Minimum Connection times at Sydney?

[BenAlexander]

We am flying out of SYD international (with an infant!) at noon on a China Eastern flight (booked via CEA)
I now need to book separate domestic tickets to get to SYD.

If I arrive into SYD at 1040hrs, would that give me enough time (1hr 20mins) to collect bags and make it over to the international terminal for our MU flight?
Is it of any benefit if I book with Qantas (partner with MU)? Would they transfer our check in luggage for us? Assist if there are delays?

And on the way back, is an hour enough time to make it from SYD international terminal to domestic? Next option is 2 hours.

 

[mannej]

1:20 on separate tickets is foolish. QF won't interline here so why risk the stress?

With your comments about the time required on the way back, I think you need to re-align your expectations on what is a safe margin and what isn't.

 

[BenAlexander]

Those were the most optimistic flight options I have.

What would be the minimum time you'd allow for? 2 hours?

 

[TomVexille]

On separate tickets, probably 3-4 hours at least outbound as you will likely have to make your own way to T1 after collecting bags and to allow for possible delays

 

[TonyHancock]

I allow a minimum of three hours on SYD Domestic to International connections when booked on seperate tickets. (I travel HLO and typically can make use of the QF transfer bus so don't need to collect luggage.)

On the way back I allow four hours.

 

[BenAlexander]

If I use the current 25% off Qantas Reward Bookings, am I able to change the flight on the same day?

EG, book the flight 4 hours from when I land. If I land on-time and transfer airport successfully, can I ask to be bumped up to an earlier flight (space permitting?)

 

[TonyHancock]

If I use the current 25% off Qantas Reward Bookings, am I able to change the flight on the same day?

EG, book the flight 4 hours from when I land. If I land on-time and transfer airport successfully, can I ask to be bumped up to an earlier flight (space permitting?)

My experiences have been mixed. In the heady days of P1 I would be transferred to an earlier flight whatever booking class I was in. These days I am at the hands of the lounge dragons in the domestic J lounge.

You will be in the hands of the domestic transfer desk if you have checked luggage and the computer typically says no.

 

[BenAlexander]

My experiences have been mixed. In the heady days of P1 I would be transferred to an earlier flight whatever booking class I was in. These days I am at the hands of the lounge dragons in the domestic J lounge.

You will be in the hands of the domestic transfer desk if you have checked luggage and the computer typically says no.

Will I get any love as a QFF Platinum?

 

[TonyHancock]

Will I get any love as a QFF Platinum?

Too many variables to say. I typically book red-e-deals and upgrade to J using points. I would not expect anything at the transfer desk. The Domestic J lounge staff are more forgiving but it is hit and miss.

I have a four hour layover on Wednesday next week so I'll let you know how I go. It is a red-e-deal upgraded to J so I fully expect to sit in the lounge for a couple of hours if my BA flight is on time into SYD.

 

[harvyk]

I would be giving myself a lot more time. Where are you flying from?

Keep in mind all it would take is the slightest of hick-ups to really ruin your day, especially with an infant in tow.
My general rule when traveling with kids is work out how much time you need (and ppl here are recommending 3 hours), and then double it..

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Those were the most optimistic flight options I have.

What would be the minimum time you'd allow for? 2 hours?

I agree with others. Allow at least 3 hours, preferably 4 for the outbound connection in SYD. A one hour delay on your connecting flight will make things tight even at 3 hours.

 

[JohnK]

Those were the most optimistic flight options I have.

What would be the minimum time you'd allow for? 2 hours?

That would normally be enough but could be difficult with an infant. Also doesn't leave much time if there are any delays.

 

[juddles]

2 hrs is the minimum I am comfortable with - and that is flying through on the same ticket, in J, and being P1.

Not that status helps - the inbound process where you have to wait for your bags (no safety there whatsoever), then face a customs queue, then go through the security check before the bus trip, then the actual bus trip. All these things are not influenced by status. Nothing like having a tight connection and waiting in that bloody transfer spot for the bus to leave. Even getting on the bus doesn't mean it will leave anytime soon.

Status does not help.

 

[TonyHancock]

As promised, my update.

Landed at 5:05 on BA15, cleared customs and immigration by 5:20, caught the train and presented myself, to the amusement of the lounge angels, as the "customer from hell".

My flight to MEL was a red-e-deal upgraded using points and I was flying on my BA FF number.

Low and behold I managed to get moved to a flight two hours earlier. So I am a pretty happy customer.

The important point from my experience is that this was done in the QF Domestic J lounge. I have had no success at the transfer desk.

 

[JohnK]

The important point from my experience is that this was done in the QF Domestic J lounge. I have had no success at the transfer desk.

Carry on only?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

If travelling on an award ticket xx_ to SYD it is treated the same as a flexible fare ie you are able to change on the day provided there are 'X' class seats available on the earlier flights (by airport staff - not through reservations). If you are on a restricted fare eg Red-e-Deal then you'd only be able to move if there was a 'flow forward' happening at the time so way too risky to rely on that.

Remember that as you will be checking in from scratch at SYD for the MU flight you would need to meet their checkin requirements so it would be advisable to arrive at the SYD T1 checkin no later than 2 hours prior which would mean your inbound domestic flight would need to land around 3 hours prior to allow sufficient time for you to collect your luggage at T3 then take either the train or the TBus with your checked luggage from T3 to T1.

As promised, my update.

Landed at 5:05 on BA15, cleared customs and immigration by 5:20, caught the train and presented myself, to the amusement of the lounge angels, as the "customer from hell".

My flight to MEL was a red-e-deal upgraded using points and I was flying on my BA FF number.

Low and behold I managed to get moved to a flight two hours earlier. So I am a pretty happy customer.

The important point from my experience is that this was done in the QF Domestic J lounge. I have had no success at the transfer desk.

Bear in mind your experience is inbound to Australia where there is a domestic transfer desk plus you're travelling HLO. The OP is originating from a domestic port to SYD so would have to have the domestic flight sorted at checkin at the point of origin. The lounge won't be able to make changes if there are bags checked in which I imagine there would be with an infant.

 

[TonyHancock]

And on the way back, is an hour enough time to make it from SYD international terminal to domestic? Next option is 2 hours.

If I use the current 25% off Qantas Reward Bookings, am I able to change the flight on the same day?

EG, book the flight 4 hours from when I land. If I land on-time and transfer airport successfully, can I ask to be bumped up to an earlier flight (space permitting?)

Bear in mind your experience is inbound to Australia where there is a domestic transfer desk plus you're travelling HLO. The OP is originating from a domestic port to SYD so would have to have the domestic flight sorted at checkin at the point of origin. The lounge won't be able to make changes if there are bags checked in which I imagine there would be with an infant.

I was addressing the OP's inbound return flights. My assumption is that there will be checked luggage and the transfer desk has never been the most accommodating. My example is not ideal but I posted that I would report back, particularly because I was, unusually, successful in getting an earlier flight.

Carry on only?

Indeed.

 

[ric_melb]

Landed 5.05
Immigration Cleared 5.20
J Lounge 5.35.

Another excellent episode of Hancock's Half Hour.
Always good to have the master (TKWIA) enlighten his audience with a travel tale.