Qantas flyers to soon have access to Auckland's outbound express path
By David Flynn, January 18 2019
Qantas expects its trans-Tasman flyers to once again enjoy access to Auckland Airport's express lane in the coming weeks.
The airport's fast track through outbound security screening checkpoints is currently restricted to Air New Zealand, Emirates and Singapore Airlines, but is expected to be opened up to other airlines in February.
Qantas plans to be among the first in line to help eligible passengers skip those lengthy lines at departure, with business class passengers along with Platinum and Gold frequent flyers (and their Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire equivalents) able to move more easily from landside to lounge.
Justin Tighe-Umbers, Executive Director of New Zealand airline industry group BARNZ, tells Australian Business Traveller that the express lane will open "well within this quarter" and will be available to all international airlines flying out of Auckland.
However, not all airlines are expected to take up the fast track option, as this "premium service" will come with an added cost to the airlines based on the number of passengers they sent through.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jan 2015
Total posts 71
Have they actually built a proper express lane in Auckland in the last 2 months or something? The previous arrangement was a complete joke. You walk in the same queue until the last 2 metres (up to the corner pillar) and then once you get past passport control you’re stuck in the same security line again..
02 Dec 2016
Total posts 91
Exactly my thoughts....
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Apr 2018
Total posts 2
With the new setup, (about two months old), the express pass misses all the normal passport queues and most of the security queue. It is worth it in the peak holiday season only. Outside of December/January, I have seldom been held up in the normal queues, on weekday afternoons.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jan 2015
Total posts 71
In that case it’s a welcome change. Look forward to trying it out.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 382
Many a times I've moved from the AKL Express Lane to the general all access pleb lane and got through in half the time.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jul 2015
Total posts 219
First world problem but likely more useful than the Qantas Express Arrivals card that whizzes you through the border. Tried it once and even the very nice border guy was perplexed by it.
10 Apr 2018
Total posts 5
Great I can get to tired old lounge a bit quicker.
03 Nov 2015
Total posts 10
Yes, a bit of an embarrassment that Qantas still has the sad old AKL lounges.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Nov 2018
Total posts 104
Which they have acknowledged and planned on a new lounge for Auckland with their 2019 capex.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Sep 2018
Total posts 153
They are retroffiting the lounge eventually. I would suggest the Emirates lounge (which Qantas biz and Gold/above have access to).
15 Mar 2018
Total posts 92
Not so much the arrivals, but the loss of the Express Departures was a pain. It added up to 60-minutes to your departure time, which meant you never got to the 'tired old lounge'. You could still go to the Emirates Lounge if it was open (depends on departure time).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Nov 2018
Total posts 118
I just walked through AKL International this morning (04:45). Busy but absolute breeze. Flying QF business and walked straight through the “express” immigration path up to two e-passport control barriers (there was also an immigration officer behind a desk), joined the security que which brought me up to the first line in security. They have new bag scanners at security and if you’re smart you watch out for the green light under the conveyor... walk in front of the clueless, dump your bag in a tub, and walk through the metal detector. Collect your bag and head off the outdated (“first”) lounge. Simples 😉
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