Flying from Napier to Auckland with Jetstar

Passengers board first Jetstar passenger flight. Photo / Warren Buckland

Helen van Berkel flies JQ356 from Hawke's Bay to Auckland

Aircraft:

A Bombardier Q300.

Airport Experience:

Napier Airport is too small to be an experience (our flight left from Gate 2; our flight down had left from Gate 40). We arrived too late for little more than a quick lap of the airport and an icecream in a tub, which we took on the plane.

On time:

Yes, left and arrived on time and luggage was immediately available.

Price:

One-way fares start at $49.

Other passengers:

The plane was almost full, mostly couples returning to Auckland, flushed after a weekend in the vineyards of Hawke's Bay.

Food and drink:

Paid only. My lovely host paid for a little bag of Santos "nut cracker mix", which contained what it says on the label (apart from Santos), and a bottle of water.

Seat:

4C, just short of halfway.

Loo:

Clean, smelled nice, although it was difficult to find stuff and seemed to have run out of hand towels.

Crew:

Single white male — efficient and helpful.

Would I fly again?

Absolutely.