Flying to New Zealand

La888y

Hi,
Looking for advice.
I am flying to new Zealand on 16th October.
Flight booked from Dublin to Sydney to arrive at 9.05 18th October.
Another flight booked from Sydney to Queenstown leaving at 10.35 18th October. This probably does not give me enough time to collect bags and check in for Queenstown flight. (realised this after booking) Can I check in for the Queenstown flight in Dublin or Kuala Lumpur (Quenstown flight is with Air New Zealand operated by Virgin Australia) Any advice please.

mel.b

Who are you flying with to Australia? esp the first leg where you are checking into Dublin. Have your itinerary with you and ask if they will interline your bags and check you right through to Queenstown. If your first leg is with Aer Lingus into LHR (for example) they won't interline with a seperate ticket but if you are flying with Etihad or Emirates they probably will. Then when you get to Sydney there should be an airside Air NZ or Virgin desk where you can pick up your boarding pass for Queenstown. I don't know what immigration procedures are when you arrive in Oz if your luggage is checked through - hopefully someone else who has done this can comment.

Otherwise if you need to clear immigraion and quarentine and then check into the Queenstown flight, i'd be looking at buying a new flight now as a backup as that's what you'll have to do if you miss it - and you probably will considering checking in for Queenstown will close about at best about 40min before depature (they won't put you in the next flight as it wasn't connecting)

mel.b

Just realised you are flying via KL so i presume you are on an Aerlingus / Malaysian ticket into Sydney? If this is the case you are out of luck as Aer Lingus will NOT interline luggage if it is not all on the one ticket. So they will check your bags throughh to Syd for you, but you're going to have to clear immigration and quarinetine in Sydney.

Best advice to get through quarintine (can never spell that!) is to have absoloutely nothing to declare - no fruit, sweets, snacks, wood etc, and hopefully they put you in the fast queue. But i'm 95% certain you're going to miss your flight unless Aer Lingus interline your bags.

Stinicker

Best bet would be to try and change flight times on the Sydney to Queenstown flight, because if you end up being late and missing the flight it will end up costing a heck of alot more to buy a new ticket there and then. There will be no baggage interline as already suggested and you will be well wrecked by the time you arrive in Sydney. Best of luck on what is a hell of alot of flying across 24/36 hours.

La888y

Would I have abetter chance if I were to travel with only hand luggage?

mel.b

La888y wrote: »

Would I have abetter chance if I were to travel with only hand luggage?

I have just checked virgin australia international check-in rules and check-in closes 90min prior to departure. So if your flight lands on time, you have already missed check in, even if you only have carry on baggage. They do not offer web check in for international flights so thats not an option.

See here...
http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/bookings/manage-my-bookings/check-in/international-check-in/


So you need to find out how much it is to change your flights or buy a new one, depending on what is the cheapest option.

Bummer of a way to start your trip but at least you have realised now and not in Sydney.

mel.b

Looking at flights for you that one yu are currently booked on is the last direct flight for the day. The next one is at 12nn and is via Brisbane (with an overnight in BNE) and is €302.

You could stay the night in Sydney and get the jetstar flight the next morning at 10am for €147.

Virgin doesn't have a direct flight the next day. The fastest option with them is again via BNE taking a bit over 6hrs and is €285 (flight leaves Syd at 8am)

To change your flight it will cost $100AUD plus any difference in the fare.

See...
http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/fees-surcharges/short-haul-international/

La888y

Counter Check-in
Counter Check-in is available from 2 hours up to 30 minutes before your scheduled flight departure.

To check in at our check-in counters all you need is a few simple details.

Booking reference number
A copy of your itinerary
Sufficient ID (preferably photo ID for security purposes when dropping off baggage).
Once you have satisfied the check in requirements, you will be given a boarding pass, and will be on your way.

For a faster check in and transit through the airport terminal, try our Web Check-in and Kiosk Check-in.

Note: If you are travelling internationally, you will require a passport and supporting documentation (depending on the destination). Find out what international travel documentation is required, before you leave home.



Does this mean that I can check in up to 30 minutes before my flight?

La888y

I found this on Virgin Australis website

mel.b

La888y wrote: »

Counter Check-in
Counter Check-in is available from 2 hours up to 30 minutes before your scheduled flight departure.

To check in at our check-in counters all you need is a few simple details.

Booking reference number
A copy of your itinerary
Sufficient ID (preferably photo ID for security purposes when dropping off baggage).
Once you have satisfied the check in requirements, you will be given a boarding pass, and will be on your way.

For a faster check in and transit through the airport terminal, try our Web Check-in and Kiosk Check-in.

Note: If you are travelling internationally, you will require a passport and supporting documentation (depending on the destination). Find out what international travel documentation is required, before you leave home.



Does this mean that I can check in up to 30 minutes before my flight?

La888y wrote: »

I found this on Virgin Australis website

No, check the link i provided a few posts above. What you have found is for domestic flights check in. International check in closes 90min prior to depature and web check in is not available to international flights.

mel.b

This is the exact text on the Virgin Australia website...

International Check-in is available from 3 hours up to 90 minutes before your scheduled flight departure.

Currently we do not provide Web Check-in for our international services. We hope to offer this option in the near future.

Please have your passport and travel documents ready, and keep in mind the Enhanced Security Measures for what is allowed onboard international flights.

Each of our cabin classes and Velocity Platinum, Gold and Silver members will have a dedicated check-in queue, and personalised service to ensure a smooth transition through the airport terminal.

Give yourself plenty of time before boarding to check in, clear Customs and Immigration and shop Duty Free.

Note: If you are travelling to the United States of America, you will need to provide ground crew and Customs officers with a contact address for where you can be reached on your first night in the United States. Be sure to have the address written down and ready to present when required.

La888y

Can anyone else check me in if they had my itinerary?

mel.b

No, because they also need your passport to check you in and no check in staff would check in someone when the passport and person standing in front of them don't match.

Unfortunatley you're going to have to change or book new a new flight.

Batgurl

Don't forget, because you won't be staying airside in Sydney you will also need to apply for an Australian tourist visa in advance. It's free but must be done before you leave Ireland as the airline won't let you on in Dublin without it.

La888y

Jeez, never thought of that, What kind of visa do i need and where do i get it?

mel.b

If you are going to rebook for a flight later that day or the next you can apply for a transit visa. Longer than 72hrs and you will need a tourist visa.

Transit visa

Transiting through Australia

Overview Visa options
Transit Visa (Subclass 771)


This visa allows people to transit through Australia.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for:

people who wish to transit through Australia and who do not qualify for transit without a visa
or
people travelling to Australia to join a vessel as crew.
A transit visa is required even if:

you fly out on the same aircraft and from the same airport at which you arrived
you stay in the transit lounge and do not leave the airport.
For more information about transit without a visa, please click on the link below.
See: Transit without visa arrangements

How much will this visa cost?

This visa is free of charge.

What does this visa let me do?

If you are granted this visa, you can:
transit through Australia
enter and remain in Australia for up to 72 hours
.
About this Visa How this Visa Works Eligibility Obligations Applying for this Visa

You can apply for this visa or a standard tpurist visa online at www.immi.gov.au and they are free.

La888y

Thanks for all the info.
As regards health insurance, should i go for vhi backpackers plan or vhi international which is a lot more expensive? or can you recommend any other company or plan.