Here’s a quick review of our first experience with Air New Zealand.

ANZ operates several times a week between Honolulu and Auckland. Several other airlines, including United, offer their flight on a code share basis. When we booked the flight a number of months ago, ANZ offered economy seats for about $1,200. United offered us seats on the same flight, using their code share flight number, for something around $4,000. That’s $4,000 each. I don’t understand why they would bother to list this code share flight if they obviously don’t intend to sell any seats, since at that price they certainly won’t. Anybody understand how this makes sense?

In any case, we obviously made our reservations online directly with ANZ. They provided an immediate confirmation, then several helpful email alerts with additional information on the flight, links to other services, including airport transit options, and some tourist activities.

We arrived at Honolulu Airport very early, and found ANZ and Qantas way down at the end of the international ticketing terminal. Just a few spots where their staff were checking travelers in. First impression–the staff was very friendly. Then we got a surprise–although we didn’t get an upgrade, our gold status in United’s Mileage Plus program qualified us to relax in the ANZ airport lounge, again a lounge shared with a number of international carriers. Downstairs in the Kona Brewing Company restaurant, a glass of wine was close to $10. Directly upstairs, in the ANZ club lounge, it was free. As was the scotch, vodka, rum, wine, etc.

In any case, the pre-flight wait was enjoyable. Next step, the gate. Nothing special, boarding was done smoothly.

On board the aircraft, which I believe was a 767, we rode in cattle car. The plane seemed to be relatively new. Everything was clean and modern. The seats weren’t roomy, but comfortable, and although leg room wasn’t as generous as the “Economy Plus” we get on United, the seat in front never hit my knees, even when the big guy sitting in it pushed back to sleep. The seat was designed to leave more room down at the knees, although I still felt crowded by that seat back.

Each seat in the plane had its own entertainment center, stocked with movies, music, and games. I think there were dozens of movies available, lots of music in different genres. Everything was free. You could also order drinks or snacks from your entertainment display. Those were not free.

The flight was scheduled to be about 9-1/2 hours, but actually turned out to be about 9 hours. In that time, they served two meals. Our flight left Honolulu at 9:35 p.m., and we were soon served a hot meal with a choice of a chicken curry or a beef something-or-other. Not high cuisine, but quite tasty.

We both had the curry. It was actually quite good.

Later, about 90 minutes before arriving in Auckland, we were served breakfast. This time it was a choice between a hot meal featuring scrambled eggs and sausage, or a cold fruit plate. Both came with a bran muffin, juice, and so on. Meda reported that the eggs were quite good, as was my fruit. Such things are no longer included in the price of a ticket on most U.S. airlines, so this was much appreciated.

The crew were very good at bringing water through the cabin, so we were able to stay relatively hydrated.

As we approach landing in Auckland, the sun was just starting to announce its appearance. It was quite beautiful, and added to our anticipation. We arrived perhaps 40 minutes ahead of schedule. On the ground, the airport was bustling at just after 5 a.m. We converted some money into local currency, cleared immigration and customs relatively quickly, and were on our way to the hotel.

In any case, it was a long but relatively painless flight, with movies and food to help pass the time if you weren’t asleep.

Air New Zealand gets a thumbs up from both of us.