Concern over 1 hour transfer time in Sydney from Domestic to International?

[Pushka]

Thanks Pushka. I don't like being pushy but I think you are right. I will ask them in person at the airport when I travel to Darwin next month. My flight to Las Vegas isn't until March next year but I figure I am better off doing something about it earlier rather than later.

Maybe think of it as avoiding issues for Qantas who will have to rebook you on the next flight and maybe pay for accommodation if that isn’t until the next day.

 

[serfty]

It is for reasons such as this I have used multi city to book for the domestic segment the night before - as long as not more than 24 hours it is a transit.

 

[Matt_01]

Thanks Matt, yes I can do that myself but still don't know whether they will charge me the $800 to be placed on the earlier flight, as 2 Qantas staff have advised differently.

If you flow forward in the day of travel there should not be any charges.

...... My flight to Las Vegas isn't until March next year but I figure I am better off doing something about it earlier rather than later.

If the flight is in March I would not worry about changing it at the moment unless they do it for free. There is every chance QF will change schedules between now and March, you will get advised that a change has been made. If this occurs do not accept it, even if it is only by 5 minutes call and QF and request the changes you are after. There will be no charge as it is an involuntary change.

If the schedule does not change and you are still not comfortable you can call up closer to the date and make the changes, they will still most likely charge the change fees.

 

[Himeno]

1 hour is just too short. It would be more doable if it was MEL, but toss in the bus at SYD, not happening.

I try to have at least 2 hours connection at SYD. I'm convinced that the people who come up with the min connect times have never actually tried to make the connection.

The last time I had a short connection like this (website forced me to. wouldn't give a longer connection as an option, even though the flights I wanted were available on their own), I turned up at the airport in time for the domestic flight I wanted and asked if they were doing flow forward when I got to the counter. They said yes, but not to SYD. When I mentioned that the connection time was too short and didn't give enough time given the bus transfer, immigration etc, the agent disappeared to ticketing with my passport and booking details and spoke to her boss, then came back a few minutes later and moved me to an earlier flight.

 

[JohnK]

@LHT that connection is definitely too tight. Qantas should not be selling these connections and expect people to go straight from domestic to boarding without any chance of lounge or duty free shopping. I have provided feedback quite a few times but they are not interested.

QF507 arrived at Gate 2 at 9:25am this morning. By the time you disembark and head to gate 15 it could easily be 9:40am-9:45am. Boarding for LAX flight would have already started. Assuming you are able to get first transfer bus by skipping the queues then you're not likely to arrive at international before 10:00am and rush through security, immigration and straight to boarding without taking a breath.

That's not a desirable connection as far as I'm concerned and I would never purchase a connection that short. Assuming Qantas will hold LAX flight but even then it's stressful.

I know the last few days are not perfect examples but QF507 got to Gate 1 at 11:00am yesterday.

 

[Himeno]

Another thing with the US flights and connections, you'll have to do that silly waste of time "security" interview. They won't do it at the domestic outgoing port. They'll want to do it at gate 15 prior to getting on the bus.

 

[Matt_01]

It is for reasons such as this I have used multi city to book for the domestic segment the night before - as long as under 24 hours is is a transit.

I also use multi city to to select the domestic flight even if connecting to international on the same day, that way I can choose my own transit time.

 

[JohnK]

I also use multi city to to select the domestic flight even if connecting to international on the same day, that way I can choose my own transit time.

Quite a few times I take what connections the Qantas website offers and then call them on the day to give me the connection I want. Once you explain the reasons they never refuse.

 

[Matt_01]

Quite a few times I take what connections the Qantas website offers and then call them on the day to give me the connection I want. Once you explain the reasons they never refuse.

Agree as that will get through on the same day change policy, however I avoid calling QF unless necessary. Multi city booking removes the need to call.

 

[Pushka]

Another thing with the US flights and connections, you'll have to do that silly waste of time "security" interview. They won't do it at the domestic outgoing port. They'll want to do it at gate 15 prior to getting on the bus.

Yes. They did our interview before we were allowed on the bus. The bus could easily have left while we did that.

 

[harvyk]

Thanks Pushka. I don't like being pushy but I think you are right. I will ask them in person at the airport when I travel to Darwin next month. My flight to Las Vegas isn't until March next year but I figure I am better off doing something about it earlier rather than later.

The airport can't help until a day or so beforehand.

Call and call again, be pushy, be pushy as hell because they are setting you up for failure.

I guarentee that everyone who says no has never actually done a too tight connection.
As others have said if they send you a "your flight times have changed" even if it's only by a couple of minutes you can basically request what you want.

There is a saying when dealing with QF - HUACA. Hang Up And Call Again.

Most QF phone operators are pretty pathetic, it unfortunately often takes many tries to get one that is actually good and actually gets it.

 

[Travel_Mate]

My husband and I are travelling on Qantas from Bris to Syd. My Brisbane flight lands at 9.10am. I then need to transfer by Qantas shuttle to the International terminal to connect with my flight to LA which leaves at 10.10am. My bags will be checked through but I will need to go through immigration in Sydney. I am very concerned about the 1 hour given for transfer. Qantas has assured me I will make it and the change fee for 2 persons to an earlier flight out of Brisbane is $800. We are flying business. Has anyone done this regularly and made it easily. we are platinum flyers but like to be relaxed and would also like a chance to go to the First lounge if possible. (I know its not probable). Any help would be appreciated. Thank you. Leonie

Travelled to the US last year for business, I had a 2 hour layover but a colleague only had 1 hour. He made the flight to the US and said he didnt feel rushed because he was checked all the way. Only negative for him was no time for the lounge but otherwise QF is pretty good in this space

 

[Pagans]

My husband and I are travelling on Qantas from Bris to Syd. My Brisbane flight lands at 9.10am. I then need to transfer by Qantas shuttle to the International terminal to connect with my flight to LA which leaves at 10.10am. My bags will be checked through but I will need to go through immigration in Sydney. I am very concerned about the 1 hour given for transfer. Qantas has assured me I will make it and the change fee for 2 persons to an earlier flight out of Brisbane is $800. We are flying business. Has anyone done this regularly and made it easily. we are platinum flyers but like to be relaxed and would also like a chance to go to the First lounge if possible. (I know its not probable). Any help would be appreciated. Thank you. Leonie

My wife and I had the same, There was plenty of time, remember they will transfer your luggage direct so,so that's some guarantee they won't leave without you.Just get your skates on at Sydney domestic getting to the transfer point, and get to the front explain if you have to. No time for the lounge which is a shame.

 

[ozfflyer]

Thanks harvyk. I have called Qantas and used "messenger" and had the same response. When I booked the flights from Brisbane to Las Vegas, this is the times that were on their site and I didn't really notice the short transfer time. I have asked on "messenger" if this happens every day with passengers making their 1 hour connection but have yet to receive a response.
As a result of Daylight saving our flight leaves Brisbane at 6.35am and arrives at 9.10am but there is a 6.05am and 5.35am. The change fee is a bit excessive and I have been told is due to the fact that Qantas believes an hour is long enough to transfer.

why would you go via SYD to travel BNE/LAS ?

Thought the minimum legal connecting time at SYD was 2 hours ? Have seen people who arrived late into SYD with a 2 hour connect, get sent home to BNE to do it all again next day.

It would have to be a lot cheaper than flying nonstop out of BNE to have to go through the hassle of the mess that is SYD.

Going BNE/SYD/LAX adds about 4 hours + in each direction, cf nonstop & encourages airlines to keep the SYD/LAX frequencies going.

 

[Julesmac]

No way would I risk an hour, it has taken me that long to transfer before. You might need to keep trying until you get someone who will move you to an earlier flight.

Try again and if they are still unhelpful ask them to elevate your request. Don't take no for an answer. EG what if you had a gammy leg and couldn't do the sprint to the gate??

 

[eric2011]

I believe the official MCT is 60 minutes but I sure as heck wouldn't try it

 

[DC3]

... they will transfer your luggage direct so,so that's some guarantee they won't leave without you ..

… or, you just make the flight but your checked bags don't.

 

[LHT]

If you flow forward in the day of travel there should not be any charges.


If the flight is in March I would not worry about changing it at the moment unless they do it for free. There is every chance QF will change schedules between now and March, you will get advised that a change has been made. If this occurs do not accept it, even if it is only by 5 minutes call and QF and request the changes you are after. There will be no charge as it is an involuntary change.

If the schedule does not change and you are still not comfortable you can call up closer to the date and make the changes, they will still most likely charge the change fees.

Thanks Matt, you have been very helpful. I think I will follow your advise.

 

[Lynda2475]

Using the multi-city is a good tip, but if I'm uncomfortable with a connection time shown, I make sure I expand to see all options and pick a different one during the booking process. Id rather sit in lounge for an extra hour or 2 than be all stressed out about not making the international flight.

 

[LHT]

My wife and I had the same, There was plenty of time, remember they will transfer your luggage direct so,so that's some guarantee they won't leave without you.Just get your skates on at Sydney domestic getting to the transfer point, and get to the front explain if you have to. No time for the lounge which is a shame.

Hi Pagans, so you and your wife were able to do the transfer within the hour?