Best option for early departure from LAX

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Pumbaa

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Hi everyone,

I'm planning a trip to the USA and have a question about which flight I should take from Vegas.

I have a F flight flying CX from LAX-HKG at 11:25am on a Wednesday.

I'm paranoid about missing my flight, so I'm wondering if I should overnight in LAX (not my preference, because I'd prefer an extra night in Vegas) or to fly

1) American Airlines at 7:25am-8:40am
2) South West at 6:00am-7:05am

The AA flight is the preferred flight, but it only gives me 2 hours and 45 minutes between flights. Southwest gives me 4 hours and 25 minutes.

Which option would you take?
 
Take the AA flight - with CX being oneworld, AA will protect you should you misconnect, even on separate tickets.
 
...I have a F flight ......I'm paranoid about missing my flight.... gives me 2 hours and 45 minutes between flights. Southwest gives me 4 hours and 25 minutes.

Which option would you take?

with your paranoia I would go teh Southwest flight - 4 1/2 hrs is a good timeframe to soak up small delays - 2 hrs 45 min is not. Both involve early wakeups, but the earlier one gives you a decent rest in the lounge, with a nice coffeee or bourbon to calm you after succesfully making your connection :)
 
AA and later departure for me.

As mentioned you'll be protected transferring from AA to Cx and the connection is sufficient at LAX.
 
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Hi everyone,

I'm planning a trip to the USA and have a question about which flight I should take from Vegas.

I have a F flight flying CX from LAX-HKG at 11:25am on a Wednesday.

I'm paranoid about missing my flight, so I'm wondering if I should overnight in LAX (not my preference, because I'd prefer an extra night in Vegas) or to fly

1) American Airlines at 7:25am-8:40am
2) South West at 6:00am-7:05am

The AA flight is the preferred flight, but it only gives me 2 hours and 45 minutes between flights. Southwest gives me 4 hours and 25 minutes.

Which option would you take?

I would fly the night before.

Having to get up at 4am isn't much fun for the South West flight, and a mechanical on the AA flight might cut your time short.

Sure AA might protect you on a missed connection, but the next CX flight is at 2300 - do you have a day to spare? (are there other options to get you to HKG in F?)

The Sheraton Gateway LAX is a good hotel, very reasonably priced (I got it through booking.com for AUD135 a night). Peace of mind.
 
What drives your paranoia? A previous bad experience?

Anything 2 hrs and over should work. Take AA and enjoy more of Vegas

My wife and I got stranded in New York with Hurricane Sandy a few years back. I planned a really great itinerary, JFK - ICN - HKG - BKK - PER (mostly in F) and it was all cancelled. US came through in the end, and got us home 4 days after our planned departure, but with lots of overnights in other countries, and a lot of our F flights became J!

I keep hearing bad things about LAX and how things go wrong, so I'm a bit paranoid now a days compared to being an unaware yet happy go lucky traveller!
 
I would fly the night before.

Having to get up at 4am isn't much fun for the South West flight, and a mechanical on the AA flight might cut your time short.

Sure AA might protect you on a missed connection, but the next CX flight is at 2300 - do you have a day to spare? (are there other options to get you to HKG in F?)

The Sheraton Gateway LAX is a good hotel, very reasonably priced (I got it through booking.com for AUD135 a night). Peace of mind.

If I book the AA flight and there is a mishap and I miss the CX flight, will CX rebook me at 11pm in F still? This is actually my main concern. My wife and I don't want to be stuck flying back to Perth from LAX in Y!
 
If I book the AA flight and there is a mishap and I miss the CX flight, will CX rebook me at 11pm in F still? This is actually my main concern. My wife and I don't want to be stuck flying back to Perth from LAX in Y!

Depends if there is availability. It's not uncommon for CX flights to go out with 5/6 or 6/6 in F ex USA. Business class can also be popular, but is another option.
 
FWIW I'd stay in LA the night before. Since you have to get up quite early for a morning LAS - LAX flight your partying the night before in Vegas is likely to be limited since you'll know you have an early start. I'd get a late-ish flight to LA the night before and then no need for an early start to get to LAX. Takes all the pressure off and you'll be far more relaxed to enjoy F on CX.
 
For those saying go the day before - you "sacrifice" a night in LAS to go to LAX, rather than "risk" a mis-connect and get a 12hr layover in LAX (where you could leave the airport, have a leisurely lunch / shop etc) but in most likelihood make the CX flight and be on the way.

I guess it depends for the OP on whether they want that last night in LAS or will be more reassured by "sacrificing" that night and staying in LAX.

I accept the point about loadings in F/J..
 
A night in LAS beats a night in LAX!
Can you book it all through CX and make it their problem?
 
For those saying go the day before - you "sacrifice" a night in LAS to go to LAX, rather than "risk" a mis-connect and get a 12hr layover in LAX (where you could leave the airport, have a leisurely lunch / shop etc) but in most likelihood make the CX flight and be on the way.

I guess it depends for the OP on whether they want that last night in LAS or will be more reassured by "sacrificing" that night and staying in LAX.

I accept the point about loadings in F/J..

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the helpful posts thus far.

My wife and I wouldn't be fussed if we were "stuck" in LAX for 1-2-3 days. The only thing I would be fussed about is if they rebooked us on a J or even worse Y flight back to Perth. If the policy is they would definitely book us on an F flight back that night, or the next few days, thats fine with us. The holiday was based on the available F reward flights, not necessarily approved holiday dates.

With all the advice so far, I'm leaning towards an overnight flight to LAX. The very thought of a Y flight back to Perth would be the worst thing ever to end this trip!
 
Hi everyone,

Thanks for the helpful posts thus far.

My wife and I wouldn't be fussed if we were "stuck" in LAX for 1-2-3 days. The only thing I would be fussed about is if they rebooked us on a J or even worse Y flight back to Perth. If the policy is they would definitely book us on an F flight back that night, or the next few days, thats fine with us. The holiday was based on the available F reward flights, not necessarily approved holiday dates.

With all the advice so far, I'm leaning towards an overnight flight to LAX. The very thought of a Y flight back to Perth would be the worst thing ever to end this trip!

A quick search on flightaware for AA299 shows it is a very short 38-43 minute flight, and has been arriving early (I'm guessing here the flights overnights at LAS so there shouldn't be any delays to the inbound aircraft?)

With AA's protection policy in place and with an escort through TSA by CX you should be ok (noting that the regular lines, without escort, for our flight at 0940 last month would have taken well over an hour).
 
A quick search on flightaware for AA299 shows it is a very short 38-43 minute flight, and has been arriving early (I'm guessing here the flights overnights at LAS so there shouldn't be any delays to the inbound aircraft?)

With AA's protection policy in place and with an escort through TSA by CX you should be ok (noting that the regular lines, without escort, for our flight at 0940 last month would have taken well over an hour).

Sounds like a plan!

One last question, usually I wouldn't spend the money to fly First for such a short flight, but in this case would it be beneficial? Its $197 vs $100 for economy per person.
 
Sounds like a plan!

One last question, usually I wouldn't spend the money to fly First for such a short flight, but in this case would it be beneficial? Its $197 vs $100 for economy per person.

i wouldn't have thought so!

About the only thing F is going to guarantee you is 2+2 seating, compared to possibly having a neighbour if you sit in coach. for 38 minute you'll probably be fine.

if if you are flying on a 737-800, look for the seats with a blocked middle in coach (just behind the emergency exit). your OW status may allow you to book those. if it's an MD-80 just book a double seat on the left (and main cabin extra seating if it is available and if you can get it for free with status).
 
Get to ALX the night before.

I had a BER - LHR flight a few weeks ago to catch my BR flight to BKK. The BR flight was at 2130 and my BA flight was due to arrive in LHR at 1730. Plenty of time to collect bags and check in for the next flight.

Extreme wind caused havoc with flights delayed severly. I got < 30 mins in the lounge before heading to my flight. I had a couple of hours of stress, especially when we landed but were told it might be half an hour before we could make it to a gate.

Will do my best to avoid that kind of stress again.
 
of course, there's the 40 SC's to be earned - try getting that on QF in Oz for $220 ...
 
With AA's protection policy in place and with an escort through TSA by CX you should be ok (noting that the regular lines, without escort, for our flight at 0940 last month would have taken well over an hour).

So how do you get the TSA escort - just ask them?
 
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