CHRISTCHURCH to HAMILTON (CHC-HLZ) on NZ Q300

I have enough time to grab a drink or two and surf FT. The the flight is called, just once being a prop flight, at gate 5. Gates 5 to 8 are inside security, unlike the other prop gates, and so there is a modest queue at the gate from passengers who’ve just realised that they needed to go through security. Nonetheless, boarding is quick. I thought I had scored some extra space until the last passenger to board, who came a couple of minutes after everyone else, took the seat next to me. There was only one empty seat on the flight, next to an off duty NZ pilot.

We took off on time, and with benefit of tailwinds arrived a little early. Onboard service was very cheery – this makes quite a difference to have FAs who so obviously enjoy their job. First run through is water pottle. Then cups for tea/coffee, plus offer of the mini biscuit that has been removed from 737 flights. Then 3 runs through each of tea and coffee, plus another to hand out sweets and a couple to collect rubbish. All this by a sole FA on a full flight taking not much more than an hour!

Again great views in the South Island. Most of the north Canterbury cloud had cleared, with just a light mist against the foothills and in the valleys, giving a soft edge to the harsh landscape. Further north we had great views of Nelson to the left, with Farewell Spit clearly visible in a high but receding tide, and the Marlborough Sounds and the southern Wellington coast to our right. Then the low cloud from the middle of Cook Strait until minutes away from landing in Hamilton. We flew low over the city, turned and landed to the south.