Originally Posted by
threeoh
NZ definitely flies from T5, not T3.
You have two options:
(1) leave security, pick up bags in T2, take landside rail replacement bus to T5, wait for counter to open, check bags, take bus back to T1, clear security at T2 or T1 (doesn't matter), go to Polaris lounge (10 minute walk), enjoy lounge for 1-2 hours, walk all the way to T3 for airside bus (20 minute walk, last bus 20:30) or leave security and take landside buses again to T5 and clear security again there. The only saving grace is only one person has to take the bags to T5, the other could go straight to Polaris lounge after landing.
If you can get DL to check through to AKL (it's worth asking!) the calculus changes, as you can go straight to Polaris airside, and then take airside bus to T5 later, never going through security in ORD.
(2) Go to T5, use the SAS or SWISS lounge (or Air France/KLM if you have Priority Pass).
Many thanks and very helpful. You are right about NZ flying out of T5, not T3, my typo.
The only saving grace is only one person has to take the bags to T5, the other could go straight to Polaris lounge after landing.
Sounds good in theory - but I just can't see us splitting up for several hours. In retrospect, I should have booked us on an airline that would land in T-3 (out of JFK) to avoid all this hassle (if that was even possible). But after reading the ordeal
this person went through and still could not make into ORD to catch his NZ flight, I am glad we are erring on the side of being super early.