Minimum connection time at LAX

[Captain Halliday]

I'm flying into LAX on QF17 in July. I see its on time performance is reasonable, though not outstanding. Scheduled arrival is 1415.

I'm continuing on to LAS and I'm considering an AA ticketed flight departing at 1740. Is this sufficent?

QF is already booked so the onward sector will be a different PNR. I'm likely to book F on the AA flight, does that give me any flexibility to bump to the following day if the QF service is delayed?

 

[exceladdict]

I'm flying into LAX on QF17 in July. I see its on time performance is reasonable, though not outstanding. Scheduled arrival is 1415.

I'm continuing on to LAS and I'm considering an AA ticketed flight departing at 1740. Is this sufficent?

When I flew in to LAX, my QF A380 was delayed an hour on take off and an hour on landing, albeit due to a problem with the aux power unit. Customs probably took 45 minutes at 5am.

QF is already booked so the onward sector will be a different PNR. I'm likely to book F on the AA flight, does that give me any flexibility to bump to the following day if the QF service is delayed?

Depends on your fare bucket. A or P probably won't, when I booked them they were inflexible cheap upgrade style thingos. I imagine full fare F would.

 

[knasty]

Aa guarantee connections from oneworld flights. You will be.protected from misconnect.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Aa guarantee connections from oneworld flights. You will be.protected from misconnect.

I thought this only applied on the same PNR?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I thought this only applied on the same PNR?

No. AA is indeed very generous when it comes to this... they'll protect you even on separate tickets (for oneworld->oneworld).

However... if yuo are booking a YUPP/KUPP, you should be aware that First is not guaranteed in the event of IRROPS (unless they've changed the rules).

If you are moved to another flight, and first isn't available, you can either (a) fly coach (no refund) or (b) choose to wait for another flight where F is available (could be two or three flights away, or next day). If you choose option (a) you will be on the stand-by list for F anyway.

 

[RooFlyer]

Personally, I'd be completely relaxed about that schedule, especially with the better experience landing into LAX and the fact you are transferring onto AA. .

I have heard of PNRs being merged, but not sure under what circumstances. Suggest you give QF a call when you have the new ticket (or better still, ask a TA if they do your bookings).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Personally, I'd be completely relaxed about that schedule, especially with the better experience landing into LAX and the fact you are transferring onto AA. .

I have heard of PNRs being merged, but not sure under what circumstances. Suggest you give QF a call when you have the new ticket (or better still, ask a TA if they do your bookings).

You can't merge PNRs, but you can put notes in one referencing the other. Not, as far as I understand, that it actually achieves anything much (it doesn't create any guarantees or protections in itself).

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I would be quite comfortable with taking those flights exactly as booked. I wouldn't bother buying F on AA - just go with the cheapest fare in whY but make sure you book on the AA US site as the fares can be USD60.00 to US70.00 vs AUD120.00 on the AU site.

I'm sure there's later AA flights LAX/LAS they could rebook you on if need be.

I have heard of PNRs being merged, but not sure under what circumstances. Suggest you give QF a call when you have the new ticket (or better still, ask a TA if they do your bookings).

You cannot "merge" QF & AA pnrs. Forget ringing the airline or TA as they have no idea about the idiosyncrasies of airport checkin systems.

You can't merge PNRs, but you can put notes in one referencing the other. Not, as far as I understand, that it actually achieves anything much (it doesn't create any guarantees or protections in itself).

Notes in pnr are just that. You may as well scribble on a doodle pad. Notes are only handy when talking to res about your booking so they next CSR you speak to in res can read remarks.

Airport checkin staff rarely have the need to look in pax pnrs as all the info they need is in the Altea checkin system.

All you need to do is take your AA itinerary with you when you checkin. Make sure you checkin with a CSA as you can't add oncarriage flights in at airport kiosks.

 

[Captain Halliday]

However... if yuo are booking a YUPP/KUPP, you should be aware that First is not guaranteed in the event of IRROPS (unless they've changed the rules).

I'm getting a bit OT but how might one book these on AA.com. I can see how to do it on the Australian site. But it's twice the price.

I would be quite comfortable with taking those flights exactly as booked. I wouldn't bother buying F on AA - just go with the cheapest fare in whY but make sure you book on the AA US site as the fares can be USD60.00 to US70.00 vs AUD120.00 on the AU site.

My thinking here primarily about SC earn with QFF. This flight is via PHX. The USD71 base fare becomes USD96 once a bag is added. I figure I'm therefore getting 80SC for US88 or ~AUD1.44/SC for a trip I'll be taking anyway. Happy to hear counter views.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm getting a bit OT but how might one book these on AA.com. I can see how to do it on the Australian site. But it's twice the price.



My thinking here primarily about SC earn with QFF. The USD71 base fare becomes USD96 once a bag is added. I figure I'm therefore getting 40SC for US88 or ~AUD2.89/SC for a trip I'll be taking anyway. Happy to hear counter views.

there are several ways... I do it by going to the U.S. site, hit 'refine search' then plug in required flights, and select 'lowest fares'

I'm seeing $138 LAX-LAS for the random dates I entered (ranging up to $1038 for full F)

 

[Captain Halliday]

there are several ways... I do it by going to the U.S. site, hit 'refine search' then plug in required flights, and select 'lowest fares'

I'm seeing $138 LAX-LAS for the random dates I entered (ranging up to $1038 for full F)

Okay, looks like I am doing it right. I'm finding USD128 for the direct service booked in P or USD177 via PHX for the extra 40SC.

Does a booking in P earn QF SC's at the F rate? ie 40SC in this case, or 80SC via PHX?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Okay, looks like I am doing it right. I'm finding USD128 for the direct service booked in P or USD177 via PHX for the extra 40SC.

Does a booking in P earn QF SC's at the F rate? ie 40SC in this case, or 80SC via PHX?

it does! just make sure you leave a good amount of time between connecting flights on these upgrade fares... if you miss a connection, you are only protected in coach in the next service if F is sold out (with the option to wait until the next F available... whenever that is).

i generally pick the flight after the most immediate connection to give me some breathing room. you can force connection by using the multi city tool... LAX-PHX and then PHX-LAS, you sometimes have to choose different departure times to make it work (eg afternoon and evening)

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I'm getting a bit OT but how might one book these on AA.com. I can see how to do it on the Australian site. But it's twice the price.

My thinking here primarily about SC earn with QFF. This flight is via PHX. The USD71 base fare becomes USD96 once a bag is added. I figure I'm therefore getting 80SC for US88 or ~AUD1.44/SC for a trip I'll be taking anyway. Happy to hear counter views.

You won't need to pay for baggage as even a pax with no status on AA as QF will check the bags all the way through so you will get the allowance for the most significant carrier (2 pieces or 3 if OWR aka QF PS).

Coming back if you are connecting same day LAS AA LAX QF SYD, even on separate tickets AA should recognise your QF allowance as they are tagging the bags through to Oz so won't charge you.

The only time you don't get free baggage as a OWR on AA is if only flying solely domestic or some other short haul routes where applicable ie not connecting to or from Australia.

Are the AA flights via PHX the same or different flight numbers? If it's the same flight number it would post the same as a non-stop flight to the best of my knowledge.

 

[Captain Halliday]

You won't need to pay for baggage as even a pax with no status on AA as QF will check the bags all the way through so you will get the allowance for the most significant carrier (2 pieces or 3 if OWR aka QF PS).

Coming back if you are connecting same day LAS AA LAX QF SYD, even on separate tickets AA should recognise your QF allowance as they are tagging the bags through to Oz so won't charge you.

The only time you don't get free baggage as a OWR on AA is if only flying solely domestic or some other short haul routes where applicable ie not connecting to or from Australia.

Are the AA flights via PHX the same or different flight numbers? If it's the same flight number it would post the same as a non-stop flight to the best of my knowledge.

I think I fall into the latter category. The QF sector SYD-LAX was booked with QF. The AA sector LAX-LAS will be a separate booking with AA and therefore a different PNR. Which makes me think I'd be up for baggage fees as it's not strictly a connection.

And yes, LAX-PHX-LAS are separate flight numbers.

 

[knasty]

If your connection becomes tight it doesn't hurt to mention it to the FAs during the flight and they can confirm with the ground staff to have someone waiting on arrival. I did this with a JAL 2hr late arrival onto Aa and they had someone escort me to the priority immigration queue.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I think I fall into the latter category. The QF sector SYD-LAX was booked with QF. The AA sector LAX-LAS will be a separate booking with AA and therefore a different PNR. Which makes me think I'd be up for baggage fees as it's not strictly a connection.

And yes, LAX-PHX-LAS are separate flight numbers.

If you're flying SYD QF LAX then AA LAX/xPHX/LAS on AA same day (even on separate tickets) AA will not charge you for baggage. You won't even speak to AA as your bags will be tagged through to LAS and you should get all your boarding passes in SYD for the QF & AA flights.

You don't speak to AA at LAX as it's just a generic bag drop.

Any excess baggage would be payable to the accepting carrier (QF) and they won't charge you because you are allowed 3 pieces of checked baggage being OWR or QF PS. QF rules apply due to the IATA resolution 302 rule as QF are the most significant carrier (MSC).

 

[RooFlyer]

You can't merge PNRs, but you can put notes in one referencing the other. Not, as far as I understand, that it actually achieves anything much (it doesn't create any guarantees or protections in itself).

<snip>
You cannot "merge" QF & AA pnrs. Forget ringing the airline or TA as they have no idea about the idiosyncrasies of airport checkin systems.
<snip>.

Not that I doubted you folks but I just had a chat to my TA and yep, no merging of PNRs. Apologies for posting the wrong info.

But I need take issue with you OBB (in the nicest possible way ) - my TA definitely knows about the idiosyncrasies of check-in systems and, naturally, the various booking engines and how they relate across airlines! They actually fly a lot themselves, so may even know more than some AFFers! And I suspect they aren't the only TA to have strong practical knowledge.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. You've shown once again what a great community AFF can be. In 24 hours I've learnt how to book YUPP, that OW carriers will take care of missed connections even on different PNR, and about IATA resolution 302. Thanks so much.

As someone who's had only neutral to bad experiences with AA I can't help but feel AA will try to sting me for bags because it's a different PNR. But you know what, I'm open to being pleasantly surprised.

Worst case, I can quote IATA resolution 302 at them and no doubt get puzzled looks.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. You've shown once again what a great community AFF can be. In 24 hours I've learnt how to book YUPP, that OW carriers will take care of missed connections even on different PNR, and about IATA resolution 302. Thanks so much.

As someone who's had only neutral to bad experiences with AA I can't help but feel AA will try to sting me for bags because it's a different PNR. But you know what, I'm open to being pleasantly surprised.

Worst case, I can quote IATA resolution 302 at them and no doubt get puzzled looks.

You get free bags in First class anyway on AA. 1st, 2nd and 3rd bags are free for confirmed First class pax domestic: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/checked-baggage.jsp

Must correct the misapprehension around OW carriers... not all of them will cover you for a missed connection... Qantas is under no obligation to do so. AA (and in part CX) have those policies in place (not sure about the full range of all the other OW carriers).

*Most legacy carriers, including Qantas, would usually cover missed connections on their own tickets, even if separate, if the missed connection was within their control. But if it's weather or ATC... no guarantees.

 

[Captain Halliday]

You get free bags in First class anyway on AA. 1st, 2nd and 3rd bags are free for confirmed First class pax domestic: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/checked-baggage.jsp

Must correct the misapprehension around OW carriers... not all of them will cover you for a missed connection... Qantas is under no obligation to do so. AA (and in part CX) have those policies in place (not sure about the full range of all the other OW carriers).

*Most legacy carriers, including Qantas, would usually cover missed connections on their own tickets, even if separate, if the missed connection was within their control. But if it's weather or ATC... no guarantees.

Yes. I was considering booking F for the inclusion of bags and the SC earn, but when ozbeachbabe pointed out that they would also be free in Y then I began contemplating sitting down the back.