QF107 LAX to JFK

[tenchuu666]

I am just about to book Qantas flights from MEL to JFK via LAX and have a question regarding QF107 (LAX to JFK). I have read pieces of information on this forum suggesting that this flight will not take off until all of the passengers from QF107 (SYD to LAX), QF15 (BNE to LAX) and QF93 (MEL to LAX) have boarded (ie. the LAX to JFK flight will wait if any of the inbound LAX flights are delayed or there is a huge line at customs. Can anyone confirm that this is correct?

I want to book the QF93 (MEL to LAX) and QF107 (LAX to JFK) flights but am a little concerned that there is only 2 hours between QF93 landing and QF107 departing, and given that domestic checkin closes 30 mins before a flight, there is a real possibility I will miss the QF107 flight if the MEL to LAX flight is delayed/late or if it takes a long time to clear immigration at LAX. Has anyone had any experience with this flight combination that they could provide some advice on?

Conversely, on my return trip, would QF94 (LAX to MEL) wait if there are delays for passengers on QF108 (JFK to LAX) and is customs/immigration/transit clearance faster at LAX when coming from JFK (ie being a domestic flight) as opposed to clearance when coming in from MEL? I know it is usually the case with most airports and does not require going through customs/immigration, but just wanted to make sure as I have heard nightmare stories about transiting through LAX airport.

 

[cove]

I don't know the answer to your question as I always stop in Los Angeles but if you were late arriving I am sure you would be put on an alternative AA flight to New York.
I have seen folks rushing past me to join tight connections as 2.5 to 3 hours would be a sensible time split based on everything I see at LAX (three times a year thru immigration from Australia.)

 

[browski]

QF107 (and QF108 ) is not really a domestic flight. This flight is only used to fly passengers onwards to JFK from QF Int'l flights arriving at LAX.

This means that if you are residing in LAX, you cannot purchase a ticket and take this flight to New York.

It also means that this flight is essentially being filled with people arriving on the 4 Qantas flights from Oz:
QF25 from AKL
QF93 from MEL
QF15 from BNE
QF107 from SYD

The only other flight from Oz, QF11 from SYD, obviously does not connect with QF107.

So, in theory if your flight is delayed, (since it is holding approximately 25% of the connecting flight's passengers) then they might delay the flight for a short period of time.

If your flight is severely delayed, then I'm guessing Qantas will attempt to re-book you onto one of the many AA flights between LAX and JFK.

 

[cove]

Browski thank you for explaining this as I have wondered why I could not catch that plane when I am wanting to catch a show in NYC.
We try to go to the best shows every few months.

 

[Voyages]

I want to book the QF93 (MEL to LAX) and QF107 (LAX to JFK) flights but am a little concerned that there is only 2 hours between QF93 landing and QF107 departing, and given that domestic checkin closes 30 mins before a flight, there is a real possibility I will miss the QF107 flight if the MEL to LAX flight is delayed/late or if it takes a long time to clear immigration at LAX. Has anyone had any experience with this flight combination that they could provide some advice on?

These were the same flights that my OH and I took in August last year. QF107 indeed waited for us. QF93 landed a tad late, but we were met by a QF person who took us through security in a separate group (with other QF93 pax) without having to wait in the queue.

If you're concerned, maybe try and get the seats towards the front of the aircraft.

Conversely, on my return trip, would QF94 (LAX to MEL) wait if there are delays for passengers on QF108 (JFK to LAX) and is customs/immigration/transit clearance faster at LAX when coming from JFK (ie being a domestic flight) as opposed to clearance when coming in from MEL? I know it is usually the case with most airports and does not require going through customs/immigration, but just wanted to make sure as I have heard nightmare stories about transiting through LAX airport.

After deboarding from QF108 in Terminal 4, you'll get to gate 44 for the bus to Tom Bradley terminal. You won't go through security again.

Have a great trip to NYC! If you're taking the A380 (QF93/94), enjoy

 

[tenchuu666]

cove, thanks for confirming the situation with regards to transiting through LAX. I have read that it can get difficult at times but it is good to hear first hand from a frequent flyer to LAX.

browski, thanks the helpful info. I was also thinking along the same lines regarding your theory on short/long delays, so it was good to have this confirmed.

I was wondering however if anyone who have been in a similar situation would be able to confirm what would happen in practice, how long will the QF flights wait, etc. I am particularly concerned about the potential lengthy time taken to clear immigration at LAX if many flights arrive at the same time which would be something that Qantas would be less aware of as opposed to delayed LAX bound flights.

Voyages, I saw your post just after I posted mine, so editing to add a thank you. Good to get first hand confirmation from someone who has taken the same flight - I can make my booking with a bit more confidence now.

Thanks everyone for assisting.

 

[Voyages]

I was wondering however if anyone who have been in a similar situation would be able to confirm what would happen in practice, how long will the QF flights wait, etc. I am particularly concerned about the potential lengthy time taken to clear immigration at LAX if many flights arrive at the same time which would be something that Qantas would be less aware of as opposed to delayed LAX bound flights.

What is your status with QF?

I think if you manage to sit towards the front, and you walk quickly (in case of late landing of QF93), and/or even better if your luggage has priority tags, you'll be fine. I haven't been to LAX with the new WP tag, but for all of my previous flights through LAX, my bags (either priority-, business-, or first -tagged) came out in no time, as they're on a separate carousel.

 

[tenchuu666]

What is your status with QF?

I think if you manage to sit towards the front, and you walk quickly (in case of late landing of QF93), and/or event better if your luggage has priority tags, you'll be fine. I haven't been to LAX with the new WP tag, but for all of my previous flights through LAX, my bags (either priority-, business-, or first -tagged) came out in no time, as they're on a separate carousel.

Unfortunately I don't fly Qantas frequently enough to get beyond silver, but will follow your suggestion and try and get a seat up front. My partner and I have never been to NY, so will really enjoy this trip.

 

[browski]

My partner and I have never been to NY, so will really enjoy this trip.

Well you will enjoy the flight:- QF107 LAX-JFK is one of the newer A330s. It is probably the nicest aircraft to take on that route - most of the AA and Delta flights are old 767s or 757s, I think.
However you may not enjoy the trip unless your stay is beyond 1 week; you will most likely be jetlagged out of your mind. Maybe you are lucky that NYC is the city that never sleeps.

 

[newformula]

I was on QF107 a few weeks back; they held it back ~ 50 mins to wait for the late arrival from MEL. Not sure about returning...

 

[Voyages]

I was on QF107 a few weeks back; they held it back ~ 50 mins to wait for the late arrival from MEL. Not sure about returning...

I felt for the QF107 pax. They looked bored and tired of waiting.

 

[newformula]

I was in J after a 23 hour stopover in LAX - wasn't too painful : )

 

[Blackswan]

I felt for the QF107 pax. They looked bored and tired of waiting.

I flew QF107 last year. I had a week's stopover (went up to Seattle). The night before LAX-JFK, I had a good nights sleep at the Sheraton LAX.

You could definitely spot those who had broken up the trip. Those who hadn't looked a little worse for wear.

 

[Ben174]

Anyone know what kind of Business class is on the JFK - LAX leg in the A330-200 . Theres a few options it could be?

Flying on 14th July

 

[mannej]

Anyone know what kind of Business class is on the JFK - LAX leg in the A330-200 . Theres a few options it could be?

Flying on 14th July

Skybed Mk1

 

[jamesatfish]

I think if you manage to sit towards the front, and you walk quickly (in case of late landing of QF93), and/or even better if your luggage has priority tags, you'll be fine.

Sadly that's not always true. On my last trip through LAX I arrived on QF107 in First with only carry-on luggage, was one of the first 5 people from that flight into the customs / immigration hall, and didn't get ground-side for 90 minutes. The problem was that we'd arrived only just behind a Korean Air flight and the few immigration counters that were open were swamped with non-English speaking passengers with indeterminate Visa status.

I was connecting to an AA flight rather than 108, but even if QF were holding 108 it would still have been a mad panic to make it through TSA security and back onto the New York leg.

 

[ftm]

As you will have booked the LAX-JFK on the same ticket, then in all likelihood you will have no problems making the connection. As has been mentioned, the QF107 combines people from the BNE-LAX, SYD-LAX, MEL-LAX and AKL-LAX flights. It is common for it to be held for connectors.

If your flight runs very late, and they aren't going to hold the flight for you, revised flight details are sometimes sent to the aircraft so you know what their plan for you is prior to landing.

Also bear in mind that if the AKL-LAX flight is late, then the LAX-JFK flight will be late as that's where the aircraft is coming from.

Relax and enjoy

 

[AV8]

I have selected seats for the SYD-LAX sector. I believe that the same aircraft (744) will continue on to JFK. Will I have to select seats for the LAX-JFK sector or do they carry over?

 

[coles525]

Didn't wish to make a new thread, but I'm wondering what every ones good / bad / ugly seat selection would be for the following flights: QF15, 107 & 604? I will add pictures of the seat selection we can select right now, both upper and lower. Never been business like this before, so unsure exactly....



I highlighted two of the available seats in 1 photo green, to make it easy to see which we could choose. There will be 2 of us on the flights.

 

[mannej]

Row 5 on the jumbos if you were flying solo.

Row 2 on the 737's but for an hour or so it's a bit meh.