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Index to this trip report
===================== INTRODUCTION Looking at my schedule I notice I have quite a lot of transpacific flights within a 5 week period, and that they are on a mixture of airlines and classes of travel. So I thought it might be useful reporting on them together in one place to aid comparisons. |
AUCKLAND to TOKYO (AKL-NRT) on NZ 777-200ER in economy
Apologies for the false start. I didn't realise how little time I had before boarding. Another early start to head to the airport. Fortunately this flight is not as early as the first Australian flights, but still early enough for me. I got dropped off at domestic terminal and I walked across to international in the fine, still morning air. From the monitors I noticed check in was already open which surprised me and headed to the Air NZ premium check in lobby (for business class, premium economy, star alliance gold and koru club). At 6am this was fairly quiet - a lull between the first wave of Australian departures and the next wave. I was checked into the first flight fairly easily. I checked how full the flight was and thus whether it would be possible to have the seat beside me blocked. 3 empties (assuming everyone turns up) and from a peek at the expected pax sheet I was one of only a couple of top elites on the flight. My chances were moderate. Nonetheless a phone call to seating returned a less optimistic answer. I could take a seat right at the back and hope the seat alongside stays empty (no promises) or keep with the seat I had. Incidentally this is a different seat (not quite as far forward) to the one I'd pre-selected months ago :( For reasons that hopefully will be obvious shortly, I elected to keep the seat I had and thus guarantee I wouldn't have an empty seat beside me. I realise NZ doesn't guarantee seat selections, but once onboard there was no obvious reason why I'd been moved. No higher status pax in my seat to bump me off my selection, not needed to keep a family or group together. I hadn't selected a bulkhead seat so it wasn't that they needed my seat to use the bassinet. Oh well - at least it was only a couple of rows further back. If it had been 10 or more rows then I wouldn't have been happy. |
I had a short transfer at NRT, which incidentally can no longer be booked on NZ's website due to forced minimum connection time on the website far in excess of actual MCT :mad: (why oh why do they do this? putting artificial constraints just causes headaches and drives business away &/or to a TA unneccessarily).
So I was keen to get the return boarding pass, which can normally be done for many destinations (including Tokyo on SQ ex-AKL). This is also a reason for rejecting a seat at the rear of the aircraft. With time short and potentially needing to get checked in either at transfer desk or landside check in every minute getting out of the aircraft could be vital. I was able to change seats on the onward flight, in order to ensure an empty seat (load wasn't quite as full and they were prepared to put the block in). Once again, though, the first proffered seat did not match my selection months ago. But when it came to print out the boarding pass the computer refused to do it. The agent tried lots of approaches, checked with the other agents, checked with IS and still no result. On another desk they thought they had a result, into that printer jammed up and wouldn't restart. Then finally a boarding pass spits out of a printer. Only it is the first flight. Another try and a blank boarding pass is ejected. By now some 30 minutes had elapsed. I had long ago consigned myself to the need to check in at Tokyo but hung around because the agent was so eager to try everything and yes I had time to kill. I was also keeping an eye out for mahasamatman (+1) who was due for their flight soon. Finally, success ^ 30 minutes, involving several staff (both check in and other) - lucky it was so quiet at this time eh?, several computers and printers, and one star for persevering. A boarding pass was printed (albeit some incorrect info but given the hassles in getting this far I just crossed my fingers the incorrect info would not matter). I thanked the agents profusely and made a mental note of their names to follow up with NZ. Then to the immigration officer. I am not sure what she thought about this odd passenger who had been trying to check in for more than 30 minutes and shuffling back and forth. Perhaps because of this I didn't get any questions about my short expected time away and was soon upstairs, through security and into the lounge. I grabbed a coffee or three and checked my email. The lounge was initially fairly empty but steadily filled by the time my flight was called. |
As mentioned already, it was a full flight (not only in economy but premium economy and business class had been sold out for weeks) and so boarding took a while. I'm struggling to remember the last time I took Air NZ longhaul which wasn't either totally full or very nearly so, perhaps as far back as May?
Before take off the ISM came by to say hello and offer a newspaper, which I declined having already read one in the lounge. The December IFE magazine listing was onboard but we only had November programs loaded :( Here is what you get on NZ's AVOD system on 744/772 aircraft, in all cabins. Shortly after take off we had breakfast. The offering was an omelette and sausage or Japanese option (salmon and rice), plus the usual drinks (champagne, several different juices, tea, coffee, water, green tea, or something stronger). Chopsticks supplied. Also fresh fruit selection, small roll, a low fat fruit yoghurt and a pottle of orange juice. Afterwards the crew came through regularly with water - at least every 45 minutes ^ Mid flight we were given a sorbet (mine leaked once it defrosted enough - fortunately onto the tray table not over me) and later some snack thing (sorry not sure what exactly as I missed it while dozing). A couple of hours before landing we had lunch. Choice was beef with sauce or Japanese meal option of fish and rice (and veges, tofu etc). I managed to get a little bit of sleep in flight. Next up, transit in Tokyo. |
Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer
(Post 8830313)
The December IFE magazine listing was onboard but we only had November programs loaded :( Here is what you get on NZ's AVOD system on 744/772 aircraft, in all cabins. |
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In transit in Tokyo
Once again I'm transitting at Narita airport, for maybe the 20th time in the past couple of years. See here and here for some recent transits, for example. We had a gate at the end of the satellite pier, arriving after a long taxi. Despite two airbridges being connected for some reason only door 1L was used to disembark. By the time I got off there was a lot of people ahead of me along the pier. I power walked past most of them by the time I reached transit security. A couple of questions about my destination (I think I mentioned my boarding pass wasn't quite right earlier) and soon through. I noticed the new Qantas lounge was right in front of me and appeared to be lit despite being earlier than the opening hours published on their website (1700). I tried my luck and the lounge had opened already. They accepted my open door entry (thanks to status) and reminded me (not that I needed reminding) that there would be no boarding call for my flight but it would still show on the monitor. The lounge is quite nice, but not a touch on the JL F lounge at NRT which I'd visited a few times a month or so ago. Come to think of it this must be my 9th or 10th different lounge I've used at NRT, and there are still plenty I have yet to visit! There are showers and a nice bathroom (but paper towels not cloth). A food area with various snacks and tasty nibbles, some soup, coffee and juices. A separate bar (around the corner from the food) with okay drink but nothing particular outstanding. There are about a dozen computer terminals and wifi as well. I caught up on some email, had a quick bite and couple of drinks, before heading out slightly early for my flight. On the way I popped into the Sakura lounge - which Air NZ uses for premium and elite passengers (the unusual arrangement is due to the JL codeshares on the flights - which date back well before Air NZ joined *A). The lounge agent double checked that I had lounge access - I guess most people using the lounge on Air NZ either are in business class, or have an invite card from check in at NRT. She reprinted my boarding pass - phew the anomaly was not important. I guess the reprint is so the BP works okay in the BP scanner at the gate? I took a look around the lounge, which was heaving in comparison to the rather empty QF lounge I had just left. Drink selection was poor. There was no food out when I first wandered by the servery, but moments later a horde of passengers descended on a couple of plates of snacks which lasted all of 10 seconds before the plates were empty. Hmmm. No computers or much else to amuse oneself (unless can read the Japanese newspapers or magazines), and with only a few minutes until boarding I decided to cut my losses and head over to the gate. In the gate area some roving staff were checking carry-ons and asking more than a few people to gate check the larger ones. Boarding was called slightly late. |
TOKYO to CHRISTCHURCH (NRT-CHC) on Air NZ 777-200ER in economy class
On boarding I was stopped at the aircraft door. Not for an op-up (business and premium economy again totally full), but to be given today's NZ newspaper ^ The FA had memorised my name on the load sheet as being the only top status pax in economy today and had the newspaper ready for me at the door. Wow I settled into my seat early and it became apparent the middle seat block was working. Even better news followed, no - not an op-up, but rather an invite to a whole row they'd reserved for me. I accepted the offer in a flash and confirmed I could leave my bags at my allocated seat, and move their later for faster disembarkation. Hooray on this row at the back of the forward economy cabin the armrests go all the way up. I made a note to store this fact away for future reference when selecting seats. They don't on most seats due to the electronics in the armrest (at least since the AVOD system was installed). The crew were fabulous - business headphones, a huge water bottle, premium economy mini amenity kit, asked before takeoff which meals if any I wanted to be woken for, extra blankets and pillows, business class wine, and so on. Dinner was an hour after take off. A choice of steak and Japanese meal (fish and rice again). I forgot to mention earlier that before each meal a wet warm cloth towel was handed out to freshen up with ^ I managed a fitful sleep and was woken about 3 hours prior to landing with the PA about breakfast choices. Grrr the noise cancelling headphones had slipped partly off during the night. It took an hour after the announcement (ie when I'd dozed back off) before the trolleys came through this cabin - why announce so early before they are ready? Surely it couldn't have taken them nearly an hour just to serve the rear economy cabin? I was sleepy so didn't take much notice of the breakfast offering. All too soon we were descending over the Southern Alps into a bleak and cool Christchurch. Through passengers were asked to wait before disembarking to let those leaving in Christchurch off first. I'd booked a separate flight from Christchurch in order to maximise mileage earning, and because I suspected immigration at Christchurch would be quicker and easier than immigration at Auckland. I was right. No wait at immigration. A few puzzled looks by the officer scanning my record and a welcome back. Straight through customs and x-ray, exit landside, and turn right for the connected domestic terminal. |
CHRISTCHURCH to AUCKLAND (CHC-AKL) on NZ 737-300 in economy class
I was able to use the quick check machine to get my boarding pass. I wasn't sure if this was going to be possible given the international flights on the same ticket. There were no better seats to change to. I was disappointed that between booking and the date of flight the A320 had changed to a 737-300, so no business class seat for me. BTW you can very easily tell which (few) domestic flights are operated on A320 aircraft (and thus have 8 business class seats selectable by elites) - they have a flight number starting with 9xx, or 14xx or 15xx. When the operating aircraft switches to/from an A320 the leading 1 is added (change from 737-300 to A320) or removed (change from A320 to 737-300). I headed through security and into the nice Koru Club lounge. Having skipped onboard I had a late breakfast - there was a wide selection of foods which was soon replaced by morning tea snacks and a bit later by lunch food. I caught up on email, some work and FT. Eventually boarding was called. The flight was totally full. I skipped the tea coffee or water and tried to doze. I was too sleepy to read my book. The young kids sitting around me got to hand out the lollies before descent - hmmm this is a change (back to the old ways). Last time they were available only for those taking a hot drink, at the time of being served. We arrived on time and I was quickly on my way. |
Thus ends the first section of this report. Stay tuned for a new instalment soon.
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Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer
(Post 8838101)
The crew were fabulous - business headphones, a huge water bottle, premium economy mini amenity kit, asked before takeoff which meals if any I wanted to be woken for, extra blankets and pillows, business class wine, and so on.
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It was great economy service ^
It has been a while since I've flown premium economy but unless it has changed recently (for the worse) I am sure the kit is not the business class one. I didn't get the business class slippers and IIRC missing something else as well. I'll have to check what that was. The kit itself was smaller - about half the size (so toothbrush sticking out) and not clear like the business class one. |
Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer
(Post 8838892)
It was great economy service ^
It has been a while since I've flown premium economy but unless it has changed recently (for the worse) I am sure the kit is not the business class one. I didn't get the business class slippers and IIRC missing something else as well. I'll have to check what that was. The kit itself was smaller - about half the size (so toothbrush sticking out) and not clear like the business class one. I had thought Premium Economy got the same kit (which would make sense in terms of bulk buying... easier supply to the plane etc). Unless this is a NRT only difference... |
I've now had a chance to check the mini amenity kit. It is half size bag for the business kit in the same clear(ish) plastic with zip closure. It had an eye mask, but no socks, ear plugs, toothbrush (yes sticking out the top) and toothpaste.
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