Originally Posted by
Kiwi Flyer
NZ1 and NZ2 are special cases. For all through passengers between London and Auckland on those specific flights (ie does not apply if flying NZ6 AKL-LAX and connecting to NZ2 LAX-LHR), except for those in business class, they have to enter the secure airside holding pen. There is immigration and security checks, but no customs. You do enter USA, and therefore must either be american, have a visa or be eligible to enter under visa waiver. But despite this you have no freedom of movement.
Business class passengers have the choice of using the holding pen, or clearing regular immigration, customs and security to use the Air NZ lounge. I normally try to do this, but sometimes immigration queues are over 1000 people and there is no time to actually use the lounge.
Yeah, LAX transit sux and is a major reason why Air NZ started flights via HKG a few years ago.
Ah - thanks for clarifying. That matches more or less perfectly with my experience. As I was traveling on my US passport (as required by the US) on that trip, it was not really an issue. But I can see how it would be an issue for people who need visas to even layover in the US. Ugh.