TG int -> QF dom connection at SYD - enough time?

[wafliron]

I have the following booked next year - BKK-SYD on TG, arriving SYD at 20:00, followed by SYD-MEL on QF, departing SYD at 22:05 - a 2:05 connection time. Different PNRs and obviously different alliances, so no bag interlining. What does everyone think - will I make it?

Some relevant factors:
- the TG flight in question has a 100% / 4m reliability rating according to EF, so chances are it won't be late.
- I'm assuming I'll get through customs / bag collection / quarantine quite quickly given the arrival is on a Sunday evening (so I assume everything will be quite quiet), plus I'll be in F on the TG flight so will be first off the plane / have access to Express Path / etc.
- I'm flying J on the QF flight (and am WP), although I don't suppose that'll make much difference on a Sunday night.

I've also read that if arriving on an int flight and connecting to a QF dom flight I can check my bags with QF in the int terminal and use the QF inter-terminal bus - is that correct?

Thanks!

 

[anchew]

That's plenty of time. The main hold up will be waiting for the baggage to arrive (unless you've been flagged by Customs for the rubber glove treatment). And yes, if you have a DOM QF flight, you can check-in at the INT terminal and use the bus.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Ask QF to note the TG connection in the QF booking so they have the whole picture.

You can't budget for disasters. But your timings are good. If greatly delayed in BKK call QF at that point based on best information. Once you're in the air we know pretty much your arrival time.

Use smart gate however bags will be limiting factor and quarantine. I always declare something!

how flexible is your QF ticket?

 

[wafliron]

That's plenty of time. The main hold up will be waiting for the baggage to arrive (unless you've been flagged by Customs for the rubber glove treatment). And yes, if you have a DOM QF flight, you can check-in at the INT terminal and use the bus.

Thanks for the advice / info. Where do I go in the INT terminal to check-in for a DOM flight? Service Desk?

Ask QF to note the TG connection in the QF booking so they have the whole picture.

That's a good idea - thanks. Will do.

You can't budget for disasters. But your timings are good. If greatly delayed in BKK call QF at that point based on best information. Once you're in the air we know pretty much your arrival time.

Use smart gate however bags will be limiting factor and quarantine. I always declare something!

Thanks for the advice / info. Would definitely call from BKK if we were very delayed. I probably won't have anything to declare on this trip, which should help!

how flexible is your QF ticket?

It's a JASA, fully flexible I believe (subject to award seats being available of course). If I miss the connection I'm not too concerned about the flight itself - I'm pretty confident QF will look after me there - but rather that it's the last SYD-MEL flight of the night so missing it would entail a last minute overnight in SYD. Not the end of the world, but I'd rather avoid it!

 

[flyingfan]

Thanks for the advice / info. Where do I go in the INT terminal to check-in for a DOM flight? Service Desk?

As you are flying QF from SYD to MEL, you can use the Qantas domestic transfer facility at SYD international. After you clear customs and quarantine with your luggage, turn right and walk through the arrivals hall, following the signs for Qantas domestic transfer and passing Gloria Jeans and McDonald's on your left. The path will take you into open air briefly and then you'll be back indoors at the transfer section, where you re-check in for your domestic flight with Qantas. Your luggage will be checked in and you will be given a boarding pass. Clear security and then a shuttle bus will take you across the tarmac to the SYD domestic terminal for your flight.

 

[Simo]

Should be enough time.

Just hope that customs are not being picky and want to do rubber glove treatment.

 

[wafliron]

As you are flying QF from SYD to MEL, you can use the Qantas domestic transfer facility at SYD international. After you clear customs and quarantine with your luggage, turn right and walk through the arrivals hall, following the signs for Qantas domestic transfer and passing Gloria Jeans and McDonald's on your left. The path will take you into open air briefly and then you'll be back indoors at the transfer section, where you re-check in for your domestic flight with Qantas. Your luggage will be checked in and you will be given a boarding pass. Clear security and then a shuttle bus will take you across the tarmac to the SYD domestic terminal for your flight.

Thanks for the info eastflyer, sounds easy enough. I've departed SYD INT several times, but never arrived into SYD INT!

Should be enough time.

Just hope that customs are not being picky and want to do rubber glove treatment.

Thanks. To this day I've never had the customs rubber glove treatment... hopefully this arrival won't be the first!

 

[Simo]

If you have status there is a Priority check in line.

My concern would be QF can not make curfew departure.

But then QF will sort out accom for yourself.

 

[wafliron]

If you have status there is a Priority check in line.

I do (WP), so that will be helpful. Thanks.

My concern would be QF can not make curfew departure.

But then QF will sort out accom for yourself.

22:05 scheduled departure leaves a fair bit of headroom before curfew (which is 11pm, I'm pretty sure?), so hopefully not an issue. As you say, QF's problem if they miss it though

 

[serfty]

That's plenty of time. The main hold up will be waiting for the baggage to arrive (unless you've been flagged by Customs for the rubber glove treatment). And yes, if you have a DOM QF flight, you can check-in at the INT terminal and use the bus.

At that time of the night Immigration/customs is pretty quiet.

Note the bus departs every 20 minutes in the evenings, for comfort you need to be on the 9:20 bus at the latest (the 9:40pm would be too stressful).

Also, being the last flight before the SYD curfew, QF497 tends to commence boarding ~9:30pm - they want to get out ...

 

[wafliron]

At that time of the night Immigration/customs is pretty quiet.

Note the bus departs every 20 minutes in the evenings, for comfort you need to be on the 9:20 bus at the latest (the 9:40pm would be too stressful).

Also, being the last flight before the SYD curfew, QF497 tends to commence boarding ~9:30pm - they want to get out ...

Thanks for that extra info serfty - hopefully I make that 9:20pm bus! Still, if I only made the 9:40pm and the crew knew I was on that bus (i.e. checkin staff let them know), I would like to think they'd wait for me? Given I don't think it would delay the plane - it'd just be literally wait for me board and then close the doors and go?

 

[flyingfan]

I've heard them radio ahead - once you're checked in and they know you're on your way, they'll try to make sure you make it onto your flight.

 

[wafliron]

I've heard them radio ahead - once you're checked in and they know you're on your way, they'll try to make sure you make it onto your flight.

Hopefully it's a non-issue, but glad to hear that Thanks for the help / answers everyone.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I've heard them radio ahead - once you're checked in and they know you're on your way, they'll try to make sure you make it onto your flight.

Correct. You only need to make checkin really

 

[hummel]

FWIW I had the same issue in July, and decided to spend the extra and get a hotel for the night.

That way we didn't need to stress about if we would make the flight.

Glad we did as flight arrived into SYD about 20 minutes late and it would have been a mad rush to get across after collecting bags etc.

Much easier to get a good nights sleep, rise in the morning, breakfast in the lounge and be back at work/home in MEL around midday.