After flying down from Christchurch via Mount Cook, it was time to head back to Auckland. I had a fairly long transit in Queenstown as I had booked a late flight just I case there was an issue with my Mount Cook Flights. As we had arrived early, I asked the Check In agent if there was anyway I could switch to the Auckland bound flight which was due to board in around 10minutes. She went over and talked to a supervisor. He came over and did a few checks on the computer. I was completely expecting him to say there wasn't anyway, or it would cost me extra. But surprisingly he said that was fine and what seat would I like. Due to everyone else being already checked in, I had slim pickings. I nabbed seat 4F, the best side of the AC views wise. I passed through security, happy I didn't have a massive long transit.


Boarding called, we boarded our Airbus A320 via Airstairs. It was a goof feeling when the doors closed and there was absolutely no one sitting in my row. I stretched out and watched the safety briefing. We taxied to the end of the runway, and then took off to the South. It was a fabulous climb out of this Alpine Town. Most of the surrounding peaks looked bare with only minimal snow. We climbed to 34.000ft and made good time north. The flight from Queenstown to Auckland (or vice versa) takes around 100minutes and has a flight path straight over the West Coast of New Zealand. The views were incredible over the Southern Alps. We passed Mount Cook, looking grand as it towered above the other peaks. As we neared the top of the South Island, we hit a cloud layer which cut out the view. I had a cup of coffee and a biscuit while reading a book I pulled out of my carry on. Mt Taranaki rised above the cloud layer, it looked bare of snow. We started our descent into Auckland and passed through the fairly thin cloud layer. After no time at all, we skidded onto the runway. It felt good to be on the ground, but due to my early flight from ZQN, it meant I had a longish transit before my final flight for the day.