Air New Zealand Air Points - OOL-CHC-ZQN A few question

Hi Guys,

Just a couple of quick questions.

About to book a OOL-CHC-ZQN return for August.

What is the minimum connection time at CHC to connect to a ZQN flight (both NZ flights). The flight from OOL arrives at 1425 and the ZQN flight departs at 1605. Will this be sufficient

Also we will probably book on two separate PNR's as it is significantly cheaper:confused:will we be able to get our bags checked all the way through to ZQN or will we have to pick them up in CHC and re-check them?

Cheers

Mick

You need better advice on the MCT question than I could give... hopefully it will be forthcoming... I noticed that the flight combinations that come up online for OOL-ZQN have really crappy connections though!! No wonder you are looking at booking it separately!

On the "checking through".. I've never had a probelm with NZ doing that (most recently LAX-AKL then AKL-SYD on different PNR's...booked a slightly later (767) trans tasman flight cos I didn't want to have to board an A320 as soon as I stepped off the 747!!)... BUT - you'll still presumably have to pick up your bags in CHC - clear Customs - then drop them off again.... Shouldn't be "checking in" all over again if that's what you meant.. but it isn't a simple transit either.....

If OOL-CHC-ZQN on the website isn't coming up with the same flights then most likely the connection is not within MCT, not that that matters if you book separate tickets (as NZ not obligated to protect against misconnections). Edited to add, the online timetable does come up with that connection thus if booked on one ticket it must meet the MCT.

FWIW, I think if OOL-CHC is on time, 100 minutes for int->dom is plenty of time. Most times arriving at CHC internationally I am in the domestic lounge within 10 minutes of the doors being opened. Might be different at that time of day though.

Customs rules mean must collect bags at CHC. Can redeposit at the domestic transfer desk landside immediately to the right when exitting customs.

Thanks trooper and Kiwi Flyer, much appreciated.

I need to play with the booking engine.. I didn't get that sequence of flights.. only ridiculous overnight "connections"...

Day of the week perhaps?? (Or maybe I just screwed up.... wouldn't be the first time!;))