International Qantas Connections at Perth

[Haplo]

I was hoping anyone can tell me what is the correct procedure. I am flying from HKG to SYD but with no direct flight my travel agent offered CX HKG to PER then QF6 to Sydney.

As QF 6 departs from international terminal, do I 1) clear custom and reenter as a domestic passenger or 2) stay airside and arrive in Sydney to clear customs.

Then my next question is does my bag get tagged all the way to Sydney or only tagged to PER where I need to clear quaranteen, which will probably affect where I will clear customs.

 

[offshore171]

HKG to SYD but with no direct flight my travel agent offered CX HKG to PER then QF6 to Sydney.

Can you clarify what you mean here? The agent said there are no direct flights from HK to Sydney?

There are 39 per week. Is the suggestion that everything is full?

 

[serfty]

I was hoping anyone can tell me what is the correct procedure. I am flying from HKG to SYD but with no direct flight my travel agent offered CX HKG to PER then QF6 to Sydney.

As QF 6 departs from international terminal, do I 1) clear custom and reenter as a domestic passenger or 2) stay airside and arrive in Sydney to clear customs.

Then my next question is does my bag get tagged all the way to Sydney or only tagged to PER where I need to clear quaranteen, which will probably affect where I will clear customs.

I agree with @offshore171 , it is surprising you Agent can book you on a direct HKGSYD service.

In any case, international transfers at PER, non QF to QF are different from most in that you need to change terminals.

More here:

https://www.qantas.com/en-au/at-the-airport/flight-connections/perth#another-airline

 

[Haplo]

No seat at all from HKG to SYD direct on premium economy next Friday evening.

So by the looks of it I need clear customs in Perth and rejoin as a domestic passenger on QF9.

 

[serfty]

No seat at all from HKG to SYD direct on premium economy next Friday evening.

So by the looks of it I need clear customs in Perth and rejoin as a domestic passenger on QF9.

Is really an international to international connection at Perth. I suspect you'd be treated as a D sticker PAX.

 

[Haplo]

But the boarding pass I get from Cathay (for QF9) wouldn't have the D sticker, so need to go to Qantas counter at Perth to put on a D sticker?

Cathay shouldn't really sell this ticket, I get it but the average travel is going to stuff it up.

 

[SYD]

But the boarding pass I get from Cathay (for QF9) wouldn't have the D sticker, so need to go to Qantas counter at Perth to put on a D sticker?

Quite probably.

Also, to re-emphasise that you have to change terminals (probably with luggage and recheck in with QF). There’s a landslide transfer bus.

How long is the connection?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Is premium economy that good it's worth going about 8 hours further out of the way?

 

[Haplo]

Quite probably.

Also, to re-emphasise that you have to change terminals (probably with luggage and recheck in with QF). There’s a landslide transfer bus.

How long is the connection?

4 hours, CX143 lands at 6:40am and QF6 departs at 10:45am so I should be fine from a time point of view.

Maybe I should ask the travel agent if they can just change to QF644 instead and save all the hassle, but will be in economy instead of PE.

 

[serfty]

But the boarding pass I get from Cathay (for QF9) wouldn't have the D sticker, so need to go to Qantas counter at Perth to put on a D sticker?

Cathay shouldn't really sell this ticket, I get it but the average travel is going to stuff it up.

You'll likely find out when you do bag drop at the Qantas terminal. I suggest you seek out an attendant.

 

[offshore171]

No seat at all from HKG to SYD direct on premium economy next Friday evening.

So by the looks of it I need clear customs in Perth and rejoin as a domestic passenger on QF9.

PE certainly cuts down the options quite a lot.

In saying that, CX181 runs just after midnight and has PE seats available. Gets into Sydney just before noon on Sat, 4 hours earlier than QF6.

Does that suit?

11 Jul 2026
00:45fromHKGHong Kong InternationalTerminal 1
Duration9h 0m
Arrives on11 Jul 202611:45atSYDKingsford SmithTerminal 1
FlightCX181

 

[Haplo]

CX181 wasn't given to me as an option for some reason, maybe it just opened up between yesterday afternoon and now.

I told the travel agent to book as flex ticket in case PE opens up on the HKG to SYD route.

 

[Haplo]

Is premium economy that good it's worth going about 8 hours further out of the way?

It's corporate travel. I don't want people to get the idea that economy overnight is ok so going forward we will just book you into economy.

 

[offshore171]

CX181 wasn't given to me as an option for some reason, maybe it just opened up between yesterday afternoon and now.

Technically it departs on the Sat (00:45 on the 11th) - maybe they only did a strict search for departures on the Friday (10th)?

 

[Haplo]

Technically it departs on the Sat (00:45 on the 11th) - maybe they only did a strict search for departures on the Friday (10th)?

Possible, I gave them the instruction I need to leave Friday night no earlier than a 6pm flight and you need to get me into Sydney on a Saturday and that is the only option they gave me.