Flying from Auckland to Honolulu with Air New Zealand

Economy Skycouch, aboard an Air New Zealand plane. Photo / Supplied

Dean Buchanan flies Auckland to Honolulu with Air New Zealand

The plane: Air New Zealand 777-300.

Class: Economy Skycouch.

Price: The Skycouch was an extra $700 on top of the Economy fare.

Flight time: 8hr 30m — on time and no delays.

My seat: 46H, J and K.

Fellow passengers: Kiwi couples and families escaping the New Zealand winter and heading to the Hawaiian sun.

How full: 60 spare seats. Leaving on a Thursday evening misses the "weekend rush".

Entertainment: Great system, average movie selection.

The service: Mostly excellent as usual, except for one gentlemen who looked and sounded "over it" from beginning to end.

Food and drink: Good.

The toilets: Good.

Luggage: Two (empty) checked bags on the way over.

The airport experience: Gate 17 in Auckland is a long walk from the main terminal and airline lounges.

On arrival in Honolulu, the triple check experience slows entry down, so be patient and you'll be on the beach with a cocktail in no time. Ask taxis for a fixed fare and don't pay more than US$29.

The bottom line: I rate the Sky Couch over Premium Economy as you can all-but lie flat (with your legs curled) and it's way cheaper than Business Class for a relatively short haul. The 8.55pm flight is excellent as — after dinner and a movie — you're ready for a few hours' sleep, refreshed and ready to start your holiday immediately upon arrival at 7.35am. Remember to organise an early check in at your hotel. Aloha!