QF11 What time to be at LAX for JFK flight?

[Mooch]

What time should we aim to be at LAX T1 for the 8:20 departure to JFK? Poor planning (oops) means we'll need to get to LAX from Anaheim in the morning so just trying to work out our schedule.

It'll be a Thursday morning flight.

 

[opusman]

I'd say allow 2 hours at least to be safe. Means a pretty early departure from Anaheim, maybe consider a night in a LAX airport hotel instead?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Minimum 2 hours before departure. Allow at least an hour from Anaheim.

Why not stay at an LAX hotel the night before?

 

[Mooch]

Argh I know! Hindsight is annoying. Hotel in Anaheim is non refundable unfortunately so too much money to let go of to save an hours travel time. Do you think leaving Anaheim at 5am will be enough time?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Argh I know! Hindsight is annoying. Hotel in Anaheim is non refundable unfortunately so too much money to let go of to save an hours travel time. Do you think leaving Anaheim at 5am will be enough time?

If it was me that would be the latest I would want to leave. And I'd probably prefer 4.45am.

Can you put back your flight from LAX and/or do you know if there is a later flight that they can bump you to (without financial penalty) if you don't make check in on time?

 

[opusman]

I'd suggest leaving 4:30 or so to be safe.

 

[Mooch]

I'm pretty sure Qantas only has the one flight daily. Hmmm okay either need to suck it up and forfeit the nights stay in Anaheim or leave super early in the morning. If we do that we'll probably aim for 4:30 as missing the flight is not an option. Will security be busy at the time of the morning?

 

[Moindardt]

We left Disney at 4.30 and another family left at 5. We just missed an accident and they got caught up in the delay (only small fender bender) and missed the flights. Yes, we sat there for quite a while (pre-status days) but far better than missing the plane. The traffic is pretty horrendous.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Will security be busy at the time of the morning?

Usually is.

 

[flychrisfly]

Just out of interest, is the minimum 2 hours before a Qantas requirement or simply a recommendation for domestic US travel?

 

[Mooch]

Okay you guys sufficiently frightened me into booking a room at the Travelodge. Used FF points so less of a financial hit. Cheers!

 

[Himeno]

2-3 hours is the recommend time to be at a US airport due to TSA. Most airlines have the normal 30-60 check in cut off.


I doubt there would be many people using check in at LAX for the QF11 transcon. Most people on the flight would be clearing CBP and connecting from the SYD/MEL/BNE flights.
There isn't many people going through TBIT TSA at that time in the morning. From what I understand, it's mostly people connecting from AU to the JFK QF flight, a CX flight and a few AA domestic flights.
Now, TSA in the numbered terminals at that time is a different story.

Do you fly to the US on a QF flight and are stopping over in LA for a few days before continuing to NY? If not, you may find yourself getting bumped to an AA flight.

I have friends who live in Anaheim. I can ask what time they would leave for such a flight.

 

[Mooch]

Do you fly to the US on a QF flight and are stopping over in LA for a few days before continuing to NY? If not, you may find yourself getting bumped to an AA flight.

I have friends who live in Anaheim. I can ask what time they would leave for such a flight.

Yup flying PER - MEL - LAX on QF and doing a 3 day stopover before flying onto JFK.

Thanks but decided to book a room at the Travelodge thanks to the sensible advice here, it will certainly be much less stressful!

 

[serfty]

My recommendation is that after checking in at TBIT, head downstairs to the arrivals hall, tuning left after entry and use the recently opened transit check-in at the south end of the hall - wait times are typically minimal.

 

[Himeno]

My recommendation is that after checking in at TBIT, head downstairs to the arrivals hall, tuning left after entry and use the recently opened transit check-in at the south end of the hall - wait times are typically minimal.

At that time of the morning, the main TBIT checkpoint isn't busy.
Historical wait times at TSA TBIT when the QF flights are connecting is 0-4 minutes (while in other parts of LAX is is up to 20 mins).

 

[docjames]

I'm late to the thread, but i'd definitely be doing the LAX hotel option rather than risking heading in from Anaheim.