Air NZ have a dedicated Check in for Business and Gold passengers at Auckland Airport with a lift (elevator) straight into customs, immigration and security saving  much time walking around the long way. Worth staying gold for just for this feature! I checked in early, was the only one using the check in area and was through the whole process in just under 10 minutes!

Lounge: 10 out of 10

Boarding 9 out of 10

On Board: 10 out of 10

The Air NZ 777-300 has three cabins (as does V Australia). NB V dedicates more of their plane to Economy.

	Air NZ	V Australia
Economy	244	288
Premium Economy	50	40
Business	44	35

Air NZ

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You will see from the diagram that Air NZ have opted for the herringbone design resulting in four seats across the Business cabin.

The front cabin was about half full on this flight.  There were plenty of staff bustling around. Within seconds of putting my bags in the roomy overhead locker, a flight attendant appeared to take my jacket for hanging.

Seconds later, another approached bearing drinks. I asked for champagne. She smiled and said:  “I can give you sparkling wine on the ground and champagne in the air. Well at least until we beat the French in the Rugby” (which they did indeed do, a few days later 37-17).

I said “oops. Forgot about the French”. 

The Air NZ Business Class Seat: 8 out of 10

I sipped my drink and enjoyed my cashews as I checked out my seat. The seat is leather 22″ wide (V Australia’s is one inch wider at 23″). It has a separate ottoman footrest which you can store stuff on, invite visitors to sit on when chatting to you or put your feet on.

The seat has a 12″ TV screen which could be moved into multiple angles, life jacket and a very small storage pocket. I felt both Qantas and V Australia have a little more stowage room around the seat. I like the way QF has a slot available for a bottle of water while Air NZ’s supplied bottle of water didn’t seem to quite fit anywhere.

Headphones were noise cancelling.

Next inspection was the all important amenities kit. Coming in a big box, the kit consisted of a very colourful pair of socks, and La Prairie brand moisturiser etc. Air NZ didn’t provide an actual toiletries kit – unlike V Australia. I would love an airline to give me a quality clear sturdy plastic kit I can take through security anywhere in the world.

Auckland Newspapers and international  magazines were distributed. There was some disquiet from some passengers that there were no Wellington or international newspapers.

Safety: 10 out of 10
The safety briefing video was the humorous Air NZ rugby one. I always feel that Air NZ take safety seriously without officiousness and try to engage their passengers in the safety process. I did wonder what non-Kiwis would make of some of the “in-jokes” in the video briefing.

Takeoff: 9 out of 10

2130 (930pm) Takeoff out of Auckland was pretty with the city lights  spread out below. There were a few minor bumps out of Auckland but nothing dramatic. The seat-belt sign soon went off but came back on very quickly, however as we hit some turbulence. This  seemed to be the pattern for the first half of the flight. The sensation of sitting at an angle to the direction of takeoff and landing is one I have not got used to. It does feel quite odd.

Dinner: 10 out of 10

There were three choices with Business Premier for dinner:

1.  Express option which gets a meal out very quickly
2.  Full meal option at the Crew’s timing
3. Meals when you wanted them

• Entree (starter for the Americans) was a cold mixed seafood dish with a choice of breads. Superb. I combined it with a Bird Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough.

• I chose a streak for the main course. This was accompanied by a Syrah wine which was a little drier than I wanted.

• For dessert, I chose an ice cream sundae which was delicious if not unusual. Vanilla ice-cream with popcorn and a yummy sauce. This was followed by a cheese platter. I accompanied these dishes with a lovely dessert wine which I forgot to note down.