Page 77 of Under Southern Stars
“Same movies,” I promise. “Air New Zealand actually has excellent entertainment systems.”
“How do you know?” Sophia asks. “Fly with them often?”
Another moment where honesty battles with my carefully constructed narrative. “When I first moved here. I went back and forth a bit before settling.”
Not exactly a lie, but not the whole truth either.
The gate agent’s voice comes over the loudspeaker: “Air New Zealand Flight 1 to Auckland now welcoming our Business Premier passengers, Star Alliance Gold members, and Airpoints Elite customers for priority boarding.”
“That’s us,” I say, standing and gathering our carry-ons. “Let’s go.”
Sophia stares at me. “What? Us? Jack, what are you talking about?”
I cannot help the smile that spreads across my face. “I had some points saved up. Thought I’d surprise you.”
Her eyes narrow. “What kind of points get you boarded first?”
“From all those medical conferences before I transferred to 402. International flights rack up miles fast.” The explanation is plausible enough. “Madison’s in Business Premier—seat 5K. Full pod, it lies completely flat.”
Madison’s jaw drops. “I’m in first class?”
“Business Premier,” I correct. “But yes, essentially.”
“Oh my God!” Madison clutches her mother’s arm. “Mom!”
Sophia looks stunned. “Jack, that’s…that must have been a fortune in points. Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Teenagers need proper sleep on long flights. Otherwise, they get cranky and overthrow the crew.”
Madison is already bouncing on her toes. “Is it like the pods in the movies? Do I get pajamas? Is there a menu?”
“Yes, yes, and yes,” I confirm, unable to resist her enthusiasm. “And we’re in Premium Economy—24A and B. Window and aisle.”
Sophia’s expression cycles through surprise, gratitude, and something else—a fleeting moment of calculation, quickly dismissed.
“Jack, this is incredibly generous,” she says softly.
“It’s nothing,” I reply, meaning it. If she only knew. “Come on, they’re boarding.”
Madison practically sprints to the gate, her boarding pass clutched like a golden ticket. The attendant scans it with a smile. “Business Premier, Miss Mitchell. Right this way.”
Sophia and I follow more sedately. She keeps shooting me sideways glances.
“What?” I ask innocently.
“Medical conferences, huh?”
“Paramedic continuing education. Very important. Plus a few back-and-forth trips when I first moved.”
She seems to accept this. “Well, thank you. Madison’s over the moon.”
“Wait till she sees the seat. It’s quite something.”
Once onboard, a flight attendant shows Madison to her pod in Business Premier. Her “Oh my God, MOM!” could probably be heard back in the terminal. We watch as she is presented with a substantial swag bag containing Bose noise-canceling headphones, luxury skincare products, and premium pajamas with the Air New Zealand logo. Madison looks like she might pass out from excitement.
Sophia and I continue to our Premium Economy seats—significantly more spacious than standard economy, with decent recline and legroom.
“Window’s all yours,” I say, gesturing for her to slide in first.
