Flight check: Auckland - Tauranga return on Air NZ

For a stress-free trip to Tauranga, consider taking the short flight from Auckland. Photo / APN

Hamish Taylor flies NZ8223 and NZ8214 on a short North Island domestic trip.

Plane: A Q300 Bombardier.

Seat: 2D, the same window seat on both routes. I booked it that way deliberately flying to Tauranga and back to Auckland so I'd get the view out both sides. The flight to Tauranga was much more interesting than the return flight because you could see quite well and the views were very good; the return fight was cloudy.

Class: Economy Grabaseat fare. There's only one class on board these Air New Zealand regional service carriers. And they're all good.

Price: Auckland to Tauranga was $93. Tauranga to Auckland was $143.

On time: Heading down, we were bang on time. The return journey was half an hour late. It was during that spell of foul weather a few weeks back so I assume it was to do with that.

How full: About three-quarters. It seats 26, with two seats each side.

Fellow passengers: Mainly men. Businessmen probably.

Fancy that: The day before departure, Air New Zealand sent me an email, which I read on my phone - the weather forecast for the next few days in Tauranga. Very smart. I used this service to check-in online the night before I went to the airport. A terrific service.

Service: One steward did a very good job dishing out water and lollies to the passengers.

Food and drink: Water and a lolly. We were only 20 minutes in the air. We clocked closer to 30 coming back.

Toilets: Up front. Didn't go. No one used it. Crossed our legs and managed for the hop's 20-minute duration.

Luggage: I was allowed one checked bag, clocking in at 23kg. But I travel light for a one-night trip, so I had my spare shirt, undies, socks and a toothbrush in an old shopping bag. That'll do me.

Airport experience: Nice airport at Tauranga. Friendly and large, with plenty of room and a Koru Club, which I didn't know about until I arrived. An enormous number of hangars for private aircraft - rows and rows of the things. The parking fee at Auckland airport was $49 overnight, exorbitant.

Would I fly this again: Yes. I like this book-in-online thing because you see everything straight away. It's terrific.