Auckland Airport

✅ Trip Verified | I’ve been flying out of this airport for over 20 years, and the experience I had today was the worst I’ve had at any airport. Usually, Auckland Airport Security for International Departures takes 5-15 minutes. I had allotted 45 minutes, just in case. Today, I went through Security 45 minutes before my flight was scheduled, and missed my flight due to a 40 minute wait in the Security line. Upon arrival, there were huge barricades and a massive line with no movement. It was clear that it would be a long wait, yet at no step along the process was there any sympathy for the fact that many people would miss their flights. After I missed my flight, I found out it was due to “new procedures” with Security where they close for 2 hours in the early morning and re-open at 4.30am. A huge amount of flights are scheduled for the 5.15am and 6.15am slot, and QANTAS representatives informed me that on every flight the last week, there have been people missing the flight due to these unprecedented lines. Are Auckland Airport trying to save on wages? Whatever is going on, there is no accountability from Security or the Airport as a whole. It is the lives and wallets of regular people that are taking the full force of the blow, not to mention the awful inconvenience to all Staff beyond the Security Checkpoint. I wish this wasn’t the Airport I have to deal with. Unfortunately, it is the only one in New Zealand, which they know, and exploit. The wifi doesn’t work, staff are HUGELY underpaid and overworked, and recently, they even let hundreds of people who were stranded at the Airport suffer the flooding without any help. I would give a zero out of 10 if I could. Only redeeming qualities are that some individuals who work there are angels, who too are inconvenienced and financially taken advantage of by the poor and lackluster upper Management. Parking prices are through the roof. Disorganization, chaos and business closures have left this place in a sorry state. But I’m sure the people up top are patting their backs for “cutting costs”.

Not Verified | Another shambles in customers. 4 queues that snake so the left hand lane goes twice as fast as the right hand one. Also, there are 6 agents and the randomly clear two of the 4 queues with 2 agents and the other 2 have one agent each. They schedule flight arrivals in groups so the crowds are horrific. I travel for business and today have decided to leave Auckland due to the airport. This is my 7th entry this year and I give up. It’s the worst airport I have ever been in.

✅ Trip Verified | Queues queues and more queues. I was travelling alone with my 3 kids, on arrival the lines were hideous, 2 hours to get through immigration and customs. There were no staff directing people and you couldn't even see the front of the line from the back. I have no idea what disabled or other priority people would do as there are no staff to help. When boarding domestically my 7 year old was forced through the body scanners for no apparent reason by a terse staff member. On departure again huge lines, 2 hours again to get through, only 4 out of 12 immigration counters open, 3 out of six security scanners open. Staff were rude, my children's bags went into the manual security check, my children were moving around, the officer shouted rudely at them. Then the person next to me started to talk to me, the officer shouted no talking, it will take longer because it's distracting him. Eventually he finished with the bag and just sat it in front of him, said nothing, I wasn't sure if I should approach him and take the bag or he would shout at me. Eventually took the bag and left. Then I was taken aside for drug swabbing of my bag. No idea why a father with 3 kids was targeted for all that, they seem paranoid. I have never experienced security staff so rude even in US airports. As a New Zealander living overseas, Auckland airport is disgrace to NZ, I dread going through it every time.

✅ Trip Verified | Generally a good all round service. The directional signage for car rental leaving and dropping off vehicles both in the vehicle and on foot could be greatly improved.

Not Verified | Departure - Fine Arrival - what a joke. Your baggage services are an absolute joke. No customer care or communication. Our flight landed at 0045 on mon morning still standing at the baggage belt at 2am waiting for any bags! Ive heard of you losing bags but how did you lose a plane? Pathetic!

Not Verified | Auckland airport would have to be one of the worst airports to travel to and from in the world. I fly in and out twice a month, when claiming baggage at arrivals and clearing customs the lines are always massive and you can expect a 45min wait minimum. When departing and having your baggage screened there is only every 3 machines operating. Why have 6 and only use 3? Auckland airport must have the most incompetent staff for customs and security. I dread travelling to it. I hate to think what it would be like if it actually had a decent amount of travellers commuting from it.

Not Verified | The man directing people at customs was an absolute horrid experience for first time flyers. Understand that there's a lot of people too get through but he was just rude saying things like 'I have no sympathy for you'! Horrible man I hope never to encounter again, no PR skills at all.

✅ Trip Verified | We arrived about 3pm today. It was a terrible ordeal. This would have to be the airport with the worst management ever! It took over an hour waiting with hundreds of others to get thru customs. It also took about 25 minutes for the bags to arrive on the carousel, and expect to get harassed in the overpriced duty fee shops which you can’t avoid when you arrive. Passengers with connections all missed their flights because of the interminable delays. This used to be a good airport but it’s getting worse by the day whether you leave or arrive. The signage to the car parks is wrong with many customers confused. With better management this could be a much better airport.

Not Verified | The Biosecurity check at Auckland is a shambles. Our son, daughter-in-law and toddler grandchildren have been queuing for two hours. We had a similar experience a week ago. What impression does this give to visitors or for that matter NZers?

Not Verified | Got to the airport 2 hours before departure. As I write this review I have been in a queue for passport control (via machines) for 1 hour. I have yet to go through security. I have been through 70pc of airports in the world and this one is the worst. Appalling waiting times.