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

Another of the rare fog-bound early mornings at AKL. Check in was closed for all flights when I arrived and already there were crowds landside - many of whom would have arrived on the overnight flights from SFO, LAX, PER, etc.

As I had OLCI'ed and printed out the pdf boarding pass months ago at time of booking, and had no bags to check I could head straight through a deserted security to the lounge. Security asked if I had Koru Club access - presumably they were stopping everyone else (as there is no check in airside other than inside the lounge, anyone without lounge access who was affected by cancellations or misconnections would need to get seen to landside).

I was welcomed back and waved in even before I had a chance to produce my boarding pass. I could see the question before she moved her lips - weren't you here yesterday morning also? Why yes, I was.

Fortunately I hadn't booked the early morning flight so I did not need to use the lounge check in to sort things out. Instead I grabbed a computer and watched the lounge steadily fill as flight after flight was cancelled.

The hot breakfast on offer was some horrid looking sausages and baked beans. Otherwise cereal (choice of a couple different ones), fruit, toast, condiments, ham & cheese. One of the 2 coffee machines was broken

The fog started clearing earlier than a couple of weeks ago, after just a few hours. Thus less than a dozen cancellations although many subsequent flights were delayed. My flight was basically on time.

Given the earlier cancellations I was astounded to find the flight wasn't totally full when the FA let me know there was a spare row down the back on offer if I wanted to switch.

The inflight service was as normal (offer of the 3 types of snacks plus tea coffee or water) although rushed more than usual - the rubbish was collected about 35 minutes into the 1 hour 20 minute flight.

I'm not sure why but the usual IFE of kiwi trivia questions was turned off at top of descent and replaced by someone skiing down various hillsides (looked like somewhere in USA or Canada rather than NZ). As there are no headset and I missed seeing the title screen I am not sure what it was about.

We arrived slightly late.