Is this doable ?

[RedSMS]

Hey all,

Have a question for you to try and figure out if this is doable, or too risky.

So, I'm travelling to the USA in June, departing MEL and connecting at NAN, then flying through to LAX on Fiji Airways. At the time. This was the only reward booking I could find for required dates.

The thing is, I have no plans to hang around in LA, I want to get over east ASAP. Buffalo preferably as I will be catching up with my mate who lives there.

Ridiculously, the flight arrives into LAX at 1255PM, which means that I most likely need to wait around for an evening flight out east (no flights arrive in BUF from LAX until the following morning), which would make the trip too long.

However, I just saw a Delta flight departing LAX to BUF via Detroit that will get me in to Buffalo-Niagara just before midnight. Duration 6 H 10 M.

I wouldn't say that I'm a veteran at transiting from intl to dom at TBIT/LAX, but have done it a fair few times.

Last time I flew MEL-LAX-BOS on QF/AA.
The flight departed nearly 2 hours late out of MEL, but I still made it to the AA gate, literally with seconds to spare. There was staff waiting for us and they spirited us through the immigration/customs line which is what saved me.

Now, this was back when QF recommended 90 mins for transit in LA.

I believe they've changed it to 2 Hrs now.

Time between arriving Fiji Airways flight and departing Delta Fligh is 1 Hr 50 Mins.

BUT

It is early afternoon on a Tuesday, so I can't imagine that it will be too busy as it is in the evenings.

Thoughts?

I need to make a decision.

TIA

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

As Avril's song goes "no way no way", I would not do it.
Not that I have done it, but way too short.
Even if you have entered the US before, and US C&BP has your info, and you have GlobalEntry and ESTA.
The last few days, the AA flight from MEL/SYD to US got cancelled, not likely in your case, but if one does happen, you get stuck.
Looks like the FJ916 today got cancelled.
---
Also FJ924 dep very late from MEL today too.
Supposed to be 13.45, didnt take off 14.12.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thoughts?

I need to make a decision.

A hard no, not least because you will be on separate tickets and there won't be anyone waiting to spirit you though and if you miss your DL flight you are simply a no-show.

The MCT of "2 hours" has to encompass:

* Any delays in the in bound
* Time to de-plane and get to immigration
* Immigration
* Customs - exit land side
* Get to the DL terminal
* Check-in for DL
* Clear DL security
* Be at the gate, ready to board at least 15 mins prior to departure.

You can see historic wait times for immigration at your terminal/time here: Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - CBP Airport Wait Times (AWT)

You could hopefully get a 'day room' at a LAX hotel to hang out in, maybe nap a bit until the much later flight.

 

[elanshin]

You can always roll the dice with any tightish connection, but as it's not on one PNR, you're not protected for the transfer.


As for finding your way to BUF, perhaps you could break your journey up a bit - aka look to get to maybe Chicago (ORD) and stay the night then hop over the next morning. You might find more luck with your schedule doing something like that.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Ah, Aust citizens are not eligible for Global Entry.
My bad.

 

[docjames]

I wouldn’t be relying on such a short connection without a backup plan. Same alliance (ie. QF to AA) and I’d consider a relatively shorter connection - provided I had alternatives same day. Your basic issue ex-LAX is east coast departure options plummet after midday as they reach the east too late (after midnight) so dont depart until later (7pm on for red eye overnights). As you don’t arrive until then and then need MINIMUM 2hr connection (and that’s typically tight at LAX), you’re struggling for same day options.

Would you go to eg. Cleveland and drive from there? There is an AA fare LAX-DFW-CLE dep 230pm which is fractionally better and gets to CLE just on midnight. Sleep in airport hotel, then up to BUF next morning. The alternative is to stay in LA for the day and get an evening flight, or early flight the next day (which of course costs you the day you’d prefer not to miss). Or go to Detroit and stay overnight there, heading to BUF early the next day (realistically if you get in at midnight you arent doing much early the next day anyway……).

Tricky one.

 

[RedSMS]

I wouldn’t be relying on such a short connection without a backup plan. Same alliance (ie. QF to AA) and I’d consider a relatively shorter connection - provided I had alternatives same day. Your basic issue ex-LAX is east coast departure options plummet after midday as they reach the east too late (after midnight) so dont depart until later (7pm on for red eye overnights). As you don’t arrive until then and then need MINIMUM 2hr connection (and that’s typically tight at LAX), you’re struggling for same day options.

Would you go to eg. Cleveland and drive from there? There is an AA fare LAX-DFW-CLE dep 230pm which is fractionally better and gets to CLE just on midnight. Sleep in airport hotel, then up to BUF next morning. The alternative is to stay in LA for the day and get an evening flight, or early flight the next day (which of course costs you the day you’d prefer not to miss). Or go to Detroit and stay overnight there, heading to BUF early the next day (realistically if you get in at midnight you arent doing much early the next day anyway……).

Tricky one.

But at least you are there.

I have a separate Question.

There is a reward flight for the day before I'm due to leave on QF. That MEL-LAX flight arrives at 1830, and would allow plenty of time for tfr to a red eye to PHL,BOS,JFK etc. Would jump on a plane to buf the following morning.

Will I need to cancel my reward booking, wait 48-72 hours for points refund, then hopefully the MEL-LAX reward flight is still available?

Or is there an easier way to do it?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

The points refund to your account can take more time.
The inventory might go by the time you are ready to book the QF flight the day before.
You might lose 5000 in the cancellation.
If you are WP/P1, that is a plus in your favour that you will be able to phone up QF and get HBA to explain your situation.

 

[pippen_2k]

This whole thing sounds way too hard.
Just stay in a close by Hotel to LAX and make your way east the following day.

 

[offshore171]

This whole thing sounds way too hard.
Just stay in a close by Hotel to LAX and make your way east the following day.

I was thinking same. Lay up at an airport hotel and grab a suitable flight the next morning. Arrive in Buffalo bright eyed and bushy tailed.

 

[Flyingwombat]

Hey all,

Have a question for you to try and figure out if this is doable, or too risky.

Too risky - recent flights we have taken have all been late... best one was BA out of USA to UK 4.5 hours late but then we got the compo...