Today’s Flight

The last of my 13 flights of this NZ trip ends with a delay on arrival in #BER caused by a combination of last minute aircraft change, tarmac stand and de-icing in #VIE.
Worst of all: I have no booked flights for the near future to escape European winter. #avgeek #OS239 #A320

Servus, Vienna. Again.

Next to the door it says Prague but the pilot didn’t let himself be misled. #OS776 from #SOF landed on-time in #VIE. Last stop before the last leg on this extra long day.
#EMB195 #avgeek #aviation

I could have flown home right after my arrival in Vienna. Instead I fly #VIE to #SOF on #OS775, only to return directly with the same plane. Why? Technically my New Zealand trip began/ends in Sofia on one ticket. On the next ticket I return home to Berlin. It’s worth it. #avgeek

Like TK, #Austrian has a chef on board and presentation of the food shows. With a departure past midnight not everybody may be willing to appreciate it.
#planefood

Very light load on the 12.5 hour flight #OS16 from #PVG to #VIE. OE-LPB was originally built for Lauda Air in 1998, but taken over by #Austrian in 2005. Even today she is still sporting the colours that she received back then.
Oldie, but in good shape. #B772 #avgeek #aviation

I spent roughly 17 hours in #Shanghai before continuing my journey towards Europe. Weather wasn’t on my side, but it was still worth taking the fast #Maglev train into the city, have some good food and get a shower. Next stop VIE.
Not on a Comac 909 though. #avgeek #PVG #transit

#NZ289 left #AKL after midnight, generally not the perfect time for a heavy dinner. But given a flight time of almost 12 hours to #PVG, you have to eat something after all.
Luckily there are lighter options too, served by a very caring cabin crew. #planefood #nightflight #avgeek

Well, #airnewzealand, what was that?
On the #B789 seat 09A offers more privacy than others. Reserved it weeks ago, checked in, had my boarding pass, only to be re-seated upon boarding. No aircraft change, no inop seat, but ‘because the customer was important’? Not cool. #paxex #NZ289 #AKL #PVG

Short walk from the domestic to the international terminal at #AKL. 60 years after the opening of #Auckland international airport, there‘s a lot of construction underway. For a better future. See you again, New Zealand.
#avgeek #aviation #Māngere

Time to slowly work my way back to Europe.
The short flight from #NPL to #AKL comes with a window seat and a free snack. Probably the last daylight flight till I arrive back home in 63 hours. Yes, 63 hours. By choice.
#avgeek #NZ5050 #AirNewZealand #aviation

New Plymouth #airport may be small but the modern building has everything that you‘d expect at bigger airports, including a large lounge.
There is one thing #NPL doesn’t have: a security check. You arrive, check-in and board through the only departure gate. #avgeek #aviation

6️⃣ #AKL to #NPL on #NZ5043

Our #ATR72 left rainy Auckland towards New Plymouth where it had strong gusty winds. The earlier flight even had to return to Auckland before. After a bumpy approach, Mount Taranaki welcomed us in lovely sunshine. #avgeek #aviation #ANZ

Auckland didn’t exactly welcome me with the nice weather I was hoping for. After a short walk to the domestic terminal I can now enjoy the views of the ramp from the dry NZ regional lounge. #AKL #Auckland #avgeek #aviation

Ten hours is enough to sleep AND have two meals.
#avgeek #planefood #airnewzealand #aviation

Crew was great but the reversed herringbone configuration is terrible. Good decision that #NZ has started to replace it. It lacks privacy and makes you feel like a sardine packed in a tin box. Interesting: the backrest folds forward and turns the backside of the seat into a bed. #paxex

5️⃣ #PVG to #AKL on #NZ288
My European mind has difficulties to comprehend that it’s another 10+ hours to get to Auckland. But with a lie-flat seat, stable, free WiFi and good onboard entertainment time flies. Even with a messed up body clock. #jetlag #B789 #avgeek #paxex

After a night in a regular hotel bed in #Shanghai it is time for another night on a plane. Still a few miles to fly to get to my destination. Off to the second half of this trip.
#PVG #Pudong #airport #avgeek #transfer

Of course, food and beverages on Lufthansa’s #FirstClass services are good, but their biggest asset remain their outstanding First Class cabin crews. Motivated, professional and with a sensibility for the needs and wishes of their passengers. Perfect #paxex.
#planefood #Allegris

I got the best seat in the house all to myself.
1D/E is the #Allegris Suite Plus that can accommodate two passengers. Both or only one seat can be turned into lie-flat beds. They come with a heating/cooling and multiple other functions. Fancy! #LH726 #FirstClass #avgeek

4️⃣ #MUC to #PVG on #LH726
On the outside just another long distance flight in an #A359 like many others before. Comfortable late departure in Munich to sleep through the night and arrive in the afternoon.
Almost an hour earlier than scheduled even. On the inside very special ->

My transfer in #MUC began with a short train ride and ended with a light Thai soup before heading to the gate for my 4th flight today. Off to a very special experience. And that explains why I was so worried to miss my flight to Munich.
#avgeek #transit #lounge #Allegris

3️⃣ #VIE to #MUC on #OS189
A short hop of 45 minutes with a lighter meal this time. No problem, the big feast lies still ahead of me. Busy times for the crew though with 7 rows of C class to serve on this short flight.
#avgeek #A319 #AUA #aviation

2️⃣ #SOF to #VIE on #OS776
Perfect flight! Early departure, entire C class cabin to myself and the most #Austrian meal you could possibly think off. Arrival 20 minutes early, dissolving my missed connection worries into thin air. #avgeek #paxex #A320 #transfer

Hello, Sofia. Goodbye, Sofia.
Quick direct turnaround at a relatively empty T2 of #SOF. Since Bulgaria joined the Schengen area in January 2025 there’s no need for immigration or transfer security checks. That allows for more time to observe my plane being fueled.
#avgeek #Sofia

1️⃣ #VIE to #SOF on #OS775
Despite the weather in Vienna, this first flight went fairly smooth. On-time departure and early arrival in Sofia. With only 30+ passengers it felt like we took off after only a third of the runway. Fingers crossed for an equally smooth return flight.

Time for a little adventure.
Cold and grey #VIE airport marks both, the starting and transfer point for today‘s trip.

1. VIE-SOF
2. SOF-VIE
3. VIE-MUC
4. MUC-PVG

The catch: transfer time in Vienna will be 30 minutes only.

We’ll find out how that goes! #avgeek #aviation

Another positive example of how some crews at #austrian go the extra mile. #OS232 left #BER with delay but managed to arrive to #VIE slightly early. Superb purser brought me a little excuse for delays on recent flights to take home with.
Small gesture, great #paxex.

#IB1801 from #MAD to #BER concludes my trip to Latin America. Two days at home to do some laundry before embarking on the next crazy trip to the other end of the world. Super jet lag incoming.
#avgeek #A321neo #aviation #Iberia #Express

Two #iberia longhaul flights out of two with no wifi connection at all throughout the entire flight, while the Northern Atlantic Ocean isn’t generally known for low satellite coverage.
Instead you get a bunch of different error messages.
Poor #paxex on a modern #A359.

Food wise, I’d give it a 6 out of 10, but that’s probably not representative for other passengers.
#BOG #MAD #IB156 #planefood #avgeek