This trip aims to explore parts of the Malay Archipelago that are now also part of Australia, namely Cocos (Keeling) and Christmas Islands. Despite their proximity to each other, I have to visit them separately from Perth, one on the way to Malaysia and the other on the way back. This is due to cutback in flights which makes it unfeasible to visit one from the other (a triangle itinerary). Wish me luck! I’m travelling on standby for these low-frequency flights.
But first, I fly from Auckland to Perth. I managed to get a seat at check-in immediately even on standby. As it turned out there were about 90 spare seats on today’s evening flight to Perth.
I had complimentary access to the lounge courtesy of my credit card and as I was leaving, I got the staff to check on spare seating. She pointed out that I was strangely on a “seat only” ticket with no meals. As it was incongruent with her understanding of a staff ticket, she rang the load controller to organise another meal. The message was very effectively relayed to the gate staff, Inflight Service Manager and cabin crew as well; very impressive!
Then she plonked me in a Skycouch row with the remaining seats spare, so I could lie flat on the flight. Days like these (and staff like her) make Air New Zealand the best airline in the world.