Airport holiday chaos: Baggage, arrival rules explained
Australian airports and insurance providers have urged travellers to be prepared. See the latest advice on how to save time and get your money back if there are delays.
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Holiday-makers are being urged to plan ahead and arrive extra early if they are flying this Easter long weekend.
Australia’s major airports are expecting millions of passengers to pass through the country’s domestic and international terminals over the coming weeks, with Thursday, April 6, set to be one of the busiest days.
Sydney Airport is predicting about 2.4 million passengers during Easter and school holidays, meanwhile Brisbane is expecting 1.4 million people.
Adelaide Airport is expecting close to 30,000 passengers a day during the same period, with the busiest day on April 14, which coincides with the start of the AFL Gather Round – where for that weekend all 18 teams will be playing their round five match in the City of Churches.
Meanwhile in Perth, almost 220,000 passengers are expected to travel through its airport from April 5 to 10.
The volume of jetsetters has prompted a warning from the major airports to book carparking in advance and arrive earlier than usual to ensure a smooth start to people’s holidays.
Travelling with just hand luggage could cut the time you need to be at the airport in half, depending on where you are departing from.
See why and other tips to help you with your Easter travel plans below.
BEST TIME TO ARRIVE
Aussies have been warned that with so many people flying this Easter, there is a slim chance that they would be able to get on another flight should they miss the one they were booked on. The advice from experts is to arrive with plenty of time to spare.
Sydney Airport
Domestic travellers with hand luggage only have been advised to arrive one hour prior to departure, and two hours prior if they have checked luggage.
International passengers have been advised to arrive three hours prior to departure.
Melbourne Airport
People are encouraged to arrive one to two hours prior to a domestic flight and two to three hours prior to an international flight.
Brisbane Airport
Domestic passengers are advised to arrive at the airport 90 minutes before departure and three hours for international.
Adelaide Airport
Passengers travelling within Australia have been advised to arrive 90 minutes prior to departure and those travelling overseas at least 2.5 hours before departure.
Perth Airport
The recommendation for international passengers is to arrive three hours before departure and 90 minutes for domestic flights.
CHECK-IN, SECURITY TIPS
To ensure a smooth transit through the airport, Aussies are encouraged to check-in online where possible and come prepared for security checks.
Brisbane Airport head of public affairs Stephen Beckett urged international passengers to be aware of the rules surrounding hand luggage – that gels and liquids can’t be larger than 100ml or 100g, and batteries, such as powerbanks, must not be stored in checked luggage.
“Be prepared when you get to the front of the security queue. Have any items you need to declare ready because if you don’t, it slows down the security process,” he said.
During the December-January school holidays, Sydney Airport reported 95 per cent of domestic passengers cleared security within five minutes with the remaining in less than 15 minutes.
Qantas echoes Mr Becket’’s advice, saying checking in online, arriving early and staying within baggage limits, can help prevent delays in moving through the airport.
GETTING TO/FROM AIRPORT AND PARKING
Parking at the airports is expected to be in “hot demand” and travellers are encouraged to plan ahead.
“Our strongest advice is to book airport parking as far in advance as you can,” Mr Beckett, of Brisbane Airport, said.
Sydney Airport chief operating officer Sidone Thomas echoed that suggestion: “If you’re parking at the terminals, ensure you book ahead to guarantee your spot and get the best deal”.
Mr Beckett encouraged Brisbane travellers to pre-book taxis or rideshares, explaining some passengers had reported delays in rideshare services lately.
Adelaide Airport Executive General Manager People, Culture and Customer Dermot O’Neill said the terminals would be open from 3.45am from April 3 to April 28 “for those keen to beat the busy early morning peak”.
WHAT TO DO IF THERE ARE DELAYS, LOST LUGGAGE
Travellers are encouraged to keep an eye on the websites and apps of their airlines, such as Qantas and Virgin, for the latest information on flights.
The reminder comers after there delays to some Brisbane passengers on Monday following an IT glitch in the baggage handling system. It was fixed but these things can happen and the most up-to-date details on flight times will be available through the carriers themselves.
Cover-More Australia managing director Todd Nelson said depending on the level of travel insurance people bought, they could be covered for delayed or lost luggage, as well as travel delays.
“With travel delay, say if your flight is delayed by more than six hours, there is cover (up to $1000 on Comprehensive or Comprehensive-Plus policies) for accommodation expenses while you wait to resume your journey,” he said.
“If your luggage is delayed by your airline/transport provider for more than 12 hours on your journey, you may have access to a delayed luggage allowance (up to $1500 on Cover-More Comprehensive-Plus policy) so you won’t be out of pocket for the essentials and clothing you will need to tide you over.
“And worst case, if your luggage is lost by your airline/transport provider, there is cover for the items you have lost depending on the level of your domestic travel insurance. If you are travelling with valuables, you can take out extra insurance to cover them and always best to have them with you in your carry-on.”
TOP DESTINATIONS
New Zealand, Bali and the UK are the top three overseas destinations for Queenslanders this holiday season, Mr Beckett said.
On the interstate front, he said Melburnians and Sydneysiders were heading to the Sunshine State in “droves”.
Virgin Australia reported passenger numbers were largely in line with its pre-Covid figures and was up 25 per cent more than the same period last year.
On some legs, demand was up 28 per cent on pre-Covid levels, prompting the carrier to put on more services, such as up to 50 more return trips a week on Gold Coast routes, up to 12 more for Sunshine Coast routes and up too 22 for Cairns.
ACTIVITIES AT THE AIRPORT
This Easter and school holidays, many airports are offering some family-friendly activities to keep the kids entertained, which may help fill the time after check-in.
Sydney Airport
- Chocolate Easter egg giveaways: T1, T2, T3 from 6 – 9 April
- Australian animal cut outs for photos: T1, T2, T3 from 6 – 23 April
- Kids face painting: T2 & T3 7:30am to 10:30am from 6 – 7 April and 10 – 13 April
- Easter themed digital treasure hunt: throughout our domestic and international terminals with a chance to win a $3,000 travel voucher from 6 – 23 April
- Cuddly Care cards: throughout the holidays kids can collect a boarding pass to attach to their soft toys from the Ambassador Desks
Adelaide Airport
- The Easter bunny will be handing out chocolate eggs on Thursday, April 6, and Sunday, April 9, from 10am to 1pm.
- AFL Gather Round – various activities from April 13-16 including getting a photo with the AFL grand final trophy
- LIV Golf activities from April 21-23
Brisbane Airport
- The Easter Lounge in the Domestic Terminal offers activities for the kids from April 1 to April 14 from 7am to 12pm, including meet and photo opportunities with Bluey and Bingo from April 11 to 14. Visit the airport website to book.
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Originally published as Airport holiday chaos: Baggage, arrival rules explained
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