International Transit in Sydney

[USA John]

I'm thinking of flying from the US (Los Angeles) to PNG via Sydney. I cannot buy a ticket on QANTAS for this trip on their website, despite the fact that QANTAS has a code-share with Air Niugini for the SYD to POM leg. However, I can buy two tickets, QANTAS for LAX to SYD and Air Niugini for SYD to POM, with a 3 hour layover in Sydney. I understand the transfer procedure for myself, I think, as both flights use Terminal 1. But what about my checked luggage? Will QANTAS check it through to POM? Will I have to get it in Sydney and recheck it? How? Any help I can get will be appreciated. I don't want a repeat of last November, when I flew from MEL to Noumea via Sydney, both flights on QANTAS, and they lost my luggage for two days.

 

[Joshua]

I would suggest purchasing the ticket through any travel agent, even Expedia will allow you to book both flights on a single itinerary. Also consider the option of transiting through Brisbane, it is a longer transit but an hour less on each flight - so could be a nicer option.

 

[USA John]

I would suggest purchasing the ticket through any travel agent, even Expedia will allow you to book both flights on a single itinerary. Also consider the option of transiting through Brisbane, it is a longer transit but an hour less on each flight - so could be a nicer option.

Thanks, I'll look into that, but using Expedia is not problem-free. I booked Air China though Expedia because they would not sell me a return from Lhasa on their website, whereas Expedia would. Everything seemed fine until I had to change one of the flights because Air China changed its schedule. It took me 5 hours on the telephone with Expedia, because their call-in center is not over qualified. Do you know the International to International transit procedure in Brisbane? Neither the airport website nor Virgin Australia's website has any information.

Thanks again.

John Baker

 

[markis10]

Transit procedures are the same throughout the country, go to the transit security point, get scanned, then go upstairs where an agent can provide a boarding pass as required, thats of course if your checked through. If your concerned about Expedia, ring Qantas reservations who can no doubt do the same.

 

[USA John]

Transit procedures are the same throughout the country, go to the transit security point, get scanned, then go upstairs where an agent can provide a boarding pass as required, thats of course if your checked through. If your concerned about Expedia, ring Qantas reservations who can no doubt do the same.

Thanks. Kayak can provide the tickets without a fee, so I'll probably use them. And you've identified the problem: having Los Angeles to Port Moresby all on one ticket. Kayak can do that, either all on Virgin through Brisbane or QANTAS through Sydney. Funny that on either web site, an ordinary user (such as myself) cannot.

John