MCT at LAX T5 - is 100 minutes enough.

[JB007]

Does anyone know or have experience with the Minimum Connection Time or Recommended Connection Time at T5?

We have a 1hr 40min connection in LAX from the SYD - LAX flight before our LAX - JFK flight and I don't think that it will be enough.

It was originally 2 hours but Delta pulled a schedule change on us and I would like to change flights.

Cheers,

 

[dfcatch]

Does anyone know or have experience with the Minimum Connection Time or Recommended Connection Time at T5?

We have a 1hr 40min connection in LAX from the SYD - LAX flight before our LAX - JFK flight and I don't think that it will be enough.

It was originally 2 hours but Delta pulled a schedule change on us and I would like to change flights.

Cheers,

Is it on the same itinerary/PNR?

If not - I would leave a minimum of 3 hours.....no exceptions.

 

[JB007]

Re: VA now flying to Delta's Terminal 5 at LAX plus WIN Business Class flights

Is it on the same itinerary/PNR?

If not - I would leave a minimum of 3 hours.....no exceptions.

Yep, same PNR so I know we will be protected but the next direct flight isn't for another 3 hours and gets us into NY fairly late and the prospect of connecting through ATL or MSP doesn't sound too appealing.

Thanks

 

[dfcatch]

Yep, same PNR so I know we will be protected but the next direct flight isn't for another 3 hours and gets us into NY fairly late and the prospect of connecting through ATL or MSP doesn't sound too appealing.

Thanks

Tough call.

If it were me - I'd be fully expecting to be missing that connection, and only making it if all the planets aligned perfectly.

 

[JB007]

Re: VA now flying to Delta's Terminal 5 at LAX plus WIN Business Class flights

Tough call.

If it were me - I'd be fully expecting to be missing that connection, and only making it if all the planets aligned perfectly.

Yeah, I am not expecting that we will make it at this stage so am trying to get the SYD - LAX flight changed to the VA BNE - LAX flight with DL code that gets in 45mins earlier.

If that doesn't work I am hoping that either the 11:30am LAX - JFK flight might be less busy than the 8:30 (wishful thinking I know) or that if we have to connect its counted as another leg and will therefore result in more SC's or that we can push for a First Class/Business Elite seat on the new flights

 

[serfty]

Does anyone know or have experience with the Minimum Connection Time or Recommended Connection Time at T5?

We have a 1hr 40min connection in LAX from the SYD - LAX flight before our LAX - JFK flight and I don't think that it will be enough.

It was originally 2 hours but Delta pulled a schedule change on us and I would like to change flights.

Cheers,

From Expert Flyer the MCT as 90 minutes:

Results from ExpertFlyer.com

Connecting Cities:
Connecting at LAX
Incoming airline VA
Outgoing airline DL
Flight type International to Domestic

STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.
ONLINE   1.10  1.30  2.00  2.00
OFFLINE  1.10  1.30  2.00  2.00
** OR * ARE ALL
VA-DL ID  1.30 TRM 5  - 5  06NOV11-INF     
VA-** ID  2.00

 

[JB007]

Re: VA now flying to Delta's Terminal 5 at LAX plus WIN Business Class flights

From Expert Flyer the MCT as 90 minutes:

Thanks Serfty

Does that change at all if the incoming airline is DL as opposed to VA or because they are now both coming to T5 it treats them the same?

We are currently on DL16

 

[serfty]

... Does that change at all if the incoming airline is DL as opposed to VA or because they are now both coming to T5 it treats them the same?

We are currently on DL16

Probably not, look at the bottom (Changing the EF query to DL(I)->DL(D)):

Results from ExpertFlyer.com

Connecting Cities:
Connecting at LAX
Incoming airline DL
Outgoing airline DL
Flight type International to Domestic

STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.
ONLINE   1.10  1.30  2.00  2.00
OFFLINE  1.10  1.30  2.00  2.00
** OR * ARE ALL
DL-DL ID  1.30 FLT 7400 - 7469 - FLT 7850 - 8149 
DL-DL ID  2.00 FLT 7815 - 7839 - FLT 7750 - 7829 
DL-DL ID  2.00 FLT 7815 - 7839 - FLT 7980 - 8119 
DL-DL ID  2.00 FLT 7980 - 8119 - FLT 7500 - 7649 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 7400 - 7469 - FLT 7470 - 7724 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 7400 - 7469 - FLT 8320 - 8729 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 7400 - 7469 - FLT 8975 - 9274 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 7470 - 7724 - FLT 7400 - 7469 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 7470 - 7724 - FLT 7725 - 7754 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 7470 - 7724 - FLT 7815 - 7839 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 7470 - 7724 - FLT 7850 - 7939 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 7470 - 7724 - FLT 7980 - 8119 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 7650 - 7829 - FLT 7400 - 7469 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 7725 - 7754 - FLT 7470 - 7724 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 7725 - 7754 - FLT 8975 - 9274 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 7815 - 7839 - FLT 7470 - 7724 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 7815 - 7839 - FLT 8975 - 9274 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 7830 - 8974 - FLT 8975 - 9274 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 7850 - 7939 - FLT 7470 - 7724 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 7850 - 7939 - FLT 8975 - 9274 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 7980 - 8119 - FLT 7470 - 7724 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 7980 - 8119 - FLT 8975 - 9274 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 8320 - 8729 - FLT 7400 - 7469 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 8975 - 9274 - FLT 6493 - 7649 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 8975 - 9274 - FLT 7400 - 7469 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 8975 - 9274 - FLT 7725 - 7754 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 8975 - 9274 - FLT 7815 - 7839 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 8975 - 9274 - FLT 7830 - 8974 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 8975 - 9274 - FLT 7850 - 7939 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 8975 - 9274 - FLT 7980 - 8119 
DL-DL ID SUP   FLT 8975 - 9274 - FLT 8975 - 9274 
DL-DL ID  2.00 FLT 8320 - 8729 - ALL  ALL - OGG 
DL-DL ID  2.00 ALL  - FLT 7400 - 7469 
DL-DL ID  2.00 ALL  - FLT 7470 - 7724 
DL-DL ID  2.00 ALL  - FLT 7725 - 7754 
DL-DL ID  2.00 ALL  - FLT 8975 - 9274 
DL-DL ID  2.00 ALL  - FLT 9275 - 9699 
DL-DL ID  2.00 FLT 6870 - 6919 - ALL  
DL-DL ID  3.00 FLT 7000 - 7069 - ALL  
DL-DL ID  2.00 FLT 7470 - 7724 - ALL  
DL-DL ID  2.00 FLT 7725 - 7754 - ALL  
DL-DL ID  2.00 FLT 7850 - 7939 - ALL  
DL-DL ID  2.00 FLT 8120 - 8219 - ALL  
DL-DL ID  2.00 FLT 8320 - 8729 - ALL  
DL-DL ID  2.00 FLT 8975 - 9274 - ALL  
DL-DL ID  2.00 FLT 9275 - 9699 - ALL  
DL-DL ID  2.00 HND - ALL 06NOV11-INF     
DL-DL ID  1.30 TRM 6  - 5  
DL-DL ID  1.10 OPN    -05NOV11 
[B]DL-DL ID  1.30 06NOV11-INF[/B]

 

[NM]

Re: VA now flying to Delta's Terminal 5 at LAX plus WIN Business Class flights

so which flight would you like to change to?

You have said the next LAX-JFK flight is 3 hours later and get you in later th you woud like. So I assue you are not wanting to be changed to that flight.

You have asked about MCT for DL-DL so does hat mean you are wanting to change carrier for the SYD-LAX leg? That is going to depend on the change rules and carrier validity for the ticket you have purchased.

While I agree that 100 mins is tight for arrival at TBIT, I have no experience with T5 and the time for arrivals formalities there. Personally I would be sticking with the current flights knowing its within MCT and expectig to make it. But if the inbound is late then I know there is another flight later. I would be checking the availability of seats on the next flight to check its not already full. And if the outbound is delayed from Sydney you may get the chance to initiate alternate arrangements before departure.

 

[notzac]

Re: VA now flying to Delta's Terminal 5 at LAX plus WIN Business Class flights

It would be interesting to get a feel for how quick/slow arrivals at T5 are - I think quite a few people here are familiar with the sorts of delays one gets flying in to TBIT, but not T5. Is it better or worse?

Either way, I'd absolutely expect to not make the connection. No idea what connecting in MSP or ATL is like, but it shouldn't be too bad .. MSP is the smaller airport of the two I think, so probably slightly easier to connect through there. A connection ought to result in additional SCs for the extra leg, but again - guesswork.

Please let us know how you go

 

[dfcatch]

My thought is that T5 processing will be quicker than TBIT for a variety of reasons.

But my main concern is:

- on time departure from SYD
- Ground delays in LAX (slots, gate availability, ATC).

I've landed early before, and then spent 55 mins on the Tarmac waiting for gate and ground crews - not an uncommon occurrence.

Arrival formalities in T5 are the least of my concerns, but the advice above is good IMHO.

 

[JB007]

Re: VA now flying to Delta's Terminal 5 at LAX plus WIN Business Class flights

so which flight would you like to change to?

You have said the next LAX-JFK flight is 3 hours later and get you in later th you woud like. So I assue you are not wanting to be changed to that flight.

You have asked about MCT for DL-DL so does hat mean you are wanting to change carrier for the SYD-LAX leg? That is going to depend on the change rules and carrier validity for the ticket you have purchased.

While I agree that 100 mins is tight for arrival at TBIT, I have no experience with T5 and the time for arrivals formalities there. Personally I would be sticking with the current flights knowing its within MCT and expectig to make it. But if the inbound is late then I know there is another flight later. I would be checking the availability of seats on the next flight to check its not already full. And if the outbound is delayed from Sydney you may get the chance to initiate alternate arrangements before departure.

I am trying to get us on DL6795 which is a VA operated flight from BNE to LAX. We are flying from MEL so it makes no difference whether we go to SYD or BNE, its a shame that the MEL - LAX flight isn't operating that day. DL 6795 gets to LAX at 0610 whereas DL16 gets in at 0640. Both arrive at T5 so serfty's times of 90mins apply to both carriers.

At this stage I am happy to accept that we aren't going to make it unless luck goes our way. The later direct flight gets us to JFK at 2030 which makes for a very long day(s) but will probably help with sleep on the first night.

My understanding of T5 is that it is less busy in terms of number of people but there are also less immigration points so it becomes roughly the same as TBIT, just with less people. Originally DL16 was meant to arrive before the DL6795 so we would have been the first into immigration. But being stuck behind another 777 load of pax makes the challenge even more interesting

Will be happy to report back though so that others can learn

 

[serfty]

So the MCT is still 90 minutes as per my initial posting.

It's interesting the MCT DL(I)->DL(D) was increased from 70 to 90 minutes on the 6th - maybe they anticipate delays with the additional VA PAX to process.

 

[smit0847]

I had about a 3 hour transfer time off my V Australia flight and onto my Virgin America flight at LAX earlier this year. It was comfortable, but I only had about 25 minutes at the domestic gate.

As others have said, once you land it can take a while to get to the gate. Immigration took over an hour and was an incredibly disorganised, horrible experience - I felt like a criminal.

They do have a nice luggage service where they will check your bags in as soon as you clear customs for your connecting flight leaving from another terminal so you dont have to lug it around.

Domestic security clearance can also take a long time.

 

[airtraveladdict]

TBIT LAX is quite possibly the worst airport experience in the world. From my experience, it took 2 hours and 20 minutes to get off a qantas flight and connect to another qantas flight to new york.

The only way I fly to the USA is via Europe and fly directly into JFK.

Also the reason why sometimes you have to wait 30-40minutes for the gate is because TBIT has extra security, and planes cannot taxi by themselves, they require a special security vehicle to pull the plane to the gate. Well that is what an american gentlemen told me, its part of TBIT's extra security measures.

Anyway, have you considered a Global Entry card? apparently that shaves alot of time when you fly into the USA, but it does cost $US100.