SYDNEY to AUCKLAND (SYD-AKL) on Emirates A380-800 in first class

The gate area was too small for what appeared to be a full A380 load of passengers. There was a horrendous queue for economy but I squeezed past to get to the empty first/business line. Two steps based the gate desk and I hit the first/business queue in the airbridge (this one has separate lines for upper and lower decks) - the whole airbridge was full.

I only had to wait about 10 minutes in the hot, close air before passengers were allowed onboard and we started moving forward.

Drink & nuts served. Amenities handed out (slippers, mask), menu. Newspapers and magazines offered. More drinks. Immigration card and express arrivals card. More drinks. Boarding seemed to take a while. More drinks.

The crew were proactive in checking onward flights, although naturally priority was given to those who were flying on a single ticket rather than those (like me) flying on separate tickets. Our flight time across the Tasman was expected to be shorter than normal, whether through stronger than usual tailwinds or by applying more throttle I do not know.

I figure I'll either make my onward flight or not, and no point worrying about it. I'll relax and enjoy the flight, rush at the other end and just deal with any consequences later. Yeah, that's the plan.

The flight went by rather quickly and we made up 20 minutes or so and only be 2 hours late.

We had the usual fly over the city and as we were on final approach I realised that once again they'd forgotten to collect my glass. Only one this time so I held on to it carefully as we touched down.

We pulled into pier B (of course since none of the main pier gates have a dual airbridge). I was ready to sprint to try and make my onward flight.