Safe Transit Time Allowance at LAX - Inbound from Mexico & Outbound to Brisbane

[Baysider]

We plan to pass through LAX on the evening of January 13, 2013 (Sunday). The flight in from Mexico will almost certainly be one that is scheduled to land at 6.19pm. The choices for onward flights to Brisbane are from 9.30pm, 10.15pm (favoured), and later. What's the minimum safe transit time to allow to clear customs in both directions?

 

[Simo]

Generally I would say 2 to 3 hours, Are you changing carriers or staying with the same airline.

If you are staying with the same carrier you probably don't need too long as you don't have to do the customs thing.

Forgot to mention LAX has a bad reputation for taking longer than every where else so I would have at least 3 hours.

 

[cove]

Do not go less than 3 hours as LAX is understaffed. 10.15 should work even if there are delays anywhere in the run from Mexico and the check in for Australia.

 

[Baysider]

Generally I would say 2 to 3 hours, Are you changing carriers or staying with the same airline.

Changing airlines (Alaska Airlines to either Cathay Pacific or Qantas).

 

[Simo]

Changing airlines (Alaska Airlines to either Cathay Pacific or Qantas).

Allow 3 hours if you do the 10.15 you have 4 hours.

Could you fly with AA or another OWE airline and then your baggage should interline with QF or Cathay and then you won't have to worry about the customs thing in LAX

 

[Baysider]

Could you fly with AA or another OWE airline and then your baggage should interline with QF or Cathay and then you won't have to worry about the customs thing in LAX

AA is an option from Puerto Vallarta to LAX, but a 2 stop odyssey compared to a direct with Alaska Airlines. However, Alaska Airlines are a Qantas Partner - would that make a difference? Also Cathay Pacific does codeshares with Alaska Airlines.

 

[Simo]

AA is an option from Puerto Vallarta to LAX, but a 2 stop odyssey compared to a direct with Alaska Airlines. However, Alaska Airlines are a Qantas Partner - would that make a difference? Also Cathay Pacific does codeshares with Alaska Airlines.

In this Forum our Ethos is why fly direct when you can connect.

I see AA as the only option.

 

[ckck]

Changing airlines (Alaska Airlines to either Cathay Pacific or Qantas).

Back in May 2011 I was on AS (SEA-LAX) but it was a Qantas codeshare flight number and my luggage went all the way through to SYD (onward on QF12). The walk from the terminal was not too bad (but they use a different terminal now, I think number 6 which is further away). Having said all that have a look at this --> Los Angeles, California Airport - Alaska Airlines if you look at the LAX terminal map some AS flights from Mexico come into TBIT at LAX. If you are flying QF you may find this convenient if it happens to be one of the flights that you are on.

Your homework:
1. Check what terminal your AS flight comes in on.
2. Check what terminal your QF flight leaves from. (or Cathay)
3. Think about how much luggage you may be lugging around with you.
4. Think about young travellers or people who may need extra help if you are travelling as a group.


hths.

 

[ftm]

Will the two flights be on the same ticket? The 'legal' min connect for International to International in LAX is 2 hours, which assumes one ticket. The sensible minimum connect is not always the minimum. And the minimum is never sensible if on separate tickets!

FTM

Sent from my GT-P7510 using AustFreqFly

 

[Baysider]

Will the two flights be on the same ticket?

Separate tickets !

 

[cove]

Be aware that AA is having industrial problems with their pilots so there are flight delays and cancellations this month. No one can say if these problems will continue for months but I have avoided AA for October and November just to be safe.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

We plan to pass through LAX on the evening of January 13, 2013 (Sunday). The flight in from Mexico will almost certainly be one that is scheduled to land at 6.19pm. The choices for onward flights to Brisbane are from 9.30pm, 10.15pm (favoured), and later. What's the minimum safe transit time to allow to clear customs in both directions?

Does anyone require special assistance when travelling eg WCHR as this may take extra time when transferring?

With bags being checked through it would be up to Alaskan if they were happy to check the bags to QF or CX being separate tickets.

 

[Baysider]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. Have opted for the Cathay Pacific flight out of LAX at 10.15pm.