Flight Check: Auckland to Guangzhou aboard China Southern

The Plane:

An Airbus A330.

Flight time: 11hr, 40m - and bang on time.

Class: Economy.

How full: Economy was chocka. Business about half full.

Fellow passengers: Mainly Chinese nationals returning home with a sprinkling of Kiwis and other tourists.

My seat: 49H. Reasonably comfy. I like the configuration - two seats each side and four in the middle - for travelling as a couple.

Entertainment: I felt the English-language programming was limited, but there's a substantial offering for Chinese passengers.

Service: Genuinely friendly and helpful. There were some language problems, but they were overcome with teamwork.

Food: Mediocre, but tasty sandwiches or noodles were provided on request between two meals.

The toilets: Spacious and clean.

Baggage allowance: A wonderful two-piece (23kg each) plan with up to 12kg carry-on.

Would I fly this again: Yes, as the schedule suited trade shows in China and Europe perfectly - and all at a competitive cost. Not having to worry about the weight of samples hauled home is bliss. Auckland Airport staff call it the "milk and honey flight" as Chinese visitors take advantage of the extra weight allowance to carry Kiwi products home.

Airport experience: My first time in the very busy Guangzhou Airport was slightly overwhelming, but it's all well-organised.