[Fly] Flying with Qantas Airline to New Zealand, Transit in Australia

While we were planning our trip to New Zealand, the first step to kick start the trip is to buy our air tickets. After comparing the airfare, we decided to give up the direct flight, instead, we took Qantas Airline from Singapore which requires transit in Australia. Our flight to Christchurch actually require transit at Brisbane. However, we do not have much time at Brisbane airport due to the short connecting time.

To New Zealand, Christchurch

Singapore to Brisbane

We are heading off to Brisbane first before we get to Christchurch and it has been quite some time since I had to depart at Changi Airport Terminal 1.

Duration

7 Hour 20 Minutes

Aircraft type:

Airbus Industrie A330-300

Seat plan

2x4x2

Wide Screen

The seat which accompanied with headset and blanket when we went onboard

Menu:

What we had?

Dinner

Braised beef brisket, roasted potatoes, peas and oregano onion sauce

Salad of roast chicken with quinoa, raisins, cherry tomatoes and a citrus dressing

Dessert

Weis Mango Ice Cream

Breakfast

Muffin and fruits

Transit at Brisbane Terminal 1 to Christchurch

We were afraid that we will have not enough time for the transit, but luckily the gate was near to each other, which was about a 15 mins walk. We even had time to go to the washroom.

Brisbane to Christchurch

Duration

3 Hour 15 Minutes

Aircraft Type:

Boeing 737

Seat plan

3×3

The screen is smaller than A330

What we had?

Meal onboard

No menu card was given to us, cabin crew read the menu for the day, and we just had whatever that sound nice.

Omelette with potatoes and sausage

Overall:

The first leg of the flight to Brisbane on A330, the seat and leg space was more comfortable compared to the A737 which we took from Brisbane to Christchurch. I had the Braised beef brisket, roasted potatoes, peas and oregano onion sauce, the braised beef was tender and the way it was cook taste fine, as for the Salad of roast chicken with quinoa, raisins, cherry tomatoes and a citrus dressing that my sister had was not that good as the roasted chicken was tough and dry, she did not finish it.

Return flight from Auckland

We went to the airport earlier than what was required to explore the airport and had our meal before flying back home. Auckland Airport seems bigger than Christchurch international airport and we finally got to try out their Macdonald and KFC. I would like to say Singapore KFC chicken taste better, I still like our crispy chicken and the Macdonald meal was not bad.

Departure Hall is very simple and the departure card is just right after this sign

Remember to fill in your departure card.

Auckland to Melbourne

Off to Melbourne before heading home.

Duration

4 Hour 15 Minutes

Aircraft Type:

Airbus Industrie A330-300

Seat plan

2x4x2

What we had?

Meal onboard

There was no menu card was given, cabin crew read the menu for the day, and we just had whatever that sound nice.

Snack

Dessert

Tip Top Ice Cream

Transit at Melbourne to Singapore

We had a longer transit time at Melbourne Airport, hence, had a chance to take a look at the airport, buying some souvenirs from the airport.

Melbourne to Singapore

Duration

7 Hour 50 Minutes

Aircraft Type:

Airbus Industrie A330-300

Seat plan

2x4x2

What we had?

Beef blade steak with red wine sauce, potato mash, zucchini and sugar snaps

Stir-fried noodles with Asian vegetables, black beans, tofu and chilli

Dessert

Weis Ice Cream

Snacks

Dim Sum

Mushroom Pizza

Overall:

Our return flights to Singapore was smooth. As for the food wise, I enjoyed like the mushroom pizza a lot but not really the dim sum box, but my sister like the dim sum box perhaps it was because we were away from home and she miss the Asian food.

The main meal, Beef blade steak with red wine sauce, potato mash, zucchini and sugar snaps, the beef was soft and tender with the red wine sauce it was a good combination and as for the Stir-fried noodles with Asian vegetables, black beans, tofu and chilli that my sister choose was not as delicious.

Out of our 4 flights with Qantas, I would say the seats were acceptable. The headset provided at the seat on our way to Brisbane was spoilt, after getting a new set it was not working too. Only the 3rd set is working, perhaps it was a one-off incident that happened to me.