I fly into Auckland from Sydney (3 hours, 5 minutes), landing just past 5pm and proceed straight to the lounge – perfect timing for cheese and biscuits with a Villa Maria Merlot from Hawkes Bay. My luggage is checked through to San Francisco, so it couldn’t be easier. There’s time to browse Kiwi label Icebreaker’s large airport store, then sample a Te Pa Sauv Blanc back in the lounge ahead of boarding for the 19:55 departure.