Transfer Domestic to International Sydney [BNE-xSYD-JNB]

[NM]

Also note that if your connection is tight, it is reasonably common for the staff at the transfer bus to hand out Express Lane passes to use at security/immigration at the international terminal to help you you through to the departure gate on time.

Anyone using QF8 BNE-SYD for an international transfer (and I have done this several times), would be well advised to check the estimated arrival time on the internet before heading to the airport. If its going to divert or otherwise be delayed, it will be known several hours before arrival and that gives you the chance to call Qantas and ask to be moved onto a domestic flight to get you to SYD to make the connection. If they know QF8 is delayed and your connection is at risk, they are likely to be happy to move you to a different flight. If you wait until you get to the international terminal it may be too late to change flights.

 

[Cabbage]

I have a similar problem, flying from Melbourne to catch QF107 to New York with exactly 1 hour to transfer terminals.

Initially I booked this so I could have bit more of a sleep in before my flight, but now it doesn't seem like such a good idea! I'm on a red-e-deal and no longer have any status. Does anyone think Qantas will take pity on me and let me change connecting flights for free?

 

[coyote25]

I have a similar problem, flying from Melbourne to catch QF107 to New York with exactly 1 hour to transfer terminals.

Initially I booked this so I could have bit more of a sleep in before my flight, but now it doesn't seem like such a good idea! I'm on a red-e-deal and no longer have any status. Does anyone think Qantas will take pity on me and let me change connecting flights for free?

Unlikely to allow for free but you can try, make sure you mention connection time and how you thought it was more. You never know.


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[Canny man]

I'm doing this route on Sunday. I'm going for the qf8 option but will check arrival status before I leave the house. I agree with everyone else that you should change flights. Also do what you can to get an express card. Customs can be a breeze, but can also be very busy. Even with express it's rare to get through customs and security in less than 10 minutes.

 

[serfty]

I have a similar problem, flying from Melbourne to catch QF107 to New York with exactly 1 hour to transfer terminals.

Initially I booked this so I could have bit more of a sleep in before my flight, but now it doesn't seem like such a good idea! I'm on a red-e-deal and no longer have any status. Does anyone think Qantas will take pity on me and let me change connecting flights for free?

What doe you mean by "exactly 1 hour to transfer terminals."?

The standard MCT for QF Domestic to QF International at SYD is indeed 60 minutes - so it's "legal". I don''t think they'll let you change for free - the only thing I can suggest is getting to the airport at 2 hours before your scheduled flight and asking nicely for an earlier one.

(FWIW, I would not book such, in fact I have a MEL-xSYD-(QF107)-LAX booking for later this year with a connection time of only 145 minutes and I am wary of even that.)

 

[markis10]

I'm doing this route on Sunday. I'm going for the qf8 option but will check arrival status before I leave the house. I agree with everyone else that you should change flights. Also do what you can to get an express card. Customs can be a breeze, but can also be very busy. Even with express it's rare to get through customs and security in less than 10 minutes.

Hopefully tomorrow is not like today:

Terminal:T1 Gate:8 09:45 (Sat)ESTIMATED

 

[Robert Qld]

See if you sweet talk the domestic-to-international check in person in Brisbane to give you an express pass. I got one once when I was expressing my concern with a tight MEL-PER-SIN flight (though ultimately didn't use it as I discovered Perth was way to small to bother about it)

 

[markis10]

It should be pointed out that today's QF8 was on time into BNE.

 

[markis10]

Same story today, on time into Brisbane but delays emerge later, now due into SYD at 10.20 however the onward flight to JNB is now showing an ETA of 1100

 

[coyote25]

I have a worrying connection myself I.e. QF8 getting into Brisbane at 6.15 with a change to Domestic flight QF617 which leaves at 10.55.

4 hours 40 mins seems like a hell of a long time but given poor QF8 history plus need to pick up bag and clear customs I have a bit of a concern. I like long connection times to make sure I'm fine, usually this would be more than enough, my aim is minimum 2 hours but 4 to be comfortable (and allow a lounge stop for shower etc).


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[markis10]

Murphys law strikes again, QF8 caught in a runway change at Sydney 50 miles out, lucky to land and be at the terminal before 11.

 

[Aus ATC]

Coyote25 - I wouldn't be too worried - I'm sure QANTAS would just put you onto a later flight if you missed QF617, with flights (almost) every hour to MEL. I believe there is a transfer desk in the international terminal that you would use on arrival (not 100% sure being based in BNE myself)