Auckland Airport

International arrivals was great! You don't have to walk a zillion miles. If you're visa is in order, you can go through automated immigration.

While you wait for your bags, there's a money changing desk right there. Customs is close by baggage claim. Assuming you've filled in your declaration online, and have nothing to declare, ypu can get through easily. BTW, my flight arrived around 9:30 pm, so getting through immigration and customs was a snap because it was just the people from our flight. However, I could see they were prepared for lots and lots of people.

The information desk, mini-mart, etc., were just outside of customs. Transportation was just outside the door. It took a moment or two of examining the signs to make sure I went to the right place. I saw the directions if you wanted to walk to the domestic terminal and also saw the free bus that transported people between the two terminals.

Beautiful, huge, airy and modern, I got to experience the Auckland Airport's International terminal arriving on Delta from Los Angeles and eight days later, departing. Lots of automation, lots of bar code readers so that you don't have to interact with people. I no longer have airline status so this is how it is for most everyone.

Four stars because we ended up at a hard stand to deplane. No one likes exiting the plane down stairs and into a bus after a long flight. And then a bottleneck entrance to an escalator before the immigration/biosecurity scan.

The airport is not close to the Central Business District. I took the public transport to get into the CBD and that took 90 minutes. A bus to a train and then I had to catch another bus to get to my hotel. For the return, I did a shared ride shuttle bus which was less stress and not that much more expensive.

Security was super easy though I got a bag check because I have a loose battery (it's for my noise cancelling headset) and a charging cable. Safety first because there's a chance that the battery and the wire could touch, I got to put the cable in my pocket. 25 minutes from end to end.

Lots of duty free shopping, many toilets and several places both groundside and airside for eating. Bagels, sushi, noodles and both McDonald's and KFC. Clean and smooth tile floors that made my rollaboard fly along.

It's a lovely airport and very easy to navigate. I look forward to returning one day.

[Review 356 of 2024 - 9 in New Zealand - 21389 overall]

I've now been to the Auckland Airport twice -- when we arrived, and when we left to fly to Fiji. But neither time was particularly memorable -- it was just an average airport, but it was well maintained. While waiting for our flight to Fiji, we killed a bit of time looking in the shops but with all the regulations about what you could not bring in to Fiji (they are very strict about honey!) we didn't buy anything significant -- just some chocolates and the like.

There weren't many food options that appealed to me, so at Best Ugly Bagels I had a "King Salmon" bagel (smoked salmon, cream cheese, red onions, capers, and dill), which was pretty good.

Last year, a state of emergency was declared in Auckland due to heavy rainfall and the airport flooded and briefly closed. Fortunately by the time of our trip the airport was open although it took longer than usual to get through customs upon arrival, as it was the international terminal that had flooded, and it was not yet completely repaired. But considering the amount of flooding, I was impressed that things ran pretty smoothly.

[Yelp collections: NZ/Fiji 2023; New Zealand 2023; Planes, Trains, and Automobiles]

Security checkpoints are explained well. There are many places to weigh and repack baggage as needed. The food options are varied and quality.
Huge Duty Free areas. Additionally we experience a 35 minute delay due to a security issue. The entire airport was cordoned off into sections. Very efficient.

AKL is fairly nice. Like many airports, transiting between an international flight and a domestic one requires a few extra steps. There is a coach that goes between the two, but there are crowds waiting (and the wait was unpredictable). There is a green arrow if you want to walk; it's 10-15 minutes and you'll be dragging your suitcase from sidewalks to bumpy asphalt and back.

Everything else was great. Lots of shops and dining options if you've got some time. The airline clubs are upstairs if you can use them.

Not sure what's with some of the low reviews for AKL airport. Depending on when your flight arrives, sometime the airport is incredibly busy because multiple flights arrive around the same time and hundreds of people have to go through immigrations at the same time. My flight arrived right around 8am on a Saturday and from baggage carousel to exit took about 15 minutes.

Flying from the US to Australia or any Pacific Islands if there are no direct flights, the best and easiest way to transit for international flights is via AKL rather than any US or Australia or Pacific Island gateways because it's all within the same terminal and you just have to go through a short security line. This is an A+ for me.

We printed our boarding and luggage tags and then waited :40 on a premium passenger line to check our bags. We then moved to TSA pre check line and waited an additional hour at another line for scanning. They appear to be checking passengers going to America more vigorously, they even checked behind my wrist watch. We then walked through a very large & expensive gift shop where I couldn't find local cookies or chocolates to bring home It took us 2 1/2 hours from the time we got out of our taxi to the gate. At the gate, Americans lined up to have our passports & boarding passes inspected again. Near gate 18, at the far end of the terminal, there were no shops nor food kiosks. Most of the people walkers were not working, we walked 1.5 miles in the hot airport with our baggage.

Largest & busiest international airport in New Zealand with over 20 million passengers passing through annually. It is the domestic & international hub for Air New Zealand, and Jetstar. It is currently the busiest single-runway airport in Oceania, with 45 flight ls per hour.

The airport opened in 1960 and in 1977 the international terminal, Jean Batten, was built. Construction just began on a new domestic terminal . The airport has 65 gates, 23 with Jetbridges & 42 remote stands for aircraft parking. Most international flights are going to Australia, Asia & the west coast of America.

Airports can be difficult places to review. One only wants to be in a one for a little time. When one has to wait for 30 minutes for their bags to come off the plane, like my flight did, it can be frustrating. Then, one must go through customs which is stressful. The process was quick once getting to the officer. The airport is clean. Leaving to go home was a bit frustrating too as they held us at another gate before giving us access to our departure gate. From a handwritten list, passengers were selected for additional screening. Once pass the additional screenings, one may charge their phone, get water, or use the restroom. The duty free is large and has plenty of items. Be sure to check how many liters of spirits you can bring back to your country of origin before making a purchase.

The good - new, speedy check-in process, lots of shops.

The bad - long line for customs for non Kiwis or non Aussie, after breezing through immigration.

The ugly - none.

My husband and I traveled to Aucklnd via Holland America cruise line. I am sad that we are not able to tour this wonderful city.

I am delighted that our airport security experience was streamlined. We are traveling internationally from Auckland New Zealand to Dallas forth worth US.

There was one person who was guiding to the gate. The person was friendly and helpful. This person reminded us to make sure not to bring any liquid through the security.

They have a Egate where you scan your passport and a door will open. You have to have your photo taken before you proceed to another door. After this security check, your bags will be placed on the conveyor floor inspection. Laptops and cell phone should be in a separate bin. You do not have to take off your shoes.