Clearing Immigration - LAX, and onward flight

[Brooke01]

Hi again everyone,

Just after some current information.

Looking at flying Virgin (VA11) from MEL-LAX in late July. The flight is scheduled to arrive at LAX at 8.30am - it will be a Thursday.

Two questions -

1. Recently, is this an "on time" flight ???

2. Need to book an onward domestic flight to Sacremento. Looking at Delta. Can get a flight at 12.30pm. Would 4 hours be enough to clear immigration, collect baggage, customs, find Delta terminal, recheck bags, TSA etc etc in LA without being too pushed for time ??

Last time I went through LAX it only took about 45mins, but that is going back a few years. I would think that allowing 4 hours "should" be enough ???

Unfortunately the two bookings will be seperate - so could be an issue if I miss the second flight ??

I am Platinum Velocity if that makes any difference, and will be flying MEL-LAX in PE, so should at least get off the plane a little quicker.

Any input is, as always, appreciated.

Thanks,

Brooke

 

[lovestotravel]

Generally the flights have been on-time YES

However, nothing is guaranteed until you have landed @ LAX and you are through customs etc

However, 4 hours should be fine!

 

[Fruitcake]

Sounds like I'll be a couple of days ahead of you (MEL-LAX on 24 July). I've booked a DL flight to ATL at midday. Would have loved to try my luck with the 10:10am service (because it's the international config 777-200) but wasn't brave enough.

 

[serfty]

4 hours is generally going to be fine.

I would not do LAX at less than 2½ hours unless on the one booking.

 

[MadFairlane]

I had a 1 and half hour connection in LAX just last week, virgin to delta.

That was pushing it lol, but still made it to the delta gate just before boarding.

Priority bags came out last etc etc. was a nightmare. Would not do it again

 

[midcoast1]

It would depend if you arriving in peak times.Took a couple of hours last year to get through arrived on Vaustralia 8.30 am.The year before was Air Pacific arrived 1.30pm .I was through immigration and customs in 30 minutes from the time i exited the plane.

 

[Saab34]

I try and overtake as many people from the aerobridge => Immigration. MEL-LAX has better OTP than the other two. Usually no traffic delays, short taxi and from previous experiences, been 30mins early on all occasions.

4 Hours is plenty, the longest I have had is 2 hours, and I have a 2hr10min connection to VX next week so I am praying for no delays.

 

[serfty]

On Wednesday off a late arriving QF93 ~8:30, I was though (TBIT) in 12 minutes, 10 minutes walking, 2 minutes for immigration and customs. :shock:

I was in First with no checked luggage, buit this was the first time there were NO other flight's passengers in the hall.

Be very aware, this is the exception, rather than the rule.

 

[Brooke01]

Just a final "follow up" to this. Just back from our trip. We were given "Express" cards on the plane - and they certainly were not needed once we got to LAX. We landed, cleared immigration, Priority bags came out first, cleared customs - all in less than 30mins ! I know, definately not "the norm" - but I was very impressed, none the less !

Cheers,

Brooke