Akl premium check in
Apr 5, 2023, 6:12 pm
#47
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Programs: NZ *G
Posts: 411
Premium check in today
I know today is a busy day for Air NZ and Auckland Airport, but both need to do better.
Premium check in for Air NZ at the international terminal was a zoo with no obvious line or structure. I have never seen it so busy. Only the front half was open, so there was no access to the old Elite section at the back. I hope this is a hangover from the flooding and more space will be available in the future as the current experience is anything but premium.
After dropping my bag I took the lift upstairs, but like others found the dedicated access passage blocked off so had to join the queue with all the other passengers. This isn’t Air NZ’s fault, but surely they have some leverage with AIAL.
I understand that airports get busy, but having premium lanes (and the dedicated family lane) closed at the start of holiday periods just isn’t good enough. It should be easy to forecast demand and staff up accordingly.
Premium check in for Air NZ at the international terminal was a zoo with no obvious line or structure. I have never seen it so busy. Only the front half was open, so there was no access to the old Elite section at the back. I hope this is a hangover from the flooding and more space will be available in the future as the current experience is anything but premium.
After dropping my bag I took the lift upstairs, but like others found the dedicated access passage blocked off so had to join the queue with all the other passengers. This isn’t Air NZ’s fault, but surely they have some leverage with AIAL.
I understand that airports get busy, but having premium lanes (and the dedicated family lane) closed at the start of holiday periods just isn’t good enough. It should be easy to forecast demand and staff up accordingly.
Apr 5, 2023, 6:51 pm
#48
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ Elite, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 908
I think the old Elite section has been closed ever since Covid. I went to SYD in March last year and asked them why it wasn't open and they said staffing issues. Asked them the same question in December last year and got the same answer...
Apr 5, 2023, 8:07 pm
#49
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Sun Peaks, Taupo.
Programs: NZ Elite, AC SE100K, Westjet Teal, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 6,130
These pictures and first hand accounts are another example of NZ’s appalling service/experience proposition for its best customers.
Top Tier with NZ is meaningless with the exception of upgrade priority.
All airlines have been to hell and back with COVID, the others I fly have overall restored service levels. NZ has not. These pictures are another example
Top Tier with NZ is meaningless with the exception of upgrade priority.
All airlines have been to hell and back with COVID, the others I fly have overall restored service levels. NZ has not. These pictures are another example
Apr 5, 2023, 8:28 pm
#50
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,645
These pictures and first hand accounts are another example of NZ’s appalling service/experience proposition for its best customers.
Top Tier with NZ is meaningless with the exception of upgrade priority.
All airlines have been to hell and back with COVID, the others I fly have overall restored service levels. NZ has not. These pictures are another example
Top Tier with NZ is meaningless with the exception of upgrade priority.
All airlines have been to hell and back with COVID, the others I fly have overall restored service levels. NZ has not. These pictures are another example
Apr 6, 2023, 3:50 am
#51
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: DRW
Programs: QFF
Posts: 155
Don’t suppose anyone has heard anything about the express line for FF’ers / Biz flyers opening up again at all?
My international travel is slowly restarting and I’m wistfully remembering the days of when QF had its own priority line/access from the separate QF check in area that it used to have (10 odd years ago..). I can only presume this is the lift now used by AirNZ Prem check in?
My international travel is slowly restarting and I’m wistfully remembering the days of when QF had its own priority line/access from the separate QF check in area that it used to have (10 odd years ago..). I can only presume this is the lift now used by AirNZ Prem check in?
Apr 6, 2023, 11:35 pm
#53
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Christchurch, NZ
Programs: NZ *E, QF Gold, Hertz President’s Circle, Accor Gold, PanPacific Platinum
Posts: 754
Don’t suppose anyone has heard anything about the express line for FF’ers / Biz flyers opening up again at all?
My international travel is slowly restarting and I’m wistfully remembering the days of when QF had its own priority line/access from the separate QF check in area that it used to have (10 odd years ago..). I can only presume this is the lift now used by AirNZ Prem check in?
My international travel is slowly restarting and I’m wistfully remembering the days of when QF had its own priority line/access from the separate QF check in area that it used to have (10 odd years ago..). I can only presume this is the lift now used by AirNZ Prem check in?
Apr 7, 2023, 10:05 am
#54
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: NZ *E
Posts: 346
(NZ used to have an escalator from the checkin area directly to security)
Apr 16, 2023, 1:19 pm
#55
Join Date: Sep 2022
Programs: Airpoints Elite
Posts: 120
Went through the Auckland premium check in this am and there was hardly any queue (in fact we were served right away). Only two other parties being served when we got there. However, this was at 5.45am as we had been at the Novotel the night before so was an easy walk across the street.
By 6am when we were done (owing to have to check in a couple of fragile items etc) it had filled out a lot more.
20 mins from entering airport to clearing check in, customs and security - not too bad at all.
By 6am when we were done (owing to have to check in a couple of fragile items etc) it had filled out a lot more.
20 mins from entering airport to clearing check in, customs and security - not too bad at all.
May 3, 2023, 2:42 am
#56
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Plat, NZ Elite, QF Plat
Posts: 1,776
Just checked in for AKL-LAX tomorrow and the mobile BP has “Fast Track Express” noted on it. Hopefully means AKL express lane is back (vs just using same BP notes as for AU departures). Will report back.
May 3, 2023, 4:36 am
#59
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Programs: NZ *G
Posts: 411
Lift
The lift is still there, but as at 3 weeks ago when I came out of the lift I had to join the regular queue because the premium line was closed off. Hope this has changed for you, as I’m departing again in 2 weeks.