Domestic to Internation connection - Syd

[bnroz]

Hi,

In december last year i booked a trip ADL-SYD-LAX for May this year on Qantas Frequent Flyers points, now i just got an email stating that my flight from SYD-LAX has now been brought forward 15min and departing at 13:05pm. My flight into sydney from ADelaide arrives at 11:50am, is this timeframe still within the required time for Qantas between domestic and int flights????

As when i booked the award booking it gave me this domestic flight into Sydney, so now i only have 1hr 15min connection to get from Qantas domestic to Qantas Internation connection.

I assume my bags will be checked all the way thru and my SYD-LAX tickets given to me in Adelaide.

 

[DrJ]

Should be enough time (though I wouldn't cut it any finer) given it takes a lot less time to get through outbound immigration than chancing the queues on the way back in to Oz. If you haven't done a dom-int transfer at SYD before, remember to stay airside on arrival and follow the signs past the QP to the transfer bus lounge. Once you get to the int terminal it is only a short walk from the escalator to immigration.

Your bags will be checked through to LAX in ADL, and you should get your SYD-LAX BP there also.

 

[bnroz]

Should be enough time (though I wouldn't cut it any finer) given it takes a lot less time to get through outbound immigration than chancing the queues on the way back in to Oz. If you haven't done a dom-int transfer at SYD before, remember to stay airside on arrival and follow the signs past the QP to the transfer bus lounge. Once you get to the int terminal it is only a short walk from the escalator to immigration.

Your bags will be checked through to LAX in ADL, and you should get your SYD-LAX BP there also.

Thanks DRJ, yes have done the transfer before, but now going with a family (2 adults and 2 kids), but i will make sure we definitly walk fast or worst off carry each kid in both arms and run

the only thing i was thinking if is there is massive lineups to get thru security on the int terminal, immigration shouldnt be that bad lineup should it?

 

[Danger UXB]

Thanks DRJ, yes have done the transfer before, but now going with a family (2 adults and 2 kids), but i will make sure we definitly walk fast or worst off carry each kid in both arms and run

the only thing i was thinking if is there is massive lineups to get thru security on the int terminal, immigration shouldnt be that bad lineup should it?

Just call QFF and tell them to move the domestic trip to earlier. They did the same for me on a forthcoming trip to HKG from MEL thru SYD
Danger UXB

 

[bnroz]

Just call QFF and tell them to move the domestic trip to earlier. They did the same for me on a forthcoming trip to HKG from MEL thru SYD
Danger UXB

i thought of that, but wont it cost me frequent flyer points or money to change the booking?

 

[straitman]

i thought of that, but wont it cost me frequent flyer points or money to change the booking?

As it was Qantas who caused the issue it is really their responsibility. Having said that I do not see that there would be any issue at all.

 

[JohnK]

i thought of that, but wont it cost me frequent flyer points or money to change the booking?

QF may put you on an earlier flight although you should be fine with that sort of connection.

Also keep in mind that you would check-in for the SYD-LAX flight in ADL and QF would know you are on the way so they will more than likely hold the SYD-LAX flight if your are a little late getting through outbound immigration and security.

 

[Danger UXB]

i thought of that, but wont it cost me frequent flyer points or money to change the booking?

no cost to you only the phone call and time
cheers Danger UXB

 

[Dave Noble]

i thought of that, but wont it cost me frequent flyer points or money to change the booking?

They may allow it to be changed for free but since it is still a valid connection , they may not; I wouldn't be too concerned since 1:15 should be ok for getting from domestic to international and an extra hour and a half sat at Sydney airport , if you do change, is quite tedious addition to the journey

 

[bnroz]

thanks everyone, you all seem to think 1hr 15min is enough time, i will leave it as it is, unless Qantas bring my flight ahead early again

 

[markis10]

thanks everyone, you all seem to think 1hr 15min is enough time, i will leave it as it is, unless Qantas bring my flight ahead early again

I would move it forward, I believe you need to allow extra time for the extra security checks given your destination as well as the normal checks for all departing passengers. There is an earlier flight arriving at 10.25, will make for a more relaxed start to your journey IMHO.

 

[Dave Noble]

There is an earlier flight arriving at 10.25, will make for a more relaxed start to your journey IMHO.

and a much longer journey sat around an airport

 

[markis10]

and a much longer journey sat around an airport

I am one of those people that likes to get there early to save the stress, if it were me I would figure on the following timing :

10.30 Arrival - On time
10.40 Get off aircraft and start walking to Gate 2 (ADL flights often arrive at the other end leaving the close gates mostly free for widebody A/C)
11.00 Transfer Bus leaves Dom
11.15 Arrive at immigration and security checks for all pax
11.45 Finish immigration checks (could take longer or shorter of course)
12.15 Proceed to gate for USA specific security checks
12.25 Boarding commences.

Its the last LAX flight for the day, if things go wrong on the ADL-SYD flight they may not hold it if that is the only flight affected - I would rather have that extra buffer than spend the night in SYD and one less day away IMHO

 

[NM]

Note that if Qantas know you are connecting at SYD and the inbound flight is delayed making the connection tight, they sometimes page the passengers on arrival at SYD T3 (Domestic) and hand them Express cards to allows faster immigration and security screening at T1 (International). These are the same cards provided to business/first/Platinum passengers.

 

[bnroz]

Note that if Qantas know you are connecting at SYD and the inbound flight is delayed making the connection tight, they sometimes page the passengers on arrival at SYD T3 (Domestic) and hand them Express cards to allows faster immigration and security screening at T1 (International). These are the same cards provided to business/first/Platinum passengers.

Thanks for that, if the flight is delayed out of Adelaide i will mention to the Qantas cabin crew or ground crew on arrival into sydney...cheers.

 

[serfty]

...
10.40 Get off aircraft and start walking to Gate 2 (ADL flights often arrive at the other end leaving the close gates mostly free for widebody A/C) ...

Gate 1 is occupied by 737's more often than not (still, it's only the one gate).

Until Noon, the transfer buses operate every 10 minutes.

 

[markis10]

Gate 1 is occupied by 737's more often than not (still, it's only the one gate).

Until Noon, the transfer buses operate every 10 minutes.

Gate 1 does not have the wing clearance for a 767/A330 (Cat D+) if my memory serves me correctly from my time as surface movement controller at SYD, its certainly possible for an ADL flight to terminate there.

I might point our my timings were pessimistic, its also possible that your plane will arrive at Gate 1, you will get the 10.40 transfer bus and have cleared immigration by 11AM in time to buy a lottery ticket , while the next ADL arrival lands at Gate 14, you get the 12:30 transfer bus and get stuck behind 90 Japanese rich school kids who are travelling QF J and have priority cards at immigration!

 

[Dave Noble]

If the risks of missing the flight were too high, QF wouldn't allow the connection. 1hr 15 is , iirc, 15 mins above the min allowed time

 

[straitman]

If the risks of missing the flight were too high, QF wouldn't allow the connection. 1hr 15 is , iirc, 15 mins above the min allowed time

Ultimately it comes down to comfort zones for the OP.
If he is happy at a 1hr 15min connection then no worries.
If he is uncomfortable then a call to QF to ask about a change is reasonable.
If QF then say don't worry then all is OK and that should put his mind at ease.

 

[markis10]

If the risks of missing the flight were too high, QF wouldn't allow the connection. 1hr 15 is , iirc, 15 mins above the min allowed time

Agree totally, its perfectly legal, but that does not mean it will be an easy stroll and stress free either, putting a few customers from Adelaide up for the night versus risking a missed landing slot could also be a risk Qantas is prepared to take should things go pear shaped.

In the case of connections I prefer to control my timings as much as possible, rather than being at the whim of an airline who cannot make up a day of travel lost by just putting you up at the Holiday Inn for the night, but thats my personal preference based on past expereince, some perefer the thrill of sailing close to the wind .