Connections to Vancouver

I travel to Vancouver often, and I prefer to go via SFO rather than LAX. It is roughly the same flight time between AUS and USA, and it makes the domestic flight shorter, but the main reason is that I believe SFO is a much nicer airport and no where near as busy as LAX.

 

Similar in process but a world of difference in terms of ease.

Main direct airline options are AS, UA and AC. There may be others.

At LAX QF->UA is T4/TBIT->T6/7/8. Straightforward but a bit of a walk.
At LAX QF->AS is another terminal change (to T2 IIRC, again a wee distance to walk).
At LAX QF->AC is T4/TBIT->T2. Security queues at T2 can be bad, also a bit of a walk.

Connections in reverse direction are easy, but need time for inspection of your checked bags.


At SFO QF is international terminal. Immigration generally easier than at LAX, at least in my experience. Both shorter queues and (much) more pleasant officers.

UA is one side of domestic and AC on the other (both quite close to where you come out from international with UA being closer to the *A pier and AC closer to the non-*A pier). I cant recall where AS uses, think it may be the far side of domestic?

 

I did the QF/QF connection in SFO last year(Ithink they operate in the summer high season jun-mid aug for the Cruise line business and rather than leave the aircraft on the ground all day.
I was bit wierd getting thru the initial customes guys then being redirected internally along empty corridors to arrive via a lift in the INT checkin area onlly to go thru the shoes off search ..which actually went better than I expected..then thru to the BA lounge next door to he QF Plane..very nice
If you get a chance try the Sierra Nevada Pale ale in the bar...nearest thing to a very good Tasi drop but over 5 1/2% ...made the hour 1/2 stop over very pleasant..then you walk thru a side door of the lounge into the actual departure finger and onto the plane..if only every airport could be so civilised

 

Do you have to fly with Qantas?
Air Canada are introducing non stop flights Sydney-Vancouver at the end of this year which means you should be able to avoid all that yucky us immigration/customs stuff.

 

Yup, and NZ also reintroducing YVR service from November so can fly via AKL with no transit within USA.

 

Or a very easy ride on BART from the airport station - useful if staying/visiting somewhere central, less so if in the burbs or east bay.