AUCKLAND to WELLINGTON (AKL-WLG) on NZ A320 with Biz seats

I found myself heading to Nelson again at short notice. As the fare is the same whether flying direct or via Wellington and the flights with convenient timing would have an A320 to Wellington and thus an excellent chance of getting a business class seat on the all economy domestic flight thanks to my status. So I decided to take the slightly longer way. The extra miles and segment credit is just an added bonus. I head back out to the airport early one morning, get the couple of boarding passes from the quick check in machine, first changing my FFP# to credit to another program, and yes I did get a business class seat, through security and up to the lounge. I have enough time to grab breakfast before boarding is called.

I board and settle into my seat. There is a short delay before push back as the last passengers board one group at a time. Apparently there was some problem with “the computers” which slowed down the check in process. While we wait the captain apologises for the delay and reassures those connecting passengers with short connections that the onward flights will be held for them.

The flight itself is uneventful. Unfortunately little views thanks to the extensive cloud cover, with just the peaks of the volcanoes Taranaki on the right and Ruapehu on the left poking through. We land to a chilly Wellington slightly late, the time saved by a straight in approach from the north lost to the headwinds en route. As I have a long enough connection I head to the nearby lounge while I wait for the onward flight, checking the monitors on my way for the gate which has changed since I checked in.