NEW ZEALAND: Flight from Blenheim to Wellington on Air New Zealand

• NEW ZEALAND: Introduction — Wellington, a ferry to Picton for a South Island holiday
• LOUNGE REVIEW: Update to Qantas First Lounge Sydney for Autumn 2025
• HOTEL REVIEW: Too much style? Naumi Hotel, Wellington, New Zealand
• TRIP REPORT: Interislander ferry between Wellington and Picton, New Zealand
• HOTEL REVIEW: Bring boltcutters? Picton Waterfront Apartments, New Zealand
• NEW ZEALAND: Top of the South Island, what we did and ate in Picton, Havelock and Blenheim
• NEW ZEALAND: Flight from Blenheim to Wellington on Air New Zealand

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Our return to Wellington was from Blenheim Airport (BHE). It’s a tiny airport adjacent to a New Zealand Air Force facility. No lounge, and not much of anything else except a big waiting room with two ‘gates’, one at either end.

The Airport

Facilities are minimal, no lounge, for example, but three self-check-in machines! There is also a cafe. Here are some images of the airport’s interior.

However given its size, you do get some pretty good apron views. That’s good because there is little else to do than watch the action on the tarmac.

The Flight

We were booked in seats 6C & D on Air New Zealand flight NZ5736, departing at 18:15 and arriving in Wellington (WLG) at 18:45. Not really enough time for any kind of service.

Our aircraft for the flight was a Q300, or more colloquially known as a Dash-8. Fifty seats in a 2-2 configuration, in an all-economy cabin.

Such a short flight, with no service other than a glass of water, makes it hard to comment or even review the experience. It was functional, pleasant, and very New Zealand. And then we arrived in Wellington.

2PAXfly Takeout

A pleasant enough experience, flying from Blenheim on a short flight to Welllington. We probably spent more time returing our hire care, and waiting in the airport than we did in the air.

I’m no fan of Dash-8’s. I spent too much time on them flying between Sydney and Canberra for work a decade ago. But this flight in the hands of Air New Zealand was pleasant and mercifully quick.

Next up, our return to the other side of the QT Hotel, the Museum Apartment Hotel, Wellington.