An update on trans-Tasman catering - I flew SYD-WLG on NZ744 in J, and while I was too addled by sleep deprivation (and, by the end of the flight, wine consumption ) to remember to take the menu, what I can report is:
- entree was smoked salmon with a mango (I think?) salsa - salmon was great, salsa a bit sweet but overall a good dish, and nicely complemented by my old favourite the olive and herb bread with Village Press extra virgin olive oil
- for the main I had a delicious lamb dish with mushrooms, it was one of the best main courses I've had on NZ for quite a while. I honestly can't remember what the other options were, but I *think* they were one fish dish and one chilled salad dish (like thai beef salad)
- dessert was the usual delicious ice cream and the usual not very exciting cheeses, I was initially offered either/or but there was no problem in having both
- wines included both Deutz and No. 1 Cuvee (a Marlborough sparkler made by the Le Brun family) as bubbly options (both are good but in very different styles); Lawsons Dry Hills sauvignon blanc; and West Brook pinot noir. There were at least 1 more red and 1 more white offered but I can't for the life of me remember them. Dessert wine was the faaaaaaaaabulous Forrest Estate botrytised riesing, which is an old favourite
- service was excellent, from an older FA who was extremely friendly and professional. She didn't seem like a Zeal320 crew member though I could be wrong. Is it possible they have some of the older Wellington-based crew serving in business class? I notice she was assisted by another (much younger) FA at the start of the flight to get the DVD players distributed etc.
- overall a great flight with excellent service, like pre-Zeal320 days.

I flew back in Y on the awful early morning NZ741 WLG-SYD flight which was quite a contrast. Although I no longer have any status , I had booked the flight while still *G so having that printed on my boarding pass was enough for me to be able to blag my way into the lounge, use business class check in etc. I got a row of 3 seats at the back of the plane blocked for me too, so I could try to get some sleep before starting my long working day, so great ground service there. The international lounge at WLG was its usual not particularly impressive self - food options are very limited though it was nice to see they have hot sausages as an option alongside the fruit, cereal and toast. The flight itself was not particularly impressive - a very junior crew (which showed in amateurish cabin announcements etc) and a small and fairly disgusting breakfast offering of a few tiny fruit pieces in syrup and a greasy breakfast quiche. Even the apple juice seemed watered down - so no indication that catering levels are improving there. (Incidentally, it was quite a different experience to be so far down the back of the plane - getting off the plane took an eternity with all the very infrequent flyers seemingly concentrated at the back. Reminds me why I like row 5... though with no status now I guess I'm not going to get that very often

So, a bit of a mixed bag overall. At least the business food, wine and service was well up to scratch, which is the most important thing as far as I'm concerned