VA arrivals back to TBIT at LAX [since 1st June 13]

[KLS2010]

Just booked return ticket on VA LAX-SYD on July 21, return SYD-LAX on December 11.

I thought VA had changed a couple of years ago to have their arrivals into Terminal 5? I know when I flew the same trip just over a year ago I arrived back into T5.

This time round though it's back to TBIT.

When did this change?

Nothing I can do about it of course, was just curious as to the change.

Thanks

 

[Boris spatsky]

Recently, i think it was June.

 

[serfty]

Recently, i think it was June.

Indeed ... 'twas June 1st ...

 

[KLS2010]

Any reason why?

 

[serfty]

Any reason why?

I came across a mention that T5/T6/T7 arrivals are funneled into the one small area. Whether that is tru or not, the T5 Immigration is rather small and TBIT has a much vaster facility.

FWIW, I also came across a suggestion that from September, VA may be departing their flights from TBIT as well - that's a rumor only.

 

[erkpod]

One good thing about TBIT compared to T5 is that once you've cleared everything, you can go to some shops etc before you hit the street. You can't do that at T5. I'm looking forward to arriving at TBIT in January.

If VA do move departures from T3 to TBIT, you won't be be able to use the VX lounge in T3. Do SQ have a lounge in TBIT?

 

[Flywithd]

SQ use the *A lounge at TBIT, they are opening the new super lounge in the next upcoming months so IF VA did move to TBIT for departures then the *A lounge might be it.

My LAX MEL ticket for May states departures from T3, I don't think they will move as their purple sister VX are under the same roof. They did move arrivals into TBIT as the customs and Immi facilities are more convienient.

 

[KLS2010]

Thanks for your responses.

I do remember last year arriving into T5 and immigration seemed to take alot longer to clear there than I had ever remembered through TBIT on previous trips (and I'm a resident of the US, so I was in the 'shorter' line for immigration).

Still have to deal with the pitiful food options in T3 departures unfortunately but oh well, thems the brakes I guess

 

[Ausbt]

My upcoming SYD-LAX in Oct was originally T5 but I was later notified of a change into TBIT. Departing there on the return leg as well. Annoyingly they added 2 hours to the layover (onward to JFK).

 

[serfty]

... later notified of a change into TBIT. Departing there on the return leg as well. ...

Interesting - so the rumor may indeed be confirmed ...

 

[Jurahn]

Interesting - so the rumor may indeed be confirmed ...

My MEL-LAX flight for November shows arrival into TBIT (wasn't notified of the change, only knew about it because of recent threads on AFF, so checked it on Virtually There) but the return LAX-MEL in December still shows departure from T3.

 

[Ausbt]

but the return LAX-MEL in December still shows departure from T3.

Apologies all, I believe I might be arriving TBIT but departing LAX T3 after all. To be honest, I'm a bit confused. At one stage VA even sent new a new PNR that has me flying J as booked and my SWMBO flying Y! Given this is our honeymoon, I'd say I'd better sort it all out sooner rather than later.

 

[Milboo]

My December trip arrives in TBIT and departs T3.

I was on the 2nd flight ever by VA into the Delta Terminal (2 years ago) and it was slow and painful. You hopped off the plane and got funnelled through the corridors, up an escalator then down one without seeing a single ground staff. Then stuck in a big holding area for 45 mins without moving (except for US passport holders). Turns out there was a flight from Japan ahead of us that was creeping through.

As soon as they cleared we sped through.

Last year the immigration part was fast but huge backlog for customs. However there is easy transfer for the connecting flight on Delta to NYC as just dump luggage as you exit.

Will be interesting to see what TBIT is like.

 

[Foreigner]

My flight in August arrives into TBIT and connecting VA flight to IAD departs from T3. Transit about four hours.

 

[Flywithd]

TBIT customs and immi would be the same as every other airport, a tad slow but functional, do hope it improves and speeds up when the new terminal is fully functional.

 

[Foreigner]

Is there a thread on AFF about best business seats on 777-300ER?

 

[Flywithd]

Is there a thread on AFF about best business seats on 777-300ER?

Have a browse through the VA forum.

 

[lovestotravel]

FWIW, I also came across a suggestion that from September, VA may be departing their flights from TBIT as well - that's a rumor only.

That would be amazing if true, a move into a real lounge, which would be the new *Alliance lounge

Would make me more than happy to burn up a chunk of VA points :mrgreen:

 

[drewbles]

My upcoming SYD-LAX in Oct was originally T5 but I was later notified of a change into TBIT. Departing there on the return leg as well. Annoyingly they added 2 hours to the layover (onward to JFK).

Interesting - so the rumor may indeed be confirmed ...

I have a VA flight out of LAX in March next year and my itinerary from VA says Terminal 3 for the departure still.

 

[blackcat20]

I have a VA flight out of LAX in March next year and my itinerary from VA says Terminal 3 for the departure still.

As does mine for May.