Recent Experiences with Qantas' terminal transfer at SYD

[Beano]

Strangely, there is still no mention of this on the QF website or anywhere else I can find.

Me too! I couldn't find it there, though the Sydney Airport website does suggest a change though it might be the regular transfer bus..

 

[fletty]

Connecting from Brisbane to QF1 next week with MrsFletty and FlettyJnr, I think we might just take the train, and gain some more Flounge time as a result.

 

[BNEFlyer]

From what I have read here, looks like the on-site check-in is gone. You have to check-in at DOM. But I could be wrong! Any help out there?

I really hope not! Not sure I can manage luggage + chair between terminals.

 

[CaptJCool]

How long did you have to wait?

(I'll also be doing a D-I on relatively tight connection next week).

The bus was already there
So 2 minutes
Then we took the longer road there crossing over the Alexandra canal and eventually up being dropped by Rydges

 

[Beano]

I really hope not! Not sure I can manage luggage + chair between terminals.

I might like to know that too. Is the transfer desk still operating at the INT terminal though it looks like you may have to go elsewhere for the bus.?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Want to get some "real world" advice on an INT-DOM transfer. Travelling with my mum CHC-SYD-BNE (EK>QF) in J. She'll be using a wheelchair from aircraft door to aircraft door and we have a 2h15m transfer time.

Seems like we'll have enough time (provided no delays etc.), but what is the actual transfer experience like via the bus? I have never transited INT-DOM at SYD before and had no idea there was a separate, almost off-site check-in zone for domestic flights until I saw a YouTube video recently.

Wow, ... that would be a hard thing to do.
---
Yes, there is a separate check in site, at the int terminal, if you have a look at the Sydney Airport T1 map, go out the zone a arr door, turn right, follow a very long walkway, to the int -> dom transfer zone.
Depending on when you are arriving, they might have opened the int road bus by then, or make you do bag drop at that zone, then have to use the outside road bus.
The bus will be very full, as they cram people on.
Good luck.
---
If you miss the last flight, EK CHC -> SYD arr quite late in the evenings, you might have to overnight in SYD, if you miss the flight.
===
If it works, 2.15 is tight, but doable, but if the arr process is lacking, ie, you are held up by the DAFF person wanting a bag opening, you might have to overnight.
With the wheelchair, you might get expedited part way.
But still have to do the first booth for Smartgate, unless you want to try the staffed ABF entry desk, and bypass the booths, (that first booth is the one that asks a few questions on the touchscreen)....

 

[Flyfrequently]

I really hope not! Not sure I can manage luggage + chair between terminals.

With the wheelchair @BNEFlyer you should be provided with assistance/streamlined through the formalities.
With my experience in Melbourne, we were met at the plane door, first off as we were in J, perhaps mention to cabin crew that you have a tight connection.
I hopped into the wheelchair and was whisked through immigration & customs - crew lane from memory.
The staff remained with us, Mr Flyfrequently collected our bags and then taken kerbside for our transport to airport hotel.
There is a YouTube clip that shows the normal way to exit SYD I to D transfer.
Let us know how you go.

 

[pauldab]

With the wheelchair @BNEFlyer you should be provided with assistance/streamlined through the formalities.
With my experience in Melbourne, we were met at the plane door, first off as we were in J, perhaps mention to cabin crew that you have a tight connection.
I hopped into the wheelchair and was whisked through immigration & customs - crew lane from memory.
The staff remained with us, Mr Flyfrequently collected our bags and then taken kerbside for our transport to airport hotel.
There is a YouTube clip that shows the normal way to exit SYD I to D transfer.
Let us know how you go.

Melbourne and Sydney INT > DOM transfer is very different, same building versus separate ones and I wouldn't be surprised if the SYD assistance staff don't handle the full transfer after you pass through Customs/Quarantine

 

[Flyfrequently]

Melbourne and Sydney INT > DOM transfer is very different, same building versus separate ones and I wouldn't be surprised if the SYD assistance staff don't handle the full transfer after you pass through Customs/Quarantine

Yes, I do understand this @pauldab
I was outlining my experience and hope that Sydney would be able to do this.
For wheelchair assistance in AMS and HKG with my fractured foot, I was taken through formalities from plane to kerbside and staff waited with me for our transport.

As you say, wouldn't be surprised, but hopefully for @BNEFlyer their transfer is smooth.

 

[BNEFlyer]

Melbourne and Sydney INT > DOM transfer is very different, same building versus separate ones and I wouldn't be surprised if the SYD assistance staff don't handle the full transfer after you pass through Customs/Quarantine

I’m expecting we will be handed off at the domestic check-in at INT once mum is on the bus and then picked up again at DOM. Can’t stress about delays etc but hopefully it’s a smooth process. Thanks everyone!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I'm not sure if that is entirely correct, but if it was the case, then it has been gifted to them, rather than they have taken it.

And, FWIW, I don't think I have ever seen many non-European faces in this process. YMMV.

Off T: (SNP (Sydney Night Patrol) , was the previous company doing the screening at SYD int airport, Singapores Certis bought this over, so now they have the contract all over Aus.
They have "Aviation Security" all over their jackets uniforms in Aus in winter.)On T.

 

[elanshin]

So right now there's two different skybus transfer buses running. The regular terminal transfer bus is downstairs (near where the public bus is) and does what the old transfer bus does (outside).

Qantas has also gotten skybus to do their transfers and this departs from upstairs at departure level T3 and arrives next to the I-D transfer area.

Overall time is much faster than the internal route due to no plane traffic and being at a higher speed limit. We hopped off the plane at 9:34 and got to Int'l SYD departure sign at 9:45. Granted we had a skybus as we walked out waiting though.

 

[justinbrett]

So right now there's two different skybus transfer buses running. The regular terminal transfer bus is downstairs (near where the public bus is) and does what the old transfer bus does (outside).

Qantas has also gotten skybus to do their transfers and this departs from upstairs at departure level T3 and arrives next to the I-D transfer area.

Overall time is much faster than the internal route due to no plane traffic and being at a higher speed limit. We hopped off the plane at 9:34 and got to Int'l SYD departure sign at 9:45. Granted we had a skybus as we walked out waiting though.

Are they tracking pax or is it just a free for all?

I’m not sure this is faster if you include the extra walking. I timed 14 minutes on my last airside bus.

 

[elanshin]

Are they tracking pax or is it just a free for all?

I’m not sure this is faster if you include the extra walking. I timed 14 minutes on my last airside bus.

Free for all. But from general observations at SYD (when I'm not taking the transfer) there's a lot more of the red skybus going around.

The QF bus departs near the front of the check-in departure area so yes a slightly longer walk if you're at the main QF area. Although if you came in on a low gate number (like 2 or 3) it's probably closer.

Internal can be held up by plane traffic too. Ive had one transfer take 35mins because we held short of the D terminal area waiting for 6 planes to pass.

 

[justinbrett]

Free for all. But from general observations at SYD (when I'm not taking the transfer) there's a lot more of the red skybus going around.

The QF bus departs near the front of the check-in departure area so yes a slightly longer walk if you're at the main QF area. Although if you came in on a low gate number (like 2 or 3) it's probably closer.

Internal can be held up by plane traffic too. Ive had one transfer take 35mins because we held short of the D terminal area waiting for 6 planes to pass.

That's true, but at least on the airside bus QF knew you were on it, and had scanned your BP. I'm not sure that was ever a 100% guarantee you'd make your connection but I'd feel a lot more comfortable with this than the procedure you have reported.

I'm also interested to how they will deal with US departures, if all connecting pax have to be questioned at the gate that will be a PITA.

Surely this is just a temporary procedure. QF still hasn't announced anything. I'm not sure it's coincidence this started after the massive storm that caused some damage.

 

[elanshin]

That's true, but at least on the airside bus QF knew you were on it, and had scanned your BP. I'm not sure that was ever a 100% guarantee you'd make your connection but I'd feel a lot more comfortable with this than the procedure you have reported.

I'm also interested to how they will deal with US departures, if all connecting pax have to be questioned at the gate that will be a PITA.

Surely this is just a temporary procedure. QF still hasn't announced anything. I'm not sure it's coincidence this started after the massive storm that caused some damage.

I agree, given how many skybuses are going up and how soon it happened, this felt like a QF was going to make this change and perhaps the storm just expedited the change.

 

[justinbrett]

I agree, given how many skybuses are going up and how soon it happened, this felt like a QF was going to make this change and perhaps the storm just expedited the change.

But I don't think this is the change they planned. I can't see them having a permanent procedure that doesn't include a place where pax are checked and tracked. and for the US, questioned.

Entirely likely Skybus was supposed to depart from Gate 15.

 

[whughes3]

Any updates on what is happening for I->D transfers? I am doing this tomorrow and would like to be prepared.

 

[Beano]

So that's why I'm not seeing anyone at T1 transfer bus stop on the ground floor when waiting for the car hire shuttle bus!