Mini Tour of NZ

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WELLINGTON to TAUPO (WLG-TUO) on NZ Beech 1900D

The time until my flight passes quickly and all too soon the flight is called. Followed a minute later by another call. I guess they are waiting for me (again), so rush off to the end of the finger pier. Sure enough they had already closed the gate and were packing up when I arrived. I take my seat and there is one seat free. There is a delay while they offload some bags – the flight is too heavy. Then after some debate they decide to put some of the offloaded bags back on. Then the last passenger turns up and they take some more bags off. All the while it is very stuffy inside on a warm day with no air ventilation. When they finally close the hold and passenger doors and start up the aircon comes as a relief.

Thus we left a little late. We rush onto the runway in between two landings and then take off. We head north across Cook Strait past the sweep of the North Island coastline. The mountain ranges surrounding Nelson and the cone of Taranaki marking the western end of the strait to our left. After what seems an age compared to the more usual jet flights north we recross the coast beside Wanganui and head inland up the rugged hill country. As we go the cloud gradually builds. The rivers snake through deep gorges, their course so tortuous that it is impossible to tell upstream from downstream.

By the time we reach the volcanic plateau the cloud cover is extensive and we only get glimpses of the terrain below. We fly over Tongariro and descend, emerging from the cloud near Turangi township and the small Tongariro delta. The anglers amongst the readers may be familiar with the Tongariro River as the source of the Waikato (New Zealand’s longest river) and a prime fishing spot. A decade ago it was devastated by ashfall from the Ruapehu eruptions and made acidic. It has since cleared nicely and indeed the protective barriers for the high current lahar risk are designed specifically to keep the debris from entering the Tongariro River system and thus Lake Taupo.

We fly low over the bluffs of the eastern shoreline of New Zealand’s largest lake. From this viewpoint the awesome size of the Taupo supervolcano is hard to comprehend. I certainly hope to never live through an eruption of this monster.
 
TAUPO to AUCKLAND (TUO-AKL) on NZ Beech 1900D

After several hours relaxing in Taupo on a hot, humid day it is time to fly back to Auckland. While I wait I see the rescue helicopter take off, a scenic helicopter flight, some parachutists jumping, and a couple of private light aircraft.

Another full flight and again some bags offloaded due to weight. Today is the first time I have been aware of Air NZ offloading bags on any flight, and I have had 2 such flights. There is a small wait at the threshold of the runway for a light aircraft to land. Taupo airport is uncontrolled and so the pilots were taking an understandably cautious approach.

Shortly after takeoff we fly across the township, past the powerful Huka Falls and the many small steam plumes of the Wairakei geothermal valley. Then the land disappears beneath low cloud until we reach the northern lazy sweeps of the Waikato River and the low farmed hills at the southern edge of Auckland’s sprawl. We again have a direct approach across Manukau Harbour, thus make up the lost time. The arrival gate is near the end of the prop gates.

Stay tuned for the next instalment (coming soon) in my progress in flying all the domestic routes.
 
FLYING TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND

Continuing with the increasingly badly titled mini tour of New Zealand I pause for a moment of indulgence.

After lots and lots of international travel in the past few years, my schedule for 2007 was looking like I wouldn’t be able to fit much longhaul travel in. Don’t get me wrong, I still expect to do quite a bit by non-FT standards – say 2 or 3 round the world trips plus some other trips, however this is well down on the past few years. Instead my schedule currently suits short domestic trips.

Having recently flown to the last few of the 26 domestic destinations served by a major airline in New Zealand, I decided to set myself a new goal – to fly all 50 current domestic routes. I had previously flown quite a few of them, but the network schedules will pose some challenges to fit into my time constraints (as well as booking engine constraints) – particularly the routes served only once a day.

While I will collect a modest amount of mileage thanks to sector minimums, this is not a mileage run. Fare rules in New Zealand do not permit routings other than the most direct possible, and the cheapest domestic fares on Air New Zealand are non-mileage earning (with Qantas only having 6, soon to be 5, routes almost all flights are on Air New Zealand).

The current routes are listed below, and I’ll mark them off as I go.

From/To Auckland

From/To Hamilton

From/To Wellington
  • WLG-WRE not yet flown (Wellington – Whangarei)
  • WLG-HLZ first flown years ago (Wellington - Hamilton)
  • WLG-TRG not yet flown (Wellington – Tauranga)
  • WLG-ROT not yet flown (Wellington – Rotorua)
  • WLG-TUO first flown 2007 (Wellington – Taupo)
  • WLG-GIS first flown 2007 (Wellington – Gisborne)
  • WLG-NPE first flown years ago (Wellington - Napier / Hastings)
  • WLG-NPL not yet flown (Wellington – New Plymouth)
  • WLG-WAG first flown 2007 (Wellington – Wanganui)
  • WLG-PMR not yet flown (Wellington – Palmerston North)
  • WLG-BHE first flown years ago, and again in 2007 (Wellington - Blenheim)
  • WLG-NSN first flown years ago, and again in 2007 (Wellington - Nelson)
  • WLG-WSZ first flown 2006 (Wellington - Westport)
  • WLG-CHC first flown years ago, and again in 2006 (Wellington - Christchurch)
  • WLG-TIU first flown 2006 (Wellington - Timaru)
  • WLG-DUD first flown 2006 (Wellington - Dunedin)

From/To Nelson

From/To Christchurch
 
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Another day, another day trip touring the North Island by air, and another 2 more routes to be crossed off.

AUCKLAND to TAURANGA (AKL-TRG) on NZ Jetstream 32 operated by Air National

Another early start out to the airport in the dark. The now usual walk across from international terminal to the quick check machines. Even in my tired state after rather too late a night out (such that I considered staying up for my flight only to fall asleep for a couple of hours before the alarm awoke me), I immediately noticed the aircraft swap from slightly squishy Beech 1900D to the very very very squishy Jetstream 32. A bad start to the day. I notice the flights all look fairly empty so I change some seats to improve the odds of a spare seat (or select the single seat on aircraft with 1-2 layout).

Through security and up to the lounge. The escalator isn't working, as seems to be the case every day first thing. I'm not sure what time they turn it on but it is annoying, especially as there are no stairs to the departures level since the refurbishment. I'm greeted familiarly and then waved in. I grab a coffee while I check some emails and FT. About 10 minutes before scheduled departure there is still no boarding call but I head to the prop gates anyway thinking I may have missed it.

The monitors in the koru club, and the big old one by check in show the flight but no gate number. Flights leaving after mine are in final stages of boarding but there is no indication beside this flight. Even odder, the new LCD departure screens do not even show the flight. I wonder if the flight has been cancelled, or whether the lack of information is due to it being an Air National aircraft?

Finally the flight is called for boarding, right on scheduled departure time. At this point there is already a long queue at the boarding pass check, for several other prop flights (ranging from Beech 1900Ds up to ATR 72-500s) are also in boarding. The lines move slowly. We have a couple of final calls while I wait, followed by paging for myself and 2 other pax. :rolleyes:

Eventually we make it out to the aircraft. The room under the seats is so small on this a/c that all bags are being stowed, even slimline laptop bags and purses. A few unhappy passengers no doubt. Then there is a further delay when it is apparent there is one more passenger than the number of seats. (So much for quick check showing an empty flight.) It turns out an unaccompanied minor heading to Wanganui was escorted to the wrong gate and aircraft. That sorted, the door at the rear is shut and we start off some 20 minutes late. I am already annoyed at the passenger in front who keeps pushing her seat back despite there being no recline, digging the metal bar even further into my knees. Thankfully this is a short flight.

We take off to the southwest and turn to the southeast. The city is coming to life below us and ahead it is another misty start to the day in Waikato. Cloud obscures the Kaimai Ranges but the skies are mostly clear in Bay of Plenty. A loop over the bay and across the beach to land.
 
TAURANGA to WELLINGTON (TRG-WLG) on NZ Q300

With the late arrival I felt I didn't have enough time to head into town so settled at a table in the terminal to do some work while I waited for my onward flight. The time passed quickly and I soon heard the boarding call.

The flight was only half full, but despite this I misestimated by a couple of rows as to how far back I'd need to get an empty seat beside me. This is no problem, for the Q300 is, in my opinion, the most comfortable of the Air NZ link (ie regional domestic flights) aircraft, other than the first row with tray table between seats which mostly can be easily avoided.

The skies have cleared considerably and I enjoy fantastic viewing out both sides. After taking off over the harbour we turn and fly down the middle of the North Island. Unlike my recent Beech 1900D and ATR flights we are flying high enough to get great views from coast to coast, and later beyond to the South Island.

I abandon thoughts of reading the paper and spend the flight looking out both windows at the unfolding scenery. We fly directly over Lake Taupo, and thence along the spine of the North Island ranges as far as the heads of Wellington Harbour before turning and landing to the north. I wont attempt to describe the scenery for mere words cannot do it justice. Suffice to say I felt very lucky to be flying this route on such a fine day.
 
FLYING TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND

Continuing with the increasingly badly titled mini tour of New Zealand I pause for a moment of indulgence.

After lots and lots of international travel in the past few years, my schedule for 2007 was looking like I wouldn’t be able to fit much longhaul travel in. Don’t get me wrong, I still expect to do quite a bit by non-FT standards – say 2 or 3 round the world trips plus some other trips, however this is well down on the past few years. Instead my schedule currently suits short domestic trips.

Having recently flown to the last few of the 26 domestic destinations served by a major airline in New Zealand, I decided to set myself a new goal – to fly all 50 current domestic routes. I had previously flown quite a few of them, but the network schedules will pose some challenges to fit into my time constraints (as well as booking engine constraints) – particularly the routes served only once a day.

While I will collect a modest amount of mileage thanks to sector minimums, this is not a mileage run. Fare rules in New Zealand do not permit routings other than the most direct possible, and the cheapest domestic fares on Air New Zealand are non-mileage earning (with Qantas only having 6, soon to be 5, routes almost all flights are on Air New Zealand).

The current routes are listed below, and I’ll mark them off as I go.

From/To Auckland

From/To Hamilton

From/To Wellington
  • WLG-WRE not yet flown (Wellington – Whangarei)
  • WLG-HLZ first flown years ago (Wellington - Hamilton)
  • WLG-TRG first flown 2007 (Wellington – Tauranga)
  • WLG-ROT not yet flown (Wellington – Rotorua)
  • WLG-TUO first flown 2007 (Wellington – Taupo)
  • WLG-GIS first flown 2007 (Wellington – Gisborne)
  • WLG-NPE first flown years ago (Wellington - Napier / Hastings)
  • WLG-NPL not yet flown (Wellington – New Plymouth)
  • WLG-WAG first flown 2007 (Wellington – Wanganui)
  • WLG-PMR not yet flown (Wellington – Palmerston North)
  • WLG-BHE first flown years ago, and again in 2007 (Wellington - Blenheim)
  • WLG-NSN first flown years ago, and again in 2007 (Wellington - Nelson)
  • WLG-WSZ first flown 2006 (Wellington - Westport)
  • WLG-CHC first flown years ago, and again in 2006 (Wellington - Christchurch)
  • WLG-TIU first flown 2006 (Wellington - Timaru)
  • WLG-DUD first flown 2006 (Wellington - Dunedin)

From/To Nelson

From/To Christchurch
 
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Kiwi Flyer said:
Yup. Need something to do while sampling the 22 different beers on offer.
Click to expand...
There's only 6 here at CHC QP ... 1 will do me ;)
Suffice to say I felt very lucky to be flying this route on such a fine day.
Click to expand...
Certainly a great day for viewing; Sitting in 1A flew Just to the west and avove of Taranaki AKL-CHC this morning; phenomenal sight! Also completely clear across Richmond range with views across to Blenhiem. :D
 
serfty said:
There's only 6 here at CHC QP ... 1 will do me ;)Certainly a great day for viewing; Sitting in 1A flew Just to the west and avove of Taranaki AKL-CHC this morning; phenomenal sight! Also completely clear across Richmond range with views across to Blenhiem. :D
Click to expand...

My flight was quite a bit further east, allowing views along both costs (plus of course the central lakes, volcanoes and mountains). Even Taranaki and top of South Island. Will get a closer look at Taranaki later ;)

BTW Richmond Range is west (ie behind) Blenheim. Perhaps you meant the Kaikoura Ranges (Seaward Kaikoura Range and Landward Kaikoura Range), which AKL-CHC normally flies over?
 
Kiwi Flyer said:
... BTW Richmond Range is west (ie behind) Blenheim. Perhaps you meant the Kaikoura Ranges (Seaward Kaikoura Range and Landward Kaikoura Range), which AKL-CHC normally flies over?
Click to expand...
Flew over or just to the East of Nelson (could not see the town from my perch); certainly to the west of D'Urville Island; great view of it.

Google Maps
 
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serfty said:
Flew over or just to the East of Nelson could not see it from my perch; certainly to the west of D'Urville Island; great view of it.

Google Maps
Click to expand...

Wow that is a route much more to the west than normal. In between the usual routes AKL-CHC and AKL-ZQN. Maybe I'll get a similar route when I do AKL-DUD?
 
WELLINGTON to NEW PLYMOUTH (WLG-NPL) on NZ Saab 340

Arriving at the finger pier I had enough time for a lounge visit despite also leaving from the finger pier. As usual, the final call is made seconds after leaving the lounge (immediately after flight was first called).

It has been a while since I have flown in the Saab as it has been progressively replaced by Q300 by Air NZ Link. I remember when they first came to NZ how impressed I was that regional flights would get 1+2 seating and even a small overhead bin (admittedly only on one side). Such luxuries after years of flying the smaller aircraft used before it (SWM flying pencils amongst other types). Anyway, this could well be my last Saab 340 flight on Air NZ and so I was looking forward to it.

The route promised to be an interesting one, traversing from one end of Cook Strait to the other and flying over the water much of the way. Despite this, the narrowness of the strait meant mountains and hills dominated the horizons all around. The last part of the flight was across the rolling Taranaki farmlands nestled between the Taranaki cone and the mass of rugged hills stretching out to the central volcanic plateau. The vivid green lushness an indicator of the amount of rainfall Taranaki gets, and a reminder for me to be thankful of such a clear day for flying. We fly over the city of New Plymouth on final approach to the airport beside the sea.
 
NEW PLYMOUTH to AUCKLAND (NPL-AKL) on NZ Q300

After some time in the small lounge (5 beers and 4 wines if you're interested) catching up on some work, boarding is called. Unlike the earlier flights today the load is very light (well under half full) and yet someone has been seated beside me so naturally I ask the FA if I can switch to an empty row.

We take off a few minutes early and fly north just off the coast. Again I am glued to the window. We arrive early and thus I wait for serfty, who's arriving on another flight, in the lounge.
 
FLYING TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND

Continuing with the increasingly badly titled mini tour of New Zealand I pause for a moment of indulgence.

After lots and lots of international travel in the past few years, my schedule for 2007 was looking like I wouldn’t be able to fit much longhaul travel in. Don’t get me wrong, I still expect to do quite a bit by non-FT standards – say 2 or 3 round the world trips plus some other trips, however this is well down on the past few years. Instead my schedule currently suits short domestic trips.

Having recently flown to the last few of the 26 domestic destinations served by a major airline in New Zealand, I decided to set myself a new goal – to fly all 50 current domestic routes. I had previously flown quite a few of them, but the network schedules will pose some challenges to fit into my time constraints (as well as booking engine constraints) – particularly the routes served only once a day.

While I will collect a modest amount of mileage thanks to sector minimums, this is not a mileage run. Fare rules in New Zealand do not permit routings other than the most direct possible, and the cheapest domestic fares on Air New Zealand are non-mileage earning (with Qantas only having 6, soon to be 5, routes almost all flights are on Air New Zealand).

The current routes are listed below, and I’ll mark them off as I go.

From/To Auckland

From/To Hamilton

From/To Wellington
  • WLG-WRE not yet flown (Wellington – Whangarei)
  • WLG-HLZ first flown years ago (Wellington - Hamilton)
  • WLG-TRG first flown 2007 (Wellington – Tauranga)
  • WLG-ROT not yet flown (Wellington – Rotorua)
  • WLG-TUO first flown 2007 (Wellington – Taupo)
  • WLG-GIS first flown 2007 (Wellington – Gisborne)
  • WLG-NPE first flown years ago (Wellington - Napier / Hastings)
  • WLG-NPL first flown 2007 (Wellington – New Plymouth)
  • WLG-WAG first flown 2007 (Wellington – Wanganui)
  • WLG-PMR not yet flown (Wellington – Palmerston North)
  • WLG-BHE first flown years ago, and again in 2007 (Wellington - Blenheim)
  • WLG-NSN first flown years ago, and again in 2007 (Wellington - Nelson)
  • WLG-WSZ first flown 2006 (Wellington - Westport)
  • WLG-CHC first flown years ago, and again in 2006 (Wellington - Christchurch)
  • WLG-TIU first flown 2006 (Wellington - Timaru)
  • WLG-DUD first flown 2006 (Wellington - Dunedin)

From/To Nelson

From/To Christchurch
 
AUCKLAND to DUNEDIN (AKL-DUD) on NZ 737-300

Another day, another opportunity to fly a couple more routes. Another early start - I'm now getting good at snoozing on the ride out to the airport and waking up just when we arrive. Once again I arrive at the international terminal for the pleasant walk across to domestic to help fill in a few minutes. Since I have a tight domestic to international connection coming up I also check how long it takes to walk between NZ's premium check in area and the domestic prop gate lounge - about 15 minutes walking fast (I passed several passengers en route) and with little traffic. I'll allow 20 for my connection at a busier time of day and allowing a little extra to get from the far end of the prop gates to the prop gate lounge.

I check in using quick-check and change seats on one flight for a (hopefully) better view. I guess one of my flights is lightly loaded and the seat next to me is blocked out rather than occupied - so I don't change that one. On 2 other flights I have no opportunity to review seating. I guess those flights are full.

By now security has opened and I make my way through and up to the lounge. Again the escalator isn't going - why can't they turn it on when security opens?

I grab some coffee and watch some of the cricket before my flight is called. The flight is only half full and yes there were plenty of blocked seats ^ I notice that of the first half dozen rows I am the only passenger with a carry-on - what a contrast to flights within USA where the overhead bins are often full to overflowing.

We take off on time and soon climb through the cloud cover. Unfortunately no great views today which is a shame as this flight nearly the length and breadth of the country affords some fantastic scenery. The cloud breaks up over the Canterbury Plains, with classic Northwest Arch cloud formation (high wave clouds pushed over the Southern Alps by strong westerlies).

The service on the flight is a little disappointing. Shortly after take off the FAs go through offering the recently expanded buy on board offerings (as well as crisps, snacks etc there is now also sandwiches, yoghurt, and salads - plus the obligatory beer, wine, soft drink and juice). Tea, coffee and water (all free) follows immediately after. There is no more biscuit - this was removed from NZ's 737 flights earlier in the week, and being pursued by the NZ Herald as a hot topic (must be a slow news month :rolleyes: ). There is no second run through offering drinks (only collecting the rubbish). Also at the time the drinks are offered (ie start of the flight), the basket with serviettes and sugar, which used to have the biscuits, had the lollies traditionally offered at the top of descent. They did not offer the basket to those declining a drink or purchasing a drink, nor did they pass it around at descent. So undoubtedly very few passengers got a lolly.

Only fairly recently has IFE been re-introduced on NZ's domestic 737 flights. However despite this flight being the longest domestic flight they forgot to play it. So from about 30 minutes in to the flight, when the buy on board advertising video finished, there was nothing on the tv screens. In the few weeks that tv shows have been played on NZ's domestic flights, I am yet to have a flight where it has worked properly. Either there are no headphones, or not enough, or FA forgets to tell passengers they can buy (yes buy for $2) headphones onboard, or in this case nothing played. Hardly an encouraging start of this added amenity, and still a long way to go to catch up to Qantas' domestic IFE offerings. Qantas has several different tv shows and music videos, several audio channels, free headphones, only a few minutes of advertising at the start of each flight.
 
Still we get reasonable views of the Canterbury Plains and Otago Hills. Fly past the peninsula and descend by Dunedin - the city draped over the coastal hills. Into the valley and land to a fine day.

The one airbridge at the airport is in use so we get to use the stairs. Moments later I am in the Dunedin Koru Club. This is a nice lounge and relatively uncrowded today. I am in time to see the end of the cricket (nice win).

The 2 computer terminals, amazingly, are set up to not allow the Air NZ website work properly (bookings, arrival/departure info, schedules, etc)! Madness :td:

The beer count is 20 different ones, in the fridge, plus a few more on tap. 11 wines. 13 teas, coffee, 3 different juices, water. Sandwiches, several different biscuits and slices, bread and fruit. Yum!
 
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DUNEDIN to CHRISTCHURCH (DUD-CHC) on NZ ATR 72-500

The flight is called in the lounge fairly late and so I'm the last to board (yes again). I ask the FA if I can sit in the spare row at the back to give myself and the pax seated next to my allocated seat more room. She gives an unconvincing lie that there may be another passenger allocated that seat. Later in the flight once tea coffee and water are served (yes with biscuit for it is only the 737 which is now biscuitless - the distinction being other a/c do not have buy on board), the FA takes that seat for herself. Still she partially redeemed the situation by asking the other pax to switch to an empty row further forward.

We take off to the south and turn around for Christchurch, retracing the path I flew down earlier in the day. We fly over the city and peninsula and take the direct path across the sea to Christchurch. Out the left hand side we have good views of the Canterbury plains and foothills, but the Southern Alps are obscured by cloud.

The northwesterly fohn wind has been building and lowering to the ground, thus our approach is rather bumpy as is the landing (quite a gusty crosswind) - reminded me of some landings in Wellington. It is unseasonably warm for the short walk across the tarmac, despite being well into autumn it is one of the warmest days of the summer.
 
FLYING TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND

Continuing with the increasingly badly titled mini tour of New Zealand I pause for a moment of indulgence.

After lots and lots of international travel in the past few years, my schedule for 2007 was looking like I wouldn’t be able to fit much longhaul travel in. Don’t get me wrong, I still expect to do quite a bit by non-FT standards – say 2 or 3 round the world trips plus some other trips, however this is well down on the past few years. Instead my schedule currently suits short domestic trips.

Having recently flown to the last few of the 26 domestic destinations served by a major airline in New Zealand, I decided to set myself a new goal – to fly all 50 current domestic routes. I had previously flown quite a few of them, but the network schedules will pose some challenges to fit into my time constraints (as well as booking engine constraints) – particularly the routes served only once a day.

While I will collect a modest amount of mileage thanks to sector minimums, this is not a mileage run. Fare rules in New Zealand do not permit routings other than the most direct possible, and the cheapest domestic fares on Air New Zealand are non-mileage earning (with Qantas only having 6, soon to be 5, routes almost all flights are on Air New Zealand).

The current routes are listed below, and I’ll mark them off as I go.

From/To Auckland

From/To Hamilton

From/To Wellington
  • WLG-WRE not yet flown (Wellington – Whangarei)
  • WLG-HLZ first flown years ago (Wellington - Hamilton)
  • WLG-TRG first flown 2007 (Wellington – Tauranga)
  • WLG-ROT not yet flown (Wellington – Rotorua)
  • WLG-TUO first flown 2007 (Wellington – Taupo)
  • WLG-GIS first flown 2007 (Wellington – Gisborne)
  • WLG-NPE first flown years ago (Wellington - Napier / Hastings)
  • WLG-NPL first flown 2007 (Wellington – New Plymouth)
  • WLG-WAG first flown 2007 (Wellington – Wanganui)
  • WLG-PMR not yet flown (Wellington – Palmerston North)
  • WLG-BHE first flown years ago, and again in 2007 (Wellington - Blenheim)
  • WLG-NSN first flown years ago, and again in 2007 (Wellington - Nelson)
  • WLG-WSZ first flown 2006 (Wellington - Westport)
  • WLG-CHC first flown years ago, and again in 2006 (Wellington - Christchurch)
  • WLG-TIU first flown 2006 (Wellington - Timaru)
  • WLG-DUD first flown 2006 (Wellington - Dunedin)

From/To Nelson

From/To Christchurch
 
CHRISTCHURCH to QUEENSTOWN (CHC-ZQN) on NZ ATR 72-500

I have enough time for lunch in the lounge and catch up on emails etc.

There is a delay after boarding as Qantas cancelled their flight and moved passengers across. Once the paperwork is sorted we taxi off a little late. The first part of the flight is bumpy so there is a small delay before the drinks service starts.

Another little difference between NZ and QF is that on this shortish flight, NZ offers tea, coffee and water (and biscuit if not on a 737). While QF offers water and biscuit but claims the flight is too short to offer tea and coffee. Somehow, nearly a decade ago (is it really that long), NZ and Ansett offered full meals and free flowing bar on flights of this length.

I forgot to mention for the flight up from Dunedin that lollies are handed out on descent. Same for this flight.

While we get views of the Canterbury Plains and the lake country, the Southern Alps are hidden in cloud. The flightpath taken on descent through the mountains into Queenstown is straighter than normal (at least on all the 737 flights I have taken) and thus also much steeper. It really feels we are being flown down into a hole. Whereas the more usual flightpath zig-zags around or even circles around the basin like water going down the drain.
 
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