Today I was traveling through Auckland International Airport on an outbound international Air NZ flight. I was flying in economy class and am a Airpoints Gold member. I walked into the premium check in area, as I often do. This time though, instead of using the kiosks as you walk into the premium checkin area I was directed through another sliding door, at the back, to what I thought was the “Business Class Check In”. The screen by the entrance to the area stated that Airpoints Gold members were allowed in there.
I have never been into that area before and I believe, although I am not certain, that the screen by the entrance to this separate checkin area always used to say “Business Premier” only. Has Air NZ recently changed their policy on this? Or is it a demand based thing where they change who is allowed in there based on how many premium passengers they have coming through?