QFd - QFi transfer at Syd (75 minutes)

[aussiel]

Friends,

I have an international trip booked through Qantas which has a transfer time in Syd of 1:15. Domestic flight is scheduled for arrival just after 8am on Sunday morning.

This seems incredibly tight to transfer from Domestic to International? The flights are both on the same booking, so I'm assuming I at least don't have to pick up bags and check-in at Syd again.

Apart from having no time at all in the Syd F-Lounge, am I (and my baggage) likely to make such a tight turnaround? In the event of a missed connection, would QF book me on any other airlines to get me to my destination in time (or bump me to the flight the day after, causing chaos with my plans!)?

 

[Jaryd]

As long as your domestic flight is on-time it should be ok. Just go straight to the transfer bus and I would assume you will go straight to boarding your international flight.

 

[medhead]

Plenty of time. Get your express passes.

 

[coyote25]

There is a little risk but normally that would be fine. It all comes down to the domestic flight being in time or close to time.

What port are you leaving from? Sometimes the next flight to Sydney might even be enough if plane issues in Domestic leg.

Qantas will have to look after you if you miss due to them so they would only have booked if people make it close to 100% of the time.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I have done it with flights to CHC and WLG with QF.
Very short connections time for me too, flying straight from work to the airport, pick up Expresspath card and then straight to SYDi.
One time I had at the most half an hour in the SYDi QF J lounge, the other time, I didnt have the time to use the J lounge.
Your originating airport might or might not have Expresspath cards, ADL QF check in didnt but the QP had them. Fill in your OPC also, on the flight, grab two of those in case you make a mistake.
Can be done, but very tight, and you will be constantly watching and hoping the QF bus connection is going to move off, sometimes they wait at SYDd for a while to pick up other pax.
If you ask me would I do the link via SYD again, from ADL, and onwards to an int destination, I would say no, not on that same day. Probably would do a separate PNR ticket for the day before, or multicity. But thats me.
But in your case, OP, flying F, I see your conundrum.

 

[aussiel]

Thanks all, originating port is ADL, so I doubt they're well equipped with Expresspath cards (OPCs shouldn't be too much of an issue). My main concern is that if I miss the QF Int flight out, there aren't many options to get me where I need to be, the best being 90 minutes later, which would at least get me to my destination.

Unfortunately travelling Y on this occasion. I've put in an upgrade request from Y > J for the return flight. I did want to make use of being WP for once though!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Thanks all, originating port is ADL, so I doubt they're well equipped with Expresspath cards (OPCs shouldn't be too much of an issue).

My main concern is that if I miss the QF Int flight out, there aren't many options to get me where I need to be, the best being 90 minutes later, which would at least get me to my destination.

Where is your onward flight to? Is there another QF flight that day to that destination?

If you say missing the current flight would cause havoc with your travel plans, are you able to alter those plans in order to minimise any potential catastrophies should you mis-connect?

Is there an earlier ADL/SYD flight that day? If so, what time?

 

[serfty]

... I did want to make use of being WP for once though!

IMHO you won't be able to make use of one of the better aspects of WP in having access to the First lounge.

With that amount of time don't expect to be able to get time to access any lounge.

Early this month on a Saturday morning with a 100 minute connection I ended with about 15 minutes in the lounge - and that was only after being permitted to jump the queues at T3 Gate 15 as a WP.

With such priority, you would likely pass emigration only in time to head strait to the gate.

Given the timings, I suspect you have little choice...

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I am an ADL based pooch, so know that that 6am flight to SYD, there is no earlier one.
6am/6.05am gets to SYD at 8.25am or 8.30am.
Pity the OP couldn't have gotten to SYD the night before, even overnighting in SYD with having to pay $$$ for a hotel, but at the least having access to the SYD QF F lounge.
I am doing a Dec run, will be in MEL 24Dec, night flight, to get the first EK (QF flight number) to AKL, just to see the MEL QF F lounge looks and feel.
If there was an int flight from ADL to SYDi, then the jump across to QF flight to CHC/US, would be easy, but as we all know, there are no QF int flights into or out of ADL.
Sorry, but to sum up, the 8.25am arr into SYDd is the absolute first one available to the OP.
Edit: QP in ADLd will have Expresspath cards.
4.30am is the new opening time for ADL airport, seeing CX now departs quite early to HKG.

 

[medhead]

The first flight from ADL arrives at 8:20/8:25. I've done this and made the connection to the HKG flight at about 9:45am. I had time for a glass of bubbly in the first lounge on a delayed QF730. Probably could've had 2 glasses.

ADL most definitely does have express pass cards, either at check in or in the lounge. Otherwise, at the transit bus desk.

But one thing to note, the transit bus people had more urgent passengers for the bus than those of us going to HKG. (perhaps the flight to PVG?) They're used to the tight connections, you will probably miss the first lounge but I don't think you'll miss the flight.

 

[phily]

There's no way I'd book an itinerary with a 75 min connection at SYD. It only needs your ADL-SYD flight to be 15 mins late, and given that the transfer bus runs only every x mins, and perhaps a longer queue at immigration or security, and you're stuffed. Keep in mind that the gate for your international flight is likely to be close 10-15 mins prior to departure, and you're fast running out of transfer minutes. Of course, if your agenda can handle a delay till the next flight, then there's nothing to worry about. That's if the next flight has any empty seats. And I wouldn't count at all on QF putting you on a competitor's flight. There's just nothing worse than spending the whole time on the domestic flight wondering whether you'll be on time.

My ideal would be to do the domestic flight the evening before, catch up with friends or relatives in Sydney, and as a WP I'd then be able to enjoy one of the delightful benefits of your status by spending some good time in the Flounge.

 

[medhead]

There's no way I'd book an itinerary with a 75 min connection at SYD. It only needs your ADL-SYD flight to be 15 mins late, and given that the transfer bus runs only every x mins, and perhaps a longer queue at immigration or security, and you're stuffed. Keep in mind that the gate for your international flight is likely to be close 10-15 mins prior to departure, and you're fast running out of transfer minutes. Of course, if your agenda can handle a delay till the next flight, then there's nothing to worry about. That's if the next flight has any empty seats. And I wouldn't count at all on QF putting you on a competitor's flight. There's just nothing worse than spending the whole time on the domestic flight wondering whether you'll be on time.

My ideal would be to do the domestic flight the evening before, catch up with friends or relatives in Sydney, and as a WP I'd then be able to enjoy one of the delightful benefits of your status by spending some good time in the Flounge.

My flight was delayed 15 minutes on and 80 minute connection. I had time to get up to the first lounge and have a drink. Not at all likely to miss the flight. Queues at immigration is precisely why express passes are extremely important.

I've also made a connection in the other direction when I arrived at the transfer desk 55 minutes before the domestic flight. That was with VA and I had to make my own way from international to domestic.

 

[downgraded]

> They're used to the tight connections, you will probably miss the first lounge but I don't think you'll miss the flight.

Your luggage on the other hand...

 

[yohy?!]

Would taking a cab or the train possibly make a difference to F lounge time? Could be worth the investment if so. (I've never done the SYD shuffle fortunately)

 

[Flying Fox]

I see your problem and raise you.

Booked QF flights ADL-SYD-PEK online using the flight pairs that QF offered and the SYD connection time is 60mins.

After booking I called the call centre and they said that this connection time was OK. Yikes!

I got my ADL-SYD flight changed to something earlier to both minimise stress and spend some time in the Flounge.

I find 60min connection time is SYD very optimistic!

 

[phily]

I find 60min connection time is SYD very optimistic!

Keeping in mind that the Final Boarding Call is 30 mins prior to departure, and that the gate is usually closed at least 10 mins prior to departure, I'm not interested in short connection times. Call me conservative, but I like to enjoy my flights rather than be in a state of panic on the domestic leg wondering whether I'll make it with enough time.

 

[medhead]

Your luggage on the other hand...

Who flies with luggage?

But even then, they are used to these connections including for luggage.

Would taking a cab or the train possibly make a difference to F lounge time? Could be worth the investment if so. (I've never done the SYD shuffle fortunately)

Train would be the better option, depending on timing. I wouldn't risk a taxi.

Keeping in mind that the Final Boarding Call is 30 mins prior to departure, and that the gate is usually closed at least 10 mins prior to departure, I'm not interested in short connection times. Call me conservative, but I like to enjoy my flights rather than be in a state of panic on the domestic leg wondering whether I'll make it with enough time.

Panic is a state of mind, that I control. It really isn't a panic inducing connection at 75 minutes.

 

[Flying Fox]

Keeping in mind that the Final Boarding Call is 30 mins prior to departure, and that the gate is usually closed at least 10 mins prior to departure, I'm not interested in short connection times. Call me conservative, but I like to enjoy my flights rather than be in a state of panic on the domestic leg wondering whether I'll make it with enough time.

Agreed.

Running to a flight and flopping down into my seat all hot & sweaty is a nightmare! I'll do all I can to avoid it!

 

[Flying Fox]

Would taking a cab or the train possibly make a difference to F lounge time? Could be worth the investment if so. (I've never done the SYD shuffle fortunately)

I agree but why should the client have to pay for their own transport when I feel QF should be providing it?

 

[hanger.on]

I agree but why should the client have to pay for their own transport when I feel QF should be providing it?

Couldn't agree more. I've managed several connection from MEL-SYDi with a QF paired transfer time of 60 minutes, reduced by late arrivals of up to ten minutes from MEL. It should be noted that I'm PS, so am refused ExpressPath cards and take the general line through immigration (although if SYDi is the same as MELi, perhaps there is no advantage to being in the 'express' lane). Of course, with such lowly status, I have no reason for extra connection times in SYD considering I do not have lounge access!

Presuming there are no obvious differences between connections from Adelaide as those from Melbourne (I see no reason why not, yet am happy to be corrected), and not that I wish the OP to take unnecessary risks with your own flights and plans, but I imagine you'll make your flight just fine!