Recommendations BNE to DFW via SYD or LAX?

[peakhour]

QFF Faithful

I'm heading to Dallas from Brisbane this weekend on Qantas.

I've 2 options - to go via LAX on the 787 or via SYD on the 380, both in Y.

Departure time is similar 9:05AM vs 10:10AM and arrival is also similar around 1PM.

Catch is both have tight transit's, <2hrs in SYD and 2hrs neat in LAX.

I've been to LAX a dozen times with VA, only once with QF but always had 3hrs plus connections.

I've also done the SYD transit many times, a few of which were very tight due to delayed arrival from BNE.

Since it's Sunday morning I'd rather not leave on an earlier connecting flight to SYD which is an option.

n.b. I'm only silver with QFF so no lounge access unfortunately.

Questions:

- Is 2hrs connecting to AA in LAX T4 (same ticket) an OK prospect with the TBIT-T4 connector? With the use of the immigration kiosks I used to make it through easily walking the outside to T5. The time to reach T4 should be less, right?

- Any +/- for either flight in your experience, 787 vs 380, service etc?

- Any other tips?

Cheers
peak hour

 

[Daver6]

On the one hand, I think going via LAX could be safer as if you do miss your connection, there should be plenty more flights to get you to DFW. However, I'd prefer the A380 in Y over the 787 for two reasons. Wider seats and the Y load to DFW always seems (to me at least) to never be that full. Ie, more chance of a spare seat next to you.

 

[justinbrett]

SYD, no contest. LAX immigration can be a nightmare - it took me over 90 minutes a couple of weeks ago (I had a remote AmEagle connection and nearly missed it - 2.5 hours between flights). Once you finished on the kiosk the line to get your passport stamp was where the delay was (well over an hour). Even the line through customs was about (another) 15 minutes.

SYD T3 to T1 connection can be done in 30 minutes. Good luck with that in LAX. Also, with the exception of fog (unlikely this time of year), morning flights are usually very reliable.

However, if I were you I'd take the 0805 flight from BNE and relax. Plenty to do in SYD T1 without lounge access. Because you are travelling East (it's easier on your body when travelling West) it's actually not a bad thing to wake up earlier to get you into the US timezone.

Finally - B787 is brutal in Y. Far better experience on an A380.

 

[Mattg]

If it's in Economy, no question - go for the A380!

 

[peakhour]

Thanks both Daver6 & justinbrett, for your feedback on the trip, and the opinions about the 787 vs 380.

This is what I love about this site!

Via SYD it is.

Cheers
peakhour

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

If at all possible, even if you can, try to get to SYD the night before, and stay the night at the Rydges if you can afford it, or the Ibis Budget at SYD domestic.
That is what I would do I to make an 11am or earlier flight out of SYD int.
If my flight out of SYD int was say, noon, or afternoon, then a 8am flight from ADL in my case or BNE in the OP case would be ok.
Yes, it does add extra cost of a nights accommodation, but it does save counting down the seconds to get from T3 to T1, ideally/theorically, it can be done in half an hour to 45 mins, but if you have an international flight, its like playing with fire.
And yes, I have done T3 to T1 in an hour, and rushed through immigration to get to my NZ bound flight, departed ADL at 14.55pm, get to T3, about 16.55, and the flight to NZ departed 17.45 if I remember correctly.
All on one PNR.

 

[Dr Ralph]

SYD, no contest. LAX immigration can be a nightmare -

I concur.

 

[opusman]

16+ hours is a long time in Y. When I went through LAX the other day (from QF11) I was out in < 10 minutes.

 

[peakhour]

16+ hours is a long time in Y.

My original thought - how do I avoid it? Thus the LAX connection idea.

However, I decided I don't need the stress for 13 hours on the flight to LAX waiting to see if we arrive on time or not.

Recent arrival times for QF15 are all over the shop and 3 out of 7 were more than 15 minutes late.

At least if I'm late in Sydney I'll know soon enough!

 

[kermatu]

Agree try and get an earlier flight from BNE if possible. But I've also seen the flight to DFW held for 30 minutes on one occasion to allow passengers from a late-arriving connection (PER that time) to get onboard. I reckon it is the way to go.