So back at the airport. Again.
Too early for Check-in. Again.
Oh well, a new day.
We head up to the mezanine in T2 where there are a couple of restaurants, and have breakfast.
We are first in line when the Air New Zealand counters open.
While we're waiting, we saw a crew for Aeroflot checking in. Very bright uniforms.
This was on the counter. I have no idea what it says. Maybe I missed the chance to win a trip to New Zealand.
I may never know.
We got some good economy seats, with the chance of better seats at the gate.
At least now we can go through Avseco and Customs. Having done a couple of laps of the checkin hall, there is nothing left to see here.
Through the formalities, there are shops in both directions. Being a Koru member, I have access to the China Airlines lounge, so we head on upstairs to that. A relaxed sit down and a juice is just what the doctor ordered.
We then set off to look at the shops.
Lots of souvenirs. Tea, silk, biscuits.
Sarah is looking in a silk shop at some tops, so I wander around a bit.
Lo and behold, at the other end of that same shop, is a table with slippers.
You guessed it, they are exactly the ones Sarah has been looking for all over Bangkok, Hanoi and Hong Kong. And yes, the same ones we saw at the gardens yesterday when we didn't bother taking cash.
So she comes on over, and finds herself a few pairs to buy. At last!
Heading towards our gate, we see the crew coming. I recognise the vice-captain, who is from Christchurch. We have a quick chat, until he has to catch up with the rest of the Flight Crew.
Then the Cabin Crew come through, and I recognise one hostie also from Christchurch.
I find out later that only NZ based Tech and ISMs do this flight. The rest of the cabin crew is Shanghai based.
Just before boarding, I go up to the gate staff, and they have new seats for us. Nice.
To be honest, I have never been a fan of Air New Zealand's business class seats, in their herringbone configuration. Very insular. Not really geared for couples conversation. Do you sit in the same 'row' face each other feet to feet and talk across the aisle, or adjascent rows so that one gets a sore neck turning to talk over their shoulder?
But then, they are called BUSINESS class, after all. I guess the demographic is the single travelling businessman. Either that or couples happy to spend a few hours close but not talking.
Let me clarify this criticism, because it is just a personal thing.
The business class seat is very cleverly designed. The footstool that I use to recline for the flight, can be used for somebody to sit on while visiting. In fact, with your meal tray in place, you can sit up, while the wife (or hubby) parks opposite you at the same 'table', on the stool. A very practical way for a couple to share a meal.
Also, the seats do not fully recline to the famous 'flat-bed' that other airlines trumpet. To get your flat-bed, you need to stand up, hit the button so that your seat back flips forward to create a fully flat bed. One of the cabin crew now materializes with a duvet and pillow.
So my criticism is that I have to make a decision to change my position:
I must decide to go and sit with Sarah to eat, or I must decide to go to bed.
I prefer the old-style business class seats, where we are side-by-side. We can chat whenever we like, during a movie or during a meal. I can also recline as far as I want, while still watching my movie.
The big thing is that I may just nod off whenever I need to. I don't need to make the decision to 'go to bed', in the old style seats.
Yes I know you can move the screen around to watch while 'in bed'. But that's not the point.
The more I write this, the more petty it seems. Let's just finish with this. I love how clever the Air New Zealand Business Premier seats are. I love all of the features and nooks and crannies that are within reach, even when I forget where I put the bottle of water. But I also like to be able to glance over and see Sarah's pretty face while she sleeps.
And drools onto her new blouse. Hilarious!
This was going to be a fairly long flight, and I was very grateful to be parked up the sharp end.
Since I last traveled at this end of the bus, there have been improvements.
The seat seems more padded, along with the mattress. The inflight kit is really nice. It wasn't for a long time. Ive always liked our Inflight entertainment system, and this is even better. Better than any other carrier I've traveled on. Ever.
It's often the simple things that entertain me. One thing that makes me smile with the Air New Zealand IFE, is the map.
Traditionally, and still on most aircraft around the world, the map was a clunky, lo-res image, that would scroll through perhaps 3-4 screens. World, closer to the aircraft, then speed, time and altitude.
On the Air New Zealand map, it's like using google maps on an iPad. See the plane? Then just zoom in with your fingers.
I think the trick is that the screens on Air New Zealand aircraft are not only better resolution, but the touch control is as sensitive as an iPad. The old system would be touch screen, but only just. How often do you tap the onscreen button to do something, only to wait to see if it registered? Hit it a few more times to get a reaction, and the system will just as likely crash as respond.
Anyway, the flight back home was not only a huge relief after last night, but also a very comfortable and impressive experience. It helps that I could alleviate the age old 'numb bum' issue by spending the entire flight with my seat reclined and my feet up. The only exception to this was when dinner was served.
The crew is great. The Shanghai-based staff were very attentive and friendly. Both ISMs stopped by for a chat. Not only Beverley from Christchurch, but the senior ISM wanted to chat with Sarah about our tour experiences. She is planning to bring her teenagers to China. She already knows Shanghai well, but was interested in how to do the rest. Wendy Wu and our friend Ricky got glowing reports.
Also, Murray the vice-captain came back for a chat. He was amused by our 'adventure' last night.
Sure, it doesn't hurt that I know two of the staff onboard, but the reality is that all of the staff, unlike so many crews on so many airlines, went out of their way to be friendly and helpful.
Too often, crews over time have tended to forget why they entered the industry. They have forgotten that a 12hr flight may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many, or even a once-a-year holiday for the more fortunate. Every element of every flight will impact, layer upon layer, the collective experience of each passenger. For many crew members, however, it's just another day at the office.
Because of all of that, when you hit the crew button at hour seven to get a drink, nothing. No answer.
Too many have deserved the title of "Marie Celeste Airways", for going hours with no visible crew.
But that's not this flight. That's not this crew. We had probably the best long-haul experience we've ever had. And we've had a few over the years.
Too early for Check-in. Again.
Oh well, a new day.
We head up to the mezanine in T2 where there are a couple of restaurants, and have breakfast.
We are first in line when the Air New Zealand counters open.
While we're waiting, we saw a crew for Aeroflot checking in. Very bright uniforms.
This was on the counter. I have no idea what it says. Maybe I missed the chance to win a trip to New Zealand.
I may never know.
We got some good economy seats, with the chance of better seats at the gate.
At least now we can go through Avseco and Customs. Having done a couple of laps of the checkin hall, there is nothing left to see here.
Through the formalities, there are shops in both directions. Being a Koru member, I have access to the China Airlines lounge, so we head on upstairs to that. A relaxed sit down and a juice is just what the doctor ordered.
We then set off to look at the shops.
Lots of souvenirs. Tea, silk, biscuits.
Sarah is looking in a silk shop at some tops, so I wander around a bit.
Lo and behold, at the other end of that same shop, is a table with slippers.
You guessed it, they are exactly the ones Sarah has been looking for all over Bangkok, Hanoi and Hong Kong. And yes, the same ones we saw at the gardens yesterday when we didn't bother taking cash.
So she comes on over, and finds herself a few pairs to buy. At last!
Heading towards our gate, we see the crew coming. I recognise the vice-captain, who is from Christchurch. We have a quick chat, until he has to catch up with the rest of the Flight Crew.
Then the Cabin Crew come through, and I recognise one hostie also from Christchurch.
I find out later that only NZ based Tech and ISMs do this flight. The rest of the cabin crew is Shanghai based.
Just before boarding, I go up to the gate staff, and they have new seats for us. Nice.
To be honest, I have never been a fan of Air New Zealand's business class seats, in their herringbone configuration. Very insular. Not really geared for couples conversation. Do you sit in the same 'row' face each other feet to feet and talk across the aisle, or adjascent rows so that one gets a sore neck turning to talk over their shoulder?
But then, they are called BUSINESS class, after all. I guess the demographic is the single travelling businessman. Either that or couples happy to spend a few hours close but not talking.
Let me clarify this criticism, because it is just a personal thing.
The business class seat is very cleverly designed. The footstool that I use to recline for the flight, can be used for somebody to sit on while visiting. In fact, with your meal tray in place, you can sit up, while the wife (or hubby) parks opposite you at the same 'table', on the stool. A very practical way for a couple to share a meal.
Also, the seats do not fully recline to the famous 'flat-bed' that other airlines trumpet. To get your flat-bed, you need to stand up, hit the button so that your seat back flips forward to create a fully flat bed. One of the cabin crew now materializes with a duvet and pillow.
So my criticism is that I have to make a decision to change my position:
I must decide to go and sit with Sarah to eat, or I must decide to go to bed.
I prefer the old-style business class seats, where we are side-by-side. We can chat whenever we like, during a movie or during a meal. I can also recline as far as I want, while still watching my movie.
The big thing is that I may just nod off whenever I need to. I don't need to make the decision to 'go to bed', in the old style seats.
Yes I know you can move the screen around to watch while 'in bed'. But that's not the point.
The more I write this, the more petty it seems. Let's just finish with this. I love how clever the Air New Zealand Business Premier seats are. I love all of the features and nooks and crannies that are within reach, even when I forget where I put the bottle of water. But I also like to be able to glance over and see Sarah's pretty face while she sleeps.
And drools onto her new blouse. Hilarious!
This was going to be a fairly long flight, and I was very grateful to be parked up the sharp end.
Since I last traveled at this end of the bus, there have been improvements.
The seat seems more padded, along with the mattress. The inflight kit is really nice. It wasn't for a long time. Ive always liked our Inflight entertainment system, and this is even better. Better than any other carrier I've traveled on. Ever.
It's often the simple things that entertain me. One thing that makes me smile with the Air New Zealand IFE, is the map.
Traditionally, and still on most aircraft around the world, the map was a clunky, lo-res image, that would scroll through perhaps 3-4 screens. World, closer to the aircraft, then speed, time and altitude.
On the Air New Zealand map, it's like using google maps on an iPad. See the plane? Then just zoom in with your fingers.
I think the trick is that the screens on Air New Zealand aircraft are not only better resolution, but the touch control is as sensitive as an iPad. The old system would be touch screen, but only just. How often do you tap the onscreen button to do something, only to wait to see if it registered? Hit it a few more times to get a reaction, and the system will just as likely crash as respond.
Anyway, the flight back home was not only a huge relief after last night, but also a very comfortable and impressive experience. It helps that I could alleviate the age old 'numb bum' issue by spending the entire flight with my seat reclined and my feet up. The only exception to this was when dinner was served.
The crew is great. The Shanghai-based staff were very attentive and friendly. Both ISMs stopped by for a chat. Not only Beverley from Christchurch, but the senior ISM wanted to chat with Sarah about our tour experiences. She is planning to bring her teenagers to China. She already knows Shanghai well, but was interested in how to do the rest. Wendy Wu and our friend Ricky got glowing reports.
Also, Murray the vice-captain came back for a chat. He was amused by our 'adventure' last night.
Sure, it doesn't hurt that I know two of the staff onboard, but the reality is that all of the staff, unlike so many crews on so many airlines, went out of their way to be friendly and helpful.
Too often, crews over time have tended to forget why they entered the industry. They have forgotten that a 12hr flight may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many, or even a once-a-year holiday for the more fortunate. Every element of every flight will impact, layer upon layer, the collective experience of each passenger. For many crew members, however, it's just another day at the office.
Because of all of that, when you hit the crew button at hour seven to get a drink, nothing. No answer.
Too many have deserved the title of "Marie Celeste Airways", for going hours with no visible crew.
But that's not this flight. That's not this crew. We had probably the best long-haul experience we've ever had. And we've had a few over the years.
