Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Christchurch airport domestic gates 11-14

Dear travelling pals, I hate to whine about the national carrier but has anybody else got a comment about the comfortless, cramped, drafty space where we are crammed in to wait for domestic flights departing from gates 11-14 (correct numbers?) at Christchurch domestic terminal? My hour there a week or so ago was memorable for its cheerless lack of charm/charmless lack of cheer. I know that some rebuilding is going on but couldn't some alternative arrangements be made in the meantime? Southbound travellers are much better catered for at Dunedin's spacious, modern and comfortable terminal, I feel.

Its not the greatest place to while away an hour - but the views out the windows and of the activity going on below aren't too bad, and its nothing like as bad as some pretty awful airports elsewhere in the world (B gates at FRA, HLZ, LHR T3...)

Perhaps delay going through security into that gate area quite so early next time? Its not like domestic security in NZ is long or unpleasant or involves queues of more than a minute or two.

There is more quiet seating upstairs in the part between domestic and international, and the cafe that is often deserted over in the international end.

Another option is to gain access to the NZ koru club - that is right there by the gates you describe. If you have a gold card with any of the star alliance airlines you can get in for free, otherwise many employers will sort out membership for you.

Dunedin is a great airport I agree, but Christchurch isn't terrible - just a bit old and unloved.

dupe'd

These gates are this bad, the waiting area has been made much larger over the last few years.

Try gates 2&3 at CHC, no these gates are bad. Or gates 4 ABCD at AKL are really bad, havent been touched since the terminal opened.

Hi there KJKiwi

Your blog came to my attention when it popped up on my Google alerts and I’m sorry to hear about your not so pleasant experience at Christchurch Airport. I thought you’d like to know that construction is now underway for a new combined domestic and international terminal, complete with improved facilities and retail stores. For further information about the improved facilities visit: [URL="http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/CorporateAndCommunity/TerminalDevelopment/"]

Cheers,

Anna Pettigrew
Marketing and Communications Advisor
Christchurch International Airport Ltd.