It’s something I never thought I’d say but I’ve been very impressed with Auckland Airport’s morning operations lately, and this flight was no exception. Every time I’ve been on an early morning flight this year, I’ve breezed through security and customs in minutes, unlike the chaotic two-hour wait in line I had going to Sydney a year ago.
The new Qantas lounge at Auckland International Airport. Photo / Mitchell Hageman
As a special surprise, I was lucky enough to get an early sneak peek at the new 370-capacity Qantas Lounge, which opens officially on December 17.
Frequent flyer, business and first-class passengers can experience the sleek wood and stone finishes amidst a flurry of wall-art greenery, with stunning artwork of New Zealand locations by Australian artists to signify our transtasman partnership.
A full sit-down restaurant-style area serves cooked, continental and buffet meals (curated by Australian chef Neil Perry), with a barista-made-coffee window also great for those red-eye mornings. Shower suites at the back of the lounge are of the quality I would perceive as that of a high-end spa, with ample space and privacy.
Our flight was also bang on time, with no delays and a very efficient onboarding through the express business queue.
Seat:
While QF112 was flown on one of the older Airbus A330-200s, that didn’t mean the business suites were any less luxe, with sleek brown finishes like in the lounge adding to the splendour of it all.
The 1-2-1 configuration is, in my humble opinion, the best way to do business cabins because it gives every passenger ample space. A great bonus if you’re travelling with a family member is that the two middle seats share a divider, so helping your young one or chatting with your significant other is easy as pie.
Lie flat, recline or even massage – the seat had multiple options for every type of traveller. I was craving a small nap thanks to my early morning, and drifted off for an hour easily thanks to the blankets and pillows provided.
There is plenty of space to stow belongings.
There‘s also a heap of storage space in a console by your feet and the overhead locker, and the armrest even has a mirror in it. Seat belts can be in lap-belt mode while flying, but must be over the shoulder for take-off and landing.
I was in window seat 3A, and it definitely pays to pick this solo seat if you want incredible views of the Western Australian wilderness as you fly in.
Crew:
On the ground, the crew were superb. In the air, they were a cut above. So often flight attendants schmooze about the cabin with cheesey grins and fake charm, but the Qantas crew were honest, fun and spoke to passengers like they were human beings rather than customers. Any questions I had were answered promptly and without fuss. One of the pilots, Jess, even came to introduce herself and chat about the flight.
Passengers:
Naturally, being the inaugural flight, it was packed in both economy and business class. The vibe was celebratory, and everyone excitedly chatted about the direct route. A woman with an Australian accent on the way in told me it was going to be so much easier to see her son, so clearly this route will help reconnect many families on both sides of the ditch.
You won’t go hungry in business class. Photo / Supplied
Food and drink:
Because I’d eaten a heck of a lot at the lounge, I was sceptical as to how much I’d be able to manage on the flight. But I needn’t have worried, as the Neil Perry-curated meals I chose on board were light but packed with flavour.
After a welcome glass of champagne (of course), the cinnamon porridge with apricots and berries was my light breakfast, paired with a hot croissant from their bakery service.
Two hours before landing in Perth, we received one of the best airline meals I’ve ever eaten – a shrimp fried rice with green beans and a black bean sauce. Plus, a chocolate quokka (the furry little creatures that reside on Perth’s Rottnest Island), a cute nod to the destination.
A chocolate quokka.
Staff also passed around a tray with chips, fruit and treats throughout the flight. Tea, coffee and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage service was also available.
Entertainment:
Sadly, our particular flight didn’t have Wi-Fi capabilities, but the depth of content on the large in-flight entertainment screen made up for it.
Of course, as I was going to Australia, I had to watch Crocodile Dundee, which was one of the many Aussie classics on offer, however there were also plenty of new releases and box sets of TV shows like The White Lotus and Bluey.
Arrival airport experience:
The flight lands in Perth at Terminal 3, which is the Qantas Terminal separate from the rest of Perth Airport. Unlike most other Australian ports, we had to speak to an immigration officer instead of just putting our passports through the E-gates, which, despite the short wait, I found rather befuddling. The great news is that this terminal is getting a massive revamp in the coming years, with all the bells and whistles to make it a fast and streamlined arrival process.
The best bit:
The seat itself. It’s the epitome of comfort, and ideal for business and leisure travellers who want to catch a few good hours of rest on this mid-haul flight.
The worst bit:
Having to go through non-electronic immigration with the prospect of a looming line – however, as I said, this will likely change when the new terminal is in operation.
Final verdict:
With a brand new lounge, impeccable service and seats, and flawless logistics on the flight, Qantas has launched a product and route that has made it stand out in a very crowded market.
New Zealand Herald flew courtesy of Qantas.