QF LAX Lounge access between QF15 and QF107

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michrow

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I'm travelling on QF15 BNE to LAX at the end of August connecting immediately to QF107 to travel to JFK.

My partner and I are hoping to have enough time in LAX to have a quick freshen up and shower in the lounge before our flight to JFK. Are we going to have enough time? It will be our first time to the USA and I'm not sure of the layout of the terminal or how long it will take to go through customs etc.

Got some great info on here when booking our RTW fare so hoping for some more helpful replies!
 
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My arrival on QF15 a few weeks ago was slightly early at 6:30am. They held us on the plane for a few mins until the USA immigrations and customs staff were ready to accept inbound passengers (they start work at 6:30am). So by 6:35 we were off the aircraft and heading to the TBIT arrivals hall. It took about 7 mins to walk to the arrivals hall, then about 10 mins in the short queue of about 8 people ahead of me (feeding two immigration officer desks). Bags were already circulating and mine came past within 5 mins, and there was basically no delay at customs exit. Then up the ramp to bag drop for connecting flights and I was on my way over to T4 within 30 mins of arrival at the gate. Security at T4 at that time of the morning (a Saturday) took about 30 mins. So after a brief pause a an ATM in T4, I was in the AAdmirals Club lounge within about 70 mins of landing. I would have had plenty of time for a shower before my 9:15am onward connection (an AA flight, not QF107).

My colleague who was on QF93 from MEL was not so lucky. His MEL departure was delayed and arrived into LAX TBIT at 8:00. He did manage to make it onto the same connecting flight, but had to run and had no time to visit a lounge.

So if your QF15 is on time, then you could be through arrivals procedures easily by 7:15. QF107 departs from TBIT and outbound security at that time of day should not be too bad at that terminal. So if all goes well, you could be in the lounge by 7:30. Boarding will commence about 8:00, so not a lot of time for a shower. It will likely depend on how many other people get there first and if there is a shower queue.
 
I have done the same route quite a few times and there are a few things that need to come into alignment to be confident of comfortably having time to freshen up/shower. It helps if QF15 arrives before QF107 so that border control is not saturated with "Aussies" when you get to the arrivals hall, it also helps if you are lower deck business class and can deplane first so as to get to through customs and to the lounge ahead of the like travellers, and finally, because the "First" lounge and "Business" lounge at TBIT share the same showers, priority waiting for showers is given to those in the "First" lounge - so Oneworld Emerald status required there. Touch wood, I have had no problems and have even had time for a snack/coffee, but I suspect luck has been with me to date. Good luck.
 
Usual tips for arriving at TBIT, & repeating some things already said.

When you deplane, go as fast as you feel comfortable to do to reach the immigration hall; mine is a pretty fast walk and I care not about what the people I overtake think of me. It can be quite a long distance, and anyone you overtake will probably save you time through immigration. My personal best time from exiting the plane (J) to outside the terminal is 15 minutes; that had minimal queuing time and my bag was waiting for me at the carousel. If you are unlucky with queues, it can take 30 minutes or more.

When you reach the immigration hall, most likely there will be a number of queues already formed, starting at the point where you enter the hall. Don't automatically join the first or second queue you reach, unless they are short (say 5 people). Each queue is usually serviced by 2 immigration officers; sometimes 3, sometimes only 1. Keep walking and there are usually shorter queues a bit further along. Make sure you join a 'foreigners' queue (unless directed otherwise).

You'll be electronically fingerprinted and have your picture taken.

J and F bags come out on a separate carousel (usually to the left as you walk away from immigration) and they are usually there, or starting by the time you reach the carousel. Note: some-one is there taking at least J and F bags off the carousel as they appear, so if bags are on the ground when you get there, check them as yours may already be there and you'll wait forever watching the carousel!

Reclaim bags, then its queue again for customs, usually 2, one in the middle and one to the left. The LH queue tends to be shorter, but is also accessed by crew and ?VIPs? so you can get delayed there. Usual queue lottery!

After customs, bear right up the ramp to drop your bags off (no doubt tagged all the way through), then after a few steps you are out of the terminal. HOWEVER I note serfty mentions 'transit security' above and I'm not sure what he means by that (he knows the TBIT system well). I'm not aware of any security other than what I mention below, but I stand to be corrected by serfty.

If you come out the 'usual' door to the outside, go hard right immediately and there should be a staircase taking you back up to the departures level, where you enter and walk forward, past the check-in counters to the RH back of the check-in hall where you'll find entrance to departure security. Its strict, so be prepared. ALL shoes off (even if 'plane friendly' type); completely empty your pockets of EVERYTHING as you will almost certainly have a body scan. Again, timing can be 5 minutes through departure security if you are lucky or 15 mins (or, of course, more).

Then up to the lounge via the lift almost dead ahead when you exit security and apply for a shower.

Good luck!
 
After passing customs, there usually a sign indicating where Qf107 pax need to go. you do not go outside.
 
Thanks all, sadly we are without status and flying in economy so will probably be unable to get ahead of most people. We will just hope that everything lines up time wise!

If not we will use out passes next year on the rest of our round the world trip.
 
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