Trip Report : Auckland - Sydney on LAN Airlines
Flight Details:
Airlines: LAN Airlines
Flight :LA801 AKL - SYD
Reg : CC-CQF
Aircraft: Airbus 340-313X
Dep - AKL : 06:05
Arr - SYD : 07:45
Flight time : 3hr 40min
Distance : 2160 kms
Full Trip Video: LAN Airlines CC-CQF LA801 AKL - SYD
Do watch the video to experience the flight.
Introduction
This trip report is the return trip from Auckland in 2012. Having flown with Aerolineas Argentinas on A340-200 for a short trip, see report here : Aerolineas Argentinas AR1183 SYD-AKL
It was time to return back to Sydney. Below is the video of the flight.
Arrival at the airport
Arrived early to airport to return the car. Dropped the keys at the counter, which was closed, went to complete the check-in process.
Welcome to NZ
Arrival Area
Arrival Board
Waiting for Check-In to open
Flight Arrival
Check-In
I was travelling light with few passengers in the queue. As the Auckland was a transit stop between South America and Australia, not many passengers boarded from Auckland. It didn't take long for the check-in to complete. Departure area is on level 1.
Arrival Schedule
Heading towards departure
Replica of Jean Battens aircraft hanging from the ceiling
Departure Area
Completed the Check-in. With Immigration opening at 5.30a.m. Had breakfast at Macca's.
View from Observation Deck
Tarmac was quiet as airport buzzes after 4.30 a.m. few people were sleeping on the chairs.
Remote Bay
Immigration
Immigration didn't take long as not many passengers were in the queue, I was very early for the flight. No issues with immigration, was soon out in the duty free area.
Duty Free Area after immigration
"The tree"
Colour change
Departure gates - upstairs
Top View
Towards Gate
Airside View
Being winter it was still dark outside.
Qantas(Jetconnect)
LAN getting ready with catering being loading
Gate information
Flight was departing from gate 5. It was a full flight with many flying from South America.
LA801 from Santiago
Refueling
Tug in place for pushback
Boarding
Boarding was called by seat numbers.
Business Class
Business Class Side view
Economy Class
Window View
Cabin view as boarding continues
Cabin Side View
Crew walked around the cabin as boarding was completed.
Seat
Window View : All Black 777 is the neighbour
Takeoff
After boarding was completed, doors closed. The crew provided a safety demonstration. watch the trip video for taxi and takeoff.
LAN logo
Flight path
Moving Map
Departing Auckland
Flight details
Inflight Entertainment
I was awake very early hence didn't watch any entertainment.
Seat with IFE's Main Menu
Headphones
IFE Controller
Breakfast
Crew started the breakfast server after an hour of departure. Breakfast was Chicken Focaccia Sandwiches, fruits, sponge cake and juice.
Dawn approaching
Reading material
Inflight magazine
Window View
Dawn @35000 ft
Flight Information
Safety card
Opened safety card
Window View
Cabin view
Crew rest Area
Window View
Landfall
Over Sutherland
On approach
Watch video for landing.
Arrival in Sydney
LAN logo
Disembarkation
Business Class
At the gate
Immigration and Quarantine
There was no self-serving kiosk in those days. Immigration was busy as it was morning peak in Sydney. After passing immigration, it was baggage collection. The bags had started to arrive the the carousel, got mine without much wait. Got waved off at quarantine as I was arriving from Auckland.
Out of airport
Took train to Central and then onwards to home.
Hope you enjoyed the trip. Thanks for reading.
End of Trip
:)
HI Koresh, thanks for sharing this retro report that brings back good memories for me! I flew this route on the LA 789 shortly after it switched from the A340. The LAN A340 was a beautiful bird, especially with the nice LAN livery. I love that there is such a variety of interesting carriers flying trans-Tasman routes, though I guess there will be one less with EK handing over their routes to QF.
Thanks for sharing!
Hello KevinDC, I flew on Aerolíneas Argentinas and LAN specially for the A340. In those days, Aerolíneas Argentinas was flying the A340-200 and LAN A340-300. I enjoyed both flights. I had travelled to New Zealand in 2005 on Emirates A340-500 unfortunately didn't take any photos of that trip. When I flew in 2012 decided to take enough photos for memory. Thanks for your comments.