International travel experiences under Covid

Forums › Travel (planes, train, cruise) › International travel experiences under Covid

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

4089 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1684

ID Verified

Trusted

#2958746 24-Aug-2022 13:04

I've noticed in my recent travels that people don't seem to be too interested in frequenting airport eateries. Assuming they're all pre-loading at home since the media is reporting of dire three hour waits to clear customs, more people stumping up for Koru and Qantas Pub to have somewhere to wait, or just not wanting to sit next to other people who are probably coughing and sputtering all over the place.

Handle9

11927 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9683

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2959350 25-Aug-2022 15:24

MikeAqua:
How long do we think masks will be a requirement on International flights?

Like everything else to do with Covid it’ll continue to be inconsistent and messy. Singapore has just dropped mask requirements on flights and at Changi.

I’d expect masks to be required in some places well into 2023. It’s really not a big deal on long flights anyway, you aren’t moving much so your breathing slows down to match.

wellygary

8815 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5299

#2959364 25-Aug-2022 15:56

Handle9:
MikeAqua:

How long do we think masks will be a requirement on International flights?

Like everything else to do with Covid it’ll continue to be inconsistent and messy. Singapore has just dropped mask requirements on flights and at Changi.

NZ gonna start looking way out of line with other similar COVID jurisdictions...

You don't have to use a mask from AKL-SIN, but you do on the way back from SIN-AKL

I think travel RAT requirements are also gonna get binned along with the travel declaration...

There is a COVID "settings" meeting due in early September so I would expect it to be announced then..

panther2

385 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 143

#2959372 25-Aug-2022 16:09

We had to wear marks from Ade to doha. Doha to lon. Aths - doha- hk

So it's not just flights back into nz requiring them.

openmedia

3449 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 878

Trusted

#2959389 25-Aug-2022 16:40

wellygary:

Handle9:

Like everything else to do with Covid it’ll continue to be inconsistent and messy. Singapore has just dropped mask requirements on flights and at Changi.

NZ gonna start looking way out of line with other similar COVID jurisdictions...

You don't have to use a mask from AKL-SIN, but you do on the way back from SIN-AKL

I think travel RAT requirements are also gonna get binned along with the travel declaration...

There is a COVID "settings" meeting due in early September so I would expect it to be announced then..

You currently have to wear a mask on all Air NZ, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines flights. Changi airport hasn't changed their rules yet.

Also Qatar and Emirates require passengers to wear masks onboard

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

wellygary

8815 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5299

#2959395 25-Aug-2022 16:51

openmedia:

You currently have to wear a mask on all Air NZ, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines flights. Changi airport hasn't changed their rules yet.

https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/travel-info/covid19-measures/
https://www.changiairport.com/en/airport-guide/Covid-19/Covid-19-measures.html

Starts on Monday 29th August

https://www.moh.gov.sg/docs/librariesprovider5/pressroom/press-releases/mtf-press-release-24-aug-2022---annexes-a-and-b.pdf

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

hotsupes

167 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 54

#2959898 26-Aug-2022 16:26

Any weird issues transiting via HK? I've got the option to route back via Singapore or HK, can't decide atm

jarledb

Webhead
3319 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1983

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2959906 26-Aug-2022 16:34

I think Changi Singapore is a nicer airport. But other than that don't have a strong preference between HK and Singapore.

Jarle Dahl Bergersen | Referral Links: Want $50 off when you join Octopus Energy? Use this referral code
Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by making a donation or subscribing.

hotsupes

167 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 54

#2959927 26-Aug-2022 17:01

Changi is a great airport, however I was more concerned with weird covid-19 restrictions/checks at HK Airport - I'm just transiting through but I did wonder if most of it was closed down etc in terms of lounges.

Handle9

11927 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9683

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2959928 26-Aug-2022 17:02

hotsupes:
Any weird issues transiting via HK? I've got the option to route back via Singapore or HK, can't decide atm

Changi is a nicer airport and less likely to have strange Covid rules imposed.

johno1234

3361 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2844

#2963478 5-Sep-2022 13:13

Just back from a visit to Hawaii on AirNZ. Hawaii has a slightly more relaxed COVID environment to NZ. No masks in hospitality and some retail businesses ask you to mask but never saw it insisted on. There were a lot of Kiwis, Koreans and Japanese tourists, and they and the local Hawaiians often wear masks out of preference.

Getting through AKL departure check-in and security was a breeze. We allowed ourselves 2.5 hours and ended up waiting in the lounge for about 2 hours!

As far as the flight was concerned, most pax masked up most of the time. Some didn't and they were never asked about it by staff or other passengers that I saw. It seemed to be treated as optional despite the cabin announcement stating it was required.

Sounds like the government is actively considering Green traffic light or ditching the framework altogether now anyway...

The biggest problem was arriving back in NZ at the same time as 2 or 3 other flights. The baggage system was completely overwhelmed, and the carousel area became gridlocked. Once we finally had our bags it was impossible to get to the tail of the Customs queue because it was blocked by people, bags and trolleys. It really was a complete failure by Auckland Airport and an avoidable issue. Our flight landed at 5:10pm and it took until about 9pm to get out the door. 0/10 to Auckland Airport. The customs queue, once you managed to get into it, moved quite quickly.

Geekzone support

Support Geekzone with one-off or recurring donations Donate via PressPatron.

wellygary

8815 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5299

#2963493 5-Sep-2022 13:47

johno1234:

The biggest problem was arriving back in NZ at the same time as 2 or 3 other flights. The baggage system was completely overwhelmed, and the carousel area became gridlocked. Once we finally had our bags it was impossible to get to the tail of the Customs queue because it was blocked by people, bags and trolleys. It really was a complete failure by Auckland Airport and an avoidable issue. Our flight landed at 5:10pm and it took until about 9pm to get out the door. 0/10 to Auckland Airport. The customs queue, once you managed to get into it, moved quite quickly.

I'm guessing like pretty much every industry connected to international travel all the baggage handlers got given the flick during the Pandemic and have subsequently gone off to become truck drivers or hammer hands or anything else earning more $$$,

It will another low wage job that got filled with immigrant labour that currently doesn't exist.... If you think its bad now, wait until the summer tourist season really gets cranking... :(

Kyanar

4089 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1684

ID Verified

Trusted

#2963496 5-Sep-2022 14:01

johno1234:

The biggest problem was arriving back in NZ at the same time as 2 or 3 other flights. The baggage system was completely overwhelmed, and the carousel area became gridlocked. Once we finally had our bags it was impossible to get to the tail of the Customs queue because it was blocked by people, bags and trolleys. It really was a complete failure by Auckland Airport and an avoidable issue. Our flight landed at 5:10pm and it took until about 9pm to get out the door. 0/10 to Auckland Airport. The customs queue, once you managed to get into it, moved quite quickly.

You didn't have the issue with Smartgate kicking everyone out into the assistance queues? Perhaps they've finally managed to fix the bad linking with travel declarations that caused that (or just quietly unlinked them entirely?)

Senecio

2856 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3169

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2963551 5-Sep-2022 17:08

Kyanar:

You didn't have the issue with Smartgate kicking everyone out into the assistance queues? Perhaps they've finally managed to fix the bad linking with travel declarations that caused that (or just quietly unlinked them entirely?)

When I returned on Sunday there were a lot of people being declined at the Smartgates and being sent to seek assistance.

Kyanar

4089 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1684

ID Verified

Trusted

#2963554 5-Sep-2022 17:20

Senecio:

When I returned on Sunday there were a lot of people being declined at the Smartgates and being sent to seek assistance.

Rats. I'll take that as a "still a problem" then. Honestly, it genuinely makes me want to stay far away from New Zealand - the customs and immigration clearance process due to the way behind the curve COVID setting makes New Zealand seem unwelcoming and hostile. No one wants to spend three hours in a queue (and that's if you can get to the green lane! Lord forbid you have baggage!)

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9