F-Airy TrailsBy Jane Cassie
“We’ll be landing in 15 minutes, Hon,” my hubby whispers beneath my musical-making headset, rousing me out of blissful slumber. “It’s time to wake up.” For the past 12 hours we’ve been traveling at 30,000 feet, en route to the Cook Islands. And while in the comfort of our Boeing 767, the entire journey has been literally a dream.
Not so, on this trip.
Finally when we did board, we were each entitled to two carry-on bags. This is exciting news for a writer, who is weighted down with a lap top and enough research material to fill a public library! Usually my computer comes out of hiding as soon as I hunker down for a lengthy flight. As well as taking my mind off the surrounding interruptions and restricted elbow room, it gives me something to do during long transports. In spite of the good intentions to get a jump start on a few articles, my computer remained dormant during this entire ‘air time.’ With the 60 degree recline, ergonomically engineered seats, space constraint wasn’t an issue. And while pampered with an adjustable headrest, foot rest, and lumbar rest –it was hard not to rest! While I was sawing logs beneath my blanket of soft lambs’ wool, my husband enjoyed his favourite pastime with the entertainment toys at his fingertips. Just like at home, he surfed the nine channels with glee, clicking from the many movie options to challenging Mario and the other Nintendo mind-amusers.
Air New Zealand has been transporting tourists for over half a century. In 2001, the company commemorated its 50th anniversary of the first flying boat service which commenced December 15, 1951 on what became the famous "Coral Route" from Auckland, New Zealand via Fiji, and the Cook Islands to Tahiti. Initially it was a monthly service, then after six months, The DC-6 aircraft started replacing the Solents on the Auckland-Fiji leg in May of 1954 and in September 1960, the world's last scheduled international flying boat made its run. Today, Air New Zealand offers more direct flights to South Pacific destinations than any other airline. It is consistently rated among the world’s finest international carriers by Condé Nast and Travel & Leisure. And after this recent excursion to the Cook Islands, it sure gets my vote of confidence!
Visit Air New Zealand online at www.airnewzealand.com for web specials. In the US call 1 800 369 6867 and in Canada 1 800 663 5494. As a member of the Star Alliance, Air New Zealand passengers earn mileage credit in the United Mileage Plus®, US Airways Dividend Miles and Air Canada Aeroplan ä frequent flier programs. For reservations and additional information, readers can visit Air New Zealand at www.airnewzealand.com/usa or www.airnewzealand.com/canada. Jane is president of BC Association Of Travel Writers http://www.bctravelwriters.com, a long standing member of TMAC (Travel Media Assoc. of Canada) and co-editor of Travel Writers’ Tales www.travelwriterstales.com She and her husband, Brent, freelance for a number of publications. IMAGES BY BRENT CASSIE /COMPLIMENTS AIR NEW ZEALAND |
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TM
I'm relaxing on a deserted beach somewhere in paradise, where palm trees sway above sugar fine shores and the sultry breeze provides a warm embrace. All stressful thoughts have totally vanished and my body feels as limp as a rag doll. Although I half expect to hear background sounds of squawking gulls or rolling waves, oddly enough it's a classical concerto by Mozart. 
Air New Zealand features three flights a week to the Cook Islands via Los Angeles. They take off in the evening, stop down in Papeete, Tahiti (sometime during the wee hours), and arrive in Rarotonga on the morning of the following day. The flight takes a dozen or so hours from door to door –and is one part of this vacation that I really wasn’t relishing. Usually the cramped quarters and unrelenting interruptions on any ‘red eye’ don’t permit a lot of dozing, and my top priority, after landing, is finding a comfy bed where I can catch up on lost sleep. As well as feeling jet lagged, I’m deprived of enjoying a good part of my first vacation day and instead of cruising and schmoozing, I’m snoozing. 
Our business class experience actually began before we even boarded our flight. As well as whipping us through a streamlined check-in (and earning Aeroplan point to boot), we were invited to relax in the classy comfort of their VIP lounge while waiting for take off. In spacious luxury, we enjoyed a bountiful buffet, complemented by a wide range of beverages, satellite stations and a magazine selection that was just about comparable to any Chapters. 
The only interruptions that took us away from our chosen pleasures were the non- obstructive stewards during refreshment and mealtime. (and it was well worth the disruption) The varied selection on each of our menus, featured contemporary brasserie-style cuisine, and was accompanied by a choice of fine New Zealand wines. My dinner meal could have easily received accolades from the House of James Beard. The rack of lamb, delightfully infused with a touch of New Zealand, was drizzled with a sumptuous demi-glace and coupled with perfectly prepared veggies. 
Everything from the decadent desert to pedigree service had been considered. 
due to popular demand, was increased to fortnightly. Samoa was added to the route October 14, 1952 and feeder flights from Tonga to Fiji were introduced in August of 1953.
