CHRISTCHURCH to AUCKLAND (CHC-AKL) on Air New Zealand 737-300 in "improved" economy

The Koru Club has had some minor modifications since my previous visit a few days before. The old business centre is now some extra comfy seats in the alcove. There are some extra stools at just the right height to put on food or drink. A little extension corner behind the "inner lounging area" has opened - it has lots of glass windows so a bit of a zoo A new business centre behind reception is still being fitted out. And there was one computer on the big table, with the printer in the corner of the inner lounging area.

I wasn't enthused and decided to change my flight to an earlier one. The agent was happy to change me as I was on a fully flexible fare and the earlier flight was only mostly full, not totally full.

The usual mid morning food was on offer. Some warm cheesy potato bits, scones, muffins (two or three flavours), biscuits. The usual hot and cold drinks.

Boarding was called a few minutes later. I just got the flight changed in time before it was closed. On the way to the gate next door I noticed the aircraft had the green Air NZ Holidays decal, thus it was one of the first few a/c with the improved economy seating in the forward rows. See this thread on NZ forum for more info. As a late switching passenger I didn't get my usual seat in the first couple of rows, and thus didn't get the full benefits of the extra few inches of seat pitch. Still, the extra 1" at my row was enough to make the flight a bit more comfortable.

As a weekend flight the catering was a choice of a small bag of casava crisps, lollies (pineapple lumps IIRC) or dried banana pieces. Tea, coffee or water.

We left a few minutes late but made up time en route to arrive on time.