Stopover / Hopover with Virgin + Etihad

[eckorock]

Hey guys I have a plan and want to get your opinion(s)


Leg 1. SYD-AUH , VA flight, Dep Saturday 3:15pm , ... Arr. in AUH Saturday 11:50pm

hopping over to...

Leg 2. AUH-IST, EY flight, (operated by Turkish Airlines) , Dep. from AUH Sunday 2:40am

So the question is , with that 3-hour layover, is that enough time to make the hop-over?
The flights will be booked on separate PNR, and the other thing I'm aware of is that the flights operate from different terminals.
(1st Flight lands in the Etihad terminal, the Turkish Flight departs from the non-Etihad International Terminal)

Is it foolproof? I'm assuming because it's separate PNR and operating from seperate terminals on different airlines... I will need to exit customs, collect baggage, go to the next terminal and go through customs again, check in baggage, blah.

Will I get expedited or priority-check-in with Turkish?
Is it too risky to have such a shortish layover/hopover or am I being neurotic?

Thank you all kindly for your replies/advices

 

[jneufeld]

You really leave yourself exposed if there is a significant delay on the VA flight. If you book it as an EY codeshare you may depending on the competency of the VA agent at check-in be able to check bags through to IST but I would not say that's a given. If bags were through checked that would negate the need to go landside, and you could just go the transit counter. The other option is to travel HLO. Unless you are flying J I wouldn't expect any priority from TK.

 

[eckorock]

You really leave yourself exposed if there is a significant delay on the VA flight. If you book it as an EY codeshare you may depending on the competency of the VA agent at check-in be able to check bags through to IST but I would not say that's a given. If bags were through checked that would negate the need to go landside, and you could just go the transit counter. The other option is to travel HLO. Unless you are flying J I wouldn't expect any priority from TK.

What's HLO?
edit: just figured it out... hand luggage only...

Nah, that is not an option

 

[jneufeld]

You should be able to book both flights on the same PNR as an EY ticket, it may not be the same price though. The VA flight would be an EY codeshare.

 

[eckorock]

Hey mate, the first leg of the flight is already booked , I haven't booked the 2nd one yet, but I can't see them going on the same PNR all things considered

 

[eckorock]

You really leave yourself exposed if there is a significant delay on the VA flight. If you book it as an EY codeshare you may depending on the competency of the VA agent at check-in be able to check bags through to IST but I would not say that's a given. If bags were through checked that would negate the need to go landside, and you could just go the transit counter. The other option is to travel HLO. Unless you are flying J I wouldn't expect any priority from TK.

What's the best way to negotiate the transit counter? I read some bad stories about the T3-T1 transit ... :\

 

[jneufeld]

I've only gone the other way T1-T3 but its just a 10 min walk and you have to be rescreened International Connections | Transit Information | Airport Information | Abu Dhabi International Airport

 

[eckorock]

You really leave yourself exposed if there is a significant delay on the VA flight. If you book it as an EY codeshare you may depending on the competency of the VA agent at check-in be able to check bags through to IST but I would not say that's a given. If bags were through checked that would negate the need to go landside, and you could just go the transit counter. The other option is to travel HLO. Unless you are flying J I wouldn't expect any priority from TK.

If there was a delay and I missed the connecting flight, does travel insurance cover

- cost of having to buy the replacement flight
- cost of missing the hotel booking / having to make a new hotel booking

 

[jneufeld]

I wouldn't think so, as it would not be defined as a delay. If you miss a second seperate flight it is as if you have missed just another flight as they are not connected in your itinerary. If on a connected itinerary the airline is responsible from getting you from A to C (via B) and if you miss a connection they are required to sort out any arrangements to get you there as soon as possible. Missing your second flight would be like trying to claim for bad traffic on the way to the airport, the delay to your first flight has no bearing on the second flight as there is no formal connection.

This is from the Covermore PDS regarding travel delay cover. However as I said I do not think your case would be defined as a delay.

If Your pre-booked transport is temporarily delayed for at least 6hours due to an unforeseeable circumstance outside Your control,We will reimburse You up to $200 on a Plan​

I or $150 on a Plan D forreasonable Additional hotel accommodation expenses. We will alsoreimburse up to these limits again for each full 24 hour period that thedelay continues beyond the initial 6 hour delay.You must claim from the Transport Provider first, and provide Us withwritten confirmation from the Transport Provider of the cause andperiod of the delay and the amount of compensation offered by them.You must also provide Us with receipts for the hotel accommodation ​

expenses incurred.
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