There are more options than ever to fly nonstop from Australia to Texas, opening up the US South for travellers via Dallas-Fort Worth or Houston. Air New Zealand offers an alternative connection for Aussies with its year-round direct Auckland–Houston route. So, is it worth stopping in Auckland? We do the math.
Where possible, I like to take the direct route from Brisbane to the USA – no stops in Sydney, thank you ma’am, get me to my destination by the least circuitous journey.
Brisbane now has more US airlines and more nonstop flights to North America than ever before, but select seasonal services mean fewer options outside the late October– early March window. So, while my initial reaction was to balk at the Air New Zealand option (a three-hour flight and almost the same amount of layover in Auckland), needs must.
Air New Zealand has a daily direct Auckland–Houston service at a crisp 13.5 hours or less and up to three flights per day between Brisbane and Auckland, making connectivity easy. But is it worth the layover? Read on to find out.
Check-in and boarding
Checking in at Brisbane Airport is a breeze. After online check-in via the Air NZ app, there are no queues at check-in and bag drop with plenty of kiosk availability for smooth moves through to security screening. I’m ticketed right through to Houston, so no need to pick up my checked bags in Auckland.
Here, the process slowed with lots of travellers going places on a Wednesday and several flight departures scheduled for mid-morning. It’s still only around 10 minutes for security screening and zero wait for the passport gates.
Inside the departure lounge, it’s busy and buzzing with cafes, general seating and duty-free all overflowing with people. I’m departing from gate 81, which is right in front of the departure lounge and close to all amenities.
Air New Zealand uses a seating system for boarding, starting with premium cabins and then by grouped economy rows. It’s a little chaotic with people milling around instead of queueing and a lack of direction about which rows are actually boarding. It’s enough to appreciate the group boarding system used by most international carriers.
Transiting in Auckland
The transit process at Auckland Airport is quick and painless with no need to pick up checked luggage. I follow the signs for international transfers to the security screening area and then straight out the doors to the departures lounge.
Since I was at Auckland Airport almost 18 months ago, the departures area has had a refresh with new carpet, modular seating and small tables and plenty of charging points.
With a brief layover of under three hours, there’s enough time to check out the luxury retail, duty-free and dining options. It’s the perfect amount of time to relax and regroup without rushing or feeling bored before boarding my next flight at gate 8, just five minutes’ walk from duty-free.
Onboard comfort
Once on board, that quintessential Kiwi hospitality kicks in. There’s something about the laidback, yet professional style of service you receive when you fly overseas with an Australian or New Zealand carrier. Whether it’s the shared sensibility or candour, it feels different – less forced, more natural.
From the flight manager’s welcome banter to the safety video (still the fun Steven Adams-fronted, basketball-themed Every Point Counts one), there’s a sense of shared camaraderie already.
I’m seated in an Economy seat in one of the Skycouch aisles, although sadly, there’s no room for reclining on this hop across the Tasman as it’s a full flight.
This Boeing B777-300ER aircraft has a 3x4x3 configuration in Economy with power and USB in the seatback screen. With luggage under our feet, it’s a tight squeeze, but doable for the short hop to Auckland.
For the longer leg, I’m on a Boeing B777-367ER aircraft, which also has a 3x4x3 configuration in Economy with generous seat pitch, adjustable headrest, pillow and blanket and complimentary earbuds. I paid an additional AUD$30 to select my seats on the AKL-IAH and IAH-AKL flights – a first for me for an international economy flight and not even for an exit row or preferred seat (such as Economy Stretch with extra legroom).
This Air New Zealand flight is much less crowded with several full Economy rows free. I was lucky enough to nab the middle four seats all to myself with several other passengers also moving to the free seats after take-off. With so many free seats, is it really worth asking passengers to pay to select their preferred seat in the main Economy cabin?
The fun stuff
Air New Zealand offers plenty of entertainment via the seatback screen. There was also free inflight Wi-Fi available – and reliable – on the BNE–AKL leg after take-off.
Passengers can choose from the latest blockbusters and TV series to classic flicks, available in multiple languages, plus filter movies based on running times. There are also audio options (music, podcasts, radio, audiobooks), games and a relax channel.
Specialty categories include a Pride Channel; Chinese, Korean and Japanese languages; and Te Ao Māori and Tiaki – Care for New Zealand.
The flight map also includes an interactive element for kids with animals in select countries where Air New Zealand flies, such as a bear in Canada. In all, plenty to keep all ages occupied with screen time.
Inflight food
Here’s where the Air New Zealand team really showed up. For the third time in as many flights, I’ve had my vegan meal request stuffed up (don’t ask). I’ve been basically raw-dogging my US flights, except for watching the entertainment, and it turns out, I’ve survived on a small amount of snacks.
The Air New Zealand team was having none of that and kindly procured vegan items to cobble together two main meals – dinner and breakfast – for me. It was beyond kind and very much appreciated. I felt looked after instead of being a burden.
For the main cabin, the meals served looked and smelled good – the BNE-AKL lunch was a choice of vegetarian curry and rice, beef salad or chicken dish, a chicken and corn side salad, bread roll and a white chocolate and apricot blondie slice with a full drinks service. The flatware and dishes are all recycled materials.
On the AKL-IAH leg, Economy passengers had the choice of butter chicken or beef casserole with a couscous salad, bread roll and vanilla-bean ice-cream. Breakfast options were scrambled eggs with cheddar on top or overnight oats with berry compote.
Sky Pantry Kiwi snacks are also available in the galley if you’re peckish between meals. And, as always, every flight concludes with the classic Air NZ boiled sweet basket.
The details:
- Aircraft: Boeing B777–300ER (NZ146) / Boeing B777-367ER (NZ28)
- Seat: 42H (aisle) and 62G (aisle)
- Flight time: 2 hours 50 minutes (BNE–AKL) and 12 hours 30 minutes (AKL–IAH)
- Luggage allowance: 2x 23kg checked baggage plus 1x 7kg cabin luggage and a personal item (for connecting international flights)
- Arrival in Houston: 2:05pm (scheduled) / 2:15pm (actual)
Takeaway
Air New Zealand is a firm favourite for a reason – the classic Kiwi hospitality is warm and welcoming, from the moment you board. The award-winning Economy cabin has plenty of options to optimise your flight, from preferred and exit row seats to the innovative Economy Skycouch, and the food and beverage options are definitely a cut above.
The pricing is also sharp, from AUD$1,223 for a Brisbane–Houston return flight with one stop, and one of the fastest gate-to-gate services for this route.
However, the choice to roll the dice to receive your preferred seat 24 hours before your flight online, on check-in or pay $30 to secure an aisle or window straight up is a little rich, particularly on a route that does not operate at capacity.
But if you add up the convivial Kiwi service, superior F&B options and seamless connections in Auckland versus the ticket cost, it’s definitely one of the friendliest ways to fly to the US. Houston? No problem.
The writer was a guest of Princess Cruises.
