seat counts. Extraordinary.
The flights were called in quick succession, but with the A380 bound for Sydney departing from pier B - a long walk from the lounge, and the Brisbane 77W leaving first, we had a brief spell in the lounge with just one flight load of premium and elite passengers. So merely busy for a few minutes instead of heaving.
Then it was our turn to go and I made my way to the gate, which was nice and close. A premium boarding lane was being nicely enforced and I was soon at the aircraft door then being escorted the few steps to my seat. Before I'd even had a chance to stow my carry on in the space at the front of the suite I was asked if I'd like some champagne. No question as to my answer. I grabbed the noise cancelling headphones and set up the ICE to begin watching a movie while supping away, with frequent questions. Would you like some nuts? A refill? A newspaper? A magazine? A menu? Some slippers? A refill? A date? What? I hardly know you? Oh the other date. Some Arabic coffee?
The IFE was interrupted for announcements, the safety video (twice - once in Arabic and again in English) and then a brief welcome aboard video (again twice). I like how there is always a statement of which languages the crew speak. One of these days I'll draw up Emirates language bingo cards to amuse myself.
By the time we'd pushed back, on time, I was feeling fabulous albeit a bit tired, and had watched a third of the movie. We had some good views after takeoff before turning for Melbourne. A post-departure drink and meal selection, and within 30 minutes the canapes were served. The flight went by in a blur. Partly this was down to tiredness and partly because I had plans to sleep the next, much longer flight, and so didn't care if I got a bit sloppy in the meantime as long as I didn't waken up too much. With the severe sleep deficit I'd had the past couple of weeks I didn't think there was much danger of that happening.
I watched another movie and before I realised we were on final descent flying past the outlying towns around Melbourne in the late evening.