Auckland Airport
2009 Best Airport
REGION: SOUTH PACIFIC
Lasting Impressions....
"Having spent a grand total of about 25 hours here; it's not too bad!" (Ben)
Quick Reference Airport Guide
Here is some information that we've picked out of from your reviews. Be sure to read the review pages for the most up-to-date info:
- internet kiosks
- uncomfortable seats at check-in
- long couches at gates
- kid's play area
- Diner's Club Lounge is open 24 hours
- no flight announcements, so bring an alarm clock
- loud and annoying jukebox
- observation lounge has long couches
- luggage storage (closes overnight)
- possible to move chairs and benches
- clean
- helpful staff
A few airport reviews from the archives
by kahwooi
Was in the airport 16 hours before my departure for Malaysia.
Asked the friendly person in the info booth and asked if there was any place to sleep. In a good mood he told me the observation room would be ideal and lots of people do camp there. So I did.
Pros: A few (like 3 maybe) of power supply holes (is that what it's called?) scattered around the place. Comfy sofa. Dark. Safe (saw the security patrolling twice...). No stigma towards airport sleepers (since it was the first time sleeping in the airport, I expected to be frowned upon, but
gladly wasn't, there were around 4 more people there). Temperature was just nice. Few Samsung-sponsored Internet PC in lobby.
Cons: Loud and very repetitive announcement (about not to bring gels/liquid on board). But since that was a new regulation at that time, so it's understandable. There was no announcement from around 12am-5am. Cleaners do work the graveyard shift. No free Wi-Fi. No TV.
Overall, depends on your luck (if there is a dirty spot that needs to be vacuumed, then expect to be awaken by the cleaners at 3 am, talking from experience), then expect to sleep well from 12-5am. Eye shades & ear plugs recommended.
auchendean, 11/17/2009
Having missed our internal flight from AKL due to a baggage handling crisis in Dubai, 2 of us had to stopover night with an 0800 revised internal flight next day. In fact this is the 3rd time I've stayed here, rather than buy a hotel room. Nothing has changed in 5 years.
Upstairs in the International observation lounge the sleeping facilities are very good. Carpeted, if you want to sleep horizontally, several upholstered bucket seats are built together to form an undulating 1.6m length bumpy sofa, if you want a bit more softness underneath. It is fairly quiet from 2300 - 0500, with few night flights causing viewers to also use 'their' lounge - they chat and wave! Always pleasant considerate sleepers as your companions, but this time one mindless young woman spent an hour on her mobile phone - until I asked her to stop. A nearby video games room booms out automatic messages, but I just shut the doors and that cured that one. A nearby bar provides grog until 2230 and it's really pleasant drinking and watching the flights along the runway until the Airport quietens down. Toilets nearby.Lifts allow you to bring a trolley upstairs with all the luggage. No hassle from staff. Coffee bar with some food on the floor below is open all night. By moving around the lounge one can either read or get a reasonably darkened spot for the kip. No fancy facilities, but that's why it's quiet!Just perfect.
so, just how bad is this airport?
