NAPIER-HASTINGS to CHRISTCHURCH (NPE-CHC) on NZ Q300

I have enough time for a quick lounge visit, once I get the access code from check in. But first I change seats on this flight. When I originally booked I had a transfer time in Christchurch of 85 minutes, but schedule changes had cut this to a mere 20 minutes. Given all southbound flights had been arriving late today, and the short transfer time, I didn’t think it was a good idea to be sitting almost at the rear of the aircraft. With my onward flight being the last of the day, and the weird routing, I am most likely the only passenger on this flight with a connection. Yet despite having status I was allocated a seat right at the back. It doesn’t make sense to me. (For anyone wondering, the flight was not previously scheduled to run on an ATR which would make a rear seat sensible.)

The lounge is basic. No fruit. Cheese and crackers. Tea, coffee and water. Several wines and a few different beers. Juices. No magazines and the day’s newspapers are long gone.

The sun sets while I wait in the lounge.