Air New Zealand Air Points - Day trip CHC-SYD-CHC

Hello everybody,

I am making a day trip on september 16th with NZ 781 and NZ 786 from CHC to SYD and back and have a few questions:

- How early do I have to be at the airport in both CHC and SYD (I am *G BTW)?
- Who long does immigration in CHC and SYD take?
- Do I have to expect a "special treatment" from Australian immigration as i am only 10 hours in SYD?

Thanks for your answers!

CHC-SYD

You should be at airport early enough to complete check in by cut-off. Suggest 90 minutes before departure (don't forget to allow time to get into the terminal due to the blocked off area outside - no convenient drop off or parking possible).

As *G you can use the business, koru *G line at check in. You can get the return boarding pass issued at CHC (assuming no checked bags). You will need to pay the departure fee of NZ$25 at the airport before heading to immigration. Immigration & security normally fairly quick.

Onboard you should hopefully get an inwards express immigration card - this gives access to special lane at immigration and also at quarantine xray.

Arriving at SYD you are at the end of the peak period - expect 30-60 minutes from arriving at gate to getting landside. You won't get special treatment but you should have a reason for the trip when asked by immigration agent. With no checked bags and only small carryon you may get spotted by roving customs agent and directed to "D" channel or allowed to bypass x-ray. This saves quite a bit of time.

SYD-CHC
If you already have boarding pass then arriving at airport 60 minutes prior to departure is sufficient (but won't leave much time for lounge visit). If no boarding pass then 90-120 minutes. You may want to stop at the check in desk along the way to pick up an outwards express immigration card - but arguable if it will save much time after factoring in need to queue at check in to pick it up.

Immigration and security should be fairly quick at this hour.

On arrival back in CHC you may get a question about why a day trip but shouldn't get special treatment.

Thank you very much for this detailed answer !!!

Just another question , is pre-evening check-in possible in CHC?

The day before? No chance. Check in at the airport will open around 4am.

Thanks as im not an earlybird i feared an answer like this might come ;-)

I think i am spoiled with LX that offers check-in 24 hours before departure even from most railway stations in Switzerland.