QF Domestic Sector of International Flight - SYD to CNS

[Homer]

In a little over a week I am flying SYD-CNS on an international service - QF167 - as a domestic passenger. I've done this in reverse and it was relatively straightforward.

My question is: are there any tricks to doing this from T1 at SYD?

I imagine there is a dedicated domestic check-in area so I won't be able to line up in the F queue (courtesy of my WP status)? I've seen the "D" lines for passport control so that should be relatively simple. It will also be my first time in the F lounge, assuming I can get in with Marge and Maggie.

 

[serfty]

As a WP, you can use the F check-in.

Remember to avoid the Duty Free Zoo by taking the short cut to the lounge. (assuming you do not need to use the Lift with carry-on/Maggie)

This is slightly obscured these days, but it is Immediately after x-ray and before you enter the walk through duty-free emporium. On the right there is an unsigned opening. This leads to stairs which take you up one level, coming out about 5 metres from the J lounge entrance (to the left of the top of the stairs). It's also about 40 metres from the Flounge entrance further along.

 

[Homer]

As a WP, you can use the F check-in.

Remember to avoid the Duty Free Zoo by taking the short cut to the lounge. (assuming you do not need to use the Lift with carry-on/Maggie)

This is slightly obscured these days, but it is Immediately after x-ray and before you enter the walk through duty-free emporium. On the right there is an unsigned opening. This leads to stairs which take you up one level, coming out about 5 metres from the J lounge entrance (to the left of the top of the stairs). It's also about 40 metres from the Flounge entrance further along.

Thanks serfty - I've never used the shortcut so I'll look out for it! My flight is at 8.00am, so how early can I check in and will the lounge be open?

 

[Dave Noble]

Given that the entrance to the Flounge is right by the escalator, the short cut isnt really much of a short cut so I wouldn't spend much effort in locating it

It is good for accessing the Qantas Club though

Dave

 

[NM]

It is good for accessing the Qantas Club though

And for avoiding the Duty-Free obstacle course.

 

[serfty]

Given that the entrance to the Flounge is right by the escalator, the short cut isnt really much of a short cut so I wouldn't spend much effort in locating it

It is good for accessing the Qantas Club though

Dave

As NM posted, it's good for avoiding the Duty Free area and its meandering routing underneath the Qantas J and F lounges. The people who set up the duty free display cases are very good at positioning these in the way; getting them right in your face. Also there is the frustrating problem of getting past those browsing the displays.

In distance I etimate it's at least 20 metres shorter to the FLounge than taking the escalator. In time, it takes me about 40 seconds from x-ray to Flounge entrance via "the stairs". Going the other way it's often well over double that.

Not a huge issue really; however it's always good to avoid that retail zoo ...

 

[Homer]

How early will I be able to check in, given that my flight is at 8am? I imagine that I should be able to check in at least 2 hours before the flight as international PAX would be there at that time.

 

[NM]

In distance I etimate it's at least 20 metres shorter to the FLounge than taking the escalator. In time, it takes me about 40 seconds from x-ray to Flounge entrance via "the stairs". Going the other way it's often well over double that.

And may make the difference between X and X+1 glasses of bubbly

 

[serfty]

Check-in time generally opens 3 hours before the flight, however, one can often check-in earlier than that at the dedicated F check-in area.

Mind you; I am not sure Immigration opens before 5am ...

In any case, the lounges do not open until 5:15am.

 

[chooms]

How early will I be able to check in, given that my flight is at 8am? I imagine that I should be able to check in at least 2 hours before the flight as international PAX would be there at that time.

I have caught this flight before... and enjoyed the Flounge to boot!

Immigration doesnt open until 5am however I checked in at the empty F checkin 'box' around 4:30am and made sure I made the most of my time in the Flounge (I fly domestic a lot... not a lot of international flights but that is about to change...)

You will get the orange 'D' sticker on your BP but the check-in dragon will also issue you with a first express pass to get through immi quick too - although there were next to no people at immi when I went through so I kept to express pass.

Enjoy the lounge... although no day spa. Doesnt open till 9am or around that time.

 

[JohnK]

Mind you; I am not sure Immigration opens before 5am ...

I think immigration in SYD does not open until 6:00am.

During the QF F lounge run last year, with Mal and kpc, we were lucky in that immigration opened at 5:50am. Maybe the opening time varies depending on the day and scheduled flights.

 

[serfty]

... Maybe the opening time varies depending on the day and scheduled flights.

My most recent experience was the Monday after the NRL Grand Final last year; I flew back to MEL on QF74, departing ~7am.

After checking in, I had to wait until 5am for it to open ...

 

[Danger]

I flew SYD-CNS out of T1 in late April and was not happy when I arrived at the airport and checked in a little after 5am only to be told immigration doesn't open until 6am. I think it did open a little before that, though.

 

[JohnK]

My most recent experience was the Monday after the NRL Grand Final last year; I flew back to MEL on QF74, departing ~7am.

After checking in, I had to wait until 5am for it to open ...

I am surprised you got up that early after all those beers the night before. :shock: I think immigration opened earlier that day due to the early departure of QF74.

 

[serfty]

... I think immigration opened earlier that day due to the early departure of QF74.

Chicken and Egg ... dunno!

 

[DJ737]

I am surprised you got up that early after all those beers the night before.

Hi there

He didn't say he got up

Cheers
DJ737

 

[JohnK]

Chicken and Egg ... dunno!

Trust me on this one Ross.

He didn't say he got up

I am almost certain that Ross had some sleep in the state he was in when he left the night before. Hopefully we will have another drink on Grand Final day in the first week of October but this time the right team will win the grand final.

 

[Danger]

I just checked the QF schedules on a few random dates (December 2008, March 2009, June 2009) for flights between SYD/MEL, SYD/ADL and SYD/CNS. With the exception of the latter (QF167 to CNS, QF60 from CNS) I couldn't find any other domestic sectors of international flights (eg. QF9 SYD-MEL).

Does anyone have any luck? If not, this is sad news for those WP who don't do a lot of international flying and like to utilise the FLounges on occasion.

 

[Mal]

Does anyone have any luck? If not, this is sad news for those WP who don't do a lot of international flying and like to utilise the FLounges on occasion.

They have been cutting them down recently. Not sure why - whether it's a backhand towards WP's who fraternise the lounges, Customs suggesting reductions, or just fuel / staff costs.

Will be interesting to see what happens in the future with these types of flights.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Qantas have been cutting the international flights, between domestic cities, also check Jetstar flights, as Jetstar International will still give you access to the First lounge for Qantas Plats.