Norfolk Island look like a very interesting place. I have to say I had not heard of it before. Apparently their national anthem is ‘God Save the Queen’. What's the weather going to be like in November? I put Norfolk Island into Google maps and it's in the middle of the ocean all on its own. It looks like it was a volcano once upon time.

Wow! 2 hours flight. When Concorde was flying it took 2 hours, 53 minutes London Heathrow to New York JFK. Those were the days! It was the fastest transatlantic flight. And the distance from Heathrow to JFK is about 5,536.36 kilometres (3,440.14 miles).

Post edited 9:00 pm – 21st October 10 by Me.

Ann-marie, not only was Concorde the fastest, it was also the most expensive and probably the most noisy. However, still a wonderful example of great engineering.

If you take a look at YouTube, they have several features on the Boeing A380 air bus. This plane has to be seen up close to be believed it's simply magnificent and unbelievably large. Emirates fly them into Auckland, I have never been on one but I have traveled on many of their large airbuses, in fact I will be on one next Friday.

This is the A380. Sorry the picture is slightly blurred, it was taken through a window and I have got some reflection.

This is the A340 I will be on next Friday.

Is it any wonder my wife and I always try to fly with Emirates? This is the menu for Friday's flight, the last time we flew with Air New Zealand we got a chicken pie … Yuk!!!

Sorry I won't be around for the next two an a half weeks, someone needs to soak up the Aussie sunshine and we volunteered for the job.

And perhaps not. Air New Zealand now have a new tier system for flying across the Tasman: you can choose to eat, drink and watch a movie, or you can sit in your seat for the entire flight with no service whatsoever. To sit in the seat and have nothing is the same cost as the five star service of Emirates which is why they are considered to be among the top three airlines. Emirates offer me a 30kg baggage allowance (per person) compared to the 23 kg offered by our National airline

Air New Zealand is one of my favourite subjects for they hold the country to ransom, especially on internal flights. How can they substantiate a fare from Auckland to South Island at one third of the cost from Napier to Auckland, or worse still, Whakatane to Auckland? They penalise those routes to subsidise the longer internal journeys because they have competition on the longer flights.

They are one of the few airlines that still operate 747's on long haul, and their fleet is now getting ancient, fuel inefficient and very costly to maintain. Next time you cross the Tasman, Michael, give Emirates a try, you may be delighted at what you find, they fly from Auckland to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. This is an airline that built it's reputation on the word service, believe me it's lovely to be spoiled rotten, I thrive on it.

I must also add in the last five years my wife and I have been upgraded to business class totally free of charge on no fewer than twelve occasions, have Air New Zealand done this for you because of your loyalty and sticking with them?

Looks pretty but a bit sparse to me. Reminds me of Masterchef!

Yes  , in fact they have , Me. Last year on the Auckland -Hong Kong section. That is the only occasion but maybe Emirates aren't full. I'm very mean when it comes to flying. The cheapest is best. It's only a glorified bus getting me from A to B . I'd rather spend my money when I get where I'm going. It's not that we haven't looked at Emirates (along with any other airline) but the price has always been more.

As regards the cost of internal flights- yes , some are disproportionally more expensive than others. The same applies to buses and trains but when you have 4 million people in an area about the same as UK economies of scale apply.

I won't Me. On principle. If necessary I'd rather pay more to our own airline. Arabs have got plenty of money.

Add service to your list, Ann-marie, which in this instance is suburb. On all their aircraft (and they only use the very latest models) the flight attendants, combined, can speak twelve different languages; this to make passengers of most nationalities feel at ease.

Good theory, Michael, only Air New Zealand use Arab oil to fuel their aircraft … perhaps you better get your bicycle out.

This will possibly be my last post, we fly out tomorrow at midday. We won't be returning until the middle of November so kindly keep my seat warm.

Best wishes to you all. Robin.

Me. said:

Post edited 8:15 am – 27th October 10 by Me.

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Michael, check these prices, ANZ can't touch them … honest. I recieved this note seven days ago.

Melbourne one way	$169*	$519*
Sydney one way	$175*	$520*
Brisbane one way	$181*	$521*
Melbourne return	$394*	$1094*
Sydney return	$400*	$1090*
Brisbane return	$413*	$1093*

The first price is economy, the second business class.

I will now dive into ANZ and see what they offer to compete.

Just checked for this Friday, the day we are travelling. Auckland/Brisbane, best price on offer with ANZ … $229-00, that is $48-00 more. I think I will stick with Emirates.

I don't know where Robin is getting his prices from but I've just checked and it's $NZ49 carry on baggage only, $NZ89 full economy class with Air NZ.  Ah! Wait a minute that's Sydney. Brisbane $97 and $119

Hmmmmmmm! I'm starting to think that Robin is an agent provocateur!

I got it wrong. My sister was flying Qatar Airways and she flew on the new airbus. There were some delays at her stopover but she's in Aus now.