Air New Zealand operates a limited number of select Air New Zealand Regional Lounges, in addition to their regular Air New Zealand Domestic Business lounges, at various airports around New Zealand. The Air New Zealand Regional Lounges are often located close to regional airline departure gates. We would get the opportunity to test out their Regional Lounge service while we departed on a flight to the South Island.

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This post is one chapter on our trip to Fiji, New Zealand and French Polynesia. This trip was redeemed through Alaska Mileage Plan and AAdvantage frequent flier programs and enhanced through Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status. For more information on how this trip was booked, please see our trip introduction here. For other parts of the trip, please see this index.

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Review: Air New Zealand Lounge – Auckland Regional Lounge, Auckland International Airport, New Zealand.

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While we were passing through the Auckland Domestic Terminal after arriving from a Fiji Airways Business Class Nadi – Auckland flight we had some time before our Air New Zealand Auckland – Blenheim flight. During our check in process, we discovered that Air New Zealand operates two domestic lounges at the Auckland Domestic Terminal; the Air New Zealand Auckland Domestic Lounge, and the Air New Zealand Regional Lounge reviewed here.

The primary difference between an Air New Zealand Domestic Lounge versus an Air New Zealand Regional Lounge appears to be the more convenient location of the Regional Lounges that are situated physically closer to the Regional aircraft departure gates.

Locating the Air New Zealand Regional Lounge:

After spending some time in the other Air New Zealand Auckland Domestic Lounge, at about thirty minutes before our flight, we headed down to the regional flight departure area. This meant we had to return from the secure side to the public side. Some domestic New Zealand flights do not require access to a security screening prior to boarding. When we arrived to our gate, the flight was not ready to board. MrsWT73 commented that I had removed her from her cocoon oasis (the Domestic lounge) a bit too early so I suggested that we visit the nearby Air New Zealand regional lounge.

The space was easy to locate with an obvious Air New Zealand branding clearly visible from it’s space at one end of the Auckland Domestic Terminal concourse.

Accessing the Air New Zealand Auckland Domestic Lounge:

The access entitlements for the Air New Zealand Auckland Lounge are similar to Star Alliance lounge access policies.

Air New Zealand allows for access for Air New Zealand Airpoints™ Elite, Gold, Elite Partner and Koru members departing on an Air New Zealand flight (no more than four hours prior to flight departure).

Your guest must enter the lounge at the same time as you and be departing on an Air New Zealand domestic operated flight. Air New Zealand Airpoints Elite members can bring up to three guests. Airpoints Gold, Elite Partner and Koru members can bring in one guest. Guest access is subject to space on the day. 

Up to a maximum of three children, accompanying the member, aged between 3 and 17 years (inclusive) are permitted on a complimentary basis, subject to space availability, and must be supervised at all times.

Children aged 2 years and under travelling with an Airpoints Elite, Gold, Elite Partner or Koru members, may access our Air New Zealand Lounges on a complimentary basis subject to space availability.

The Star Alliance Lounge Access policy also applies for this lounge.

• International First Class Customers (same day departing flight, with one guest permitted, travelling on the same flight)
• International Business Class Customers (same day departing flight, no guests permitted)
• Domestic Business Class (restrictions apply for United Airlines in the USA, no guests permitted)
• Star Alliance Gold customers travelling in any class of travel (one guest permitted)

Today’s access was courtesy of an Air Canada Aeroplan Star Gold Card, for travel on an economy class ticket (single cabin of service) for our Air New Zealand Auckland – Blenheim flight.

Inside the Air New Zealand Regional Lounge:

The lounge itself was a small and compact space. It was among the smallest Star Gold lounges that I had ever been in. The whole lounge itself consisted of about twenty five seats.

The space was marked with a small food area. Although there was no coffee barista or full bar like upstairs at the other Air New Zealand Auckland Domestic Lounge, it was a convenient place to stock up on a snack or conduct a few last emails prior to your flight.

This is a tiny space near the regional gates. Air New Zealand also provides some customers a valet service that allows you to have your personal car valeted by Air New Zealand staff and check in at the lounge prior to your regional flight. I can only imagine how convenient this would be for regular Auckland departing business travellers.

We had a quick stop at the Air New Zealand Regional Lounge while we killed a flight delay. We were able to enjoy another quick glass of fine New Zealand white wine here before we headed out to our propeller flight down to Blenheim.

My Thoughts on The Air New Zealand Auckland Regional Lounge

The Air New Zealand Regional Lounge is the product of Air New Zealand trying to make their business travel accommodating and convenient. With a convenient valet service available at the lounge, in lounge flight check in, and an excellent location immediately adjacent to the parking lot, it’s made business travel departures from Auckland super convenient and accessible. While the lounge wasn’t as large as the primary Auckland Domestic Lounge, frequent business travellers that favour time and accessibility won’t be bothered by the difference.

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If you had the opportunity to visit the Air New Zealand Auckland Regional Lounge, did the convenience of the lounge outweigh the smaller space ?

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