Concern over 1 hour transfer time in Sydney from Domestic to International?

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LHT

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My husband and I are travelling on Qantas from Bris to Syd. My Brisbane flight lands at 9.10am. I then need to transfer by Qantas shuttle to the International terminal to connect with my flight to LA which leaves at 10.10am. My bags will be checked through but I will need to go through immigration in Sydney. I am very concerned about the 1 hour given for transfer. Qantas has assured me I will make it and the change fee for 2 persons to an earlier flight out of Brisbane is $800. We are flying business. Has anyone done this regularly and made it easily. we are platinum flyers but like to be relaxed and would also like a chance to go to the First lounge if possible. (I know its not probable). Any help would be appreciated. Thank you. Leonie
 
The transfer bus runs more regularly in the morning, from memory every 10 minutes. 1 hour is going to be tight and by the time you clear immigration and get through security I would suggest that there will be no lounge time as boarding will commence around 9:30-9:40. If there are any delays to the inbound flight you may have serious issues.
 
1 hour dom to int is just too short in SYD (I personally don't consider anything less than 2 hours).

Call up again and explain you're not happy with the connection time. All it would take is a delay anywhere (delay leaving BNE, waiting a little longer for the transfer bus, immi lines a little longer than expected even with an express pass), and you'll miss your LAX flight, and it's not like if you miss the 10am you can get onto the 10:30am. Do no let them charge you for a change of flight.

Remember, the people on the phone probably don't fly very often (they certainly don't seem to based on my discussions with them), and certainly don't seem to need to make connections anywhere. So you're going to have to convince them that "Computer says no" is stupid and they need to use their heads for 10 seconds.

Don't mention anything about the FLounge otherwise it'll dilute your message.

Good luck.
 
It is too tight. I'd be looking to change it. Even today the Qantas website advises of disruption in Sydney due to winds. I would call them up and point them to that sign and tell them it has appeared many times in recent weeks and that 1 hour is simply too short! As i've done many times, HUACA (hang up and call again) until you get someone who really gets that. They should not charge you to change.


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The transfer bus runs more regularly in the morning, from memory every 10 minutes. 1 hour is going to be tight and by the time you clear immigration and get through security I would suggest that there will be no lounge time as boarding will commence around 9:30-9:40. If there are any delays to the inbound flight you may have serious issues.

Yeap every 10 minutes in the morning, but I've had it where I've arrived as one is leaving and thus had to wait the full 9:59 until the next one, and I've also had it that we've been sitting on the bus waiting for a plane to get out of the way since aircraft have right of way.
 
Is there an earlier flight from BNE-SYD? If so rock up to the airport early and ask to be moved to the earlier flight. If there is a designated check in desk for domestic flights connecting to international at BNE go there and ask. They'll have more flexibility to fly you ahead.

If you can't fly ahead study the map of SYD and know exactly where to go to transfer. The other issue here is that at the transfer point you may have to undergo extra screening before using the bus because you are flying to the US.

As J pax you'll have express passes, you'll need them.
 
@harvyk I was in a similar situation a few weeks back. The queue to get on the bus was all the way out into the terminal (I had not seen it that long before), could not get on the first bus so had to wait for the next and once onboard had to stop and wait for a plane, as you said they have the right of way. I do not know exactly how long it all took but I would suggest over an hour. Also the express lanes were still closed so another 20-30 minutes to get through immigration and security.
 
1 hour dom to int is just too short in SYD (I personally don't consider anything less than 2 hours).

Call up again and explain you're not happy with the connection time. All it would take is a delay anywhere (delay leaving BNE, waiting a little longer for the transfer bus, immi lines a little longer than expected even with an express pass), and you'll miss your LAX flight, and it's not like if you miss the 10am you can get onto the 10:30am. Do no let them charge you for a change of flight.

Remember, the people on the phone probably don't fly very often (they certainly don't seem to based on my discussions with them), and certainly don't seem to need to make connections anywhere. So you're going to have to convince them that "Computer says no" is stupid and they need to use their heads for 10 seconds.

Don't mention anything about the FLounge otherwise it'll dilute your message.

Good luck.
Thanks harvyk. I have called Qantas and used "messenger" and had the same response. When I booked the flights from Brisbane to Las Vegas, this is the times that were on their site and I didn't really notice the short transfer time. I have asked on "messenger" if this happens every day with passengers making their 1 hour connection but have yet to receive a response.
As a result of Daylight saving our flight leaves Brisbane at 6.35am and arrives at 9.10am but there is a 6.05am and 5.35am. The change fee is a bit excessive and I have been told is due to the fact that Qantas believes an hour is long enough to transfer.
 
@harvyk I was in a similar situation a few weeks back. The queue to get on the bus was all the way out into the terminal (I had not seen it that long before), could not get on the first bus so had to wait for the next and once onboard had to stop and wait for a plane, as you said they have the right of way. I do not know exactly how long it all took but I would suggest over an hour. Also the express lanes were still closed so another 20-30 minutes to get through immigration and security.
Hi Matt, is that the Qantas transfer shuttle you are talking about or the Sydney airport free shuttle?
 
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Hi Matt, is that the Qantas transfer shuttle you are talking about or the Sydney airport free shuttle?
The QF shuttle that leaves from the vicinity of gate 15 in T3.
 
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........I have been told is due to the fact that Qantas believes an hour is long enough to transfer.
In theory it is however QF cannot influence bad weather, delays in and out, broken aircraft, PAX getting through immigration and security that have no idea what they are doing and slow things down, or the overzealous security that may want to re run your luggage or random explosives test. All these tings just add time.
 
In theory it is however QF cannot influence bad weather, delays in and out, broken aircraft, PAX getting through immigration and security that have no idea what they are doing and slow things down, or the overzealous security that may want to re run your luggage or random explosives test. All these tings just add time.
Yes, but will the plane wait as they will have my bags loaded?
 
I agree that you may not make that flight, especially if the incoming flight to SYD is even slightly late arriving. At least QF should put you on the next available flight, but that could be the next day?

Bring your running shoes and forget about the Lounge. ☹️
 
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No way would I risk an hour, it has taken me that long to transfer before. You might need to keep trying until you get someone who will move you to an earlier flight.
 
No way would I risk an hour, it has taken me that long to transfer before. You might need to keep trying until you get someone who will move you to an earlier flight.
Yes, I think you are right. All this is making me nervous. I don't think they will waver the $800 fee though. Originally on the phone I was told that we could try coming to the Brisbane airport earlier and as a platinum, they may put you on an earlier flight if seats were available. I was then told by "messenger" that they could do that at the airport but the $800 fee would still apply.
 
Wait. Youre Platinum and they are hauling you over the coals with a 1hr transit in Sydney? Jeez, I expected better.

For refrence, we had a SYD>BNE connection that was 2hrs that made me feel nervous and VA changed me to earlier flight free of charge.

1hrs Sydney Dom to Syd Internation - I know I wouldnt be able to make it. Physically I wouldnt be able to race through terminals.

Can you request special service assistance for the transfer - when they realise it cant be done they would move you for free?
 
@LHT if you are willing to post the date of travel someone may be able to look at the loads on the earlier flights via EF and post these and you can make a judgment if you think it is better to arrive early at BNE and ask to be pulled forward.
 
@LHT if you are willing to post the date of travel someone may be able to look at the loads on the earlier flights via EF and post these and you can make a judgment if you think it is better to arrive early at BNE and ask to be pulled forward.
Thanks Matt, yes I can do that myself but still don't know whether they will charge me the $800 to be placed on the earlier flight, as 2 Qantas staff have advised differently.
 
Then try a third.
Thanks Pushka. I don't like being pushy but I think you are right. I will ask them in person at the airport when I travel to Darwin next month. My flight to Las Vegas isn't until March next year but I figure I am better off doing something about it earlier rather than later.
 
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