Questions about connecting from Domestic US to QF flight in LAX

[mviy]

Thinking about booking a QF return trip. Due to the unreliability of access to the CX Lounge in SFO I'm thinking of flying on a QF codeshare (Compass Airlines as American Eagle) to LAX then connecting to a QF flight.

1. How much time would I need between flights?
2. If I was just taking carry-on what would be the quickest way to get from the flight landing in LAX to the QF FLounge?
3. How long before my flight could I arrive at the FLounge?
4. Can I print my boarding pass off for the QF Flight or would I get it when checking in for the SFO-LAX flight on the same booking reference?
5. Does the LAX lounge have spa treatments?

 

[serfty]

1. MCT DOM to Int is 60 minutes or so - I'd allow 3 hours (especially with FLounge access)
2. EaAgles Nest bus to T4 then use airside connector to TBIT - stay un the upper level as you approach TBIT turn a corner and the Flounge is there.
3. How long do you have?
4. You may be able to, it sometime works and sometimes doesn't. Try using AA OLCI as well. AT the very least you'll be able to get the QF BP at the Flounge service desk at the entrance.
5. No.

 

[mviy]

MCT DOM to Int is 60 minutes or so - I'd allow 3 hours (especially with FLounge access)

EaAgles Nest bus to T4 then use airside connector to TBIT - stay un the upper level as you approach TBIT turn a corner and the Flounge is there.

Where does one go through immigration and security (if needed) when doing the connection in that process?

 

[serfty]

Where does one go through immigration and security (if needed) when doing the connection in that process?

You don't!

There are basically no physical emigration checks when departing the USA.

1. MCT DOM to Int is 60 minutes or so - I'd allow 3 hours (especially with FLounge access)
2. EaAgles Nest bus to T4 then use airside connector to TBIT - stay un the upper level as you approach TBIT turn a corner and the Flounge is there.
3. How long do you have?
4. You may be able to, it sometime works and sometimes doesn't. Try using AA OLCI as well. AT the very least you'll be able to get the QF BP at the Flounge service desk at the entrance.
5. No.

 

[mviy]

There are basically no physical emigration checks when departing the USA.

Wow! How do they know you've left? I guess they somehow get a record that you boarded your flight?

 

[coriander]

Wow! How do they know you've left? I guess they somehow get a record that you boarded your flight?

You have to show your passport when checking in with the airline - that info along with your boarding pass scanned as you board the plane records that you departed LOTFAP.

 

[serfty]

1. MCT DOM to Int is 60 minutes or so - I'd allow 3 hours (especially with FLounge access)

Actually, it's between 45 and 120 minutes depending on the flight numbers, most seem to be 90 minutes.

Results from https://www.ExpertFlyer.com

Minimum Connect Times:
Connecting at LAX
Incoming airline AA
Outgoing airline QF
Flight type Domestic to International


STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.
ONLINE   1.10  1.30  2.00  2.00
OFFLINE  1.10  1.30  2.00  2.00
** OR * ARE ALL
AA-QF DI   .45 FLT 2780 - 6099 - FLT  310 OPN    -14SEP17 
AA-QF DI   .45 FLT 2815 - 6099 - FLT  310 15SEP17-INF     
AA-QF DI  1.30 FLT 6780 - 7161 - ALL  OPN    -14SEP17 
AA-QF DI  1.30 FLT 7454 - 7637 - ALL  
AA-QF DI  1.30 FLT 6780 - 7119 - ALL  15SEP17-INF     
**-QF DI  2.00 ALL  - FLT 3838 ALL - NAN 
**-QF DI  2.00 CANADA - ALL   
AA-** DI SUP   FLT 6100 - 9099 - ALL

 

[mviy]

How long do you have?

I could have several hours. Could be ~3, ~6, ~9 or ~12 depending what I pick. Wondering still whether to forget about lounge access and try to access the CX Lounge in SFO and if that fails just wait for the flight. The Air France food offerings are terrible, so I'd probably want to have more than my share of supper if I took QF74 if I got an upgrade. Though I won't be a WP forever so won't have access to the FLounge indefinitely.

 

[RichardMEL]

Comment:

Having done this a few times I would do the following.

Pick at least 3h transit time. Not just for Flounge, but for unreliable AA ops and SFO conditions (it ain't called "The Airport of the Devil" for nothing). That fog rolls in, or other weather, and delays can pile up. Last year I had a very comfortable 3.5h connection turn bad very fast when AA became a mess at SFO. I did make it though, and AA met myself and another pax off the bus from the Eagles Nest which was very helpful (though I already knew of the connector, but the other guy didn't). It was tight.

I would add though that I think I made it to the Flounge as QF94 was about to start boarding (maybe 2115-2120 IIRC). Lounge was busy but to their huge credit the staff seated me, got me a glass of wine and I had food in about 7min (S&P squid and a thai noodle dish - beautiful). I was in and out of there in around 15minutes, walked comfortably(but a bit full ) to the far gate and boarded QF94 with plenty of time for the on board LGD . I would note that I did not show my BP or any indication of status or class of service when they did all this so I think it was just the great service staff at the lounge. IIRC I must have had an insure look on my face (if I should try for a quick meal/drink or not) and the server just asked "How long do you have?" and when I answered maybe 10-15min he said "No problem. We'll make it work" - and they did.

AA will issue your BP for the QF flight (and if you really want it on QF stock you can get the staff at the lounge to reprint) and check you through as long as it's all on the one PNR.

Again, beware SFO as it can play havoc with schedules.. better to be there early to relax and enjoy then be stressing about time. Also note the bus from the Eagles Nest is around 10min, and the walk through the connector, while all inside security, is also another 10 or so minutes.

 

[Kefci2000]

Can be a 30 plus minutes wait to get the bus from the AE "nest" as Serfty calls it.
We did San Diago to LAX with 3 hours transit and had about 2 hours in F lounge.

 

[mviy]

I'm thinking now it might be best to stay another night in SFO when there's a better upgrade chance and only the one CX flight and take my chances as to whether I'll get into the CX lounge.

 

[Cheesy]

I will be doing a similar layover on Sunday, flying MIA-AUS-DFW-LAX in AA-F, before an 8-hour layover at LAX before boarding QF12.

Different PNR’s though but still HLO - will I be able to get my QF boarding pass early from AA (or otherwise) so that I can maximise lounge access?

 

[serfty]

Avoid exit rows and use OLCI!

Note that OLCI is not always available, so on arrival stay airside at TBIT/T4/T5/T6 and head to the Qantas lounge - DO NOT GO LANDSIDE.

They can check you in at the QF lounges and issue BP's. This is due to you being HLO.

Other than that, if you can't be checked in and for some strange reason you do go landside without a QF12 BP, then you would need to console yourself with the knowlege that check in opens 6:30pm at TBIT.

 

[Cheesy]

Avoid exit rows and use OLCI!

Note that OLCI is not always available, so on arrival stay airside at TBIT/T /T5/T6 and head to the Qantas lounge - DO NOT GO LANDSIDE.

They can check you in at the QF lounges and issue BP's.

Other than that, if you can't be check in and for some strange reason you do go landside without a QF12 BP, then you would need to console yourself with the knowlege that check in opens 6:30pm at TBIT.

Thanks!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I will be doing a similar layover on Sunday, flying MIA-AUS-DFW-LAX in AA-F, before an 8-hour layover at LAX before boarding QF12.

Different PNR’s though but still HLO - will I be able to get my QF boarding pass early from AA (or otherwise) so that I can maximise lounge access?

You could ask AA for the QF boarding pass but they would have to add in your oncarriage flight for QF12 and they may not want to do that if the QF12 flight is a separate pnr. If they say no you could point out that you're not wanting to checkin a bag only get a boarding pass and see how you go.

 

[Cheesy]

You could ask AA for the QF boarding pass but they would have to add in your oncarriage flight for QF12 and they may not want to do that if the QF12 flight is a separate pnr. If they say no you could point out that you're not wanting to checkin a bag only get a boarding pass and see how you go.

That was my original plan - it never hurts to ask after all!

 

[justinbrett]

Two years ago I was flying LAS-LAX-SYD with a three hour stop in LAX.

Our LAS flight was delayed 2.5 hours - we landed in LAX 30 minutes prior to QF12. This was before the T4-TBIT connector, so we had to get on the QF transfer bus (we were met at the AA gate and rushed through the whole way). Made it to the QF gate at final call - boarding passes wouldn't scan. Went to the desk "oh everything's fine, we just had to update your baggage details". "but our bags made the connection?" "oh yes, absolutely".

Landing in Sydney "for those passengers connecting from Las Vegas, I'm afraid your bags are still in LA. Please see the staff at the gate for more info".

Liars I tell you! They knew we didn't have bags when we boarded - but I guess they felt it was better not to tell us.

In any case, I didn't mind, I had 15L of Caribbean rum I was prepared to pay duty on - delivered to my door with no questions asked. I asked if I had to make a customs declaration they said no.

Anyway, long story short - 30 minutes between flights you might make it, but your bags won't.