For non-SYD members - what would entice you to connect via SYD?

[Adelaide_Matthew]

After much lurking, my first ever post - so empowering

Choosing a transfer airport is a long way down my list of priorities: higher up are things like routing, total time, price, product offerings.

(e.g. flying to Beijing with QF SYD is the only connection; although my last time to PEK I flew with CX via SYD, but direct back to ADL via HKG - if only little old ADL had more direct flights, no connection beats connection any day!)

And I'm lowly, so don't have F Lounge access. But MEL/SYD both have one anyway. (The MEL QF J Lounge has been horrible for a long time, of course, but then SYD was out of action for renovations for a long time too.)

Given the choice between SYD and MEL, I usually choose MEL: the reason is obvious - 'seamless' transfer isn't a patch on 'walk for 2 minutes yourself' transfer.

QF could very easily make the 'seamless' transfer less painful - put on a few more buses so that the wait time is reduced and not every bus involves a scramble to beat others through the door followed by a sardine-like crush on the trip across.

(In the past, I would have added have more check-in staff at Intl for the baggage recheck, but that's been better my last few times through - so some things get better with QF!)

 

[Rae]

I am Melbourne based and will avoid a Sydney connection whenever possible - I HATE wasting 2-3 hours connecting.

 

[Rae]

Oh... in addition to wasted time, another reason I hate it so much is because most of the time we have to check in and fly domestic Mel/Syd, then arrive Syd and transfer over to the other terminal. No time to use the lounge in Sydney unless you want to waste even more hours and leave Melbourne 5 hours prior to your OS flight departure time ex Syd!

 

[Mal]

Oh... in addition to wasted time, another reason I hate it so much is because most of the time we have to check in and fly domestic Mel/Syd, then arrive Syd and transfer over to the other terminal. No time to use the lounge in Sydney unless you want to waste even more hours and leave Melbourne 5 hours prior to your OS flight departure time ex Syd!

Not much different (and probably even worse) flying from BNE to SYD and connecting with an International flight during Daylight Savings time...

 

[Skyring]

The Flounge in SYD is superb - well worth a look in, just to get a decent breakfast and barrista coffee. The view out over the tarmac is superb. Haven't tried out the Melbourne Flounge, or if I did it didn't make an impression.

I've got mixed feelings about the transfer bus. I like seeing what's around in the cargo and maintenance areas, but the buses aren't frequent enough. Time spent waiting for the next bus is time I'm not in the Flounge. That quick walk between terminals in Melbourne is something that Sydney just can't match.

However, Melbourne is further away from almost every overseas destination than Sydney. Adding in an hour's flying time to a longhaul flight is not something you want to do lightly. If you actually live in Melbourne, and you can get a direct flight then that's different.

For me, living in Canberra, I've got to transfer somewhere, and Sydney is the most convenient and comfortable place to do it. Having said that, let me add that on my DONE4 flights, my best flight to or from Sydney is via Perth...

 

[dajop]

No time to use the lounge in Sydney unless you want to waste even more hours and leave Melbourne 5 hours prior to your OS flight departure time ex Syd!

Yes this is so true! And I'm going to be a little controversial after my first QF FCL experience in SYD last week (after quite a few times at the MEL FCL) I actually prefer the intimacy of the MEL FCL.

Anyway that all aside .... although I would prefer to travel MEL-SIN/HKG/BKK/AKL/KUL-xx_ I can actually cope with a MEL-SYD-xx_ transfer. After all the busride is fairly painless, and you've only just done a 1 hr flight. However I detest with a passion a transfer xx_-SYD-MEL. Apart from the fact that the 1 hour sector is annoying coming after what is usually an overnight flight, the whole immigration thing coupled with fighting your way through the crowds once landside to get to the transfer desk, followed by often long painful queue at the transfer desk ... and then a further wait for the bus .... well that is what I'm happy doing with out.

 

[dajop]

However, Melbourne is further away from almost every overseas destination than Sydney. Adding in an hour's flying time to a longhaul flight is not something you want to do lightly.

This a common misconception. For US/Japan/Korea/NZ bound flights this is undoubtedly true. However go further west to SE Asia/Middle East and MEL is actually closer to many destinations (SIN, BKK, KUL, SGN, DXB, DPS) than SYD. Hongkong seems to be about the tipping point - 15miles further from MEL than SYD.

What would be even more surprising to many (at least without thinking about it) is that MEL is closer to some of these destinations (SIN, DXB, KUL) than BNE.

 

[Lord Mud]

I am finding that I would rather transfer in Syd for flights to BKK than have to fly J* to thailand. no flights to BKK from MEL anymore
I would agree though.. outbound I can usually deal with better than inbound.

 

[Evan]

I used to transfers just for miles and SC's or as usually happened it was cheaper ! now if in whY i fly direct if its same price as a connection, i like my Flounge time before a flight.

I find doing a lot of SIN-???-MEL the ??? for price reasons seems to often be PER but i hate it... but for the hundreds of $$ it used to often save it was worth it flying on your own dime.

E

 

[dajop]

. no flights to BKK from MEL anymore.

Except for the two flights a day on TG ....... but get ur point no QF flights to BKK from MEL anymore.

 

[docjames]

It's take free flights to make me want to connect in SYD.

Add me to the: xx_-SYD-overseas being better than the reverse, list.

 

[abc12345678]

I actually prefer the intimacy of the MEL FCL.

Off topic but:

I agree with this and live in SYD.

Recently I've spent a lot of time in MEL and have down a many MEL-AKL in recent months. I was in FL 0900-1130hrs on 05/02/09 and there were actually only two of us in there for the first 45mins. Excellent service... (not that SYD FL isn't).

 

[aybee]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and feedback.

If they're going to make us (well, the Interstaters) connect over SYD to their preferred carrier list, then we're going for things like limo transfers to and from the interstate airport (saves the hassle of expense claiming), a Star worldwide lounge pass (would be good for when we travel around on our own dime in personal time!) and similar. Eases the pain a little.
Of course if QF re-introduced their International tagger flights between MEL-SYD that would be the biggest bonus of all. Same terminal gate-(to-lounge)-to-gate transfer.