samjaynz

Wife, the toddler and I are travelling to Sydney next month to visit some friends we haven't seen since Covid.

We are departing Chch at 4.05pm on an Air NZ, and owing to taking the likes of a travel cot and all the seemingly endless stuff that goes with an 18 month old we will be checking bags (the first time I've gone more than carry on for a trans tasman flight in as long as I can remember).

We are going to be at my parents place the day of departure, which is right down the road from the airport. However, as our toddler normally doesn't get up from her nap until about 2pm, what I'm wondering is if there's any way I can trundle down to the airport and check everybody in and drop off the bags (at say 1pm) , and then my wife and the little one can join us just after 2pm to go through security and immigration. I'd prefer to try and let her stick to her schedule if possible. I don't even mind dropping the bags off earlier, just basically anything that buys us the ability to get to the airport as late as reasonably possible while still leaving enough time for security and immigration.

I appreciate that probably sounds very precious, and most people would just tell the baby to harden up and sleep less, but for our sake and our fellow passengers it would be ideal if there's some way to do this.

codyc1515

That sounds fine. Not sure if you foresaw some issue here?

BZNZ

Suspect it should be possible, if you use the self service kiosks they probably wouldn't even know you weren't all at check in!
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Edit: Self check in machine still requires passports for all passengers so make sure you bring those!

samjaynz

I was unsure about the checking in aspect, as presumably I would need to present the toddler to prove - in fact - that she is not some international criminal mastermind masquerading as a Weetbix-encrusted 18 month old. I was thinking of our last trip, to Japan, where there was no ability to check in online or anything like that (but now I think about it perhaps that was owing to having to show the Covid certificate)

For shame, I'd totally forgotten about the self-service kiosk component. I guess I can probably just go down with the 3x passports and bags, do the check in process "on behalf", and then the others can get dropped down the airport a bit later.

I'll see myself out!

jeffrocowboy

At Auckland Elite check in areas they check passport at bag drop off - not sure if they are eyeballing the person to match the passport or just checking the passport.

codyc1515

You can complete international check-in online for all passengers (unless I'm missing something) then complete bag drop at the kiosk (as required). On entry to the lounge or, if you do not go to the lounge, at the gate, you will then be asked to present all passports with the passengers present.

nzkarit

Depending on the airport and the number of bags to drop (more than one person's worth) their may be a person there who will want to see a positive match to people for the bags at the bag drop

ukflyer1

We have done this at AKL airport - left the kids sleeping in the transit hotel and checked in and done baggage drop. The key thing is to use the self service machines yourself for every passenger. If the machine messes up or you need to see a person they will want (need?) to see the person alongside the passport. Once you have boarding pass and bag tags you should be sorted, and then can head through security with family whenever.

You could just check in shortly after 2pm with everyone. That should give you plenty of time for immigration and security; CHC is not a big airport.