Check-in: Very smooth. I checked in online, which conveniently opens two days before flying. I went through the slick, dedicated Business Class check-in desk at the airport, for which there was no queue.
Airport experience: Auckland Airport was surprisingly calm, despite this being the day of Aucklageddon, aka Tropical Cyclone Cook. Getting to the airport was a different matter — my Alert taxi still hadn't arrived 45 minutes after I rang to book it, so I gave up and got the Skybus, which made good time to the terminal. I ended up arriving more than four hours early.
At the airport itself, immigration and security was a breeze, then I hotfooted it straight to the Emirates Business Class lounge, where I enjoyed a couple of glasses of Moet, free Wi-Fi, and delicious food.
Flight time: Oh y'know, only 17 hours 5 minutes. But with the comfort of the lie-flat bed and the privacy provided in Business Class, I was able to sleep for more than 10 of the 17 hours. The flight felt like a breeze.
On time: Yes. Take that Cyclone Cook.
Seat: 8G. A Business Class suite. I was in the middle of the plane, with a Kiwi gentleman sitting next to me. There is excellent legroom, and the seat fully reclines into a lie-flat bed. A vanity area with space for books, toiletries, etc, plus a minibar with still and sparkling water, cranberry juice, Pepsi and 7UP gives an added feeling of space and privacy.
Extras: Noise-cancelling headphones were provided, as well as an amenities kit with Bulgari toiletries, plus socks and eyemask. No lip balm or earplugs though — two of my long-haul essentials. Luckily, I brought my own.
Entertainment: The ice entertainment system is world class, with more than 2500 titles to choose from. In Business Class, the widescreens are high resolution touch screens and an excellent size. There were a number of new-release films to choose from, plus great box sets of TV shows. There was also a tablet which could be used as a remote control or to watch movies. Plus a touch-screen remote control.
Service: Exemplary. The crew comprised 18 nationalities and between them spoke 20 languages. They were always ready to help, friendly and prompt with any request. They fitted mattresses to seats as soon as we were in the air, so those who wanted to go straight to sleep, could.
Food and drink: Excellent. I'd pre-ordered a vegetarian meal, which on Emirates is also suitable for vegans. This may suggest bland and boring to some, but my starter of couscous and capsicum salad, my main course of kale, cumin and paprika roast potatoes, pearl barley and vegetable ratatouille was actually very good. The Cloudy Bay Te Wahi Pinot Noir 2013 and warm roasted salted nuts beforehand went down a treat too.
Breakfast was a hot meal of spinach, potato, beans, and tomato with croissant, fruit and yoghurt on the side.
The spacious lounge area at the back of the plane was always well stocked with bar snacks, sandwiches and mini bagels, and there were light snacks available.
Fellow passengers: A mix of holidaymakers, Brits returning home via Dubai, and businesspeople. The aforementioned "gentleman" next to me, turned out to be not so ... wearing shorts and surgical compression socks with a portly puku hanging out from his T-shirt, he chugged Moet, greeted me with an "All right girl", and told everyone who would listen — and those who didn't want to — about his recent knee replacement surgery. When he wasn't drinking Moet he was sleeping; when he wasn't sleeping he was drinking Moet. For 17 hours. On ya, champ.
Toilets: Mostly clean and tidy, although towards the end of the flight they were lacking paper towels and flannels.
Would I fly again: Definitely. My family are in Europe so it's an essential journey for me at least every couple of years. And being able to get the grunty part over and done with in one go is great.
