SYD-MEL-LHR Transit Questions

[MillyMae]

Hi there

I've managed to score a rewards point trip to the UK (Qantas Bus then First!) but as it's a rewards trip and there's no direct from SYD to LHR, I have to travel from Sydney via Melbourne to London.

What does this mean for checking in and transit in Melbourne? I've never done this before where I fly domestic to then fly international.
Do I check in for the International flight only when I get to Melbourne or can I check in in Sydney through to London and just change terminals?
Do my bags get checked in in SYD or do I have to collect them again then check them in in Melbourne?
I've got 2.20 hours for transit, do you think that's enough time?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

Cheers, Milly

 

[KitKat]

Welcome to AFF

I assume you are doing Sydney-Melbourne-Dubai-London on Qantas. Sydney to Melbourne would be Qantas Business and Melbourne to Dubai to London would be in First.
You generally check in Sydney Qantas Domestic (look for Domestic to International Transfers check in area or let the friendly staff know where you are heading). Luggage would be checked in all the way to London, no need to pick up anywhere along the journey.
Take your flight to Melbourne, look for International departures and with your First (Melbourne-London) boarding pass in hand go through immigration in Melbourne (In Melbourne, the domestic qantas and International terminal are in the same building, just need to follow signs)
2.20 is plenty for transit but if possible I would suggest a longer time so that you could enjoy the Melbourne Qantas First Lounge.

Options to have a longer transit
1. call and ask if they will change it without a fee (or if you are happy with the fee)
2. get to Sydney airport and ask nicely if they will place you on an earlier flight to Melbourne

 

[straitman]

Hi there

I've managed to score a rewards point trip to the UK (Qantas Bus then First!) but as it's a rewards trip and there's no direct from SYD to LHR, I have to travel from Sydney via Melbourne to London.

What does this mean for checking in and transit in Melbourne? I've never done this before where I fly domestic to then fly international.
Do I check in for the International flight only when I get to Melbourne or can I check in in Sydney through to London and just change terminals?
Do my bags get checked in in SYD or do I have to collect them again then check them in in Melbourne?
I've got 2.20 hours for transit, do you think that's enough time?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

Cheers, Milly

At SYD domestic you need to find the International desk and they will check you and your bags all the way through.

Assuming your SYD-MEL flight is on time then 2:20 is adequate. It is all in the same building in MEL and you should have express passes for customs/immigration.

The only thing I would say about it though is 2:20 does not give you a whole lot of F lounge time. When you consider that the MEL & SYD F lounges are about as good as a lounge ever gets then maybe a bit longer transit would be desirable.

 

[mannej]

I would suggest trying to get onto an earlier flight due to the whole F-Lounge in MEL.

MEL is a very easy airport to transfer at. Walk out of the QF domestic terminal, straight to the International terminal and you are there.

 

[MillyMae]

I would suggest trying to get onto an earlier flight due to the whole F-Lounge in MEL.

Thank you for all the replies.

That's great to hear regarding the transit / checking in. And I think I will try and change the first flight to MEL so I can take advantage of the lounge.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Enjoy the experience Milly and if you feel like it tell us how it all goes