Auckland Airport – Domestic Terminal

Nice domestic airport!
Well, I read all the other reviews for this airport and I guess my experience was totally different. I am giving them their first 5 star rating. Perhaps I went at the right time of year, had great timing or whatever the case may be. Or perhaps I have way too many bad experiences at airports all over the world and know this is a good airport.
Upfront…my family and I were jet-​lagged and felt beat up when we landed at the international airport and had to make our way to the domestic terminal. The layout of the international and domestic terminals is amazing. We appreciate them making it so simple when you are so tired and can’t think straight. Please see my review of the Auckland International Airport:
The walk between the international airport and the domestic terminal are very well marked. There is a line on the ground and signs posted… it’s hard to miss unless you are in the totally wrong place. Upon entry… viola…the airlines are right in front of you… do your thing and be done with it (see other reviews for Air New Zealand).
We wanted to get money/​local currency and there were something like 3 or 4 different money machines lined up side by side just inside the entry point… very convenient. And there was a booth nearby as well for exchange. We were hungry and there wasn’t any problem finding a place to eat… a few feet from where you enter (when coming from the international terminal) there is a big restaurant (The Bach-​see review), a Dunkin’ Donuts, a McDonald’s, a sushi bar, a coffee shop and some other small eateries. But this is only what I had in eye view, there are more, so I don’t understand why some reviews say there isn’t much available. We went to The Bach since we wanted to sit down, enjoy our meal, get some coffee and try to wake up. But out in the main food court area (for the lack of a better term) there is more than ample seating, tables, chair, etc.
Once again, just like in the international terminal… getting through security was painless. They are very thorough, yet friendly and quick. That is appreciated when you’re jet lagged and are very tired.
On the other side of security, everything is very well marked. Moreover, near each gate there is some type of coffee shop or small eatery. There is free Wi-​Fi for a half hour. I can’t complain, some places don’t have any and for what I wanted to do/​check it was ample.

The signage isn’t great and I went to a few little terminal entrances before finding the right one. It’s felt hectic and uncontrolled, and I just had to figure out what conveyor belt wanted my bag without talking to any staff.
Once in, at my building at least, there was one coffee shop and one newsstands with insanely priced snacks and bevs.
Getting between international and domestic seems to basically require walking, and it’s a hassle dragging one’s stuff behind one. They took so long checking and cleaning the bottoms of people’s sneakers coming in that I couldn’t check my bag through, and had to run to domestic with all of my bags, which was one of the more stressful transfer experiences I’ve had. They literally had one person checking camping stuff or whatever, including sneakers, and that same perish was apparently also responsible going into the back and washing dirty sneakers while everyone in line waits for 20 minutes, no joke.
There’s a bus to downtown that’s pretty reasonably priced, although not on par with some of the easiest and best value airport transportation around, like Chicago, LA (#3 bus!), NY, Barcelona, etc. it was $ 30 round-​trip.

Pretty nice airport. I appreciate the clean bathrooms, which are hard to come by at HNL (sad to say). Staff are very friendly, but not always willing to help (especially with giving directions). Also, there aren’t too many food options.

I don’t mind this airport one bit. The buses are easy to access and there are plenty always moving through. Outside of security there are several decent food options (including the new Dunkin Donuts stand, whaaaaat?! and a McDonald’s), but once you enter security (for the gates 30+ side) prepare for vending machines to become your best friend. There is one joint, Shaky Isles, that when it’s open (key line) has some great food options, smoothies and coffees. However, it’s only been open 2 of my last 5 visits. Otherwise a very small, clean and easy to access airport, the Kiwi way!

The new improvements have taken things up a notch at Auckland Airport. The automated check in and bag drop off systems make travelling a lot easier. The addition of Shaky Isles, is definitely a step in the right direction too, but as our busiest airport, Auckland Airport is still worthy of a few more serious upgrades.
Bigger but certainly not better than Wellington Airport, at this stage!

Logged into the 30 minutes of free WiFi as a joke just to remind everyone how much this airport sucks. Don’t even think of getting comfy or trying to find an outlet to charge your phone… mine should be dead by the time this posts and that is just about when the WiFi will be up. Auckland Airport needs to start thinking about it’s customers.

There’s been a few changes down one end of the domestic terminal. I’m pleased to see they’ve brought in one of the retro caravans with Allpress coffee

It has been a while since my last visit here, there have been quite a few improvements. A few shops for the minute shopping of must have essentials, like chocolates etc.
I expected it to be bigger considering it is a major country hub, but again this is NZ and its tiny compared to other places out there. Yes, it can be improved like all places, but as it is the domestic terminal, is it worth it, as the basics are covered.
It has the usual Air New Zealand auto check-​in for you and your baggage.

I’m in complete agreement with the previous reviewers, which makes me as similar to them as this airport is to any other. Hence the 3 stars. The automated check in and bag drop off on the Air New Zealand side works well. The Koru Lounge and close parking are nice. The free wifi is good and the luggage shop can be a lifesaver. Room for improvement includes better selection of good outlets and lounging areas.

This domestic airport is aiiight.
It’s bigger and better than every other domestic airport in New Zealand (except perhaps Wellington) with a few decent food options and thanks to the new addition of Shaky Isles past the security screening, decent coffee too.
Why only 3 stars?! There’s still room for improvement. Why can’t we get at least one great food option? Like a Bird On A Wire or something. Or how about free wi-​fi? Or something creative or cultural to wow our guests?
All in all, not bad, not great.

There is a lot better domestic terminals in New Zealand than Auckland’s. This is effectively one large shed of small stores and seating. Definitely not something to write home about. All the usual amenities available and of course Mc Donald’s for those who don’t like healthy foods. Probably worth paying to enter Air NZ’s lounge if you have the time and are on an Air NZ flight. Quite reasonable pricing to do this and far more comfortable. Either way, just your usual domestic airport.

Decent facilities. Pick and drop off can be a bit hectic. Overall good little domestic airpot.

Straightforward domestic airport with a few amenities, the best being the Koru Valet & Koru Lounge for Air NZ passengers. A bit disconnected from the international terminal — a 15 minute walk outside (follow the blue line) or catch the bus shuttle.

Simple airport. Few retailers including food vendors. Nothing past the security checkpoint so get your food and liquids before then! (No liquid restriction on domestic flights)
Currently under some construction but still easy to make your way through to your gate.
Bön Voyage!

A short hike from the international airport, you’ll find AIAL’s red-​headed stepchild, the domestic airport. Let’s just say that it’s preeeeety clear that this side of the runway doesn’t see nearly the same amount foot traffic as the international terminal…
Take your pick — you can pay $ 18 for a noodle bowl at Hayama (or settle for a Big Mac or Dunkin’ Donut) whilst enjoying your 30 minutes of free wifi, or pay $ 35 to spend a far more comfortable few hours in Air New Zealand’s lounge. If you’re flying JetStar, you’re out of luck as you won’t even be able to pay your way into a lounge, but then again, you’re flying JetStar, so you probably knew luck wasn’t on your side to begin with.
Long story short, not the ideal airport experience to while away several hours. But with a super speedy check-​in process and even quicker security and gate services, there’s no need to get there any earlier than necessary. Plus, who (other than myself) is obsessed with the airport experience? You’re about to fly somewhere amazing within New Zealand, which is far more exciting than any airport lounge.