Minimum connection time at LAX

[MEL_Traveller]

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.

I think for a few extra bucks it's totally worth it to fly F. I know it's a short route... but LAX-LAS can get pretty full with holiday makers or convention attendees. F gets you a nice big seat, pre-departure beverages, and time for a good couple of stiff drinks during the flight itself... getting you to LAS feeling pretty good!

 

[Captain Halliday]

I think for a few extra bucks it's totally worth it to fly F. I know it's a short route... but LAX-LAS can get pretty full with holiday makers or convention attendees. F gets you a nice big seat, pre-departure beverages, and time for a good couple of stiff drinks during the flight itself... getting you to LAS feeling pretty good!

After ~13 hours in Y on QF17 I'll need a drink. But with three of us travelling so the cost quickly adds up. We also have LAS-SLC & SLC-LAX later in the trip so if I set the bar high my clan will expect it to be maintained.

I suppose the wife and kid could sit down the back

 

[Captain Halliday]

A follow up question to the now OT thread...

While I asked all my questions the F flight has gone up from USD128 to USD278 - ouch. Could I book a later F flight which is still showing USD128 and then upon arrival at LAX request to fly forward. Or standby as I think they call it? I guess I'm rolling the dice on an earlier flight having 3 empty F seats.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A follow up question to the now OT thread...

While I asked all my questions the F flight has gone up from USD128 to USD278 - ouch. Could I book a later F flight which is still showing USD128 and then upon arrival at LAX request to fly forward. Or standby as I think they call it? I guess I'm rolling the dice on an earlier flight having 3 empty F seats.

You'd have to read the fare rules.

Looking at one of the US Airways fares via PHX says the following for example:

1. SAME DAY STANDBY - A. ELIGIBILITY 1.AADVANTAGE EXECUTIVE PLATINUM/ PLATINUM/ GOLD PASSENGERS AND THEIR ONEWORLD EQUIVALENTS AND AAIRPASS MEMBERS TICKETED WITH ANY FARE MAY STANDBY ON THE SAME DAY AS TICKETED/ WITHOUT CHARGE AS NOTED BELOW. 2.PASSENGERS NOT QUALIFYING BY TIER STATUS AS DESCRIBED ABOVE WHO PURCHASED TICKETS FOR FIRST OR BUSINESS CLASS OR COACH FARES BOOKED IN Y/D/I/J/A/P/F INVENTORIES MAY STANDBY WITHOUT CHARGE AS NOTED BELOW.

However - there's a couple things to consider with F instant upgrade fares. Firstly... elite members of those airlines will get complimentary upgrades to First class on a space available basis. On many flights, this leaves just a couple of full F seats which AA keeps for sale, which can then be used at the airport for upgrade if they go unsold. LAS is a popular route, so standing by for F may have problems (especially with connecting pax).

Secondly, and this is a quirk with upgrade fares, is that it is essentially an instant upgrade from coach. In order to standby for an earlier flight, there must not only be a first class seat available... but also the underlying seat in economy class. I've been caught out by this before where there was F2A2, but economy was sold out. I therefore couldn't even get onto the flight, let alone secure the F seat. This is reflected in the following fare rule:

Rule Application and Other Conditions

NOTE - THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS INFORMATIONAL AND NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. ECONOMY FARE WITH AN INSTANT ONE-CLASS UPGRADE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE TO FIRST/BUSINESS. APPLICATION CLASS OF SERVICE THESE FARES APPLY FOR ECONOMY CLASS SERVICE. CAPACITY LIMITATIONS SEATS ARE LIMITED BOTH ECONOMY AND FIRST CLASS BOOKING INVENTORIES MUST BE AVAILABLE AT TIME OF BOOKING. THESE FARES PERMIT A ONE-CLASS UPGRADE AT THE TIME OF BOOKING.