Cairns short layover domestic to international

[Mumanddad]

We hava CR flights TSV-NAN-LAX booked next year (one ticket), originally with a 2h20m layover in Cairns. Qantas has cancelled the first flight and now we are on a TSV-CNS flight with a 1hr20m layover, which makes me a bit nervous.

The other option via CNS is an early morning flight with around a 5 hr layover. I realise it only takes 5-10 mnutes to walk between terminals as we've done it before - just not with such a tight timeline. Also the ticket doesn't give me the cut-off for the FJ flight. I'm presuming our luggage will be booked straight through.

Is it a safe layover?

 

[Captain Halliday]

“Safe” comes down to personal preference.

It meets MCT and because it’s on one PNR you’d be protected.

As you’ve noted, CNS is one of the easier D-I transfer ports.

If it were me, I’d stick with what you have in preference to a 5hr layover in CNS.

 

[clifford]

If it were me, I'd go for the longer layover (which you could spend in the Qantas Club I expect). All it would take is a delay with the incoming aircraft and you'd be in a spot of bother.

Being protected on the connection is fine, as long as you're happy to take a flight day(s) later.

 

[Grimace1]

I live in Cairns and I would also take the longer layover. The international terminal is so boring and almost nothing in there. You could take an uber into the city and spend 2-3 hours there.

 

[offshore171]

Being protected on the connection is fine, as long as you're happy to take a flight day(s) later.

That's the important bit.

OP what is the impact on your travel arrangements if you miss the onward connections to LAX, and are re-accomodated on another flight a day or two later?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That's the important bit.

OP what is the impact on your travel arrangements if you miss the onward connections to LAX, and are re-accomodated on another flight a day or two later?

Possibly. But I think outside of things like school holidays, reaccommodation should be quicker than that. Rather than ‘via NAN’ there are multiple non-stops on QF metal from BNE, SYD and MEL to LAX.