Dallas to Brisbane to Aukland

[judyfssw]

We will be arriving from Dallas in Brisbane on our way to Aukland. Will we go through Australian customs and then New Zealand customs? It seems to me that is what we'll do. We have a 2 hour layover in Brisbane before our plane leaves for Aukland. Is that going to be enough time to go to customs prior to boarding to Aukland? And, finally, American Airlines arranged our flights as we're leaving out of Detroit, will our luggage be checked through all of the way to Aukland or will we need to retrieve it to go through customs in Brisbane.

My husband is disabled and will be in a wheelchair. He will also be bringing a scooter and I'm worried about doing all of this by myself.

Any help with my questions will be really appreciated.

[room010]

You will be transit passengers through Brisbane so you won't need to go through Aussie immigration or customs. You'll do all that when you arrive at your final destination in NZ.

[cjm66]

As Room010 said, you will be directed to the transit lounge where you will wait for the boarding call for the Brisbane - Auckland leg. Your checked luggage (including your scooter) should be booked through so all you will take off and be responsible for during your transit time will be your hand baggage. I would double check this with American Airlines. Are you taking your own wheelchair as well as the scooter? We travel with a scooter but no wheelchair and double check that the airline knows we will need a supplied chair at both ends to baord / disembark the aircraft and also if there is a transit stop involved at the intermediate stop. They usually allow us to keep the scooter until boarding time and someone takes it from us and stows it in the hold - H than transfers to one of their wheelchairs. I have not flown with American Airlines - but it is worth checking how they manage this and whether they will also provide an escort service with the chair to assist you if necessary. OHS usually requires that a staff member does the pucshing across the air bridge. I share your worry about the small details - they seem minor but are really important when you are travelling with someone who needs a scooter or wheelchair. Enjoy your trip to New Zealand. Colleen

[judyfssw]

Thank you for this information. It is a relief to learn about the transit lounge and I will check out whether I should check the wheelchair and the scooter. This board is great.

Whew!

[room010]

Note: You may be offered Aussie customs/quarantine forms to complete during your flight to Brisbane. Because you are transit passengers it isn't necessary to do this as you won't be formally entering Australia. Just tell the person who offers you the form that you are in transit to NZ. You will be given a similar form for NZ customs during your Brisbane-Auckland flight which you will have to compete.

[judyfssw]

The people on this board are wonderful. Thank you for all of this information.

[Te Aroha]

If you let the staff know you need wheelchair assistance when arriving in Auckland they will meet you at the plane with a wheelchair and help you through customs and baggage claim until you have all that you need including calling a wheelchair able taxi if required.

 

Enjoy your visit to our beautiful country :)

[Dmgmd50]

We are also flying from Dallas to Auckland via Brisbane on Qantas. I assume there is a business class lounge in Brisbane where we can shower after the 15-hour flight (plus an additional flight on American from Ft. Lauderdale to Dallas).

[purple123au]

Yes, Dmgmd50. Brisbane International airport has a Qantas Business lounge located airside.

[kuldalai]

If you need a wheelchair tell your TA and Qantas will have one and a person to push it at all points you request viz: DFW for check in and departure, Brisbane for the Transit, and Auckland for your arrival . Must be booked in advance, there is no cost . Talk to your TA.

[Karennella]

If you let the staff know you need wheelchair assistance when arriving in Auckland they will meet you at the plane with a wheelchair and help you through customs and baggage claim until you have all that you need including calling a wheelchair able taxi if required.

 

Enjoy your visit to our beautiful country :)

I have to say, even though I am an aussie, that there are no people I've come across anywhere, who are more helpful than the Kiwis. I am sure they will assist you to enjoy your stay.

When you are half way through the flight, have had a meal and a movie and a sleep, and it is still eight hours to go, just think how much more convenient it is these days than the explorers who sailed for months and months to travel the same distance. I highly recommend noise cancelling headphones if you are on economy; you can hear the sound system so much better and then the time goes so much more quickly.

[judyfssw]

Thank you

[judyfssw]

May I ask another question? We leave Dallas at 10:00pm and arrive at 6am and it's a 15 hour flight. Anyone know how you're treated on the plane. This is in reference to sleep time, awake time, feeding time?

[vjh]

Judy,

 

My experience in flying long haul from LAX and leaving at 10PM is boarding plane and getting settled, beverage cart with usually free wine, next is a dinner meal and usually a selection of 2 entrees, beverage cart once again, then settle down for movie, lights are dimmed in cabin for sleeping, about 2 hours before landing, lights go on, sometimes warm washcloth given out, breakfast with a selection from 2 entrees, beverage cart and finally touch down. As said in previous posts you are in transit and should be assisted thru to your departure area where there are duty free shops and a selections of food kiosks. I am assuming that you are going on a cruise from Auckland to Sydney. I have done this 3 times as I have a brother in Auckland. It has proven to be my favorite cruise area. Enjoy New Zealand as it is a beautiful country with very friendly people. The Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds are magnificent. Wellington matches San Francisco, Napier is the is the art deco city of the southern hemisphere, Dunnedin is the Edinburgh of the southern hemisphere. If your cruise offers a tour on the Trans Alpine Train I would highly recommend it, the scenery up to the Alps is breathtaking. The Tasman Sea crossing is unpredictible, from calm to high seas. Tasmania is exquisitely beautiful. Melbourne is about 2-3 hour sail in and away be sure to be outside to enjoy. Train to city center right at the dock. Sydney is one of the most ports to sail into. If you are staying in Sydney, enjoy the port and the "Rocks" and a ferry ride. If flying out that day, I would encourage you to take a morning tour often offered by the ship as all of your luggage will be handled by the tour and you will arrive at the airport in time for your afternoon flight. Hope this helps!

Valerie

[Dmgmd50]

Valerie: Thanks for the information. Though we are leaving from Dallas at 10 PM, I imagine the timing is quite similar. Does that give you about 7 hours to sleep?

[vjh]

Judy,

 

Yes, it should be about the same flight time. You should be able to sleep for about 6 hours. I ask my MD for an Ambien prescription it helps to get about 4-6 hours of good sleep. I also recommend that you purchase anti-embolism stockings and wear very loose fitting shoes or slip ons. My feet do swell on these long flights. Actually, I find it easier to fly down under than fly to Europe. Although you lose a day, the time change seems easier. Any other questions, just ask. The sail out of Auckland is beautiful as well. Don't know if you are overnighting in Auckland or not. The city of sails is pretty hilly except for the port area where it is flat and easy to navigate.

Valerie

[judyfssw]

Thank you Valerie for your helpful information. We will be arriving in Aukland on December 28th. This is after our flight from Brisbane We hope to work off our jet lag and then begin serious touring on January 1st. Our cruise leaves on January 4 th and I'm so excited. Thanks again, Valerie:)

[Dmgmd50]

Judy,

 

Yes, it should be about the same flight time. You should be able to sleep for about 6 hours. I ask my MD for an Ambien prescription it helps to get about 4-6 hours of good sleep. I also recommend that you purchase anti-embolism stockings and wear very loose fitting shoes or slip ons. My feet do swell on these long flights. Actually, I find it easier to fly down under than fly to Europe. Although you lose a day, the time change seems easier. Any other questions, just ask. The sail out of Auckland is beautiful as well. Don't know if you are overnighting in Auckland or not. The city of sails is pretty hilly except for the port area where it is flat and easy to navigate.

Valerie

 

We will spend one night in an Auckland hotel before boarding the ship. We will also stay in Sydney for a few days before returning to the States. And I do plan to take Ambien , both on the plane and while we are on the cruise if needed for jet lag

[vjh]

Judy,

 

What touring have you planned for Auckland area?

[Grumpy100]

If you are flying Qantas it will be awesome. We flew from West Palm Beach, FL on AA to LAX and then had a long layover and then picked up

Qantas and the flight left at like 10:00 PM, pacific time, and when we checked in at our flight in Florida American Airlines checked our bags all the way through to Sydney. I worried if we would get the luggage in Sydney but everything worked out.

Qantas is an awesome airline so you will be treated very well and given plenty of food and extra goodies on the plane.

[judyfssw]

Hi Valerie,

We have made arrangements for tours with Mount Classic Tours on January 1,2,3. They will be in a sedan and holds up to 4 people. It's more expensive this way but my husband is disabled and needs a wheelchair. From previous tours on a Baltic Cruise, I find that it's more expensive but we also saw a lot and didn't have to wait on people to arrive.

[vjh]

Judy,

 

Good for you, you will find Auckland and surrounding areas just beautiful. They just might have a fire works display on New Year's Eve. Just remember that in Australia and New Zealand they are not in the habit of tipping. The Baltics was one of my favorite cruises, I was so lucky that my eldest son went with me on the Eurodam. My favorite port was Tallin, Estonia. Thoroughly enjoyed the history in Berlin, although that was a 14 hour tour day. St. Petersburg I will never forget. But most of all I thought that the sail thru the Swedish Archipelago was the most beautiful 4 hour sail that I have experienced. We had beed upgraded to an aft cabin and I got up at 4AM to sit out, watched the sun come up thru the fog. The pictures that I got were truly Kodak moments. Just heard yesterday that my brother, wife and daughter will be flying from Auckland to Vancouver to visit my sister, then taking a Pacific Coastal cruise to LA, then drive out to visit me for 5 days before I head out for my 30 day South Pacific cruise on the Westerdam. If you would like an Auckland contact while there I could certainly give you my brother's information. You could email me valeriehodges@ymail.com

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Judy,

We are looking at doing this cruise on 1/3/14, in the very preliminary planning stage. Your cruise sails on 1/4. Is this the 4th US time or Australia time. Losing a day and using the 24 hour clock has me confused.

 

Thanks

Mary Lou