FTP

We will be in Australia for a month and planned to stop in New Zealand for a week-I know it's not long enough-on our way home. In order to see more I thought we would do a few internal flights. Do all the airlines impose strict weight limits with fees for excess? Can we leave some of our "stuff" somewhere? Should we scale back and just drive?

wlzmatilida

Hi FTP,

it would be helpful to know if you're on Qantas or Air New Zealand so we can advise what the weight limits are.

With only a week in New Zealand, I don't think doing a "few internal flights" is really a good idea. You'd be better off on deciding whether or not to fly into Auckland, and do some travelling around the North Island; or flying into Christchurch or Queenstown and spending time in the South Island.

Hope this is helpful!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie & Kiwi Specialist

Woody

<< Do all the airlines impose strict weight limits with fees for excess? Can we leave some of our "stuff" somewhere? >>


We just returned today from Auckland. I don't know about ALL airlines, but Air New Zealand was rather strict about luggage weight limitations, weighing all bags at check-in.

At the Auckland Airport arrival level, there is a small TI office called "i Site." You can leave luggage there. The cost is NZ$10 (US$7) per every 24 hours.

Woody

kiwi_rob

Usually, they are not too fussy if you are only a few kgs over -- but often it on the person that you strike at check-in.
I think that there is a place at Christchurch where you can store luggage as well -- Luggage Solutions in the check-in hall close to the entry to the International departure lounge.

FTP

Thank you so much for the replies. We are flying Qantas out of Aukland. We will be spending a month in Australia before going to New Zealand and have not yet booked our flight to New Zealand. Although we would like to "see it all", I think we have to concentrate on the North Island-fly into AKL, rent a car and the fly out of AKL. I thought we could have flown to Queenstown and stayed for 4 days and then to AKL for 5 days in the North for just a taste of each However, I think that would be too much. Thanks for all your advice.

Kiwi_acct

HI FTP

If you were to fly into Queenstown and stay for a few days, basing yourself there and then onto Auckland basing yourself there for a few days as well, I would have thought that may be less stressfull than driving around.

A few days in Queenstown enables you to experience the mountains and the rivers for the outdoor stuff (Maybe tag on a trip to Milford Sound) and also get a chance to experience the wineries and the adreneline activities.

Basing yourself in Auckland afterward would enable you to visit nearby attractions, such as the gulf islands, the west coast beaches and wineries. Further afield you are 3 hours south of the Bay of Islands when you are in Auckland. Worth a visit at any time of the year. The Coromandel 2 hours to the south and East as two examples of what to se an do if based in Auckland.

Travel between Queenstown and Auckland need not be a mission. There are several direct flights a day, the remainder of flights being only one stop.

As far as weight limits are concerned, domestic is 20kgs for checked luggage as you have noted. fairly strictly policed on Air NZ and also on Qantas, though to a slightly lesser extent with them.

If however you are flying domestic to connect with an international flight (on the same airline) then your luggage allowance goes up in line with your allowance per the international flight.

I hope this helps a bit.

mlgb

Not often mentioned is that Air NZ will often (but not always) weigh your carry-on bag! I had to repack once. The weight limit should be on the Air NZ website, can't remember what it was.

Woody

It's 7kg or 15 lbs in Economy.

Woody

Mac123

Yes, in all my years of flying, the first time ever that I had to weigh my cabin bag was in New Zealand travelling Air New Zealand earlier this year. They are very strict about checked in luggage and about cabin bags. One-two kilos over is ok if you get a nice person on check-in, otherwise, I believe there is a charge of $10.00 per kilo.

Qantas has advised me in the past that travel anywhere but Canada and US the weigh for checked luggage is 20kilos, but they would usually let you on with 25 kilos and if you are a Qantas Club member then 30 kilos.

I understand that JetStar is another airline that is very strict about luggage weight.
Mac123

skittle

From my travel in the US I would say that Aust is much stricter. The budget airlines are all stricter still. Someone who consistantly arrives at the airport hours early told me they are less strict with the first people to check-in. I wouldn't know, I rarely run early.LOL