The Summer Series - AKL WLG CHC and DUD with NZ (photo report)
Jan 19, 2006, 5:48 am
#33
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
Programs: Too many golds, no plat: OZ*G, AC*G, NZ*G, VA Gold, QF Gold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 5,350
Originally Posted by MrSydney
Lets face it - BHE will never get a lounge, at least not in our life time!
Jan 19, 2006, 7:47 pm
#35
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
Programs: Too many golds, no plat: OZ*G, AC*G, NZ*G, VA Gold, QF Gold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 5,350
You'd be surprised - it actually does get very overcrowded. Difficult to believe, I know, but true. It's because when they built the new terminal not very many years ago (less than 10 IIRC) they really didn't allow for any traffic growth. The growth since then has been considerable... which may explain two novel experiences coming into BHE recently:
1) On approach, having to go into a holding pattern (admittedly only one short circuit) due to "air traffic congestion at BHE!"
2) More recently, having to wait in the penalty box on arrival until there was a free gate to use for us to disembark, as all (four!) gates were filled with 2xNZ flights, 1x Origin Pacific and 1x air2there. (Before you get too surprised, I should probably point out that none of the aircraft present were more than 19 seaters!)
I'm telling you, it's NZ's next major hub airport!!!
1) On approach, having to go into a holding pattern (admittedly only one short circuit) due to "air traffic congestion at BHE!"
2) More recently, having to wait in the penalty box on arrival until there was a free gate to use for us to disembark, as all (four!) gates were filled with 2xNZ flights, 1x Origin Pacific and 1x air2there. (Before you get too surprised, I should probably point out that none of the aircraft present were more than 19 seaters!)
I'm telling you, it's NZ's next major hub airport!!!
Dec 6, 2007, 3:59 pm
#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,984
Kiwi Flyer's post on the impending 316sqm extension to the AKL Koru Club reminded me that this thread is completely out of date. Air New Zealand is rolling out a program of innovations over the next year to improve the domestic experience, in order to better compete. The online system is being improved, the eTicket and boarding pass are being redesigned, new luggage drop zones are being installed, "new welcome mats, music and an extra-friendly greeting at the gate". None of this has happened yet. However they have started expanding the AKL Domestic lounge.
This post will only focus on the AKL lounge, for the CHC lounge has always too busy for me to snap pictures when I have been visiting. I also do apologise in advance for the brevity of this report – I have other, er productive things to be doing too.
As has always been the case, one enters the lounge at the far end of this picture. After being granted entry, You pass through two desks - from which the new Lounge Concierge team can assist you. To the right as you can see here are located some magazine racks, and one of several television screens -this one is often tuned to a relevant current affairs programming.
View in larger resolution
As you can see the main part of the lounge has been refreshed with the addition of new cushions, and some new artworks and items of furniture.
View in larger resolution
View in larger resolution
View in larger resolution
View in larger resolution
You can see that the end that the lounge has been truncated - obviously for the extension works to be done, while keeping the lounge open.
View in larger resolution
View in larger resolution
View in larger resolution
The extension works are most evident at the end of the lounge where the Playstation is located...
View in larger resolution
View in larger resolution
As you can see the computers have been replaced - of course since I wrote the original Summer Series NZ have installed free wifi in their lounges - now with a password common throughout the network that changes monthly... you just need to remember the ww0rd.
View in larger resolution
And the vital information (which I made you scroll all the way to the bottom for)?
Steinlarger
Steinlarger Premium Light
Speights
Mata Manuka
Mata Artesian
Export Gold
Export Dry
Lion Red
Heineken
Monteiths - varieties Original, Golden, Celtic and Black.
Nobilo Poverty Bay 2005 Chardonnay
Limestone Creek 2004 Pinot Noir
Isabel 2005 Sauvignon Blanc
Alan Scott 2006 Riesling.
Not bad.
This post will only focus on the AKL lounge, for the CHC lounge has always too busy for me to snap pictures when I have been visiting. I also do apologise in advance for the brevity of this report – I have other, er productive things to be doing too.
As has always been the case, one enters the lounge at the far end of this picture. After being granted entry, You pass through two desks - from which the new Lounge Concierge team can assist you. To the right as you can see here are located some magazine racks, and one of several television screens -this one is often tuned to a relevant current affairs programming.
View in larger resolution
As you can see the main part of the lounge has been refreshed with the addition of new cushions, and some new artworks and items of furniture.
View in larger resolution
View in larger resolution
View in larger resolution
View in larger resolution
You can see that the end that the lounge has been truncated - obviously for the extension works to be done, while keeping the lounge open.
View in larger resolution
View in larger resolution
View in larger resolution
The extension works are most evident at the end of the lounge where the Playstation is located...
View in larger resolution
View in larger resolution
As you can see the computers have been replaced - of course since I wrote the original Summer Series NZ have installed free wifi in their lounges - now with a password common throughout the network that changes monthly... you just need to remember the ww0rd.
View in larger resolution
And the vital information (which I made you scroll all the way to the bottom for)?
Steinlarger
Steinlarger Premium Light
Speights
Mata Manuka
Mata Artesian
Export Gold
Export Dry
Lion Red
Heineken
Monteiths - varieties Original, Golden, Celtic and Black.
Nobilo Poverty Bay 2005 Chardonnay
Limestone Creek 2004 Pinot Noir
Isabel 2005 Sauvignon Blanc
Alan Scott 2006 Riesling.
Not bad.
Dec 6, 2007, 5:50 pm
#37
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Thanks ntddevsys.
OMG only 13 beers! 
I thought it was bad when I visited recently and there were only 19. And no Macs 
And the vital information (which I made you scroll all the way to the bottom for)?
Steinlarger
Steinlarger Premium Light
Speights
Mata Manuka
Mata Artesian
Export Gold
Export Dry
Lion Red
Heineken
Monteiths - varieties Original, Golden, Celtic and Black.
Nobilo Poverty Bay 2005 Chardonnay
Limestone Creek 2004 Pinot Noir
Isabel 2005 Sauvignon Blanc
Alan Scott 2006 Riesling.
Not bad.
Steinlarger
Steinlarger Premium Light
Speights
Mata Manuka
Mata Artesian
Export Gold
Export Dry
Lion Red
Heineken
Monteiths - varieties Original, Golden, Celtic and Black.
Nobilo Poverty Bay 2005 Chardonnay
Limestone Creek 2004 Pinot Noir
Isabel 2005 Sauvignon Blanc
Alan Scott 2006 Riesling.
Not bad.
I thought it was bad when I visited recently and there were only 19. And no Macs