Tiger airways connecting flight

[maiko]

Hi, I'm planning on doing PER - MEL - CBR in November, all on Tiger. It arrives in Melb at 0600, and leaves for CBR at 0705. Do I have any hope of making the connection with the 45 min check-in or should I change my booking for a later flight that afternoon? I won't have any luggage to collect, it'll be hand-carry only.

TIA

 

[futaris]

Assuming that the flight is on time, you should be ok. It only takes 5 minutes to disembark off the plane and walk down the tarmac, through luggage claim and back into the check-in terminal.

That being said, I don't know of anyone who's connected flights on Tiger before. Of course you must remember that you need to be in the queue exactly 45 mins before check-in closes or you're SOL (Sad Out of Luck).

 

[dajop]

If things go pear-shaped are you prepared to fork out up to $100-$150 for a flight later that day (either on Virgin Blue or later on Tiger) - most middle of the day flights to CBR unless some extraordinary event seem to max out at around that mark.

If you are then, take the gamble, it may work out OK for you, and if not then take the afternoon flight or explore options on DJ or QF.

 

[maiko]

Well, if there was a high chance it could go pear shaped I was going to book the Tiger flight later that afternoon (works out cheaper than changing the flight) that way I have a backup if I don't make it.

Are their flights usually on time? Is the terminal small enough that I could exit one plane and make the queue for the next without too many hassles?

 

[comint]

Are their flights usually on time?

Tiger Airways reports on-time performance - Low Cost Airline News

Is the terminal small enough that I could exit one plane and make the queue for the next without too many hassles?

Yes, exactly as pointed out above. (NB: In MEL T4 you do not arrive into the terminal, you arrive into the secured baggage claim area, which you exit, then turn right and walk around into the basic terminal building.)

I have used Tiger a few times this year, often connecting from other airlines. I have invested in an annual travel insurance policy that covers me for missing pre-paid travel arrangements, but as yet, have not had to make a claim. Generally I leave a few hours transit time between flights, to ensure that if things do go pear shaped, they won't respond that it was my fault for organising such a tight connection.

I have also used throw away tickets, to buy seats on later flights, when a tight connection was just too good to pass up price-wise. This enables me to fly with a degree of flexibility without having to pay ridiculous "fully flexible" ticket fees that some airlines charge. [It also means some airlines make more money from me not flying with them, than flying. LOL]

 

[dajop]

Sounds like a throw away flight on the later flight might be a good insurance, if it is cheap enough. It may even be the case that the PER-MEL aircraft continues on from MEL-CBR in which case you shouldbe fine, (45 min rule not withstanding). If everything is running on time - easy - the terminal is just like a small country airport, so easy to walk the few metres from arrivals to checkin.

 

[clifford]

Well, if there was a high chance it could go pear shaped I was going to book the Tiger flight later that afternoon (works out cheaper than changing the flight) that way I have a backup if I don't make it.

Are their flights usually on time? Is the terminal small enough that I could exit one plane and make the queue for the next without too many hassles?

My advice would be to book the later flight.

I have had quite a few Tiger flights in the past couple of weeks or so. Overall, more flights were delayed than on-time, for all kinds of reasons. A flight from SIN to PER was delayed for over half an hour because a couple of pax didn't board the a/c, even though their bags were checked in. Another flight, from MEL to CBR was delayed for a couple of hours awaiting arrival of the cabin crew (Tiger is spead very thin in Oz).

So, caveat emptor...