MEL-CHI Minimum connect time LAX advice

[mkng]

Dear all
I be grateful for some advice for booking choices later this year. Flying Qantas MEL-CHI and both legs are QF ticketed flight
Will fly business, Platinum status and will have check in luggage.
QF93 arrives at 0625.

#1 : LAX-ORD departs 0920 - arrives 1507 : just under 3 hours connecting time (QF3009)
#2: LAX-ORD departs 1110 - arrives 1657 : 4.5 hours connecting time (QF3011)

Despite LAX and its recent improvements, choice #1 with a just under 3hr connecting time could be disaster if things go wrong - long customs, late flight in.
#1 is ideal as don't have to wait in airport too long and arrive in Chicago before peak hour hits.
#2 I hit peak hour in Chicago arriving later, but have the ability to use the LAX Qantas lounge in transit ( prefer over AA lounge )

Grateful for practical advice, and always nervous about transit and LAX!

MK

 

[Hvr]

If one PNR then take option one and rest assured you'll be put on the next flight to ORD if you miss the first one.

The blue train from ORD to downtown is the only way to travel and even if you're in a car you'll be heading into town against the traffic.

 

[kpc]

I would take the later flight to Ord...more time to enjoy a shower in Qf F lounge and breakfast at Lax. There is a chance the later flight to Ord is full if you book the earlier one and arrive late.

 

[mkng]

Thanks for the replies! Qantas can't guarantee me a seat on the later flight if full? ( nor would they bump someone off? )

 

[serfty]

Thanks for the replies! Qantas can't guarantee me a seat on the later flight if full? ( nor would they bump someone off? )

QF ticketed? If they have a QF flight number then they are QF "Marketed". A QF Ticket start with 081- ...

If you missed the 9:20am flight and the 11:20am is 'full', AA would waitlist you for Standby as a Disrupted PAX and you would be amongst the first in line for a seat should the be a no show.

What is you travel class and do you have any QF status?

 

[mkng]

QF93 and QF3009/QF3011 ( AA )
Yes, platnium and business class.
Thank you - maybe I should just play it safe and go later

 

[RichardMEL]

#1 is fine to book. As noted by others if there's a delay AA will put you on the next flight no sweat (they are well organised at LAX in terms of online connections both ways). that connection time is ideal. I mean you could be in the QF F lounge at 7am and have plenty of time for shower and breakfast, or if there's a delay with immigration and bag re-check get through at 8am or even 8:30 and just head over to T4 and be fine. It's unlikely (assuming ontime arrival) it would take longer than an hour or 90min max, and often a lot less, to connect).

Remember when you re-check bags at LAX when you exit the bag re-check area turn RIGHT and pass through security at that transfer point - which is often far less busy than the main TBIT or T4 security lines, and you can get easy access to the QF lounge from there as well as the connector to T4/T5 to make the AA flight (remember AA flagship lounge at T4 is also an opotion to use and there's a smaller lounge in T5 depending where your ORD flight departs from.

 

[CPMaverick]

#1 in my opinion is totally safe. I usually recommend 2.5 hours connection at LAX. Luggage can take a while at LAX, but that just means any long waits in immigration are not a problem really if you are checking luggage... you'll be waiting anyway.

I would say deplaning in business class, collecting luggage, and getting through the transit immigration at TBIT (which dumps you into AA T4) will take around 75 minutes on average. 120 minutes absolute worst-case.

Just make sure you use the security for international transit passengers that is in TBIT... IME it has been very short queues in comparison to regular T4 operations.

I recently arrived on QF93 to LAX (arr 6:25) and had a 8:12am AA flight LAX-CLT (booked on separate tickets as I couldn't get it to come up with QF). I not only made it, but I had time to shower and get breakfast at the AA lounge. I had no checked bag, which helped, but still gives you some idea of what is possible.

The new AA lounge is quite nice, I don't think I'd bother with TBIT just to use the QF lounge instead.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Is it the same aircraft / seat for both flights? If the latter flight had flat beds it would be worth it (not sure if that's an AA thing though. UA used to have a 747 LAX-ORD which was a nice change from the usual narrow bodies).

 

[mkng]

Thanks everyone. Ive booked the flight and went for option 1 . just under 3 hours transit. It would be good to get to destination as soon as possible, and if lucky, maybe I might have a good run through customs.

The flight is not the same aircraft. Its AA plane departing T4. And also, couldnt get a business/first in the domestic US leg - only have economy left.

I definitely will remember the TBIT transfer security point downstairs. I went earlier this year, having a longer connecting time of 4 hours. I had no check in and didnt have to wait for bags. I got to the security and it was only a 15 min run. However, I remember going 2 years prior and remember the line was massive and didnt help with all these other anxious aussie passengers wanting to make their interconnecting flight.

Much appreciated for the fast response and help from everyone

 

[serfty]

Now go to AA.com manage bookung and enter your PNR ( record the AA SABRE PNR).

Being a oneworld emerald you get free seat selection including from available premium seating.

 

[CPMaverick]

You will need an onward BP to access the TBIT int'l transit security. If QF doesn't offer you the onward BP, I suggest getting the AA app and getting your BP pulled up on your phone before you board in MEL. Safe travels!

 

[Fergo747]

Now go to AA.com manage bookung and enter your PNR ( record the AA SABRE PNR).

If it's a QF codeshare booking you can also do this through the usual QF MMB rather than through AA - I have done this on a number of recent and upcoming QF codes on AA (yes, seating has stuck).

The only risk (as I found out in early April when travelling DFW-CLT off QF7) is that if you are booked on Option 1 but for whatever reason cannot make it and by that time Option 2 is full, you might be put on an even later flight to ORD or seated right down the back of the plane (i.e. downgraded) as it may be the only available seat/s. Luckily I was waitlisted and there was a J no-show so got put back. Then had to apply for ORC.