New Zealand December 2011 - Air New Zealand 5 Business Premier (LAX-AKL) continued...
As the lights came back on about two hours prior to landing, I got up and changed back to my regular clothes and placed the seat back up. I was offered a refreshing fruit smoothie as a starter. Soon after, breakfast service started. The menu was as follows:
Breakfast
Fast Dine Breakfast
- Please let your flight attendant know if you like to sleep-in and we will wake you as late as possible and offer you a hot bacon roll and a beverage of your choice
Wake-up Drinks
- Start your day with a fruit smoothie, your choice of juice, freshly brewed or decaffeinated coffee, tea, herbal tea or hot chocolate
Light Breakfast
- A bowl of cereal topped with yoghurt and fresh fruit is available as a lighter option
Full Breakfast
- Fruit and cereals will be offered followed by a hot bakery selection and your choice of hot breakfast
- Fresh fruit salad
- Fruit or plain yoghurt
- Granola and muesli or Raisin Bran cereal, Weet-Bix, Cornflakes
From the Bakery
- Croissants, wholemeal and fruit toast with fruit conserve
From the Stove
- Cheddar and chive scrambled eggs with chicken and sun dried tomato sausage, herbed potato and tomato
- Belgian waffles, strawberries in raspberry sauce, and freshly whipped banana cream
- Hot bacon roll - a warmed roll, buttered and filled with grilled bacon, offered with caramelised onion jam and barbecue sauce
I selected the full breakfast along with the scrambled eggs, and everything was delicious. I especially liked the plain tart yogurt that was served with the fruit and muesli. Initial descent began soon after breakfast was cleared, and the turnaround along the coast and final approach gave some pretty spectacular first views of New Zealand. All I can say is, it's very green! Landing was smooth, and the flight attendants allowed all Business Premier passengers to disembark before Premium Economy and Economy passengers.
All in all, this was a perfect introduction to Air New Zealand for me. The seat and bed were top-notch, service was better than any other business product I've ever experienced, and the food was terrific. I really can't ask for much more, except maybe a better screen next time so I can actually watch a movie.
Here's a quick run-down of the amenity kit. The highlight is probably the quirky socks that were included. They are meant to be disposable so the quality isn't great, but the colors sure are interesting. There are also three small samples of La Prairie skin care products, including moisturizer, eye cream, and lip balm. Finally, all the other essentials like an eye shade, toothbrush/toothpaste, ear plug, and pen are there are well.
