Air New Zealand Air Points - Hand luggage Restrictions Apply to AKL & SYD

Subject line says it all. Due to my business Visa running out (and needing to be there a couple of weeks longer), I may need to make a sharp exit form Fiji for 48 hours on Thursday this week so thinking of a mileage run (especially as I'm over the magic 55k with BMI Diamond Club).

So, do I have to deal with the same kind of hand luggage paranoia that I put up with in the UK/US or is my 2 piece allowance still intact. I'm thinking of leaving my main luggage with the customer and just taking a small back pack with a couple of changes of clothes and my laptpop bag.

You should be fine. AFAIK the only restrictions here are flights to US (and from Australia the Philippines also).

As always, thanks for clarifying this. I ended up not booking all the way to Sydney (I'd forgotten how expensive flights can be when you book at the local airline office the day before :() and will be stopping in Auckland for two nights. Should be interesting as I'm dressed for Fiji winter, not Kiwi winter.

Just to add that the hand baggage measurers were out in force at NAN today. I conveniently ignored them as I walked by. Beware if checking in here!

AKL was fast as always. BTW, should someone tell the Kiwis that it might just be better to go to the main immigration hall when getting off a flight from the pacific islands or are we keeping that a secret (main immigration hall is always empty when I get off one of these flights).

Just to add that the hand baggage measurers were out in force at NAN today. I conveniently ignored them as I walked by. Beware if checking in here!

AKL was fast as always. BTW, should someone tell the Kiwis that it might just be better to go to the main immigration hall when getting off a flight from the pacific islands or are we keeping that a secret (main immigration hall is always empty when I get off one of these flights).

I always check the upstairs queue (if it is open - only half the time in my experience) and assess whether or not downstairs is likely to be quicker based on how many a/c have just arrived and from where.

Part of the beauty is that everyone sees the sign and queues up there like lemmings, while I just stroll on by to the main counters downstairs. On the up side, coming in on a flight from Asia, the upstairs channel is a godsent gift.

It's not long for this world anyway, once the new western arrivals extension comes in. I have finally figured out Auckland Airport's strategy is to make everyone get their daily exercise by sending everyone around the airport and making them stand in line.

After seeing the new $28 m (or whatever it is) plan to get kids away from crisps and onto carrots, the Test the Nation health quiz the other night and the Green Party's determination to kick every fast food outlet out of the country, this must be part of the government's latest policy platform!