Review of Air New Zealand flight Wellington → Queenstown in Economy

After 2 nights in Wellington, we again took the airport shuttle back to Wellington airport.




What greeted us as we stepped into the check-in hall were SQ's check-in counters for the SQ flight to MEL/SIN.






However we would not be flying SQ today and instead proceeded to the NZ self-check-in kiosks and bag-drop. There is also a premium check-in area.








After checking in, we proceeded into the modern departure hall. Non-travellers were also free to come into this part of the terminal as well.











Apart from the usual NZ A320s, JetStar's rare Dash-8 and A320s were spotted.






NZ's Dash-8s on the remote stands.




Our aircraft operating the flight to Queenstown. NZ and JetStar each has a daily flight from Wellington to Queenstown.





21 August 2018
Air New Zealand
NZ 605
Wellington (WLG) - Queenstown (ZQN)
A320
ZK-OXM
Economy Class
Flight Time: 1H01M


Boarding to commence shortly.




Boarding the aircraft. Similar domestic cabin configuration as the previous flight.








Decent legroom.




View out the window.




Boarding in progress. The flight was about 70% full. Most visitors to Queenstown would have flown from Auckland.




Boarding completed, doors closed and we pushed back.




SQ's B772 has arrived from Melbourne.




Taxi to the runway.




Holding for another A320 to land.




Followed by our turn for departure from Rwy34.












Leaving North Island and my first glimpse of South Island.




IFE consisted of inflight trivia shown on the dropdown screens.




Flying along the coast of South Island.






Refreshment service commenced, where we were offered a choice of cassava chips or chocolate chip cookie. The crew were kind enough to offer me one of each when I requested, all washed down with a cup of tea.






View of the cabin.




A look at the half-galley of the domestic-configured A320.




Same amenities in the single rear lavatory.




Crew clearing the trash.




The first snow-capped mountains spotted.




Just prior to descend, crew came around with baskets of lollies.




Rest of the flight was spent just admiring the scenery down there.




The approach and landing into Queenstown was amazing as we flew in between mountains into a valley. This certainly ranks as one of the most challenging and beautiful landing in the world!










Final approach to Rwy23 as we exited the valley.








Touchdown in one of the most beautiful airport in the world, Queenstown Airport.








Video of the landing.




Parked at the stand. There are no aerobridges at Queenstown and hence disembarking is via the traditional stairs. It was amazing as we disembarked to snow-capped mountains in the distance!








View of the aircraft as we walked on the tarmac towards the terminal building.












Queenstown airport only has a small terminal with both domestic and international (from Australia) flights, and during the peak seasons, I suspect the terminal may be straining from the additional flights and travellers.




From Queenstown Airport, it was only a 15min and NZ$2 bus ride to the hotel. We stayed at Heartland Hotel, which was built chalet-style. Rooms, though not the most modern, were comfortable enough for the stay.






The best thing about the room though was the incredible view of the mountains and lake from my room at the 3rd (and topmost) floor!