Air New Zealand Air Points - Early checkin, possible to do night before?

I have a 7am AirNZ flight from Auckland to Sydney, connecting to Johannesburg.

My thought is to stay over the night before at the Airport Novotel, arriving at the airport at about 11pm.

Would I be able to checkin the night before, and just keep carry on luggage for the hotel?

Also when I was over for the RWC in Sept I handled immigration at the check-in counters, and got some sort of an express card, to say my passport was already stamped. (I was flying Emirates FC). Is this possible with NZ, albeit only business class this time round? (connecting qantas F class)

Lastly if I can checkin night before, and handle passport, can I arrive at security about 75mins before takeoff (no desire to go to the lounge)? I have a long 33hour day and want to sleep in as late as possible!


thx

I think you should be able to check-in, but am not 100% sure, others here may know better - otherwise, your best option may be just to wait until the day and try it.

On the day of your flight, I reckon you could arrive at the airport 30 mins before your flight, if you have checked in already.

Then, all you need to do is; find the AirNZ Premium check-in (In the middle of the terminal), go in there and use the lift to go up one level and there will be an Immigration officer right there, especially for premium passengers. Then you get a kind of express lane through security - it merges with all the common people and is usually pretty good. Then go to your gate.

If you're already checked-in, the above process (excluding walking to the gate) should take a maximum of 10 mins, but I would expect more like 5, once you get inside the airport door. The longest part will be the walk to your gate once you get through security.

I'm not so sure about checking in the night before....I'm not even sure if your suppose to leave the terminal once checked in? The hotel will hold your bag at reception for you, which is ~200m from checkin.

I wouldn't leave it till 30 mins before your flight leaves either, boarding alone usually begins 40 min before dep.

.......boarding alone usually begins 40 min before dep.

That doesn't mean you need to be there standing in line eagerly awaiting.....

thank you for the responses.

Presuming I cannot checkin the night before, is anyone of the belief that arriving at the check in counter at 5:40 would be too late for a 7am departure?

It would be too late if there's a 20 minute queue.

However, since you are travelling Business out of AKL I don't see this as an issue.

It's a bit different for NZ international flights - there's a premium check-in lounge for BP/*G PAX to the right of the NZ economy/main check in area. There's staff at the entry who can help/advise you.

Go in there, check in, fill your departure card out and take the lift upstairs to the dedicated premium NZ emigration counter.

thank you for the responses.

Presuming I cannot checkin the night before, is anyone of the belief that arriving at the check in counter at 5:40 would be too late for a 7am departure?

1' 20'' is more than enough. I normally check-in between 40 and 50'' before departure. Regularly I am told I am last to check-in, but it has never been a problem - even when I left my passport at home and had to race home and get it. I ended up checking in 10mins before departure in that instance, but they knew I was coming and had pre-arranged someone to specially bring my bags to the plane.

You cannot check in the night before - flight will not be open for check in.

Under two weeks ago I took the bus from town to the airport and then transferred to the formula 1 hotel. They would not let me check in for my flight to Queenstown at 7:30 the next morning.

The Novotel is literally right accross the street from the terminal. If you want to save $ stay at formula 1 it's a short bus ride away.