Something incredibly unique happened this weekend. For the first time in my life, I wished a plane ride was longer.
I was lucky enough to join four winners and a couple of media members for a taste of the high life - and 11 secret herbs and spices - as I boarded KFC’s Zing Air private jet for its maiden voyage to watch the Hurricanes take on the Blues in Wellington.
On my way out to Ardmore Airport I passed at least three KFC billboards to set the mood, and with a rumbling stomach and Auckland rain setting in, I couldn’t wait to get onboard flight number KFC11.
Before boarding, the lucky seven were ushered into a room full of every KFC item imaginable. Wicked wings, boneless hot & crispy chicken, Zingers, Colonels, chips, potato & gravy and coleslaw made for a breakfast buffet from 12-year-old Sam’s wildest dreams.
After a quick feed and some quick hellos to my fellow travellers, our bags were loaded onboard by staff in donning KFC-red uniforms including western style string ties fit for Colonel Sanders himself.
The Rock’s Andrew Mulligan sat across from me after we boarded the jet and we got our first real treat to take home.
KFC has some of the best promotional merch in the game, and this was no different. We each received a Zing Air bag of travel swag, including all the essentials - Zing Air branded socks, a toothbrush, hand sanitiser, lip balm, earplugs, a drink bottle and an eye mask to take home after our journey as we nestled into our Zing Air pillows.
Following a welcome from our flight attendant and some complimentary popcorn chicken, it was wheels up and on our way to the nation’s capital.
The takeoff was smooth, and the speed and size of the craft made the G force feel like nothing I’d ever experienced. Ears popped as we all looked around in awe, pressing every button available to us. Seats were swinging and window shades were going up and down as we got accustomed to how the 1% lives.
I chatted to the winners next to me, a father and son duo who found out they had won last week.
“You’d have to cancel everything,” they said when asked what they’d have done if they were busy this weekend.
The other set of winners had ordered a bucket of chicken on a Wednesday and found out that Friday - both winners actually thought it was too good to be true, and thought the winning text that came through was a scam!
After just 45 minutes we were in Wellington, and the most surreal flight of my life was over.
We once again didn’t need to go through any security - perks of flying private - and were quickly shuttled to our accommodation at the Rydges where I bumped into a couple of Hurricanes players in the lobby.
I spent my downtime wandering the Wellington waterfront, checking out the Dragon Boat Festival where Dane Rumble’s 'Cruel' was cranking on the PA before we set off to Sky Stadium for a night of Super Rugby action.
We made our way to our seats that were literally on the field - three KFC couches in the shape of a half bucket would be our home for the night - and were presented with some more KFC swag, this time a limited edition rugby jersey. Honestly, unreal kit.
The women’s game took place first. With the sun beating down, things opened up and the Blues women ran away with a 50-10 victory. I ran away with $20 at the TAB that I would later reinvest.
Since it was Super Rugby’s cultural round, we were arm’s length from several performances throughout the night, and we also had a meet and greet with some non-playing Hurricanes reserves including All Blacks hooker Asafo Aumua between the games.
Oh, and a bloke in a giant Colonel Sanders costume stopped by to say hello as well.
Right around kickoff dinner was served, and we’d have the last of our KFC on this trip. A similar setup to before boarding, we had a full fried feast at our fingertips while the action began.
My personal tally: Two burgers, four wicked wings, three pieces of original recipe, two pieces of boneless hot and crispy, a box of chips, a stomach that sounded like a pair of rugby boots in a dryer and zero regrets.
The men were underway and we were sideline for an absolute treat of a match. After a frantic start that saw three yellow cards in the early stages, it was push and pull right down to the final minutes with the Blues edging the Hurricanes 33-29 - leaving one devastated Andrew Mulligan and four happy winners from the 09.
As someone with no vested interest in either side because I’m Chiefs mana all day, I got what I wanted - a close game of code - although my TAB account will tell you I wanted Blues 1-12, Hoskins Sotutu, Mark Telea and Du’Plessi Kirifi Anytime Try Scorers.
After the game concluded we wound down for the night, all tired from a whirlwind day. A complimentary hotel breakfast and one more jet ride - the second most surreal flight of my life, I was used to it by now - put a bow on an incredible 24 hours that will stick with me forever.
I may never know what the 11 secret herbs and spices are, but I’ll make no secret of the fact that this was truly one of the most unique experiences of my life. To the winners lucky enough to score a seat on the four trips to follow, I hope you have just as good a time as I had.
Zing on.
