Although I have flown to Cairns before (on Qantas) I have not on Air NZ, and it is one of only a handful of Air NZ destinations that I have not flown on Air NZ. So when a great sale fare came up I nabbed it. I first checked that the connection from my domestic travels the same day was reasonable. 100 minutes is a bit tight but doable if no bags and prepared to take the risk as I was. I noted the NZ booking engine gave this connection as an option when flying from Palmerston North (departure point of my previous flight) to Cairns. I would help my odds by selecting an aisle seat near the rear door for Palmerston North to Auckland (possible thanks to my status) and being able to use the NZ premium check in facility at international terminal (thus bypassing the worst of the queues). I was also prepared to run between the terminals if needed. So I was reasonably confident of making the connection.
With the windy weather through much of the country causing delays and cancellations I decided to try to check in at Palmerston North, just in case I would otherwise miss the 1 hour international check in cutoff. Good news - I was able to do so despite being separate tickets. Earlier in the day I had noted the loads looked reasonably light - judging by the booking classes still available for sale. So I asked if I could get the seat beside me blocked. No problem.
Now, I resume arriving in Auckland late. I rushed between the terminals. It is still early for check in for the evening US bound flights so I have no wait at the premium check in counter. I pay my departure tax and check I still have a blocked seat beside me. Oops - that seat has been taken. So I get moved to another row. The boarding pass to Cairns is reprinted on magnetic strip BP stock (the originals are the slim barcoded domestic ones), but not for the return flight.
Quickly through immigration and security and off to the lounge. I notice the new signage advising that liquid duty free can be taken on US-bound flights, but only if purchased at least 90 minutes before departure. There is no mention that any pax connecting in US (including NZ2 same a/c service to LHR) cannot then take the duty free onto the next flight - they will need to be checked in at airport of the entry to US.
In the lounge I head first to the showers to freshen up. The amenity kit has changed - nice large clear bag to comply with liquids rules, and a few extra amenities that had been gone from NZ for a couple of years. Nice to see the improvement. By the time I'm done I have just enough time for a quick glass before heading off to the gate. I notice the lounge is already crowded, and yet most qualifying passengers bound for LAX, SFO, HKG and LHR won't be in the lounge yet. The success of NZ in loads and numbers of elites really needs to be matched on the ground. In the past couple of years the international lounge capacity has decreased - first with the removal of the first class lounge, and then with such improvements as replacing the sleeper room with a kids room, and cordoning off an area for massages (complimentary to certain qualifying passengers, or paid for everyone else).
On the way to the gate I notice the airport has installed yet more advertising - electric billboards. At the gate boarding begins. Even though I can board at any time thanks to my status I elect to wait until the end (yup last passenger to board) to reduce by a few minutes the amount of time I'm squished up.
This is my fifth flight of the day, fifth different aircraft type and fifth "airline". (Despite all flights having NZ flight numbers each different aircraft type is a different subsidiary with the exception of one flight operated by Vincent Aviation for NZ, and Air Nelson operates 2 aircraft types Q300 and Saab 340 of which I only flew Saab 340 today. The other airlines flown are Zeal320 for A320, Mount Cook Airlines for ATR 72-500 and Air NZ mainline for 737-300.)
The flight is fuller than I expected - over 80%. But the middle seat is indeed empty. ^ After doors are shut there is a wait while apparently some bags are located in domestic terminal and brought over to the aircraft. Something must have gone wrong.
After take off meal service begins from the front of the economy cabin. A choice of crumbed fish or chicken and mushroom pie - both with a rice salad and Kapiti icecream. Usual offerings of 4 Montana wines, Lindaur sparkling, beer and spirits.
On the screens first there is the short wellbeing video, then a couple of promotional videos for NZ. Then the movie Casino Royale. There are also several audio channels available.
I grab a bite to eat then doze fitfully for the remainder of the flight.
We arrive on time at Cairns.