SYD Terminal Transfer for QFF Award Booking

[i_drive]

Hello all,

Not too long ago I booked a QF Award flight from ADL to LAX via SYD. As part of the choices offered by Qantas, I went for a 9:30 departure from ADL arriving at SYD at 11:50, with the SYD-LAX departing at 13:05.

Now, I've noticed that the ADL-SYD arrives at T3 and SYD-LAX departs in T1, which are some distance away from each other. According to this booking I would only have 15 minutes to get from T3 to T1 before check-in closes on the SYD-LAX flight at 12:05 (60 mins before departure). I understand that I would be entitled to the Seamless Transfer facility, but with flight delays/late bus etc. is this booking cutting it way too fine?

I'm assuming I would have to re-check at T1, or is it the case that I can check in for SYD-LAX in ADL and my luggage will be transferred automatically to the international flight? First-time international traveler, so pardon the ignorance.

Is there anyone out there who has had a similar booking who can share their experience? Should I be changing the booking for an earlier ADL departure time, or am I panicking unnecessarily?

Thanks for your advice in advance.

 

[MelUser]

It all happens automatically - you are checkedin in in adelaide for your whole trip so no re check in Sydney.

When you arrive in Sydney you head straight for the international transfer desk opposite Gate 1 - ie you don't leave the secure part of the terminal. There you will be put on a bus and whisked to the international terminal.

Relax - you will be fine - I have done the transfer in 1 hour which is the Minimum and it was fine.

 

[kjcrombie]

You should be able to check-in in ADL for your through connection in SYD (QF provides in Terminal bus connection near Gate 1-3). I have done so in the past.

 

[serfty]

You would get both BP's in Adelaide, however, that is cutting it fine in my consideration, even if it meets "minimum connection time" criteria. The flight to the US would ordinarily begin boarding 30-40 minutes before scheduled departure giving as little as 35 minutes to make the connection; and that if your inbound isn't late.

At that time of day, the bus runs every 20 minutes, so that gives as little as 15 minutes to get within T3 to the bus lounge (up to 5 mins); travel between terminals (10 Mins), go through immigration (15 minute) and get to the Gate (5 minutes).

Note the bus should depart at 12, miss it and you may not be at T1 until ~12:30.

 

[i_drive]

After a call to confirm things with Qantas I reckon I'll stick with my original plan, and fingers-crossed that the ADL-SYD leg is not delayed excessively. If so, might mean my holiday will have to start a bit later than expected!

Thanks again for the feedback.

 

[FlyboyAl]

We came from ADL to LAX, via SYD yesterday (or is it today! Not sure where I am!) and the whole went like a dream in Sydney. Walk to the transfer desk near lounge 2 and go downstairs, onto the bus and its all hunkey dorey.

Don't forget to take a printed copy of your itinerary with you when you check in at Adelaide- just in case!

 

[FlyboyAl]

By the way, our flight times were identical to yours - we even had time to sip some BeezNeez in the QC

Enjoy the 380 if you are on it

 

[i_drive]

By the way, our flight times were identical to yours - we even had time to sip some BeezNeez in the QC

Enjoy the 380 if you are on it

Thanks for the info FlyboyAl. I'm booked on QF11 which is an A380 - looking forward to it!

 

[sng1971]

If you get to ADL early, ask if there is an earlier flight you can be put on. That way you can spend more time at the International QP rather than the domestic in ADL (which doesn't serve alcohol til 1pm!)