Crack open the bubbles
Air New Zealand ordered 24,000 bottles of bubbly to mark yesterday’s first trans-Tasman flights in more than a year. Brook Sabin reports from Flight NZ246 from Sydney to Wellington.
In true Wellington fashion, our plane landed with only one wheel touching the tarmac. It didn’t matter. Spontaneous cheering, clapping and a fair few tears swept across the cabin.
History had been made: we were the first Air New Zealand international flight to land quarantine-free in Aotearoa in more than a year.
I was joined by 208 others – all with one thing in common: a desire to get to New Zealand as soon as possible. But there, the similarities ended. Everyone was carrying with them either a heartwarming tale, or one of heartbreak. Nobody was on the flight for fun. And no two stories were the same.
But for a moment, as the engines thrust into reverse, that was all forgotten. The moment they had all been waiting for so long had arrived: we were on New Zealand soil.
The A321 taxied to the end of the runway, where an enormous ‘‘Welcome wha¯ nau’’ banner was waiting. The plane did a slow turn past the artwork, so a photographer in a helicopter could get a shot.
A Wellington Airport guard of honour then greeted the plane as it approached the gate, with workers waving. For most, it was the first Kiwis they’d waved to in more than a year.
The excitement was no doubt helped by champagne. Air New Zealand ordered 24,000 bottles for Monday’s flights, so passengers could celebrate the bubble with bubbles.
Champagne for the Wellington flight started about 5am, just after check-in. More was offered while boarding, where live music and muffins also greeted passengers. Wine and muffins were an odd mix, but nobody was complaining. Instead, some started dancing as they were waiting to board.
Once we were airborne, the champagne corks were popped again.
All passengers aboard NZ246 from Sydney to Wellington also got free Koru Club access in Sydney. Passengers couldn’t help their
excitement. A queue formed at the buffet, with one passenger quietly asking: how does it work?
The atmosphere was carnivallike, as major Australian TV networks did live crosses into the crowd. But as always with Covid-19, nothing is simple. Talent scouts went out to make sure the hosts picked happy stories; because there was plenty of heartbreak out there.
I found one such case in front of me at the check-in queue. Tiffany Lauina’s mother passed away two weeks ago, and she explained to me holding back tears, she couldn’t get a flight back in time to go to the funeral. I immediately felt guilty for asking, as she could no longer hold back the tears.
The death was unexpected, and despite the excitement of being able to see family on Monday’s flight, the sorrow in her eyes hasn’t left my memory. Covid-19’s impact on the world has been devastating; but it’s easy to forget all that living in New Zealand, where life continues almost like normal.
Then next passenger I spoke to had a wide smile. I spotted John Harris lining up for a 6am champagne, and he explained he was off to the capital to see his father, who has had heart issues, and his mother who has recovered from cancer.
I almost felt reluctant to keep asking people why they were flying. It was like a minefield, where I didn’t know if my question would spark joy or sorrow.
Jemma Bemrose was all joy. She hadn’t seen her daughter for 15 months, and both burst into tears for a running embrace in the arrivals area.
Bemrose would normally come to Wellington to see her daughter once a month, but Covid had shut that down. She’d been waiting for the bubble to open since it was first mooted in September last year.
Her daughter, Alice, said she spent all last night dreaming about seeing ‘‘Mummy’’.
Pam Lennie was on the flight on a happier note. She flew to Australia
10 weeks ago to see her new grandchild and booked the first flight home once the bubble was announced.
The reunions at Wellington Airport were heart-wrenchingly beautiful. If passengers weren’t feeling enough anticipation before walking off the plane, a large screen was set up near the airbridge so passengers could see the huge crowd of loved ones eagerly waiting.
The tears started in biosecurity. Every time the door opened and people walked out, the faint noise of a heartwarming waiata floated into the room.
Freedom was just 20 steps away, but we had to have our bags checked for rogue fruit and vegetables first.
Walking through the sliding door was a goosebumps moment: Nga¯ ti Po¯ neke performed an emotional haka po¯ whiri as the tears flowed.
Covid-19 has seemed like a year of continual bad news; but what I saw yesterday brought so much joy. Let’s hope it was a turning point.
I almost felt reluctant to keep asking people why they were flying. It was like a minefield, where I didn’t know if my question would spark joy or sorrow.