The schedule over the Tasman is quite convenient with an 0810 departure MEL-AKL and 1850 AKL-MEL. Therefore we decided we go out in First class, as this comes with transfers (the transfers are no longer available in Business on solely trans Tasman fares),and return in Business as we would be dropping the hire car back at the airport anyway.
The return fare two, one way F and the other J, was still only what QF charge for one business return (flying on a 737). I imagine once the EK/QF tie up comes into force EK may well charge more for this sector. With the flights booked it was time to sort out the accommodation. Went for the Hilton in Auckland as I am Diamond thanks to DJ FF and we always get a room upgrade to a harbour view, free wifi and free breakfast. The OH found and booked a luxury boutique lodge, 970 Lonely Bay, at Cooks Beach on the Coromandel. I cannot express in words how well we were welcomed and looked after – simply heaven.
Anyway to the TR. We booked the pick up for 0500 and at 0455 the driver called to say he was ready when we were. Down we went and off to the airport. 20 minutes later we were dropped outside the International terminal and made our way to the back of the check in area where Emirates were. No queues at either the First or Business desks and only a handful of passengers checking in for Economy. We were dealt with by a very friendly agent and despite us checking in bags, couldn’t be bothered to only take small containers of liquids gels and put in plastic bags etc etc, we didn’t have time to complete the departure cards before the bags were checked, BPs and Express Path passes issued and we were wished a pleasant flight.
Despite having the Express Path passes at 0530 there are not many, one to be exact, security scanners open, and only three immigration desks so it still took a few minutes to get through and off to the Emirates Lounge. We were warmly welcomed and the agent said get settled before the transit passengers arrived as the lounge would be busy. We found a couple of seats overlooking the apron and had fizz in hand by 0545. Slightly disappointed to find a number of passengers camped out under blankets in the far corner, made the place look shabby. I do like the Emirates Lounge offerings of both food and drink and in my opinion put others lounges to shame.
Right on time the bright lights of the inbound flight from DXB appeared on the horizon, glided in and slid passed the terminal. After a rather long pause it crept back round and pulled up to gate right beside the lounge which gave those of us in the lounge a fantastic view down onto the aircraft. It was A6-EDY and only month in service. The lounge did indeed fill up with transfer passengers so we decided it was no longer the haven it should be and went for a walk round the terminal ending up at the gate. As we walked into the gate area the agent who checked us in came straight over and apologised that boarding had not started yet, but it would only be another couple of minutes.
A few minutes later we were ascending the air bridge to the hallowed upper deck. We were warmly greeted at the door and instantly caused confusion as we were in the middle pair of seats and therefore had to access from different aisles. Welcome drink was offered, and as is the First class way, a glass is put down and the fizz is poured from the bottle. Then horror of horrors we were poured Moet. Moet – in our house Moet is only fit for mouthwash (I am jesting). Where was the Dom Perignon? Transpires a cabin crew member serving J was asked to assist and he picked up the wrong bottle. So we rinsed our mouths out and had new glasses delivered with the appropriate beverage. There was a little basket of treats (snickers, mars, kit kat, mints etc) on the shelf, which was collected before take-off and then returned afterwards.
Nothing much else of interest to note apart from the three choices of camera view from which I could watch the take-off on my wide screen TV. Turns out there were 7 passengers in F so 50% full, or empty depending on your point of view. After take-off breakfast orders were taken, 4 choices, all equally terrible, two were egg based, one pancakes and the other a cheese platter. Inflight ‘western style’ breakfasts, whatever the airline, are in my opinion the worst food service offered
. On top of those were the choices of cereals, fruit, croissants, juice etc. Out of desperation I had the fruit and ordered the cheese platter. A short while later the cc came back and apologised that there were no more cheese platters and would I like to pick something else. She even commented that she had checked in Business but they had none left either. An odd comment I thought at the time and it was not until the return leg in Business that I noticed the breakfast offering in Business on the MEL-DXB leg was identical to that offered in First. Not what I had expected. I reluctantly ordered an egg thing but when the OH’s arrived I decided against having mine. This caused a fair bit of consternation and profuse apologies from the cc. I said it was not a problem and to make up for it she could just keep my glass filled.After breakfast came the main event – a shower at 35000 ft. The bathrooms are huge, by plane standards. The floor is heated and an attendant was stationed outside each ‘Spa Suite’ to ensure its cleanliness, put out the towels and who knows what else. Above the door there is a sign stating maximum occupancy of 2 in the shower
. The attendant comes in with you and locks the door. Shocked I was, but then she just demonstrated how everything worked and where the oxygen mask would deploy from if required and left. I have to admit it was weird stripping off and being in my birthday suit on a plane. The shower cubicle door has to be locked before the water will flow and there is a timer indicating how much longer you have before the water cuts off. I have to admit I didn’t need a shower but it was quite a gimmick and I can see how nice it would be after a long flight.Post shower I retired to the lounge bar at the back of Business. A neat little spot to hang out and chat with your fellow passengers and crew. Emirates have thought of everything and provide a polaroid camera with which the crew will take passengers photos stood behind the bar, or wherever, and present it in a branded frame, a very clever bit of marketing. The only drawback about the lounge is for a First passenger they don’t provide the First wine list – you have to walk back to the front galley and get a refill. Talking to the cc member at the bar they don’t know who is seated where and who is entitled to what. Turns out there were a lot of passengers who were making the trip just to try out the A380.
All too soon it was time to go back to our seats for landing. Again watching the landing on the widescreen is fantastic and we pulled up next to a sister A380 which had done DXB-SYD-AKL. By the time we had walked from the A380 gates, which I think are located near Wellington, to immigration, straight through the smart gates, and down to the baggage hall where our bags were on the carousel. Nice touch that there is now a dedicated customs exit for Australian and New Zealanders and we were out and into the car and heading into Auckland.
Emirates have a great product on the A380 and I really don’t understand the tie up with Qantas – from Qantas’ perspective. Apart from the QF First lounges the Emirates experience is in my opinion superior. And with the BA codeshare being dropped on multiple routes non LHR QF passengers will be on EK metal beyond DXB.
Rob
( it is a very surreal feeling though having a shower at 35,000 ft 
).
). 
Loving the idea of a personal champagne bucket following me around throughout the flight! 
Looks like an amazing experience 
. Mind you as I'd had a few glasses of Dom Pom before I showered I'm not sure I'd have noticed any turbulence anyway ... 
