Important note: We’re gearing up for a bumper summer season of flying! Airports around the country and in Australia are expected to be busier than usual at peak travel times as both business travellers make their December ‘last trips’ and holidaymakers and tour groups head to their destinations right through January as well. For our clients departing from Auckland Airport you will need to leave for the airport one hour earlier than you usually would do – taking into account the serious peak time congestion on the airport approach roads as well as the queues going through check-in and security. This includes both domestic and international flights. Regrettably airlines will not wait for you and as most flights are oversold they will gladly leave you behind if you check-in late; they also don’t change or refund tickets unless you have a fully flexible ticket. For domestic travellers always check-in for your flight through one of the kiosks or at the Koru Valet Desk (print your boarding card) before you go through security. With queuing time being up to 30 minutes at security at least your airline will know you are in the building. No guarantee but it does improve your chances of making your flight.
Air New Zealand will have on-going delays with its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The engines require repair work which we believe are known repairs and have now become a major problem. The airline is advising us regarding each affected flight. We will then take action on adjusting onward connections. The 787s primarily service Australia, Asia, Honolulu and Buenos Aires. As a stop-gap the airline has chartered two aircraft from Portuguese charter operator ‘Hi Fly’ which will fill in the gaps to Sydney and Perth (possibly other routes). Not what you’re used to but you’ll get there. The broader question as to how this has been allowed to happen will be asked in time.
Air NZ and Singapore Airlines have announced a third daily joint venture flight between Auckland and Singapore commencing next October. This flight will be operated by both airline’s aircraft for half a year each. The northbound flights will depart at 0120hrs/1105hrs/1535hrs. The new 1105hrs departure lands into Singapore at 1630hrs and therefore offers quick connections to India and most of Asia. This will free up seats on the other flights for Europe’s connecting traffic.
Air New Zealand’s Koru Club members using the airline’s Valet Parking Service at Auckland Domestic Terminal now have a new access route. Turn left at Laurence Stevens Drive and enter through the public carpark ‘O’ – take a ticket at the machine.
Singapore Airlines (SQ) has launched its newly designed cabin interiors for their fleet of A380 super-jumbos. Pictured at left is the new First Class Suite which offers a much larger space than the current version and features swivel loungers and beds! The space for each passenger is improved because they will reduce First from twelve people to just an exclusive group of six. Two of the cabins will be suited to couples travelling together. There is an improved new Business Class design as well. Economy Class travellers will get a larger 11.1 inch screen in each seat back.
Cathay Pacific (CX) has now commenced flights between Christchurch and Hong Kong. Operating their excellent Airbus A350 aircraft, flights are seasonal only and operate Monday Thursday and Saturday until the end of March. Cathay operates twice daily from Auckland during our peak-Summer months and has also upgraded the afternoon departure to one of their larger Boeing 777-300 aircraft.
This week Philippine Airlines (PR) has commenced nonstop service Auckland to Manila. The flight operates three times weekly and replaces the narrow-body Airbus A320 that operated via Cairns. The new flight is operated by a wide body Airbus A340 with Business and Economy Class.
Emirates (EK) has reduced the cost for advance seat reservations. If you want to lock in your specific Economy Class seat number the Tasman flights are NZ$15, NZ to Dubai $30 and Dubai to Europe or Africa $20. Platinum, Gold and Silver Skywards members can be pre-seated free of charge. Extra leg room seats range from $75 to $115 per sector. Economy Class travellers can also pay to access Emirates Business Class Lounges at US$100.
Congratulations to Lufthansa (LH) which has become Europe’s first 5-Star Skytrax Airline. Skytrax 5-Star airlines are Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Asiana Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Lufthansa, ANA All Nippon Airways, Garuda Indonesia, EVA Air and Etihad Airways. It recognises the most measureable and highest standards of both airport and on-board product provided by these airlines to their customers, together with consistent and high standards of front-line staff service across the airport and on-board service environments. The key to note is consistency and on-balance across all routes as opposed to emphasis on solely international routes, for which some airlines ham it up and base their entire reputation around. For Lufthansa it is the result of a committed pathway to achieving this higher standard. Many of our clients fly Star Alliance member Lufthansa’s long-haul network from the Pacific Rim gateways and comment on the improvements. Take a look at www.airlineequality.com. Local airlines Qantas and Air New Zealand sit at 4-Star Skytrax. The reference to consistency across all routes and aircraft is noteworthy!