Summary
- Air Latest Zealand’s helpful app keeps passengers updated with any flight delays, allowing them to regulate their plans accordingly.
- The check-in process at Gold Coast Airport is straightforward to navigate, and the Air NZ agent quickly assisted with luggage.
- Works Class on Air Latest Zealand short-haul flights offer various food options, comfortable seating, and ample legroom for taller passengers.
After two weeks at the favored tourist destination of the Gold Coast, it was time to return home, where my family and I were jetting off with Air Latest Zealand across the Tasman Sea. Air Latest Zealand operates a sturdy network of routes across the ‘pond’; this flight was destined for Christchurch, on the South Island.
NZ278, originally scheduled to depart from Gold Coast Coolangatta Airport (OOL) at 18:45, was delayed by over an hour as a result of the late arrival of the inbound aircraft. Nonetheless, the journey was enjoyable, and I’ll elaborate on one of the best parts below.
Photo: Aaron Bailey | Easy Flying
The carrier prides itself on a helpful app that keeps its passengers up up to now, and we were advised several hours earlier by a push notification that our flight was delayed, so we didn’t rush to the airport.
Gold Coast airport
When arriving on the airport, finding yourself a trolley for luggage will cost you AU$5 ($3.22). Nonetheless, the check-in hall is small and simple to navigate. We opted to envision in via the kiosk; nevertheless, as I used to be traveling with my wife and son, we were quickly assisted by the Air NZ agent, who took charge and checked in our five peices of baggage pieces. This included our stroller, which we could check on the gate.
Passing through security was a breeze; it was around 16:00 on a Saturday, and it took lower than ten minutes. At OOL, you go through general security into the fundamental departure hall for all flights; nevertheless, as we traveled internationally, there was a second checkpoint on the southern side of the terminal.
The domestic a part of the terminal resembled a big food court. Nonetheless, the brand new international wing was modern, clean, and relaxing, including a reasonably cool, busy wall for kids, which my son made good use of.
Photo: Aaron Bailey | Easy Flying
NZ278 ready for boarding
When it got here to boarding, around 19:30, the gate agent opted to make use of the highest of her lungs to call for those requiring special assistance as an alternative of the loudspeaker; nevertheless, fortunately, traveling with a toddler, we opted to board first. We could settle into our seats before the remainder of the passengers got here onboard. On the whole, the boarding experience was quick and painless, and given the flight was behind schedule, all parties involved were keen to get wheels up and be certain for Christchurch.
The aircraft, an Airbus A320neo, with the young age of just 4 years, held the registration ZK-NHC and had operated the inbound CHC to OOL flight before us; these aircraft which can be deployed across the Tasman often facilitate two return services to Australia a day, where this aircraft for September twenty third, operated WLG-MEL-CHC-OOL-CHC.
Photo: Aaron Bailey | Easy Flying
Seated in Row 20, we were fortunate enough to have the row to ourselves, and because the flight was removed from full, there have been several empty rows near the back of the aircraft. Given the flight operating late into the evening, many sat back, relaxed, enjoyed a movie, or napped.
Being 6″1, I often find myself struggling for legroom. Nonetheless, the space on this flight was greater than adequate to get comfortable for the three-hour service.
The flight was smooth, with no big shakes, until we crossed the Southern Alps to Christchurch, where we often experience a number of bumps. Heavy rain and wind have recently battered the region, which has seen other flights delayed or canceled; nevertheless, we, fortunately, were in a position to escape this drama.
Touching down at Christchurch International Airport at 01:17 (as an alternative of the scheduled 23:59) was a pain. Nonetheless, the crew was attentive the whole flight, and after disembarking and passing through passport control, baggage claim and quarantine were a breeze.
Sources: Flightradar24.com