Air NZ and Visas
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ*G
Posts: 101
Air NZ and Visas
Would Air NZ, stop someone boarding a flight if they didn't have the appropriate visas?
Bearing in mind this is a transit query and USA is the transit location.
Thanks in advance
Bearing in mind this is a transit query and USA is the transit location.
Thanks in advance
#3
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,643
The computer will say "no" at checkin. The checkin system ties in with SITA and that systems checks the relevant countries to ensure the person is allowed in. (SITA was the system that went down the other month and caused the not being able to check in international flights (https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/0...ure_australia/)).
Think the fine can be NZ$15k+ for airlines bringing pax to NZ when the computer said no. Heard of one instance where the checkin agent try a few times to massage the name to get them on the plane and then the airline got fined.
Think the fine can be NZ$15k+ for airlines bringing pax to NZ when the computer said no. Heard of one instance where the checkin agent try a few times to massage the name to get them on the plane and then the airline got fined.
Last edited by nzkarit; Jul 16, 2017 at 9:08 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ*G
Posts: 101
The computer will say "no" at checkin. The checkin system ties in with SITA and that systems checks the relevant countries to ensure the person is allowed in. (SITA was the system that went down the other month and caused the not being able to check in international flights (https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/0...ure_australia/)).
Think the fine can be NZ$15k+ for airlines bringing pax to NZ when the computer said no. Heard of one instance where the checkin agent try a few to massage the name to get them on the plane and then the airline got fined.
Think the fine can be NZ$15k+ for airlines bringing pax to NZ when the computer said no. Heard of one instance where the checkin agent try a few to massage the name to get them on the plane and then the airline got fined.
#5
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,497
If flying from USA to NZ then checking in at an offline port may not cause the lack of visa to be picked up. But it will be picked up at the online transit port. NZ require all non-NZ boarding passes to be reissued on NZ stock before they will allow you to board, as a way of confirming that the visa check has been done and the passenger is eligible to enter New Zealand. Immigration NZ will fine Air NZ if they carry someone who then has to be turned round at the border for improper documents.
#6
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If flying from USA to NZ then checking in at an offline port may not cause the lack of visa to be picked up. But it will be picked up at the online transit port. NZ require all non-NZ boarding passes to be reissued on NZ stock before they will allow you to board, as a way of confirming that the visa check has been done and the passenger is eligible to enter New Zealand. Immigration NZ will fine Air NZ if they carry someone who then has to be turned round at the border for improper documents.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6,338
Interesting. NZ had (has?) that "special arrangement" at LAX for folks going on to LHR..... I wouldn't have THOUGHT that would remove the requirement for visas in the case of folks normally requiring them... but I suppose it MIGHT have been the case???
If NOT then boarding would certainly be denied..... given that there is no formal "transit" at US airports...
If NOT then boarding would certainly be denied..... given that there is no formal "transit" at US airports...
#8
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,009
You go through the full USA entry requirements and back in again to board the next flight.
Given this question is about Air NZ & USA guessing its AKL-LAX-LHR ?
https://www.airnewzealand.com.au/us-...t-requirements
#9
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
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As pointed out there is no such thing as "transit" in the US. Even on NZ2 transit you enter the US and are free to walk outside if you wish.
#10
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Interesting. NZ had (has?) that "special arrangement" at LAX for folks going on to LHR..... I wouldn't have THOUGHT that would remove the requirement for visas in the case of folks normally requiring them... but I suppose it MIGHT have been the case???
If NOT then boarding would certainly be denied..... given that there is no formal "transit" at US airports...
If NOT then boarding would certainly be denied..... given that there is no formal "transit" at US airports...
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ*G
Posts: 101
I guess when you think about it in Geographical Terms... Who else but NZ would be in a geographical position to transit through USA..... And of course, it's the greatest country in the world, it's the end destination
#12
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,643
And in the US it isn't so much Transit it is they let international and domestic mingle on Departure.
#13
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,112
The only benefit of "transit" on NZ2 is a transit card that will give you access to the transit queue at TSA screening (if it's actually in use).
Transiting NZ2 still requires an ESTA and full CBP clearance. Once you've been through the transit area and had your boarding pass stamped you're back landside in the terminal and are free to go outside if you wish.
Transiting NZ2 still requires an ESTA and full CBP clearance. Once you've been through the transit area and had your boarding pass stamped you're back landside in the terminal and are free to go outside if you wish.
#14
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JL used to have Tokyo to Sao Paulo (via JFK).
#15
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Auckland NZ
Programs: NZ Gold Elite, AS, AC, QF
Posts: 748
There used to be one or two Asian carriers routing to Latin America via LAX.
I think maybe Korean or Asiana to Brazil?
And...I see Kiwiflyer beat me to it!
I think maybe Korean or Asiana to Brazil?
And...I see Kiwiflyer beat me to it!