NewZealandAtoZ reviews; Air New Zealand

One of the staff recently flew Christchurch -Auckland- San Francisco return and here are his impressions in 2010.

I have never been a great Air New Zealand fan but I was pleasantly surprised by the whole Air NZ experience. Here are a few things that were worth mentioning about my time with them.

I left with no problems apart from the airline changing its baggage rules from two bags of 23kgs to one in the last month and a charge of around $35 for an extra bag. This made it bit hard since I was playing golf and took my on my golf bag. I stuffed this full of my clothes and it came in at 22kgs for my 9 day trip. The flight was on time and the staff were pleasant through to Auckland.

Auckland was easy as my bags where checked all the way through.

I had a full flight to San Francisco I watched a few movies and ate some good food. The seats did feel extra cramped and if the person in front moved their seat back you had to also or your knees would be stuck. I think is common with all airlines as they all want us to buy the next "premium economy seats" for a premium price which were just called economy in the old days.

The flight back was all the same except this time I was refused a soda and lime drink which the hostess was happy to serve me on the way over. The Hostess this time said she would get the lime cordial from business class, then came back saying she was not allowed to serve me the drink because it was a business class drink. I said are you kidding and asked to talk to the purser, he explained after a long chat and my utter dismay that they would give it to me this time but don't expect it next time. I did not want freshly picked and squeezed limes; it was just a splash of cheap nasty lime cordial in the available soda water.

This small bad taste in my mouth was a ridiculous situation which did not need to happen.

Overall the service was great and even the purser explained the "limegate" situation well.

The air host/hostesses were pleasant and professional and it was obvious that most had a lot of experience. It looked to me like Air New Zealand put the youngest host/hostess on domestic routes until they are old enough for the demands of international flight. 

I would fly Air New Zealand again.

Enjoy our national airline.