Maybe my memories are fuzzy but I seem to recall that, for a long time now, most global airlines (e.g. United) have been capable of allowing passengers to switch to an earlier flight if there's room, as long as the gate hasn't closed yet.

That hasn't been my experience over the past 5-6 years with Air NZ -- have they ever supported this kind of flexibility? Doesn't it seem like they should be able to? I'm often told by agents that they don't have the IT systems in place to move passengers easily at the last minute.

A few times I've tried to see if I can change to an earlier flight at the gate, never been successful. Has anyone had the experience of Air NZ supporting such flexibility?

Did you buy a Flexi ticket? If space available can change the flight until t-30min when check-in closes.can so through app don't need to talk to gate agent.

And the times I have been on standby it was back-office who arranged it not gate. E.g. turned up at lounge super early on a Flexi. No flights available until my flight. Lounge agent put me on a list. A couple of minutes after check-in closing got a SMS and the lounge page with a new boarding pass. Was carryon only.


Gate agents should be focused on getting people boarded not sorting out other issues. Look at how long it takes to board a plane in NZ vs say the US. The US seems to take twice as long for same plane size.

I guess the big question here is whether you have a flexi ticket. I am assuming you didn't in these cases because you'd just change on the app if you did.

Why do you think Air NZ should let you change flights for free if you don't have a flexi?

Thanks, am aware that one can switch tickets using the app (if requested in advance, and if on a flexi ticket) -- that's fine, not what I'm talking about.

No, am not expecting a free change on a non-flexi ticket.

No, I don't want Air NZ to be as slow as United at boarding!

I'm referring to more last-minute serendipitous changes -- for example:

* booked on 2:00pm departure on a flexi ticket, Elite or 1K status
* reach gate a bit early at 12:30pm and discover the previous flight is still boarding (due to delays, for example)
* seats are open on the earlier flight in the same fare class/cabin; no checked baggage
* request a standby seat at the gate for the earlier flight

At least some other airlines seem to generally support this, IME -- even though check-in is closed for the earlier flight, their gate agents still have the ability/authority to move passengers from a later flight. Which is very useful from my POV, because I get home earlier. Would be especially useful internationally at SYD or LAX.

I had thought this is a standard feature of many airlines, but maybe it's more of a US thing? Not sure if Qantas supports it.

Just wondering if this has ever been on the roadmap/plans for Air NZ -- it sounds like this is not part of the operating model.

Qantas has fly forward (subject to availability) on domestic Australia flights for platinum one and chairmans lounge. I've never been able to use it.

Many years ago Air NZ would allow free changes for elite at the gate to an earlier flight, just before boarding if there was space available. That has long gone for elite. Not sure about ep1 (I benefited from this as elite long before ep1 existed).