Gate(s) 15 at AKL

[tuapekastar]

I hadn't noticed this previously. Waiting in AKL QF F (or as serfty more accurately puts it, Emerald) lounge on Monday for QF134 to MEL. No gate allocated upon lounge entry. Eventually Gate 15 appears beside the flight. I then notice the QF44 to SYD, scheduled to depart 15 minutes prior to QF134 is also Gate 15. Que?

The 44 is called and is boarding away. Then QF134 shows as boarding as well. How can both be boarding at the same time at the same gate? No call yet. My mum checked at the desk (not mentioning the seeming gate 15 double up) - told there is an issue and 134 will be called in 10 minutes or so.

After 10 minutes we decided to wander to the (very distant) gate 15 anyway, call or no call. Along the way I saw a 738 emerging from that area, though could not see the actual gate. Decided (correctly) that was the 44. Anyway upon rounding a bend, it all became clear. There are two Gates 15! Not 14 and 15, or 15 and 16, or even 15a and 15b, but two gates 15. With separate agent desks, entry doors and bridges. Our flight commenced boarding about 5 minutes after we got there but I could see how this could (and in my case did) lead to confusion.

They sort of share a common infrastructure closer to the terminal, but like I said they have separate desks and doors.

Anyone know why they would label both of them Gate 15?

 

[serfty]

Gates 15 & 16 are 380 (or VLA) gates and have room for two 737/320's when not being used by the larger beasties.

It was the same two weeks ago for me on QF134 ...

 

[tuapekastar]

Gates 15 & 16 are 380 (or VLA) gates and have room for two 737/320's when not being used by the larger beasties.

It was the same two weeks ago for me on QF134 ...

Ah, thanks. That makes sense now, two bridges from the one gate for the one big aircraft. There actually was an EK A380 at 16, made the 738 look like a mosquito. Still confusing to see (if you are elsewhere other than at the gate) Gate 15 allocated to two flights at roughly the same time if you were not aware it was an A380 gate.

Oh, and in what was a first for my family at least, mother and self were both wanded at AKL at the same time by different people. :shock:

 

[bossreggie]

There is gate 15A and 15B

The AKL-SYD flight always departs from the LEFT.

They are ONLY 737/320 gates (if 2 aircraft are there) as they are tucked into the corner as you would have noticed.

I do the 134 flight 10+ times a year. Allows me a leisurely lunch before heading to the airport.

 

[dfcatch]

There is gate 15A and 15B

The AKL-SYD flight always departs from the LEFT.

They are ONLY 737/320 gates (if 2 aircraft are there) as they are tucked into the corner as you would have noticed.

I do the 134 flight 10+ times a year. Allows me a leisurely lunch before heading to the airport.

And allows you to leisurely walk off your lunch between the lounge and Gate 15

 

[richie9x]

I seem to recall that for gate 15 flights my BP has 15R or 15L on it. I'll try to dig up an example. But on the terminal screens it was just 15. I haven't seen this type of configuration anywhere else.

Here is a photo of the gate(s).



And here are the gate markings. Although you can't see it very well the yellow line at the bottom off to an angle is for A320s/737s. While larger jets line up to the other yellow lines and can use both aerobridges.

 

[richie9x]

Speaking with a friend that works for an airline. He said that sort of gate configuration is called Multiple Aircraft Ramp System (MARS).

 

[serfty]

Off tipic ...

...

I do the 134 flight 10+ times a year. Allows me a leisurely lunch before heading to the airport.

I used to love the QF133 flight when it left at 7:30pm.

Perfect for a pre flight Flounging after leaving work 4pm ... (shame about the 1am arrival but).

 

[tuapekastar]

There is gate 15A and 15B

The AKL-SYD flight always departs from the LEFT.

They are ONLY 737/320 gates (if 2 aircraft are there) as they are tucked into the corner as you would have noticed.

I do the 134 flight 10+ times a year. Allows me a leisurely lunch before heading to the airport.

Did not notice any A or B designations on the signs at the gate(s).
QF134 left from the first gate reached of the two.

I seem to recall that for gate 15 flights my BP has 15R or 15L on it. I'll try to dig up an example. But on the terminal screens it was just 15. I haven't seen this type of configuration anywhere else.

No gate had been allocated at time of checkin so nothing relevant was printed on my BP. I'll join you in noting that I've not seen this anywhere else.

 

[serfty]

They don't generally publish/assign gates at AKL until ~40 minutes before they flight (even on BPs) - they wan PAX to mill around the shops.

 

[richie9x]

I found one my last BPs. Gate 15R. And the alternative is 15L. Although the L and R are from the perspective of the pilot. So at the gate passengers will go to the left to board 15R and go to the right to board 15L. From what I recall there is no indication of the L or R at the gate. Just the flight number. It can get confusing when boarding happens on both sides at the same time, as sometimes they will call out the row numbers but not specify which flight they are for.

As mentioned often the gate is not printed on the BP. So you would only go via the flight number as to which side to board on.