I’m on holiday in Sydney Australia, meeting my first nephew Eli. I hadn’t been on a plane since August 2011, so I decided to make the journey here a comfortable one – flying Business Class on Air New Zealand.
Being an Airpoints Silver Member, I receive a recognition upgrade that allows me to request a one-class, one-sector upgrade to use in my membership year – what better time to use this than for my first trip in a year! I specifically searched for the plane which would make my ‘complimentary upgrade’ worth using. I had mixed feelings towards the Boeing 767-300; the plane I’d eventually fly; the cabins are standard and it doesn’t feature fully-flat recline beds. But, I’ve walked past Business Class one too many times on this plane so decided to fly it.
Recognition upgrades are great, except when you’re at the bottom of the Airpoints Premium tier status – Silver. When applying for an upgrade, Silver members don’t actually get upgrade confirmation until 48hours before you fly – it’s a bit of a downer; especially having booked months in advance and, knowing there are plenty available seats. This is one of those times where you favour first-come first-serve policies. The weeks before I flew though, periodically, I’d check seat-availability sites to reassure myself that my upgrade would pull-through. These sites consistently showed plenty of available seats but, seats I still couldn’t touch until 48hours before the flight.
96hours before I fly, I decide to call Air NZ. Within 1minute, the call ends without upgrade confirmation but, some advice to ‘please call back less than 24hours before the flight!! I’m sort of freaking out at this point. I’ve been waiting since June to fly. I have a confirmed ticket, I can finally use my recognition upgrade, and yet I’m told to call back again and less than the 48hours given to Silver members! Umm no. I call back 8am, 2 days before I fly, speak to a helpful customer service rep and, my upgrade is confirmed! Seat 1E. I’m over the moon with excitement. No more worries about upgrading because now I’m officially confirmed!! That was a great day.
Obviously, being confirmed on Business Class is a big thing for me. I remember my first experience travelling like this back in 2007 with my grandma Sally, Air New Zeland Frequent Flyer and Gold Elite Status member for over 10years. Our destination, Beijing China via Hong Kong – one of the best 10hour flights I’d ever been on and actually, my first flight over 4hours and beyond the pacific. Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to continue experiencing this level of service and all its benefits.
The night before my flight, I found it hard to sleep and stayed up till 2am. Followed by a 1.5hour nap, then up again at 4am – 4hours before departure – yeah.. Excited much? I often emphasise to friends that it’s not where you fly, but what class. And this class will keep you up out of pure eagerness and curiousness to do it.
I arrive at the Airport where your Business Class journey begins. I check-in at the Air New Zealand Business Class counters, away from the busyness of queues, crowds and less-frequent flyers. Staff are approachable yet professional and you’re treated with Priority status. Your baggage allowance is 2x23kg bags + 1 carry-on and there is a dedicated lift that sends you directly to the business class customs officer. I’m finally through security and I head straight to the Koru Lounge for breakfast.
The design and layout hasn’t changed much since my last visit. Nonetheless, I’m just happy to be amongst the frequent flyers of today. Ordinary looking people, yet in this world of travel, they’re important – especially to the Airline they choose to fly with. Its no wonder new innovations in-cabin and around memberships have rised. Innovations such as Air New Zealands updated Business Premier; Premium Economys new Spaceseats, and Economy class skycouches; created not only to attract new customers, but also to keep their most loyal.
For breakfast, I had scramble eggs on croissants with a glass of orange juice. Followed by fresh fruit with yoghurt and a mocha. Although the breakfast was filling, the eggs tasted like they were originally powder which left me thinking were actual eggs really that expensive? But aside from that, I was relaxed, full of food and ready, finally ready for my flight.
It’s a full flight; I notice the large number of people sitting around the gate waiting to board. I’m excited to be one of the first to do so. “Boarding call for Business Class passengers..” announcement begins, I’m smiling inside, boarding pass and passport in-hand. I’m through the gate and greeted at the door of the plane, “Welcome aboard Mr. Elise. You’re seat 1E, first aisle seat at the front” – I think to myself, I’ve arrived!
The seating layout for Business is 2-2-2. I’ve never been an ‘isle’-seat person but the views of Australia have become too familiar and the easiness of getting in and out of an isle-seat is more important for use of lavatories, without interrupting the sleeping passenger beside me; or stretching my legs.
Once seated, I’m offered water, juice or bubbles – hesitation caused me to miss out having champagne but, I enjoyed my juice selection nonetheless. Then, my food menu and newspaper arrives before take-off.
Passengers next to me were caught out as one of them was booked in Economy. They both moved to the rear and the head of in-flight crew offered me their seats – 1A&B. The trip hit an extreme high! This seat and row; usually reserved for Gold Elites, was now mine!
My seat featured 50inch seat pitch, room to stretch my legs out without obstruction; and it reclined to 15inches, enough to lay back and sleep. The seat controls were a little confusing but didn’t prevent me from enjoying it.
We’re finally up in the air. There’s a sense of serenity, not only being amongst the clouds, but sitting in a cabin more than half empty – money-loss for AirNZ, yet extra comfort for us passengers.
Before breakfast, I skulled down a berry smoothie followed by a hot towel to wipe-down my face and hands. The cabin crew manager hands me the Australian entry-form with my express-pass; used for fast-tracking long queues at customs – VIP style. Surprisingly, he also takes time to welcome me as well as find out a little about my purpose to Sydney. This in my opinion is top-class service. I understand that on long-haul flights, this may not be possible but the fact that it does exist, increased my view of AirNZ and will probably help keep my loyalty to them a little while longer.
For starters, I had fresh fruit, cereal and a selection of bakery goods – croissants and breads. Then for my hot plate, I had scrambled eggs again with asparagus, tomato and potato mash. I was slightly disappointed. AirNZ needs to up their game as I’d be sorely disappointed if I was a business class paying customer who paid more than a grand to eat re-heated food.
Movies. Music. TV-shows are some of the menu options on the In-flight entertainment screen. I wasn’t happy with the selection of titles available. I remember back in the day when movies on planes were currently only in cinemas – not on DVD or near the end of their cinema showing. I ended up playing games on my trusty iPhone to keep me entertained until the arrival into Sydney.
We finally landed and my journey was coming to an end. But before it did, I made sure I was the first off the plane, thanked the staff for their great service, and made use of my Express-pass. A queue started to form at customs but I walked straight past it through the Express-lane.
At the carousel, your bags are one of the first to appear. I grabbed mine then headed out to see my sister, ending what was a typical trip for the frequent flyer yet an exciting journey for me.
Although there were a few minor downers during my experience, I still would recommend flying Business Class, especially if you haven’t flown it before. The small things which let me down which I mentioned earlier are most likely unnoticeable wouldn’t have noticed if it was my first time or first time in a long time travelling on Business Class. Due to past experience, I have had better but that aside, every time I’m in this style of class, there is undoubtedly no other way to fly!
If you can, do it. If you can’t but have been thinking about it, do it. The only downside once you’ve experienced Business Class would be the memory of having sat in the front, seat 1E, and having to walk past it to sit in coach (Economy) – not looking forward to my return to AKL.
Bnosalb.
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Blason 