Question on transiting in MEL when flying SYD-MEL-LAX on VA

[cssaus]

I'm a Platinum VFF with a business class flight coming up in a couple of months time flying SYD-MEL and then transiting to VA23 to LAX.

Normally I'd fly direct SYD-LAX but managed to secure a pretty good priced business saver fare that involved going via MEL.

As I've never done this route before I'm just wondering about the transit process in MEL to International. I'm booked on an 8am flight to MEL which gets in at 9.35am and the MEL-LAX flight leaves at 11.00am.

Although it's a valid connection I was beginning to wonder what would happen if there's an operational issue on the 8am flight causing a delay and should I see if I ought to change to one of the earlier flights to MEL (if permitted) just to be on the safe side.

If I were to arrive early for my SYD-MEL flight would VA permit me to take an earlier flight if seats were available?

 

[serfty]

...

If I were to arrive early for my SYD-MEL flight would VA permit me to take an earlier flight if seats were available?

As a VA WP, fly ahead should be little more than a formality if you request it. Also, you should be able to obtain express emigration cards, if nowhere else, then at the VA international service counter.

Aside from that it is a short walk to international departures.

 

[KCMil]

cssaus, I have a similar situation in Jul but with a VS flight from SYD, so flying MEL-SYD-LHR. I rang VFF platinum line and they said fly ahead would not be a problem as long as seating is available. I also found my connection time to be quite short, especially given the change of terminals in SYD is more complex than MEL. They said I could even elect to take a Y seat if J was full on the earlier flight if the timing was more important to me, which it will be.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Melbourne transfer is easy. Walk next door from Domestic, through customs and you are there. Normally pretty quick. It is the best port to do a transfer to int'l in my opinion.