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Once the three Emirates flights arrived we went down to the check-in area and checked-in for our flight. We then went through customs and security. We had a look at what was there, had something to eat and just relaxed before the flight home.

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Boarding commenced on-time and that meant an end to our awesome New Zealand trip!

December 2, 2012
Emirates
EK435
AKL-BNE
A6-ECQ B77W
Seat 18K

Welcome aboard!
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We pushed back about 15 minutes early, and with a flight time of only 3 hours, we we’re due into Brisbane at 6:20pm instead of the scheduled 7pm. Because of the persistent rain, I didn’t take any photos until we got above the cloud.

Photos along the way!
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About half way
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8486/8...78b72212bd.jpg

During the flight I watched a movie and a couple of episodes of two and a half men.

Getting closer
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8342/8...453797f2b8.jpg

Awesome view of the engine
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8068/8...24eef29f43.jpg

Descending
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Left turn
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8...bf3c0f4540.jpg

Descending into Brisbane
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Finals for RWY01 over the Gateway Bridges
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Short finals
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Home
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Passing the domestic
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At the gate
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Business Class
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Just as I was about to hop off, I was called back by a flight attendant. He saw me taking photos of Business Class so he asked if I would like to see First Class! It was very kind of him to offer and of course I would like to see first!

First Class, very nice!
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We thanked him and then left the aircraft. Customs and boarder security wasn’t a problem; we went to the pick-up area. Josh was picked up right away, I had a 15 minute wait and then it was back home!

CONCLUSION:

What an amazing trip! I had an absolutely amazing time. All the flights were great, Qantas was good as always and business class was awesome! My first impressions of Emirates and Air New Zealand were very positive. Emirates were great, awesome aircraft, great staff and fantastic IFE made for two great flights. Air New Zealand was also very good, very friendly staff and comfortable aircraft. I will definitely fly with both airlines in the future.

Accommodation was fantastic in Auckland and Queenstown, the Formule 1 hotel in Sydney was okay, but nowhere near as good as the hotels in NZ.

Spotting in Sydney was awesome as always. Managed to finally go to the mound and the beach and both were great. Auckland and Queenstown spotting was awesome as well. Auckland City was nice, the tours were very good, but my favourite place was definitely Queenstown! Such a stunning place! I loved it so much I plan on returning in winter next year to see it covered in snow! I will definitely stay longer next time too.

Thank you very much for reading.

Next trip for me is January 6th up to Gladstone for the day to try out the Boeing 717!

Also, Josh took a few videos on the trip of our takeoffs and landings. Here are the links...

QF8 landing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSEYF...ature=g-user-u

EK412 takeoff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTeLG...ature=g-user-u

EK412 landing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1Be9...ature=g-user-u

NZ417 takeoff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqlhj...ature=g-user-u

NZ417 landing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6PtA...ature=g-user-u

NZ5401 takeoff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMlIA...ature=g-user-u

NZ5401 landing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLOfw...ature=g-user-u

NZ5370 landing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aOQ-...ature=g-user-u

NZ510 takeoff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAAu0...ature=g-user-u

NZ510 landing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLPDO...ature=g-user-u

EK435 takeoff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQH7N...ature=g-user-u

Great trip report Brandon. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and looking through your photos. Looks like you had a great time.

Damn,,I was only back in New Zealand a few months back and now I'm homesick all over again :)

Great photos. I esp liked the one of Mt Taranaki (Egmont) in the AKL-WLG leg and Lake Pukaki with Mt Cook at the headwaters ZQN-CHC.

We were in Queenstown in early Sept. We stayed long enough to do the Gondola and then left. I'd forgotten how crowded and commercialised the place is. We drove over the Crown Range and spent an extra day in Wanaka instead. A much better place IMO.

Shame about your Milford trip.

Great report, great photos. Thanks for sharing :)

Thanks for sharing Brandon, some great flights and photogrpahy - a good selection of aircraft types.

Cheers Guys :)

What a legendary trip report, well done!