LAX connection time required?

[empressjo]

Asking recent travellers who may have flown the SYD LAX with AA if the time of 3-4 hours between connections is still required with all the changes to customs?

I don't think 1 hr 15 min is enough, but I would rather not sit around for 4 hrs if I don't need to

 

[snabbu]

Asking recent travellers who may have flown the SYD LAX with AA if the time of 3-4 hours between connections is still required with all the changes to customs?

I don't think 1 hr 15 min is enough, but I would rather not sit around for 4 hrs if I don't need to

No way I'd book a 75 min connection, unless it was on the same PNR which essentially means you are protected.

If your onward connection is on a different PNR then yes 4 hours is a better option.

 

[Denali]

Ive done it in less than an hour twice (TBIT to Delta) but it was very much an Amazing Race episode and I would only attempt it if it was the same PNR. All it takes is a late SYD departure or a busy TSA and youre screwed.

 

[deejo77]

August flew in via VA and was on the bus to rental car within 40mins.......electronic gates are fantastic if you qualify.

 

[TomVexille]

August flew in via VA and was on the bus to rental car within 40mins.......electronic gates are fantastic if you qualify.

Unless of course you get referred to the manual queue after using the machine.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Unless of course you get referred to the manual queue after using the machine.

That's what happened with us last time through. (Rookie error: not checking what my partner ticked/crossed.) What would have been a very quick run through stretched to close to 2 hrs by the time we'd re-checked our luggage and gone through security for our domestic flight. Luckily we'd erred on the side of caution and chosen a 3hr+ buffer.

 

[UP4014]

Not enough time, but if all the way on AA then they will get there on the next flight or re-route you via Boise

 

[legroom]

I'd be comfortable with 3 hrs or more.

Anything less would give me palpitations which are to be avoided. Yes, it can be done but the anxiety is not worth the risks.

Better spend the excess time having a shower, catching up with AFF etc... than sweating in the queue

 

[UP4014]

Better spend the excess time having a shower, catching up with AFF etc... than sweating in the queue

Yep agree, once you're in the queue nothing can be done, just have to stand there with everyone else and wait your turn.

 

[amaroo]

My last one (July) I gave myself 3+ hrs (separate bookings, QF>AA) ... spent the time enjoying the QF F lounge.

 

[legroom]

My last one (July) I gave myself 3+ hrs (separate bookings, QF>AA) ... spent the time enjoying the QF F lounge.

Amaroo

How do you get to the QF F lounge now that you will be required to check in luggage at AA as well ?

Walk / Bus airside to TBIT ?

Back through TBIT front doors with domestic AA tickets ?

Thanks

 

[PaulybGC]

I gave myself 4 hrs when i flew on AA last month & was able to use the electronic gates, collected luggage and walked next door to Terminal 3. Used priority lane for a VX connection and was checked in in under an hour.
Do you qualify for the electronic gates?

 

[amaroo]

Amaroo

How do you get to the QF F lounge now that you will be required to check in luggage at AA as well ?

Walk / Bus airside to TBIT ?

Back through TBIT front doors with domestic AA tickets ?

Thanks

Simple as. Even if you have to check bags on a different ticket, you simply walk the connector - under 10 mins. I enjoyed the F lounge twice in July ... including a LAS-LAX-DFW sector.


[video=youtube;HmyUmy6QRmI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmyUmy6QRmI[/video]

 

[empressjo]

Thanks team, I've gone with 4 hours to save the stress attack.

The electronic gates? I was there 2 years ago & I thought they were for US passports only?

I gave myself 4 hrs when i flew on AA last month & was able to use the electronic gates, collected luggage and walked next door to Terminal 3. Used priority lane for a VX connection and was checked in in under an hour.
Do you qualify for the electronic gates?

 

[PaulybGC]

Thanks team, I've gone with 4 hours to save the stress attack.

The electronic gates? I was there 2 years ago & I thought they were for US passports only?

Who Is Eligible to Use APC? (automated Passport Control)

U.S. and Canadian passport holders and international visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries are eligible to use APC kiosks. Visa Waiver Program visitors must have Electronic System for Travel Authorizations (ESTA) approval prior to travel and have visited the United States on at least one occasion after 2008.

 

[Denali]

Who Is Eligible to Use APC? (automated Passport Control)

U.S. and Canadian passport holders and international visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries are eligible to use APC kiosks. Visa Waiver Program visitors must have Electronic System for Travel Authorizations (ESTA) approval prior to travel and have visited the United States on at least one occasion after 2008.

Does this include people that have traveled to the US after 2008 but have a new passport/computer chip?

Im asking because both hubby and I will have new passports next trip but we were there last year

2.5hr layover and hoping to make the flight (which we should, unless theres a departure delay) because its a flat bed to Atlanta.

ta

 

[PaulybGC]

Does this include people that have traveled to the US after 2008 but have a new passport/computer chip?

Im asking because both hubby and I will have new passports next trip but we were there last year

2.5hr layover and hoping to make the flight (which we should, unless theres a departure delay) because its a flat bed to Atlanta.

ta

Good question, im not 100% sure but provided you used ETSA post 2008 i think it may be ok. worth noting that you can both use the same machine as a family as well.

The worst that will happen is the auto machine will tell you you dont qualify & direct you to a normal booth.

 

[Anna]

The worst that will happen is the auto machine will tell you you dont qualify & direct you to a normal booth.

Or if you're like me, you do qualify but in your jetlagged and exhausted state off a QF flight arriving at midnight by your body clock (early morning LA time) you won't be able to work the machine. The instructions about how to do the fingerprints in particular I found were not easy to understand and the machine got fed up with me and kicked me out to a booth.

 

[TonyD]

Simple as. Even if you have to check bags on a different ticket, you simply walk the connector - under 10 mins. I enjoyed the F lounge twice in July ... including a LAS-LAX-DFW sector.

Hi,
sorry if this is a bit thick - we have FF points tickets on QF15 then bought seperate tickets on AA to Orlando - we have 4 hours between flights to Orlando ex Terminal 4. Can we use the connector ? Can we have the bags "checked baggage" ?

 

[TomVexille]

Hi,
sorry if this is a bit thick - we have FF points tickets on QF15 then bought seperate tickets on AA to Orlando - we have 4 hours between flights to Orlando ex Terminal 4. Can we use the connector ? Can we have the bags "checked baggage" ?

You have to clear immigration at LAX and collect bags and clear Customs as it is your port of entry to the USA. QF won't check bags through on separate tickets anymore anyway. You'll head over to T4, which is a short walk from TBIT to check in for your AA flight. After security you'll have the option of the AA lounge in T4, or walking back to TBIT through the connector to the Oneworld Lounge.