Auckland Int'l Airport Passenger Reviews and Auckland Airport Traveller Reports   No Star Ranking Awarded         Add your Auckland Airport Review   Auckland Airport Ranking

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Auckland International Airport customer review :  11 October 2011 by Ross Clark   (UK)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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Inbound 25 minutes from plane to welcoming area - a lot of this is the E-gate system, and the authorities have also done a lot of other things to make things work well. Departing the E-gate system is now used on departures and has speeded things up a lot too. Security also very prompt.

Auckland International Airport customer review :  21 September 2011 by J Cobcroft   (Australia)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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Much improved over last time. Good shopping and food areas. Friendly customs and immigration. Well signposted. 'E' lanes a breeze.

Auckland International Airport customer review :  18 July 2011 by Ian Webb   (New Zealand)

Customer Rating :  1/5

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Auckland airport is a disgrace. Baggage delivery is by far the slowest I've ever encountered anywhere in the world (waited at the conveyor belt for 75 mins before any of the baggage from my flight was delivered). The international terminal is dull and depressing, and the domestic terminal is just downright grotty with very poor layout and woefully inadequate signage.

Auckland International Airport customer review :  28 June 2011 by Simon Gilmore   (New Zealand)

Customer Rating :  3/5

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Auckland Airports constant aim of never letting any structure remain for long is unsettling. They have changed the arrivals greeting area yet again and it is a mess, The upstairs bar near the viewing deck is gone. In its place is a gloomy corridor where childrens artwork was once displayed. The airport management try too hard and should leave things as they were. They also moved Jean Battens plane from the departure lounge which was pointless.

Auckland International Airport customer review :  22 March 2011 by L Potts-Warde   (USA)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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This is a pleasant, small airport with remarkably helpful staff and vendors. Customs was thorough, but friendly and efficient. The line moved swiftly, and there were many signs to let travellers know what to expect. The rental car lots were a short walk across the street from the terminal, and signage was bright and clear. When asked for directions, most workers would either walk with us to the locations in question, or find a map for us.

Auckland International Airport customer review :  18 March 2011 by M Tate   (New Zealand)

Customer Rating :  4/5

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Pleasant enough airport. I hear they are about to open a KFC - bad move! Domestic bathrooms need a big revamp, very small and you end up sharing with all of the taxi drivers, so always seems to be a queue when I go through in the mornings.

Auckland International Airport customer review :  5 March 2011 by Paul Harvey   (UK)

Customer Rating :  2/5

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I was an international in-transit passenger and the experience was not a great one. Arriving on an international connection flight from Christchurch (NZ302), the whole plane of connecting passengers firstly had to be processed by one of two security lines. Then we had to hot foot it to the connecting gate (10). This is the gate used by ANZ US flights and is some distance away from the arrival gate. There were not enough seats at that gate to accommodate more than 25% of the flight, no one could hear the boarding announcements, there were only four toilets and it was generally not an good experience. Consequently the flight left late. The main shopping area in the international terminal is very smart and well lit, downstairs is not and is shabby. If you had a choice you would go elsewhere.

Auckland International Airport customer review :  28 February 2011 by Sean Ryan   (Australia)

Customer Rating :  4/5

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Another makeover airside for Auckland all though the shops are the same it is a little bit swisher and more open. A noticable lack of seating anywhere for a busy little airport it is a struggle to find anywhere to park yourself and the bar is the worst - very expensive surpassing nightclub prices for a beer?

Auckland International Airport customer review :  28 February 2011 by Kathy Voyles   (Netherlands)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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Delighted by the new airport departure lounge, lovely gelato, gorgeous sushi, beautiful art to drool over and buy. Some of the best souvenir shop. Relaxing, refreshing, and clean toilets. I would have been happy to stay much longer and I don't usually say that about airports

Auckland International Airport customer review :  14 January 2011 by K Fox   (New Zealand)

Customer Rating :  1/5

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International departure male toilets aged with tiles, fixtures and vinyl showing a lot of wear and tear and gives the impression of being unclean. Out of keeping with other parts of the airport. Large screen TV located in foodcourt near McDonalds for International Departures set to a channel showing movie with frontal scenes of a topless woman. Totally unacceptable given the public area and young kids present. Seems like anyone can change the channels.

Auckland International Airport customer review :  10 January 2011 by G Philp   (China)

Customer Rating :  2/5

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Surprisingly this airport has been voted in the world top 10. The delay at immigration was unacceptable and they are going to pick up severe problems during the Rugby World Cup. There are many bottlenecks in the terminal which increase frustration levels. Seating at the boarding gates is less than adequate.

Auckland International Airport customer review :  9 January 2011 by Liam McGuire   (Australia)

Customer Rating :  2/5

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Bad experience at AKL airport this morning. Early flight (5:50am) meant all passengers seemed to arrive at check in between 3:30 and 4am. Only 3 desks open meant a lengthy queue which was fair enough considering the time of day. We got to the departure gate and it was closed, we waited 40 minutes for it to open by which time all passengers on our flight plus a couple more were lined up, and only 2 desks open. At about 5:10am a flood of staff arrived and things started moving, although quite chaotic as people rushed to empty lanes. By the time we got through our flight was at final boarding call. Had no time to look around, shop, relax, so cannot comment on other services.

Auckland International Airport customer review :  5 January 2011 by T Patrick   (Hong Kong)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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Domestic is nothing special. If you not a Star Alliance member don't even go through to the gates till the last minute, you cannot even buy a coffee. International was great - speedy check in, quite a lot to look at and the oneworld lounge served great wine and food - rather a small lounge though. Much friendlier than Sydney, especially at immigration.

Auckland International Airport customer review :  11 October 2010 by Chris McQuaid   (New Zealand)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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Check-in very quick and painless, as I had checked-in online. One great thing about Auckland is that, because it has fewer international flights than most comparably sized cities elsewhere in the world, there is not the major panic to get through Emigration and Security to make sure that you don't miss your flight. Result - a much smoother transition, with staff who are generally smiling and friendly. As I live fairly close to the airport I don't normally bother eating there, although prices don't appear too much worse than in the city (certainly not the eye-gouging 500-600% markup I saw in Russia). The only criticism I would make airside, as I have before, is that it's a very long walk to Gates 15 and 16, and that more than one short travelator would be welcomed by most. Returning was easy for me - although there were quite long queues at Immigration, I was directed to the new SmartGate as I have an e-Passport. Through and done in under a minute - brilliant! Luggage was already waiting on the conveyor, and I was through MAF screening and out in the concourse in just a few minutes.

Auckland International Airport customer review :  13 August 2010 by S Ryan   (Australia)

Customer Rating :  4/5

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I have never really had any hassles with customs/immigration. While not gushing with joy the immigration officers are not rude. I agree that transport from the airport to the city is terrible, either a bus that takes forever for NZ$15 or a cab which takes equally as long for about NZ$60 depending on which way the driver goes. Airside is limited and expensive (like all airports).

Auckland International Airport customer review :  21 July 2010 by Darren Kilminster   (Australia)

Customer Rating :  3/5

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Arrived in Auckland and after going through Immigration our travelling party was given the 3rd degree. Unsure why although having a Chilean citizen with us may have been the issue as the questions were all directed at him. Was sent down a corridor for further screening and the woman there was not sure why. She went away for a moment and came back and said it was a mistake and to just go through. A nice warm welcome to NZ ? Left 6 days later - painless check in and customs clearance. Airside at Auckland is a bit lousy. Not much going on and if there are a few flights leaving it can get a bit crowded. An OK airport but I can't believe it was judged best airport in Oceania.

Auckland International Airport customer review :  19 July 2010 by R Handelman   (New Zealand)

Customer Rating :  3/5

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Public Transport to/from Auckland Airport is awful and very expensive. Landside is fine and with the introduction of Smartgate, Immigration & Security are good but once you reach Airside, there are about 2 places to eat a meal which I don't think merits the 5/5 ratings. All in all Auckland is a relatively efficient airport but there are still a few things to improve.

Auckland International Airport customer review :  15 July 2010 by J Clark   (New Zealand)

Customer Rating :  2/5

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Use AKL airport 15+ times a year, not a great airport, no express immigration for long-haul premium passengers and queuing after the duty free shopping. Immigration like to pick on passengers who are not NZ residents from the moment you step off the plane. Terminal itself is fine, but software is bad as referring to the services.

Auckland International Airport customer review :  3 June 2010 by M Graham   (UK)

Customer Rating :  3/5

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Disappointingly shabby compared to two years ago. The immigration officer was unsmiling and unfriendly. Not the best welcome to New Zealand after 25 hours of flying.

Auckland International Airport customer review :  30 March 2010 : by Anthony Gibbons   (New Zealand)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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Flew Auckland-Apia (Samoa) return. No queues and best bit was clearing immigration in less than 1 minute using the new Smartgate self processing kiosks available to NZ/OZ passport holders. Then straight down to baggage claim. Would have been out in less than 10 minute after landing but for needing to go through Red lane (goods to declare). Even after being stuck behind a gaggle of passengers, was still out of airport 15 minutes after landing. Only weird note is ladies calling to you from the inbound JR duty free to come visit their store - and offering mini-Toblerones as an inducement. JR Duty Free if you are reading this review, I cringe at your sales antics.

AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review :  18 March 2010 : by James Scott   (Australia)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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Flew through this airport twice in the last month and the upgrades have made it more pleasant. The retail area at the international terminal has been expanded and a lot of natural light let in which is pleasant. Queue's at Check In and Border Security were exceptional, less than five minutes each, outstanding for an economy class traveller. The toilets and showers are well maintained. The Domestic Terminal is also very good with plenty of shops and food options and Air New Zealand's self check-in is easy and uncrowded. Duty Free on arrival at International is huge and the new arrivals facilities are brilliant.

AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review :  24 February 2010 : by Jennifer Capper   (New Zealand)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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I've been through Auckland airport 6 times and agree it's small and doesn't have the shopping facilities that the large ones have but have always found the exit through customs fast and very friendly.

AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review :  22 February 2010 : by Tyson Higson   (Australia)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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I found Auckland a very nice airport to go through. Although one thing I find amusing is the two duty free stores that are side by side as you approach passport control, with employees hired to come out of the store and literally grab you to go into their duty free shop. I have never seen anything quite like it outside of Asia. There was a bit of a walk between aircraft and customs, but it is an enjoyable walk with some New Zealand artwork on the walls. The arrival and departure halls can be very crowded. Transfer to domestic terminal was simple and only took a few minutes.

AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review :  6 October 2009 : by F Pang  (Qatar)

Customer Rating :  4/5

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I travelled through AKL over last two weeks on a family visit. The airport was not big but everything seemed organized: clear signs, well-maintained queues for immigration, security, check-in, a decent range of shops where I was really interested to buy (NZ-made foodstuffs), etc. A drawback was that immigration queue was always long. Having travelled to AKL for 4 times, I knew this so I always walked as fast as I could to get ahead of other PAX in order to reduce waiting time.

AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review :  24 September 2009 : by Philip Reindler  (New Zealand)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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Compared to others I have been to this place is a pleasure to visit. Staff are friendly and helpful, lots of shops and food options and not overpriced. Signage excellent and is logically laid out. Generally clean, modern and good facilities, plenty of toilets. Queues for customs and immigration short and fast. Plenty of seating at the gates

AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review :  8 September 2009 : by Henry Tib  (Australia)

Customer Rating :  4/5

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Auckland airport is very easy, with plenty of shops and catering outlets. Checkin staff pleasant and informative.

AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review :  5 September 2009 : by Steve Hayes  (New Zealand)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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I have used AKL eight times this year for various trips and each time has been a breeze. Short queues, generally the trip from plane to curbside has been completed in under 30 minutes. I am aware of bag screening requirements. However if I were from overseas I am sure I would benefit from more prominent signage in the in the arrivals area where you have to have all your luggage screened by MAF to check for unauthorised plant material or food. I noticed on my last trip in that some passengers appeared to be unaware of the requirement and had to be corralled back to get their bags checked. The land side departure area is undergoing some refurbishment at the moment and as a result space is a bit tight. But once through immigration it is all good. Plenty of reasonably priced duty free options. Good lounges if you have access. Air NZ one has just been done up and is very nice indeed. For smokers there is even an outdoor smoking area.

AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review :  16 July 2009 : by K Phillips  (USA)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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It is a 5-10 minute walk from the International to the Domestic terminal, very pleasant after a long haul. I use AKL once every 3 months flying in from LAX and only once in a year have I had to wait at passport control or the x-ray. AKL is one of the easiest, fastest airports to get through. In June, I was off the plane and outside the terminal building in 20 minutes.

AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review :  16 July 2009 : by Brian Cose  (USA)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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I truly enjoyed this airport. Security and transit area nice. Everywhere I went anyone I asked help from went above and beyond. I had trouble with an International Phone Card I bought at one of the kiosks. The clerk took the time to close the kiosk and come and help me. The shopping was amazing and staff again nice and polite.

AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review :  16 July 2009 : by C Ryan  (Australia)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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Inbound into Auckland, arrived at 5.45am I had one of the most pleasant trips through immigration. Straight through passport control, bag already on the conveyor belt and I didn't have to queue up for quarantine. Outbound just as good - such a pleasant experience.

AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review :  15 June 2009 : by J Obracle  (UK)

Customer Rating :  1/5

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One thing I like about Auckland is its size, it is small so I don’t need to walk that long to get in and out of the airport. Once you arrive you will find the largest duty free shop in New Zealand which is about the size of a minimart. You will then find an irritate immigration queue. I spent almost two hours at the immigration queue and extra 45 minutes waiting for my bag to be x-rayed at MAF biosecurity checkpoint. There are few washrooms at the airport and old and sometimes dirty. I have to wait in line in order to use the toilet facilities at the departure gate. The airport information screen is not very useful; the gate number will not appear until 15 minutes before boarding while the plane is already at the gate. Once you pass though the passport control and security, there is only restaurant in there, Burger King. If you are planning to visit Auckland, I suggest that you buy some food in the city before you go to the airport.

AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 16 May 2009 : by K Weimar

Customer Rating : 2/5

Just about any international flight is going to be a long one and people will be disgorging from their 747's and A340s sleep deprived and disoriented. Thanks to some brilliant flight planning a bunch of flights arrive at the same time - around 4:30 am, and then the fun begins. There are two different queues, one for people making international connections, and one for people making domestic connections. But there are no signs. (well no signs at the BACK of line, so you walk up front to figure out what queue to get into then head all the way back to take your place). At least two ANZ 747 flights arrive simultaneously (SFO & LAX). But they only have 2passport officers on duty. So you stand. and stand. And stand. Until about 6:00 am when clearly, the next shift starts. And suddenly the line starts to move. Well you figure, after giving them an hour and half to unload bags, yours should be on the belt, right? Wrong. I thing the baggage handlers have the same shifts as the passport guys. Unless ANZ loses your bag. Then you have to wait again for customs. And wait and wait. And wait so long that you dont have time to wait in the next long line to check in your bags at the transfer desk. "No worries" they say, with that wonderful laid-back Kiwi attitude. You can just check them in at the domestic terminal desk. Just head out to sidewalk and follow the blue line. Did they mention that there was a bus? Or that it is a long, long walk? No. Of course not. I've been in third world airports that were more efficient.

AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 24 April 2009 : by Ross Clark

Customer Rating : 4/5

Pier B (gates 15, 16) does take a walk and possibly needs more shops for departing traffic, but it is very spacious. Inwards passport control couldn't be faulted, also the departing check. Still a good airport in the 5m international pax per year category.

AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 26 March 2009 : by Chris McQuaid

Customer Rating : 4/5

Returning from Sydney it was sad to see that the entrance to Auckland is now also through (rather than beside) the duty-free shops. It's quite a long walk from the new gates built for the A380, and, although the line for Immigration was moving fairly quickly, it still took another 15 minutes to reach the desks, where everyone appeared to get a really friendly welcome. Free tea and coffee available in the baggage area, but because of the delays my suitcase was already on the carousel. Although I haven't seen it anywhere else, Agricultural Quarantine screening is something all New Zealanders are very grateful for.

AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 5 March 2009 : by Chris McQuaid

Customer Rating : 4/5

Had checked in online, which meant only a few minutes in the queue to deposit suitcase. Friendly staff all the way from checkin through Customs and Immigration. However, this was the first time I had used the new pier built for the A380 (although I wasn't fllying on one). There are four travelators, because it's a long way from the main departure concourse (at least 400 metres) to the lounges at Gates 15 and 16, but only the first (and shortest) was working. Very comfortable seating in the gate lounge, but no entertainment that I could see.

AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT review : 16 February 2009 : by Eric Simpson

Customer Rating : 4/5

Auckland has always struck me as one of the most pleasant and welcoming of airports, arriving and departing through the new international pier felt slightly less so. Despite the artwork and some stunning views the new area felt somewhat cold and stark. The ability to pre-order duty free and to collect it in the baggage hall on arrival is a real advantage. From plane to kerbside took less than 40 minutes. Departing on a flight to Sydney was spoiled by one very surly and inefficient official manning the NZCS Pre-Clearance desk. I have always found staff at the airport to be pleasant and most helpful and was saddened that this one individual didn’t understand that his attitude reflected poorly on the airport and on New Zealand.