Tight Virgin Australia Domestic Connection to International Flight

[elanshin]

Considering many people only arrive at the airport 2 hours before departure… 2.5 hours is actually quite generous. It doesn’t take 30 mins to get from international to domestic.

The concern would be the on time arrival of the connecting flight. But your bags will be checked through, and presumably you’ll have boarding passes too. So if your inbound arrived at 0930, even as late as 0945, you’d still have time to get across to international by 1015, and be through well in time for boarding.

But yes, if the inbound is delayed such that you can make the onwards flight, VA/SQ will rebook you for the next available flight.

I would have thought that if the inbound into SYD was delayed and the SQ flights was completely full, then the airline would put you up at a hotel?

If the MEL-SYD is severely delayed and you're not taking off. You can go to the desk, they may choose to put you on direct MEL - SIN as well. 4-5 of those a day as well.

 

[Quickstatus]

they may choose to put you on direct MEL - SIN as well. 4-5 of those a day as well.

Just ensure you don't end up on the SQ8xx_ as that is actually Scoot.

 

[MelbFlyer]

You never know but my recent experience (Nov on a Monday morning) was a breeze. I flew JQ from MEL due to arrive 7.30 am with 10.50 connection. Landed 1 minutes early, collected my bag, went to the bus (only 2 others waiting) and the bus arrived a couple of minutes later. Google Maps tells me I was at the international terminal at 8.11 am.

That's a very good experience, hoping that if I book this flight, that my experience would be the same as well.

I would have thought that if the inbound into SYD was delayed and the SQ flights was completely full, then the airline would put you up at a hotel?

Ideally I'd prefer this to not happen, but if all subsequent flights are full, I guess I'd have no choice.

If the MEL-SYD is severely delayed and you're not taking off. You can go to the desk, they may choose to put you on direct MEL - SIN as well. 4-5 of those a day as well.

Hmm, that begs the question - what if, I chanced going to the international terminal in MEL early and asking to see if they may be able to accommodate me onto a MEL to SIN flight direct, rather than via SYD.

It's a business reward seat - I wonder if that may have anymore leverage than economy, even if it's a reward seat.

 

[Quickstatus]

It's a business reward seat - I wonder if that may have anymore leverage than economy, even if it's a reward seat.

I think you will have less priority than a paying passenger but as the Int terminal is in the same building, no harm in asking.
If they suggest SQ8xx_ thats Scoot with their all economy 787.

 

[Mwenenzi]

off topic

Hmm, that begs the question - what if, I chanced going to the international terminal in MEL early and asking to see if they may be able to accommodate me onto a MEL to SIN flight direct, rather than via SYD.

It's a business reward seat - I wonder if that may have anymore leverage than economy, even if it's a reward seat.

Guessing you are leaving MEL at ~07:00 for your 08:30 SYD arrival. Would a SQ desk be open in MEL T2 at 05:30~06:00? With your VFF award ticket IMHO SQ will not deal with you. Send you to Virgin - Velocity desk or phone.
Have you looked for VFF business award seat MEL-SIN non stop? Sometimes awards can show up close to departure,

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'd assume so, as there's a ~6am departure and another departure at ~9am.



That's a shame, as at the end of the day, it's still a ticketed seat on SQ. I guess worst they can say is no, and to fly to SYD for a connecting flight.



I have, nothing direct on the dates I am potentially looking for at this stage. Will keep an eye out though.

It is highly unlikely SQ will accommodate a partner award on a non-stop flight u less there are IRROPS.

They don’t know whether VA has married segment logic or other inventory controls in place. And the airport isnt the time they’ll want to investigate.

If this was an SQ issued award, there’s more chance they’d re-route you, but I’d say the chance on a VA award, with all flights on time is almost zero.

 

[MelbFlyer]

It is highly unlikely SQ will accommodate a partner award on a non-stop flight u less there are IRROPS.

They don’t know whether VA has married segment logic or other inventory controls in place. And the airport isnt the time they’ll want to investigate.

If this was an SQ issued award, there’s more chance they’d re-route you, but I’d say the chance on a VA award, with all flights on time is almost zero.

On the other side, on a VFF reward itinerary years ago, the itinerary was SIN to MEL via BNE and SYD (SQ to BNE, VA to SYD and MEL) - upon arrival / re-checkin in BNE, they were able to change me to a BNE to MEL direct flight, rather than doing a 2nd transfer in SYD.

I'd imagine they were able to do that, as it was a VA flight (as opposed to SQ)?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

On the other side, on a VFF reward itinerary years ago, the itinerary was SIN to MEL via BNE and SYD (SQ to BNE, VA to SYD and MEL) - upon arrival / re-checkin in BNE, they were able to change me to a BNE to MEL direct flight, rather than doing a 2nd transfer in SYD.

I'd imagine they were able to do that, as it was a VA flight (as opposed to SQ)?

Correct!

And it was likely in their interest to free up a seat on the two individual flights, and fill one spare one on the non-stop!

 

[MelbFlyer]

And it was likely in their interest to free up a seat on the two individual flights, and fill one spare one on the non-stop!

When you put it that way from the airline's perspective, it makes sense.

I guess it worked for me too, it meant one less transfer but I did elect to downgrade to economy as business was full (I would have still been in business otherwise had I kept the BNE to MEL via SYD seats).

Still got an exit row seat so it wasn't too bad and it cut down the overall travel time by 4hrs.

Thanks for the all the responses though regarding the transfer in SYD, there is a reward seat option with a longer transit time, but it just means catching a flight an hour earlier.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

When you put it that way from the airline's perspective, it makes sense.

I guess it worked for me too, it meant one less transfer but I did elect to downgrade to economy as business was full (I would have still been in business otherwise had I kept the BNE to MEL via SYD seats).

Still got an exit row seat so it wasn't too bad and it cut down the overall travel time by 4hrs.

Thanks for the all the responses though regarding the transfer in SYD, there is a reward seat option with a longer transit time, but it just means catching a flight an hour earlier.

I would probably take the flight an hour earlier. Worst case you have two hours up your sleeve… but you can spend that in the lounge!

It will be less stressful to be on your way and have backups in case your earlier flight is delayed or cancelled.

 

[rurounimaikeru]

What's the recommended MCT for VA connecting flights domestic to Int via aus capital cities?

From the chat here Sydney seems to be 2-2.5 hrs but melb shorter?

I'm looking at options and reward space via BNE SYD or ADE often appears. Should I just assume 2 hrs for those non-syd airports?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

What's the recommended MCT for VA connecting flights domestic to Int via aus capital cities?

From the chat here Sydney seems to be 2-2.5 hrs but melb shorter?

I'm looking at options and reward space via BNE SYD or ADE often appears. Should I just assume 2 hrs for those non-syd airports?

MCT is an official time set by airlines and airports.

Many people aren’t comfortable with the official MCT, they feel it is too rushed and doesn’t allow for delays.

If you are booking a ticket you will never find connections under MCT. If you’re happy with the times of the flights offered you can go ahead and book them, safe that if you miss the connection you will be booked on the next available flight.

However, if you don’t like the official timings, you can try and mix and match different connections. 2.5 hours is a good measure for most airports, but many worry that if the inbound is delayed an hour they’ll still be rushed.

It’s really up to you! And your level of comfort, and the importance of the event you are going to.

 

[rurounimaikeru]

MCT is an official time set by airlines and airports.

Many people aren’t comfortable with the official MCT, they feel it is too rushed and doesn’t allow for delays.

If you are booking a ticket you will never find connections under MCT. If you’re happy with the times of the flights offered you can go ahead and book them, safe that if you miss the connection you will be booked on the next available flight.

However, if you don’t like the official timings, you can try and mix and match different connections. 2.5 hours is a good measure for most airports, but many worry that if the inbound is delayed an hour they’ll still be rushed.

It’s really up to you! And your level of comfort, and the importance of the event you are going to.

Thanks.

Sorry Should have said "recommended time" not strict MCT.