No footrest but fold-in wings are a winner

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THE AIRLINE: Air New Zealand THE ROUTE: Auckland to Niue THE PLANE: Airbus A320 UP THE BACK OR AT THE POINTY END: Economy seat 9D TIME IN THE AIR: Three hours THE SEAT STUFF: Fabric seat with fold-in wings on the headrest, which I love. BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: One piece of check-in luggage up to 23kg and one carry-on item up to 7kg. Our photographer had a 13kg carry-on full of paraphernalia but this was no problem. COMFORT FACTOR: Standard economy conditions. Like so many airlines there was no footrest. I don’t know why these aren’t used more – they are an easy way to add comfort for people of smaller stature such as myself. The seat pocket did however have a useful drinks holder which I’ve never seen before. THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT: Individual entertainment screens in the seat backs with a reasonable selection of 50 movies and 70 television programmes. I was slightly disappointed that there were only two episodes of Downton Abbey, but to be fair I have seen them all. FEEDING TIME: We were travelling on The Works tickets so breakfast and drinks were included – a choice of frittata and wedges, or a continental breakfast of cereal, fruit and a muffin. For those purchasing food onboard, the Inflight Bites menu offered a bacon and egg panini, a bagel with cream cheese and fruit conserve, a chicken, brie and cranberry sandwich, plus the usual fare of pies, instant noodles, soup and so on. THE VERDICT: A pleasant three- hour trip up to the hidden gem of Niue, with reliable and friendly Air New Zealand service. FREQUENCY: From late March/ early April to November, Air New Zealand flies twice a week to Niue. Flights leave Auckland on a Wednesday and Saturday, arriving on Tuesday and Friday as Niue is a day behind New Zealand. For the remaining months of the year flights are reduced to once a week. Maria Slade flew courtesy of Niue Tourism.