Auckland Airport

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.

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.

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.

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?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.