Clearing customs LAX for AA DFW flight

[tremonti]

Hi all,
In Feb I have a flight QF1 SYD to LAX and i have a 2 hour turnaround to my next flight AA to DFW.
Can i ask is 2 hours sufficient turnaround to clear customs, get my luggage transferred, checkin at AA?
Any advice or tips would be appreciated.

Thanks

Chris

 

[serfty]

Presumable you mean QF11. What cabin are you travelling and what status have you?

Two hours is marginal - it's the least I would allow.

• Customs can take any amount of time; generally ~15-20 minutes but I have experienced 45 minutes and I saw a recent report of nearly two hours.
• It's a 5 minute walk with baggage in tow from TBIT to T4
• Security at T4 can take up to 30 minutes (do you have status, the priority lane may shave this by 10 minutes)
• Boarding for the DFW flight commences 30 minutes before scheduled departure.

I do note that if you miss your Dee-eff-dubalya flight that AA are pretty good at putting you on the next one.

 

[tremonti]

QF11 is correct. and I am travelling Business Class, will this save anytime?

 

[serfty]

QF11 is correct. and I am travelling Business Class, will this save anytime?

Business class should save some time.

It can be a 350 metre walk from the gate to the USA immigration counters.

If you are in business to DFW then you can use the special queue at T4.

One more thing; hopefully the flights are all on the one booking and you can check luggage through (this saves time at T4).

 

[Boris spatsky]

2 hour is tight especially if QF11 arrives late (which it always seems to do). If both flights are on the one booking, you pick up your bags, clear customs, and recheck them about 50m later.

Have you been to the US recently? If not, you may need to be finger printed and Uris scanned at Customs which takes a little longer. Make sure when you deplane that you get a move on and get to the customs lines ASAP. If another planes is there at the same time it can be a long wait (always seems to be Korean Air).

AA leave from T4, a shirt 5 minute walk. TSA security check is hit and miss. I have waited up to 45 mins before, although last time I was through in 5 Mins.

You should be fine but not a lot of spare fat in your schedule.

 

[tremonti]

Havent been to the US for a long time, so I would need to go through the extra checks.
Good news yes, its all on one booking, the process is take your bags and what is the transfer point called that you drop your bags off at? is it qantas branded or a generic luggage transfer desk. Also since its all on one ticket, where would i pick my AA ticket up from?

I appreciate all the feedback, looks like i will have my runners on as soon as i get off the plane.

 

[Boris spatsky]

You will be issued all boarding passes in Sydney, including for LAX to DFW. The baggage drop off can't be missed as you have to walk past it. After Customs, you walk out the door, turn right, walk up a long ramp and you will see it. It is generic but tell them you are on AA they will put it on the right conveyor belt. Enjoy!

 

[BensAdventures]

I just did a similar connection a few weeks ago, but I had 3 hours, and only sat in the lounge for 15 mins before boarding! This is very rare though. 2 hours should be ok, I was just held up at immigration, it was so slow that day!

Least the transit from a terminal change and baggage pick-up is easy at LAX, it's just immigration and security that slows things.

Enjoy the trip.

 

[straitman]

I have allowed 3.5 hrs and had no lounge time.

In my case immigration and security in LAX were quite quick just that QF were very late. We obviously knew of the delay before leaving MEL and I advised QF and AA and they had it all organised when we arrived in LAX. We had seats on our original AA flight and they had others sorted on the next flight in case we missed the first. Great service considering they were separate PNRs.

 

[NM]

If your flight arrives on time, 2 hours should be sufficient. I have only once (out of well more than 30 times) taken more than 2 hours to get through immigration and customs and through security at T4 for an onward AA departure. However, if your inbound flight is delayed, all bets are off.

If its a single ticket for both flights, then AA will put you onto the next available departure to DFW. They have lots of flights operating LAX-DFW, but on peak travel days they can fill up.

 

[tuapekastar]

Havent been to the US for a long time, so I would need to go through the extra checks.

This may not be an issue. I entered the US via LAX last July for the first time in ~10 years and waltzed up to Immi, answered two (polite) questions, was fingerprinted and then on my way. Definitely the easiest entry I've had to the US.