Minimum connection time Sydney?

[danielt25]

There is a 7/8 PM flight operated by Qantas' luxury arm, JétStár though:

View attachment 319170

Thanks I didn't want to risk Jetstar cancelling the direct flight.

Confirming that QF144 arrived on time at 14:10pm and was over the in Domestic terminal by 15:00pm

 

[henrus]

Here is an interesting one.

I had a booking HND-SYD-BNE booked specifically because it was a daytime flight.

The SYD-BNE flight that I was booked on giving a 1hr 55min transfer in Sydney has been cancelled. Now the system has auto allocated me to a new SYD-BNE flight with 1hr 25mins transfer but as I understand it this is in breach of MCT (although I’d happily risk it). There is a much later one with a 3hr 55 min transfer (not impressed by it) but when I got to accept the illegal MCT it only offers NRT-BNE non stop overnight likely because the later SYD-BNE has no X class.

 

[Flyfrequently]

My guess @henrus would be as MCT not being met, when you clicked on accepting that (illegal) connection, the system wouldn't allow it, hence different flight offered.
Perhaps accept the longer layover and see what the day brings ? a PITA I know!

 

[bPeteb]

We've just been cut from 90 mins to 75, arriving home on QF64 from JNB before onwards to BNE. This is one of the flights affected by the change from A380 to 787 and I had to call about seating.

When I mentioned the shortened connection time the response was "it only takes 10 mins on the bus". I said it's not the bus I'm worried about, but no interest on moving us to the following flight.

I didn't get Hobart so might call back at some stage in the not too distant future.

 

[Himeno]

They may be looking at the default SYD connect times, rather then their own filed times.

The listed SYD I-D MCT is 1.15, while the QF I-D MCT is listed at 1.30.

 

[henrus]

Perhaps accept the longer layover and see what the day brings ? a PITA I know!

I'll call later today but the longer layover doesn't even get offered as an option in the magical rebooking tool.

Flights not until June so I've got time to figure it out but it's incredible that the system even suggested an illegal MCT in the first place.

 

[elanshin]

I guess one thing is however, even if you can't make the connection, unless it's a full flights following your missed connection, QF would just move you onto the next flight.

 

[Himeno]

We've just been cut from 90 mins to 75, arriving home on QF64 from JNB before onwards to BNE. This is one of the flights affected by the change from A380 to 787 and I had to call about seating.

When I mentioned the shortened connection time the response was "it only takes 10 mins on the bus". I said it's not the bus I'm worried about, but no interest on moving us to the following flight.

I didn't get Hobart so might call back at some stage in the not too distant future.

sounds like a reply from someone who has never used said bus.

The bus between terminals itself might only be around 10 mins, but it could take up to 30 mins (depending on time of day) to get onto the bus, not to mention any time spent getting through immigration/customs and dropping bags at the QF transfer desks.

 

[henrus]

When I mentioned the shortened connection time the response was "it only takes 10 mins on the bus". I said it's not the bus I'm worried about, but no interest on moving us to the following flight.

My concern is that I can't accept the 1hr 25min time because the accept portal doesn't offer it as an option. Therefore my seat can't be selected on the new SYD-BNE etc etc.

The listed SYD I-D MCT is 1.15, while the QF I-D MCT is listed at 1.30.

My record from stepping off a VA NAN-SYD flight to entering the VA lounge via normal security is 20 minutes. I was HLO cleared via smart gate, took the train and it worked perfectly. The 1hr 25min connection doesn't bother me as I'll be HLO in this booking but I just need to get it confirmed which likely won't happen.

Currently on hold did enter platinum number for 15+ mins - unacceptable.

 

[elanshin]

Currently on hold did enter platinum number for 15+ mins - unacceptable.

I suspect they're getting swamped atm. The call centre thread also had a WP waiting 20+ mins. Given how many massive schedule changes they've dished out everyone is calling right now.

I need to call as well as they have set me up with an impossible connection (land DFW at 16:05 with connection at 14:20...).

 

[henrus]

I suspect they're getting swamped atm. The call centre thread also had a WP waiting 20+ mins. Given how many massive schedule changes they've dished out everyone is calling right now.

Well I'm now at 35+ mins as WP.

In the past I've accepted a few legal changes via the Qatar website when the QF website wasn't allowing me to accept. I'm tempted to go down this path and see where the dust settles.

I need to call as well as they have set me up with an impossible connection (land DFW at 16:05 with connection at 14:20...).

See if they hadn't sent out impossible connections then there likely wouldn't be an issue... The magical self rebooking tool was meant to fix this but instead it offers limited options to me (single overnight flight option I don't want) but then there was someone last year on here with a MEL-SYD flight as a J reward, they were offered MEL-NAN-SYD on FJ in J via the tool or MEL-DXB-SYD in EK Y.

 

[bPeteb]

Re comment that schedules are changing.

Just received notification that our flight from BNE to SYD prior to our trip to Africa has changed. Luckily this is the night before! We've been moved from 551 to 555 for some reason, even though 551 is still showing as available to book, and there's a 549 at the same time.

 

[henrus]

So in an anti climatic SYD MCT update.

It took a bit over 40 minutes for the phone to be answered, I got through to someone in Suva.

They were confused I was calling about the change but I explained I couldn't accept it via the website, they accepted it and at least the change thing has mostly gone away as I can now see the new flight confirmed and select a seat. They claim a new ticket isn't needed - same ticket number which to me seems odd given it's a new flight number - the Qatar website shows the same ticket number in the booking.

Something tells me this saga isn't over yet. To be fair unlike bPeteb's post above my original flight isn't still for sale. If push comes to shove I'd even take a JQ flight instead given there is one at the original time of my QF flight.

 

[Catweazle]

How about a 2 hour connection between MEL – SYD in Y and the next leg EK SYD – CHC in J?

Sounds about right, but the QFF website wants longer. Then again, it's been glitching all week. Any thoughts?

 

[AIRwin]

How about a 2 hour connection between MEL – SYD in Y and the next leg EK SYD – CHC in J?

Sounds about right, but the QFF website wants longer. Then again, it's been glitching all week. Any thoughts?

I'd prefer a longer connection to avoid rushing and leave some time for the EK lounge

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

How about a 2 hour connection between MEL – SYD in Y and the next leg EK SYD – CHC in J?

Sounds about right, but the QFF website wants longer. Then again, it's been glitching all week. Any thoughts?

Very tight still.

 

[Mwenenzi]

How about a 2 hour connection between MEL – SYD in Y and the next leg EK SYD – CHC in J?
Sounds about right, but the QFF website wants longer. Then again, it's been glitching all week. Any thoughts?

All in 1 PNR? Would be an very early start from MEL.
Are non stop flights MEL-CHC, but a QF B737 and not an EK A380.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

EK SYD - CHC dep at 8.50am, your MEL - SYD assume on time arr at 6.50am, ie, dep MEL at 6am, if for what ever reason, the MEL dep is late, this will "eat" into the connection time.
Edit: just had a check, its a 5.30am dep from MEL, but gets to SYD at 6.55am, so worst, best to over night, not so bad if the MEL - SYD flight was due to arr at 6.30am.
If you can, I would, if I were you, and done it several times, even if have to be on different PNR, do a QFd MEL - SYD the night before, stay at the Rydges ($$$ I know, have done it), and then go across to SYD T1 at 6am to enjoy the EK and QF J lounges.
As no linked PNR for BP from SYD T3, to get to T1, you can get the Tbus, have done that too.
Coming back, the EK CHC - SYD flight usually arr at about 6.45pm/7pm, so still enough time to get the last flight out of SYD - MEL, but I have done the overnight at the Ibis budget Sydney Airport on the way back several times, also into the city hotels several times.
This was all pre covid, havent been to CHC post covid.
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Aud$1119
MEL - SYD QF474 (31MAY2024) 17:30 18:55
SYD - CHC QF8766 (01JUN2024) 07:50 12:55
Linked PNR so you can get the QF transfer bus from the internal secure zone, at SYD T3 to get to T1 faster, as its most likely you might have the next flight BP, (unless they pull the "we need to obtain more information from you), which they might, but if you do get the SYD - CHC BP, the internal QF bus is the fastest.
$1119 is not that bad, and you get to use the QFd J lounge in MEL too.
If HLO only that is.
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The diff in that hr, is probably due to daylight savings.