Travelling up the top
Ever since Emirates landed their A380 on Christchurch’s 02 runway I have been obsessed with checking it out. We had a family wedding coming up in Brisbane, so I thought we all deserved a treat and booked ma, pa and myself on the Auckland to Brisbane EK flight in Business Class. This did cause a matter of concern because the domestic flight was with Jetstar!
The day of travel came and after a week of shocking weather with fog and storms closing many airports around the country I was terrified our JQ flight would be cancelled. However the concern was for nothing – flight wasn’t cancelled, check in was a breeze and hanging out in Christchurch Airport (not in my normal luxury of the lounge) was a delight. The flight could not be faulted; and even the rain cleared in Auckland for our walk across to the international terminal!
The Emirates lounge is a touch of vintage luxury. The gold and cream furniture with the wood finishings are not what you normally see in today’s lounges of modernistic white, red and pink but it is a nice change. You don’t need to fight for a seat and access is strictly limited to first and business class passengers, along with travellers with status with Emirates or their partner airlines. Due to our connecting flights, we had a good four hours in the lounge – which we worked out to be almost a bottle of champagne each. We started on the Moet and didn’t move. Pa did investigate the French reds and they passed the test. With over 10 different hot dishes for lunch along with salads, cheese and the most decadent chocolate mousse.
After reading the magazines, checking in on Facebook and catching up on the news it was time to finally get on board – YAY! The walk to the gate was a good 15 minutes walk, so I kind of exercised; but with the dual boarding bridges we didn’t have to sweat with going up any stairs to the upper deck.
Once on board….more champagne; then I settled in to choose what movies to watch. My screen was so far away that I had to use the personal tablet to make my selection, much to the amusement of ma and pa. Once the seat belt signs were off it was down to the bar for a G & T. The set up of the deck makes is so welcoming to get up and walk around. You are made to feel at home, and we certainly did with ma even “serving” behind the bar.
It was then back to our spacious cubicles for dinner – three courses and I was full! Once in my seat I finally checked out my surroundings….from the personal mini bar of water with waters and sodas to the TV channel showing cameras on board giving you a birds eye view of the flight – this is a touch of luxury that I will never forget. Pity it was only across the Tasman, but I will be back.
