Airside transit overnight - CHC International

[shadowground]

Hello Brains Trust,

I have a MEL-SYD-CHC-SYD-MEL Status Run on QF coming up. I arrive into CHC at 2355 and depart the following morning at 0625.

I understand that CHC has a strict no-sleeping policy, but they do have exceptions if you arrive after 2230 and depart before 0800. However it is unclear whether this is airside/landside.

Does anyone have any experience with this? My preference would be to stay airside overnight and not have to clear immigration (on an aside, I Imagine Border Agents may have a few questions as to why I am only in NZ for all of 7 hours)

thanks for the help!

 

[Austman]

There seems to be relevant information here: Arrivals, Transit & Connections | NZ Airports - Christchurch Airport

I caught an early morning departure from CHC last year and I've not seen security lines so long! It took the best part of an hour for me. Arrival on the other hand was pretty quick.

You can walk to the nearby Sudima hotel in 10 minutes. It's of a good standard but I suppose you'll only get ca 3 hours sleep.

 

[TomVexille]

There is no international airside transit facility at CHC

 

[Austman]

There is no international airside transit facility at CHC

I'm sure you are right. So the link is wrong? Because it seems to specifically mention it.

 

[shadowground]

I'm sure you are right. So the link is wrong? Because it seems to specifically mention it.

Indeed, extracted from the CHC website,

International to International

If you are travelling with the same airline, and have your onward boarding pass, you may stay within the airside transit lounge before boarding your next flight and your bags will be automatically forwarded to your final destination. If you are travelling with two different airlines you will need to collect your luggage, exit the Customs Hall and then check-in your bags at the Connections Desk within the International Arrivals Hall. Please note that there are safety restrictions as to what you can carry within your hand luggage on international flights, find out what you can carry with you here.

--

My query is about how that operates during the late night/early morning "shutdown" period.

 

[TomVexille]

I think you would specifically have to ask someone to be escorted as there is no transit security screening point AFAIK.

 

[Austman]

sleepinginairports.net has the following curious information:

The Domestic terminal closes around 11:00PM, around the time of the last domestic flight of the day. The International terminal stays open 24 hours, but overnight “resting” is only permitted in certain areas. Report to Airport Security for information on the location of these areas.

 

[BAM1748]

Lets us know how you go.

 

[shadowground]

Lets us know how you go.

CHC Airport Customer Service staff have advised that contrary to what their website says, you can't stay Airside if connecting between international flights (regardless of time).

Guess i'll kill 4-5 hours at the 24 hour Maccas then..

 

[JohnK]

You'll find any number of people doing the same as you are planning to do.

I have overnighted landside in both AKL and WLG and there were no issues.

 

[jetpack]

There's a capsule hotel a few minutes walk away. I think it's $35 a night. Goes down to $10 if you can get someone to give you a $25 Jetstar hotel voucher.

 

[Must...Fly!]

There's a capsule hotel a few minutes walk away. I think it's $35 a night. Goes down to $10 if you can get someone to give you a $25 Jetstar hotel voucher.

It's not too bad either, spent a night there on arrival and one on departure. The private rooms are fine, as are the dorm rooms. A bit of a walk from the terminal but Maccas is opposite.

TBH I would probably just hang in the terminal somewhere if possible, or the McDonald's restaurant across the road from the hotel.