Auckland Airport

By far the worst airport I've been to. I have travelled a lot to Auckland (3 or 4 times a year) and each time I've never had a good experience with this airport. Staff are so unfriendly they never smile and appeared to be sarcastic. Food prices are expensive and the airport is old. Always had long queues at customs - last time it took me one hour. What a waste of time!

The baggage area in the arrivals hall is horrible. The floor looks old and signage is unclear. I arrived in the afternoon about 10 flights landed at the same time. The baggage hall was so full that passengers could not move. I blame the airport for the poor outdated design of the arrivals hall and trying to land too many passengers. Many passengers were confused near the exit blocking the way as they were trying to figure their way out.

It is disappointing that at busy times in the arrivals area at the International Terminal their is a conspicuous absence of Airport Staff to keep people moving from the exit after leaving the security area to the public meet and greet. Delay in updating "International" flight arrival times by Auckland Airport on its website and flight arrival boards is most frustrating for persons meeting arriving travellers. This situation which happens far too often is grossly unfair and in a situation that can cost the waiting public dearly when they are required to pay for the additional car parking charges which would be avoided if the correct times were posted/advertised on the Airport's website and flight arrival boards.

Arrived off MH131 from KUL. Baggage claim area hot small and had to fight the crowds to get near our bags. Reached the gate where NZ/Aust passport holders walk through only to be shunted to other passports by rude staff and made to wait 2 hours with at least 250 other travellers while we were herded through bio security and x-ray procedures. What a disgrace. What's worse is the NZ/Aust side was completely empty with staff standing around talking. I have been to many airports worldwide and Auckland International would be by far the worst so far.

Int'l terminal is bright and compact with lots of signage. Arrival procedures are quick and painless. Immigration is fast and friendly. The only snag is baggage pickup which can be slow sometimes but that may be more the fault of the airline. Departure procedures are surprisingly quick. Domestic terminal is a bit dated and there's hardly any F&B past security. However it's so compact it takes less than two minutes to walk from the security checkpoint to the gate. The only thing I hate about the airport is its lack of good public transport and the fact that there's no direct motorway access to the airport.

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.

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

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 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.

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.