Tusker top-ups and BYO devices
Angela Quigan escapes chilly Auckland for Port Vila on Air Vanuatu’s seasonal service.
The aircraft
Boeing 737-800, with capacity for 170 passengers (eight in business class - which is really just economy with slightly more leg room and a bigger seat). Economy is laid out in a 3-3 configuration.
Time in the air
Three hours and 15 minutes.
Check in
Relatively quick, with three checkin counters open for a full flight although we were at the airport bright and early (check-in opens three hours before flight departs and closes 60 minutes before). Boarding was prompt and we departed as scheduled at 12:20pm.
Baggage allowance
7kg carry-on for all passengers, plus 30kg check-in baggage for economy, or 40kg for business travellers. Plenty, when all you need to pack is cotton dresses, jandals and sunscreen. Oh, and mozzie repellent. Don’t forget the mozzie repellent.
The seat stuff
8E and 8D. The leather seats were comfy and there’s plenty of leg room for my five-foot-nothing self and an ‘‘acceptable’’ amount for my much taller husband. Our return flight wasn’t quite full so there were plenty of empty rows for weary travellers to lay out and snooze.
Feeding time
Meals are included in your fare and we were treated to a choice of a deep sea bass with rice and a tomato-based sauce or a chunky beef pie, both served with your standard plane food salad, bread roll and cookie. Drinks (which include the locally-brewed Tusker beer) are free and top-ups are frequent!
That’s entertainment
Remember to bring your own device if you plan on doing more than stare at your partner/the wall/wander to the toilet/twiddle your thumbs or read Island Spirit cover-to-cover-and-back-again for the duration of the flight. Air Vanuatu has its own app available for download to your smartphone, iPad or other tablet which gives you wireless access to a range of TV shows, radio stations and a selection of Vanuatu documentaries, but must be downloaded before you board the flight. Sadly no one told us about this prior to departure, so I spent the majority of the flight peering over the shoulder of the guy next to me and attempting to lip-read episodes of Modern Family.
The service
The crew were friendly and attentive We were kept regularly informed of time till destination and despite some light turbulence we land safely to a balmy 28C a few minutes ahead of schedule. Extra points for the hostess who cleaned up the vomiting passenger on our return flight.
The verdict
For such a cheap, short flight there really isn’t any need for any frills. The service was great, the plane was nice and new.
Frequency
Air Vanuatu flies between Auckland and Port Vila four times weekly; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. However, the Tuesday service is seasonal from July to October. Check airvanuatu.com for the latest fares, including deals for children.
The writer travelled courtesy of Air Vanuatu.