Airline review: Air New Zealand, Airbus A321neo economy class, Sydney to Christchurch

DURATION

Three hours and five minutes.

CARBON EMISSIONS

Rated at 0.386 tonnes per economy class passenger. Air New Zealand's "FlyNeutral" program allows passengers to offset their share of a flight's carbon emissions with carbon credits from international projects while also "accelerating biodiversity and climate outcomes in NZ." Passengers can contribute to FlyNeutral when they book their flight or at any time following it.

FREQUENCY

Air New Zealand operates two direct return flights daily between Sydney-Christchurch-Sydney with other, longer in duration, connections each day via Auckland, Queenstown or Wellington. Christchurch International Airport is a particularly popular destination during winter, serving, as it traditionally does, a gateway to NZ's ski fields.

CARBON EMISSIONS

Rated at 0.386 tonnes per economy class passenger. Air New Zealand's "FlyNeutral" program allows passengers to offset their share of a flight's carbon emissions with carbon credits from international projects while also "accelerating biodiversity and climate outcomes in NZ." Passengers can contribute to FlyNeutral when they book their flight or at any time following it.

HEALTH

Masks are required to be worn onboard Air New Zealand services, however, passengers no longer need to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to fly. Before arriving into NZ, Australians must complete the "New Zealand Travel Declaration" (travellerdeclaration.govt.nz) with vaccination details to be included. There's more information on entry requirements to NZ at covid19.govt.nz

CHECKING IN

Air New Zealand officially recommends checking in 1.5 hours before your international flight but, with the ongoing state of global travel, it's worth arriving even earlier, especially if you have luggage to be checked, so you can reduce the inevitable stress loads. The self-service bag drop process at the Air New Zealand counter at Sydney Airport is queue-less and hassle-free. However, further along, the lines at passport control and security are lengthy though orderly and come complete with strategically-placed electronic signage ads appealing for desperately needed airport workers.

THE SEAT

There are 214 economy seats, each with a 74 to 83 centimetre pitch in a 3-3 single aisle configuration across 37 rows. All of the seats are upholstered in surprisingly comfortable black leather but don't get too used to them as Air New Zealand is planning to phase out such coverings in favour of more sustainable lighter-weight cloth fabric. It's all part of an ambitious overhaul plan that includes a campaign to reduce fuel-guzzling weight wherever possible.

BAGGAGE

For economy class passengers, there's a limit of 23 kilograms for checked luggage and seven kilograms for carry-on.

ENTERTAINMENT

My "theworks" fare includes meal and drinks (see below) as well as "full gate-to-gate access" to the airline's inflight entertainment system which includes films, TV, music and games.

FOOD

A hot meal, with a choice of Italian chicken or beef rendang, is offered, along with drinks. The former dish, with the inevitable red sauce, is surprisingly palatable for an economy flight.

ONE MORE THING…

Consider stopping a while in Christchurch rather than transiting immediately to another part of NZ. The nation's second largest city has been largely, and rather stunningly, rebuilt since the destructive 2011 earthquake and has much to offer, including its Canterbury region South Island food bowl hinterlands. See christchurchnz.com

THE VERDICT

Air New Zealand regularly rates much more highly than its bigger Australian counterparts on world airline ranking lists. You can tell why, even on an all-economy service like this one which could tutor our supposed low-fare carriers. Aside from the lengthy pre and post-boarding queues at the airports on either side of the Tasman, this is a smooth, efficient and wholly pleasant flight (no mean feat these harried days) overseen by a characteristically capable and congenial cabin crew.

OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE

★★★★

Anthony Dennis travelled as a guest of Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand. See airnewzealand.com.au; newzealand.com