Sydney-Rotorua-Sydney - Air NZ A320

[haydensydney]

I had to go to NZ due to a family illness - as the relative I was visiting lives in Tokoroa, it meant that it was going to be rather inconvenient to get to with flying into a traditional gateway such as Auckland or Wellington. Luckily for me, Air NZ have twice weekly Sydney-Rotorua-Sydney flights that really fit the bill for my family and I.

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As this was fairly short notice, and as I am Velocity Gold, we decided to stick with the "Seat" only ticket - which worked out to be $250 ea for the outbound and $180 for the return journey (quite competitive fares given we booked the flights 3 days out from travel). This would mean I would get lounge access in Sydney - unfortunately no lounge exists in Rotorua, so we made do.

I was hoping for some preferential seating due to my status, but this was not to be the case on both flights (Note: boarding passes on both legs showed my velocity number but not the status level)

NZ830 Sydney - Rotorua

We rocked up to the airport and went through the normal check-in fanfare in the Premium Air NZ queue. We were provided with an Express card (presumably due to status) which I assumed was for me only, but got all three of us through both customs and security express lanes.

This was the first time my mum had been through SYD international, so the long arduous walk-haul to NZ lounge was extended due to the shopping temptations that caught her eye like crack to a junkie. It was a long walk.

The lovely lounge dragon Susan was still lovely - though access via my Velocity gold card was a manual affair: with her having to write the details down on some form. With only 20-30 mins to go before departure, I decided on a breakfast of kings comprising of Pinot Gris and Eggs & Sausages. Yum.

Boarding was called (and it was good hearing a Virgin flight call in the NZ lounge) and we made our way to the gate. Load was about 90% on this flight, which I was quite surprised about - I thought these odd routes would have lower patronage. Regardless, we made our way to our seats.... in row 25.

Of note for those reading - this was my first international economy Air NZ flight since NZ got rid of J on A320's... sigh.... I never knew there was anything behind row 2? But I digress....

Despite my spew at being so far towards the back of the bus, I wasn't underwhelmed by the legroom or the IFE offering. I was quite annoyed with the touch screen as the cursor was about 1cm to the right of where my finger was - annoying, but good that you have the remote as a backup

We pushed back on time and before we knew it, the whining engines were screaming our way down the runway and off into the mid morning sky.

 

[haydensydney]

A QF bird flying next to us on it's way to AKL (the pilot was kind enough to come on the loud speak to inform us of it's presence):

For some reason, the food & drink seat back ordering wasn't switched on until about an hour into the flight: after the tea/coffee cart was rolled through the cabin. Regardless, when it was switched on - I proceed to order some items (which included Montana Chardonnay - not my favourite by a long shot - but in absence of other options....). The pie I had initially ordered with my order turned out to be "out of stock" when I proceeded to the payment screen - I made do with backpacker noodles instead.

Overall the selection was average at best - I had expected a larger range of substantial items to order from the menu, other than sold out pies, noodles and "baps". Fine for a 3 hour flight, yes, but not ideal for someone who likes a selection. It made do however, and I settled in for a flight watching old episodes of Modern Family, Parks & Recreation and United States of Tara.

Before we knew it, we were approach the coastline. It was odd not descending before sight of land a-la normal AKL landing, but it made for some good views. Unfortunately I was seated in full glare of the sun, so the majority of my pics didn't come out well.

 

[haydensydney]

Approaching Rotorua:

I was quite surprised how close Rotorua was to Tauranga and Gisbourne - both cities were clearly visible from my side of the aircraft. The scenery was stunning as with most approaches into NZ airports - the greenery and the deep blues of the landlocked lakes were certainly beautiful.

Landing was quite exciting not only because this is a smallish airport, but because this airport only receives these two A320 flights a week - felt kinda special. I felt some nerves given the accuracy required of landing the A320 on a small runway like this one, but the pilots did a great job. I filmed the landing on my Canon S95 for you to see (and from my research, couldn't see a similar one on youtube - so you saw it here first!)

Landing in Rotorua
[video=youtube;hkKzdcFLcQU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkKzdcFLcQU[/video]

Immigration was slow - I guess not only because I was in Row 25, but because there was a limited number of customs/immigration staff on hand to deal with our arrival. Before we knew it, we were on our way to Tokoroa (thanks to BK Shuttles who seem to be only one of two shuttle / transfer companies working from ROT - very professional classic kiwi team running the show - will use them in future).

 

[haydensydney]

I won't bleat on about the return too much as the pics speak for themselves and really - once you see one NZ TT TR you've seen them all. Some points of note however:

- The return flight was an hour delayed...
- ...meaning a long wait in the tin shed style airport
- Departure area for the flight is a long narrow room with a tiny duty free shop and a stand thing selling refreshments
- Found it interesting that those that required wheelchair access had to be forklifted to the aircraft (never seen that before)

NZ832 Rotorua - Sydney

 

[haydensydney]

Rotorua airport from the air

Beautiful mountain shots when ascending

 

[haydensydney]

Landing in SYD

I rate my NZ flights as follows:

Check-in - 9/10
Lounge - 8/10
Board - 5/10
Seat - 6/10
Ambience - 6/10
IFE - 8/10
Crew- 4/10
Food - 6/10
Beverage - 6/10
Amenity - 5/10
Disembark - 4/10
On-time - 5/10

HHS Average* = 6.0 / 10.00

*Hayden's Happiness Score

Previous HHS Scores:
Thai Business Class (SYD-HKG): 7.16
*Air NZ Economy (SYD-ROT): 6.00
Etihad Business Class (SYD-LHR) : 5.75

 

[serfty]

Nice report.

The weather was very clear last weekend; I flew to Napier, Auckland and Wellington. Those mountains stand out like the "proverbials" when the weather is so clear; especially with there having been a huge dump of snow over the Island a few days before.

They are called Mount Ruapehu and Mount Taranaki or (Mt. Egmont).

 

[haydensydney]

Absolutely serfty - the weather was stunning that weekend - with not a cloud in the sky (I couldn't believe it - was this really NZ in winter??)

I forgot to mention also in my TR that we found the FA's to be rather abrasive / aggressive - not what I had expected at all. One FA made a deal of my mother having a carry on bag AND a handbag... I had to step in to remind her that yes, you could have a carry on + a handbag / laptop bag....

...Don't mess with an AFF'er, mole

 

[kamchatsky]

My last TT NZ flight was SYD-ZQN in March this year. It was on A320. I booked it on Seat + Bag option. Both my wife and I got special noise cancelling headphones but we were BD Gold. We still need to pay for movies, and did not order any food (ate it all at the lounge of course!).

 

[StevePER]

Thanks for the report!

When I went to Rotorua six years ago they were charging an "airport improvement fee" which I think was aimed at giving them the capacity for international flights. Nice that they've actually done that because at the time I thought "yeah right"!

 

[serfty]

Thanks for the report!

When I went to Rotorua six years ago they were charging an "airport improvement fee" which I think was aimed at giving them the capacity for international flights. Nice that they've actually done that because at the time I thought "yeah right"!

They still charge it - $5 for Domestic, $25 international. I bought mine last year from the Coffee Shop

 

[indigo1]

Thanks for the great report - the pictures are stunning. Our country is beautiful alright!

 

[BAM1748]

A most excellent report. (I liked the pacing shot of the QF plane, not because of the photo itself but an interesting sight when you look out the window at altitude)

 

[munitalP]

Rotorua airport from the air







Beautiful mountain shots when ascending

The top of this one Hayden was named after my wife's great grandmother: Taranaki Story - Fantham


Excellent TR - cheers!

 

[Tuddy]

marvellous report. i was getting the impression that the rotorua flights weren't doing all that well, although it's nice to hear that they are and that you had a good time in nz!

 

[haydensydney]

Thanks guys!

I would've loved the trip much more had NZ continued offering J on the A320's

I have a SYD-WLG-SYD this weekend, and a small hop from Blenheim to WLG so another report will probably be done up upon my return.

 

[Joshua]

Thanks guys!

I would've loved the trip much more had NZ continued offering J on the A320's

I have a SYD-WLG-SYD this weekend, and a small hop from Blenheim to WLG so another report will probably be done up upon my return.

Lovely part of the world, I have so much more of NZ to explore it seems. I totally agree about the A320's, haven't stepped onto NZ since. There was service was so good too.