Minimum time for connection MEL/MNL ?

[bcsfromsydney]

Hi there,
I booked a flight a few weeks back for travel from Melbourne to Manila.
I depart on QF422, arriving into Sydney at 11.25am, and are then traveling on to Manila on QF19 departing 12.25pm.
I know there is a shuttle bus between terminals however that departs each 15mins at best. Allowing for flight delays, airport traffic, clearing security and customs, is 1 hour a realistic time to have between my connecting flights ?
When I queried with Qantas, they said that 1 hour is the minimum acceptable time.
I requested to change to an earlier flight as there was plenty of availability however, they refused.
Worst case they said, if I missed the connection, they said I would be placed on the next flight, which would be the next day.
Anyway, I've booked myself a new flight on the cheapest option I could find (Jetstar) and I'll at least now arrive into Sydney at 10.00am allowing plenty of time for the connection, and of course a nice breakfast in the QF Lounge.

 

[whughes3]

I agree with you, 60 mins is cutting it much too fine, regardless of what the "official" line may be. The slightest delay anywhere in the system and you are toast. Even if you make the connection, there is a serious risk your bags may not. The shortest CT I would book is 90 mins, and preferably 2 hours.

On one occasion a few years ago, I did indeed miss a connection at SYD on this route, and they re-booked me on CX arriving the next morning which was not too bad. Being Platinum and travelling in J probably helped here; not sure if they would do this for everyone.

 

[Hvr]

Anyway, I've booked myself a new flight on the cheapest option I could find (Jetstar) and I'll at least now arrive into Sydney at 10.00am allowing plenty of time for the connection, and of course a nice breakfast in the QF Lounge.

It sounds like you've booked a totally new flight and intend on abandoning QF422 and then resuming your journey on QF19 in SYD.

If this is correct forget about it now.

Once you miss QF422 the rest of your itinerary will be cancelled. Even if you present in SYD ready to board QF19 you'll be refused.

If you're really concerned about missing your connection pay the change fee to get an earlier flight.

Otherwise you may be required to purchase a new ticket to get to MNL.

 

[AIRwin]

I was recently in a similar situation travelling BNE-SYD-CGK and managed to request and "go show" on an earlier flight by turning up at the airport early on the actual day of departure. I was booked on business class though...

 

[mannej]

As mentioned above by missing QF422, it cancels the rest of your ticket.

QF don't tend to move people if the ticket meets MCT without charging the change fee.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I was recently in a similar situation travelling BNE-SYD-CGK and managed to request and "go show" on an earlier flight by turning up at the airport early on the actual day of departure. I was booked on business class though...

Yeah. This seems to be the solution. Many times I've had friends book itineraries with one hour in SYD. Each time they have called and QF reservations have refused to move them. My advice has been to turn up at the airport early and ask to be moved to the next available flight. Every time, without exception (so far, touch wood!), this has been accommodated. Both in Y and J class.

That being said I guess there must be huindreds of pax every day in the same situation making 1 hour connections. So it must work. Just the stress isn't worth it