PALMERSTON NORTH to AUCKLAND (PMR-AKL) on NZ ATR 72-500

With a little bit of time to kill to my next flight I head to check in to again get the code to access the lounge. I am reminded to pay my departure tax (again NZ$5 payable in $1 and $2 coins only, no change given, at a machine on the wall). Very annoying.

Then up to the nice lounge. It isn’t huge but has a nice outlook over the apron, some tasty nibbles and several different beers and wines. The newspaper is long gone but there are plenty of magazines. Plenty of desks with power outlets for working on, even watching the telly at the same time.

Boarding is called a little late, and with yet another full flight we can’t make up the time. Other than the business seats on NZ’s A320 and selected Jetconnect (QF) aircraft, I think the ATR 72-500 has the most comfortable seats of all the domestic aircraft. Only 2 abreast and seems the same or slightly more legroom as on the 737. It is noisy though and feels like it is travelling very slow, but looks are deceptive. The flight tracks back over the way I just came, passing directly over Hamilton and continuing on to Auckland. Ahhh.

Meeting and work accomplished, nice food and drink, a couple of naps to catch up on much needed sleep, and cross off 2 more routes as flown. Not a bad day out.