Today we say goodbye to a grand old lady of the sky’s – the last of the Air NZ B747-400’s. For 35 years the B747 has been flying the Koru proudly around the world. I was living in Asia when the first B747-200’s joined the Air NZ fleet – so it would be 10 years till I got to ride an Air NZ jumbo. My first B747 experience was with SQ flying from SIN to LHR in July 1980 – in those days you could not make the 10,000km trip non-stop, so we stopped off about half way in Dubai to refuel at 3am – we parked mikes out on the tarmac and were bused to terminal that resembled not much more than an old aircraft hanger with out any air conditioning – how times have changed.

Looking back through my old passports, over the years I made nearly 30 trips, mainly across the pacific and some on to London on Air NZ B747-400′,s most of those trips were in the 2000’s. I was fortunate at the time to do most of those sectors at the front of the cabin in what they used to call Business Class – and several, including one very special trip I flew AKL-LAX-LHR return, in First Class. It was obscene the amount of personal space you had right at the nose of the aircraft, the food was out of this world and the service was impeccable – not my only first class experience but certainly one of the most memorable.

When I wasn’t flying First, I preferred to sit up-stairs in the top deck business class with a window seat. I then had a great view of the take-off and landings and you also sat next to a huge storage locker (right under the windows) that meant my carry on was always within reach. You tended to get served quicker and upstairs was always a little quieter, as any kids were seated below. I met some amazing people on these flights – Grandmas going to London to see family, Leaders of Business, Politicians, Sports Stars, a couple of Rock Stars – each had their own story. But my lasting impression was the crew – there was nothing like getting on an Air NZ flight and being greeted by a good kiwi accent, feeling right at home and knowing this flight was again going to be something very special.

I will miss the old girls of the sky, thanks for the memories.