Transiting LAX on SYD-JFK itinerary

[crazydave98]

I understand that if I were to fly United SYD-JFK I would have to clear customs/immigration in LAX and transfer to a domestic flight which is a major hassle. However if I am flying QF107 which is a through flight (same flight number SYD-LAX as LAX-JFK) what happens in LAX? Do I clear customs/immigration in JFK or still do it in LAX but maybe stay airside? If I am on say a MEL-LAX flight connecting to QF107 LAX-JFK what is the deal?
cheers
CrazyDave98

 

[Mal]

Yeah, same deal with clearing customs. Anyone who lands in the U.S (regardless of whether they are in transit etc) must clear customs at their first port.

It's the same deal for example if going SYD-HNL-YVR.

 

[docjames]

Hi Dave,

All passengers must clear customs/immigration at LAX before tranferring to a LAX-JFK flight (no matter the carrier).

Even if you arrive on QF 107, you must clear, then go to T4 (next terminal around from TBIT) - it's about a two minute walk. The UA is slightly further around 9there is also a bus that will terminal hop).

Customs/immigration at LAX takes notoriously longer than 2 mins!

We did that - BNE-LAX (QF75) - clearing was actually quite quick - took us about 20 minutes (a record for me @ LAX!) and transferred to 107 @ T4. For the record, you collect your bags, pass customs, then there is a bag drop before you exit the terminal (for bags to be interlined to their (your) connecting flight. When it works, it's easy. When there's a problem, it's a mess!

 

[crazydave98]

Thanks guys. I wonder what lengths people will go to in the name of avoiding the LAX transfer? I understand that United in particular got hammered on SYD-JFK when Air Tahiti Nui offered SYD-PPT-JFK. I guess people hate backtracking too much for SYD-SIN-JFK or SYD-HKG-JFK and trip is just too long to go other direction SYD-DXB-JFK. If AirNZ got some B777-200LRs it could offer SYD/MEL-AKL-JFK with premium product all the way and easy airside transfer - that would be a kick in the goolies to QF.

 

[milehighclub]

Hi Dave,

All passengers must clear customs/immigration at LAX before tranferring to a LAX-JFK flight (no matter the carrier).

Even if you arrive on QF 107, you must clear, then go to T4 (next terminal around from TBIT) - it's about a two minute walk. The UA is slightly further around 9there is also a bus that will terminal hop).

QF 107/108 now arrive and depart from Tom Bradley for all flights. You simply collect your baggage, drop it off after customs and head upstairs for security.

 

[comint]

I wonder what lengths people will go to in the name of avoiding the LAX transfer?

Dunno, but you have to go through immigration/customs formalities somewhere, and there might be something to be said about or getting it done during a transit rather than at your end destination. (Plus, if you have to transit to get to your final destination anyways, that is a compelling reason to select a transit port where you can get formalities out of the way.) I don't know if the extra time flying via NZ would offset this, maybe flying via Fiji or the like would?

(The ultimate, of course, would be to pre-clear US immigration/customs before you even board the aircraft! e.g. like in Ireland, Canada...etc)

 

[NM]

Thanks guys. I wonder what lengths people will go to in the name of avoiding the LAX transfer? I understand that United in particular got hammered on SYD-JFK when Air Tahiti Nui offered SYD-PPT-JFK. I guess people hate backtracking too much for SYD-SIN-JFK or SYD-HKG-JFK and trip is just too long to go other direction SYD-DXB-JFK. If AirNZ got some B777-200LRs it could offer SYD/MEL-AKL-JFK with premium product all the way and easy airside transfer - that would be a kick in the goolies to QF.

Yes, I understand the desire to avoid LAX. However, I have found that at the time of day that the trans-Pacific flights arrive, LAX immigration is not as bad as it was around 5 or 6 years ago. If you have lounge access at LAX, then it can be a good break to the journey for a shower, breakfast, stretch etc and gets the immigration/customs part out of the way before you get to JFK. That way the arrival into JFK can be much quicker and easier.

I believe the UA routing via SFO is preferred by many people. SFO is a bigger hub for UA, so they tend to have better facilities. Its also a nicer airport layout of changing carrier etc. UA also has more flight options to the east coast from SFO (by virtue of it being a bigger hub for them). Can also use NZ for the trans-Pacific into SFO if you prefer.

But I would have expected you would be taking a nice shiny new 777-300ER SYD to LAX as the first preference . Then you have lots of choice for carrier to JFK. You can even arrange for a stopover and go visit Mickey and friends :mrgreen:.

 

[simongr]

Dunno, but you have to go through immigration/customs formalities somewhere, and there might be something to be said about or getting it done during a transit rather than at your end destination. (Plus, if you have to transit to get to your final destination anyways, that is a compelling reason to select a transit port where you can get formalities out of the way.) I don't know if the extra time flying via NZ would offset this, maybe flying via Fiji or the like would?

The issue is the bags more than the immigration - I can think of better ways to spend 30 minuntes than waiting to pick up a bag from one carousel to put it on another... especially if you have an APEC travel card and immi is a matter of minutes.