Thread: Jetstar Firearms check in

Only early morning chc - auckland sadly
Or was when I needed it , only reason to fly them

I'm simply not interested in food or coffe on flights

I'm a coffee snob and have world class coffee every day at home
Likewise a decent breakfast pre flight and a nice cafe lunch in Auckland with my forum member chauffeur.
Much more civilised

I'm there for 3 full days so plenty of time to do the business

Well sent two requests through the on line portal and we live in hope that it works on the day

A lot depends on the competancy of the person you deal with. I have had amazing dealings and abysmal dealings - although with Air NZ and at smaller airports

Air Chathams and Air NZ were both easy as when ever I've traveled
Chch
Auckland
Wellington
Queenstown
Chats

I took 6 guns up a few weeks ago via Jetstar. 3 in one case, 2 in another and 1 on its own. No issues at all. The good thing with Jetstar is if you pay for 40kg of luggage you can take as many bags as you want as long as the total weight is 40kg which makes it great for travelling with sports gear etc

I took two case, 38kg, 6 rifle CHCH to Auckland Jetstar last Friday

Return Monday

Two cases, 7 rifles, 40kg Jetstar

Absolutely no drama
But I wasn't carrying any ammo or brass

8kgs unprimed brass I just sent by courier

I flew from Queenstown to Auckland last month with ammo and a rifle. The Jetstar staff were great, no dramas and no fuss. I think in these situations some manners and patience will go a long way.

I always get the Dangerous Goods Permit despite not carrying ammo because the rifles are vintage and to and from collections where they don't get shot

Over delivering on that point and the gun case security is worth the effort.

Also I tell them the guns are completely dissasembled.
Which is often true too be able too pack 3 big rifles in each gun case

Just a thumbs up bump on this 2024 thread - The info re the Jestar dangerous goods form (ammo) and the firearm check in (remove bolt, but in standard check in luggage - FA into a separate locked carry case) was excellent. Will test it out next month at Auckland airport and will report back with any issues.

Have always found South Island Airport staff go through the firearms check-in process with little or no fuss. Auckland airport not so much.

Despite travelling home to the South Island frequently with a firearm Auckland Airport seems to struggle with the concept of a firearm at the time of check-in. Get there early, be aware of Avsec screening requirements at the O/Sized x-ray machine, tell them the bare minimum but also be knowledgable of their own airlines requirements for carriage - as often the ground staff aren't.

Best bit of advice - make sure that whatever bag is carrying your ammunition is also screened at O/sized as if they find ammo on the "normal bag" conveyor they will pull your bag . Trust me I know, then they couldn't find my bag for 5 hours, I was trying to get into the back country in Canterbury - my pack with all my gear was "somewhere" between AKL-CHC. I had the clothes I stood in and a rifle case, waiting in CHC airport till they found my bag. Needles to say Avsec and the NZP were continually checking on my need to be in the airport with a rifle case.

Had a bad experience in New Plymouth with two empty gun cases taped together to make one , size-compliant baggage item.

The "lady" at check-in refused to accept the cases were empty without opening both , threatened to boot me off my flight if I argued , and was generally a stand-in for Hitlers sister.

I walked away and left the missus to sort it as she has infinite patience with morons - she lives with me - and the matter was resolved -two cases still taped together to make one empty , compliant case.

One departure from Nelson a few days later , the now full cases were presented to the check-in lady who didnt want to see inside , and on being regaled with the story of the NP experience said " I know exactly who you dealt with and she is always a bitch".

So I guess the moral of this ramble is - it all comes down to the type of person you encounter at check-in.

jetstar, jeez i flew with them chch to auckland in january, plane was late. cabin was filthy. the menu actually had teeth marks on it like a baby was chewing on it.
never ever again.