Self-connecting in AKL

D

Digicola

Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2022
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159
So here I am with an extremely stupid idea but I’d appreciate insights from AKL experts.

I’m looking at getting from ICN to ADL in July as I have my last bit of KE miles to burn before the massive devaluation. Unfortunately BNE was axed, SYD has no availability so I was thinking ICN-AKL and then connecting onto NZ191 to ADL which would leave me about… 1h to connect in AKL.

Now, delays and all that aside, how feasible is a 1h self-connection in AKL considering I’d be traveling HBO, probably be first of the plane, and have a mobile BP.

Not sure what transit queues are like at AKL in the mornings, especially during the low season. Am I right to believe I’d be able to get a mobile BP?
Aussie citizen if that helps.
 
Can the KE miles be used on China Airlines instead?
 
AKL airport is one of those airports that stuff always seems to go wrong for me, so I’m extra careful with times / connections etc.

I’ve been stuck waiting for baggage for 1.5 hours, Had rude Air NZ staff berate me for ‘holding up’ a domestic connection even when it was their own international leg that ran 2 hours late that caused the delay in the first place etc etc

Sorry I can’t help specifically re your international connection question!
 
Digicola said:
So here I am with an extremely stupid idea but I’d appreciate insights from AKL experts.

I’m looking at getting from ICN to ADL in July as I have my last bit of KE miles to burn before the massive devaluation. Unfortunately BNE was axed, SYD has no availability so I was thinking ICN-AKL and then connecting onto NZ191 to ADL which would leave me about… 1h to connect in AKL.

Now, delays and all that aside, how feasible is a 1h self-connection in AKL considering I’d be traveling HBO, probably be first of the plane, and have a mobile BP.

Not sure what transit queues are like at AKL in the mornings, especially during the low season. Am I right to believe I’d be able to get a mobile BP?
Aussie citizen if that helps.
Click to expand...
On separate tickets, given you "self connect" comment?
Checked bags?
Hope to transfer air side or go land side?
NZ191 will close X minutes before (X=20?), so you not have 60min.
For international a physical travel document check normally required. AU passport (= kiosk & ETA not required) will help.

I would be looking for a AKL-MEL/SYD-ADL flights and not AKL-ADL non stop, with 3:00hr between KE flight & back to AU

List of Korean Air destinations - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
 
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@Digicola Minimum Connection time at AKL for KE International to NZ International is 80 minutes, so such travel could not be on the one booking.

It is not something I would seriously contemplate, even if no checked luggage.
 
Agreed with @serfty, even with hand luggage only, it’s a high risk strategy. Assuming it’s two bookings, if you’ve been able to check in T-24 hours with Air NZ for the AKL-ADL sector, I guess you could technically use the transit lane at AKL, but even so, you need the KE flight to be on time and there to be no queue at transit for this to work. If all that happens, then yes, you could be off the plane and through transit in 15 mins, meaning you’d be at the gate for the next flight with time to spare.
 
serfty said:
@Digicola Minimum Connection time at AKL for KE International to NZ International is 80 minutes, so such travel could not be on the one booking.
Click to expand...
In fact KE is scheduled to arrive AKL at 7:30 in July and NZ191 is scheduled to depart at 8:25 so it's actually under 1 hour...
 
So I gather that in theory it’s possible, theory being flight arrives on time and transit queues are reasonable.

But I get that it is ill advised to do so. Prices for flights over the ditch are criminal, oh well, I’ll sit on it for a bit and look for alternatives. Difference in price between the NZ flight and alternatives was high enough for me to consider it.

I might just use the opportunity to spend a couple of days in Auckland instead!
 
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Digicola said:
I’m looking at getting from ICN to ADL in July as I have my last bit of KE miles to burn before the massive devaluation. Unfortunately BNE was axed
Click to expand...
Saving your Seoul?
newsroom.bne.com.au

Seoul Revival to boost Queensland economy

In great news for Queensland’s tourism industry, Korean Air will fly to Brisbane five times a week, with Korean tourists set to inject more than $120 million dollars into the local economy each year. The additional 89,000 inbound seats each year will support 1,230 direct and indirect jobs in...
newsroom.bne.com.au newsroom.bne.com.au
 
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AIRwin said:
Saving your Seoul?
newsroom.bne.com.au

Seoul Revival to boost Queensland economy

In great news for Queensland’s tourism industry, Korean Air will fly to Brisbane five times a week, with Korean tourists set to inject more than $120 million dollars into the local economy each year. The additional 89,000 inbound seats each year will support 1,230 direct and indirect jobs in...
newsroom.bne.com.au newsroom.bne.com.au
Click to expand...
Talk about timely news! I see what you did there.

Queensland is really on a roll when it comes to attracting new service (read, paying to bring back old flights).

Thank you everyone for your tips, my original idea was a longshot but thankfully I won’t have to risk it after all.
 
Quickstatus said:
How long will it last for given that this new service is likely the result of a quid pro quo. How much is KE saving on a per passenger basis compared to arms length operations?
Click to expand...
I presume that for KE and QLD theres a mutual understanding that this subsidy will help bridge the gap until the route goes back to pre-covid levels and is self sustaining. I think it used to be 4-5 weekly during the winter and daily during the summer.

With even Sydney only being served with a 777-300ER during the peak season (used to be 747-8 and A380) I suspect they thought a daily A330 for Australia was enough for the low season so BNE got the axe.
 

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