Transfer times at TBIT

[ozboy01]

Hi

I am travelling SYD-LAX-YVR on an upcoming trip.

Have just secured QFF F class seat on QF11 and am considering options re the sector from LAX to YVR.

Was interested in people's thoughts on an appropriate transfer time from deplaning from QF11 going through customs/immigration at TBIT and then having sufficient time to check in to the next sector considering it is an international flight.

QF11 is scheduled to touch down at 6:20AM. My options include:

A WS flight scheduled to take off at 8:35AM from T2. I am thinking this is too tight and tempting fate. There is another WS flight around 12:30 the same day as a backup if I decided to risk this tight turnaround.

An AC flight scheduled to take off from T6 @ 9:35AM AC are quoting a close of check in for this flight 60 mins prior.

An AA flight @ 11:20AM which I would think is a no brainer to meet but I am only planning to book a Y cabin ticket on a direct flight to YVR. Want to limit my time at LAX as I am not planning to have lounge access between flights.

The current stats from the US Customs & Border Force for TBIT over the last 6 weeks or so on the 6-7am period are reasonably encouraging at around 22 mins or so average wait for non US citizens (I am on an Oz passport) with a worst case scenario of about an hour. I was pleasantly surprised at these stats. I had heard that whilst not a consistent bed of roses TBIT had improved somewhat from its "dark days" in terms of wait times.

Also was curious if there was a fast track option for incoming premium cabin passengers at TBIT like the fast track outgoing at SYD for J & F passengers.

Would really appreciate any thoughts from those who go through TBIT somewhat regularly as to what they would be comfortable with in terms of a departure time to commit to for the LAX-YVR sector.

Many thanks

Geoff

 

[cove]

Our last 3 times to get to the pavement outside TBIT with our bags has been 45 minutes to almost 2 hours. We always stop in Los Angeles so I cannot tell you about flying on to YVR. Usually we are just waiting for our 2 bags.

 

[eric2011]

Everything below is my thoughts and will differ from any other replies you get:

Forget the first WS flight, the 2nd is ok but a bit too long on the ground assuming you have a ticket that can be same-day changed.

The AC is tight IMO and doesn't allow for any delays etc. Not my 1st pick

For me the AA flight would be my pick. A relaxed entry, plenty of time to go to the bathroom, coffee and stretch your legs etc

You use the term "touch down". If you mean the time the wheels hit the ground, I have "touched down" and then its been another 15-20 mins before getting to the actual gate, so there is another delay. I have also had a remote stand, this alone can add another 30mins.

 

[RooFlyer]

I would also pick the AA flight.

TBIT and LAX in general has improved immeasurably over the past 3 years. Arriving in J or F, I've never been longer than 1 hour to the curb, and mostly around 30-40 mins, sometimes less than 30 mins. The potential 'problem' these days is late arrival of inbound plane, which, besides the lateness of the plane, can cause crowding in immigration. For me, 3 hrs transit is optimal. Don't forget to factor in going back through security - you'll do this immediately you get landside, but allow an hour for it. Hopefully a lot less.

No fast-track for premium pax, but if the in-bound is delayed, and you then have a tight connection, you'll get an orange sticker which does give priority through immigration etc.

PS I think from reading your post that you have already looked at US airport wait times (immigration only)

 

[snabbu]

I'm doing the same SYD-LAX-YVR next week with the AA option.
Even though the last few times through LAX have been hassle free things can absolutely go balls up.
Are you traveling with checked luggage?
WS option I wouldn't even consider an option tbh.
AC is do-able imo but again depends on the day.
Safest option would be AA.

 

[ozboy01]

Thanks everyone...this feedback has been invaluable.

Have decided to do the AA departure at 11.20AM.

 

[DC3]

.... Have decided to do the AA departure at 11.20AM.

Very wise. I would never plan on less than 4 hours for that connection, regardless. According to EF, QF11 is 40 minutes late on average, over the past 2 months. If longer on the day, you may have already lost the first hour.

 

[serfty]

Thanks everyone...this feedback has been invaluable.

Have decided to do the AA departure at 11.20AM.

AA is also a better option becauseit DOES give you lounge access by way of the oneworld connecting Long Haul first class to international short haul rule. You can go to the Qantas First lounge for a shower and breakfast before heading to the AA F/L at T4 to await your YVR flight. Your flight would commence board around 10:30am. It does not have to be the same ticket.

More on that here: (Lounge access - over 600 lounges , multi destination flights)

oneworld lounge access for First Class or Business Class customers
Indulge yourself before departure in a wider range of airport lounges when you fly First Class or Business Class with any oneworld member airline.

• Customers flying First or Business Class have access to the equivalent class of lounge regardless of their frequent flyer status. First Class passengers may use a Business Class or frequent flyer lounge if a First Class lounge is not available.
• First Class passengers may invite one guest to join them in the lounge. The guest must also be travelling on a flight operated and marketed by a oneworld airline.
• Connecting between oneworld marketed and operated flights:
  • First and Business Class customers connecting on the same day of travel, or before 6am the following day, can access the lounge when travelling between an international long haul (a oneworld international long haul flight is defined as an international flight marketed and operated by any oneworld carrier with a scheduled flight time longer than 5 hours) and an international short haul or domestic flight (and vice-versa).
  • Lounge access will be determined on the international long haul ticketed flight (either First of Business Class) regardless of the ticketed class of travel on the international short haul or domestic flight.
  • You must be prepared to show your boarding pass or itinerary showing travel in First or Business class on the international long haul flight, in order to access the lounge before your international short haul or domestic flight.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Take the AA flight at 11:30am.

Back in June we flew Brisbane to Los Angeles to Seattle, flight landed into LA just after 6am our flight to Seattle didn't depart until 10am, even with that time we had less than an hour in the Alaska Boardroom. Flying in the US is not like Australia, Australian security takes less than 5 minutes, in the US it can take up to an hour, even getting access to a lounge can take a few minutes, then there is finding your gate, after they changed their minds 3 times, back to what my boarding pass said ex Australia, it all eats up time.

As you are flying in on Qantas First then you will have access to the TBIT first lounge before flying AA those 2 hours long time will be very relaxing.

Don't lose the Qantas boarding pass.