Flight Check

Grant Bradley flies United Airlines 1654 from Los Angeles to Cancun, Mexico

The plane: An 8-year-old extended-range Boeing 737-9. On time? Almost, and that was surprising because of chaotic boarding due to the lack of space in overhead bins further back. There was a knockon effect up the cabin. (Boarding was not so bad on the return flight but passengers were still carrying on bags the size of bar fridges). This scrum doesn’t need to happen — Iata, the body representing airlines, pushed for a smaller standard cabin bag but this was rejected after pushback over passengers worrying about having to buy new bags. Time for a rethink — but airlines need to come to the party by re-pricing hold baggage. My seat: 10C on the aisle in Premium Economy, which you can buy at check-in for about US$60. This is at the front of the Economy cabin and these seats have up to 12.7cm more legroom than those further back but it was a tight 44cm wide, so not much elbow room. Chaotic boarding on a United Airlines flight from LA to Cancun. United’s extended range 737s seat up to 179, 20 of which are comfy-looking reclining first-class seats in 2-2 configuration. For the rest it’s 3-3. They had a North American power socket but no USB port. Fellow passengers: Mainly a vacation crowd. I was surrounded by a twitchy family, one of whom was dealing with a relationship issue on the phone until wheels-up at LA. Price: Return fares for the overnight flight started at US$947 in June. Food and drink: Got off to a good start then hard to spot — occasional water, juice and complimentary pretzels. Alcoholic drinks start at US$6.99. Service: Boarding was a shambles but order was restored after that. An attendant serving drinks early in the 4h 45m flight remained remarkably cheery in the face of rude holiday-makers loudly barking orders at her while she was clearly dealing with other passengers. Luggage: My ticket covered one checked-in bag of 23kg. Otherwise it would be US$25. Toilets: The one at the front of the economy cabin was clean, but not much fun for those seated near it. The airport experience: LAX is an “expect the worst but hope for the best” experience. From an Air NZ flight it took just on an hour to enter the US and claim my bag. Not a bad run, apparently. With colleagues I had access to the freshly remodelled United lounge on the way out. It is spacious, with an outdoor terrace, healthy food and some complimentary drinks. Cancun Airport is a manageable scale, and entry to Mexico was smooth. Bottom line: This midnight flight is not much fun for sleeping in the cheap/er seats. The daytime return flight was better. How to get there: Russell is four hours’ drive north of Auckland, including the ferry from Opua. Check-in experience: Warm, friendly and informative. The room: Two bedrooms, a decent-sized living room and balcony. A queen in one room, bunks and a single in the other. The bed: Dreamy soft beds, cloud-like linen, plenty of pillows. When it was time to sleep, the tick tock tick of the alarm clock had to stop. I took the battery out. The decor: Kiwiana charm, old Tourism NZ posters, ornamental paddles and shelving made from painted beer crates. Super-groovy pendant lighting and a little record-album coffee table. Kim Carnes’ Voyeur in mine. And the sheepskin rugs felt very nice underfoot. Kitchen: If you fancy cooking you’ve got all the equipment, a sink, a couple of hobs and a microwave. But with so many good restaurants around, where’s the fun in that? Minibar: Quality plunger coffee and a range of teabags from Earl Grey to green, peppermint to English breakfast and a decent half-litre of milk. Bathroom: The shower was amazing and the spa bath was the size of a small-ish swimming pool. Plenty of fluffy white towels. Toiletries: The very appropriate South Pacific Soap Co’s shampoo, conditioner, soap and moisturiser. It’s coconut-based and smelt and felt really good — so you actually want to use the stuff, which is novel. Who runs the place: The lovely people who revitalised the Duke of Marlborough Hotel have put all their hospo knowledge to good use. Also on site: A pizza oven, barbecues and a small swimming pool, although the bath is so big you could do laps in that. What’s in the neighbourhood: Tennis courts, pretty beaches, historic buildings, plenty of eating and drinking, Pompallier House, Russell Museum, Flagstaff Hill, Duke of Marlborough Hotel. Getting around: Walk everywhere in Russell, or take the passenger ferry to Paihia and stroll around over there. Entertainment: Sky TV and speakers for your device. Plus a selection of games including Trivial Pursuit, magazines and books including a Woody Allen and a Tony Parsons, not to mention a wellthumbed copy of The Godfather. Stay connected: Free Wi-Fi at a decent speed. The verdict: Groovy Kiwiana kitsch. And it’s comfy too. Online: dukemotel.co.nz