VA to VX at Los Angeles.

[Saab34]

Hi Guys.

VA advertise a connection on a MEL-JFK fare, with a connection with VX. VA arrives in LA at 8.30am, VX departs at 10.40am.

However, I purchased these fares separately this time because I was only wanting a one way fare transcon. So the thing is, is it possible to try to check in to Virgin America at T5 even though they are seperate bookings?

The other thing is, has anyone flown in on VA now that they are at T5? I have yet to experience this, and hoping that I can reach the VX desk in T3 by 10am.

 

[smit0847]

I have done these exact flights although they were booked as connecting.

My VA flight landed at TBIT (this was last year) - there is a luggage transfer service at TBIT just after customs so you dont have to lug it around. You then proceed to VX check-in (its confusing to find at LAX) and re-check for your domestic flight. I imagine this is what you will have to do.

I easily made my flight time-wise.

Not that I dont think you can do online check-in for VX as an international passenger so will likely get a cough seat because you will be one of the last people to check in.

 

[MelUser]

This is where QF/AA has a slight advantage.

Ex Australia QF will check you and your bags through on an AA flight and give you boarding passes etc for a separate booking/PNR.

I doubt whether VA checkin in Melbourne or Sydney will get into VX's computer system and give you boarding passes and/or check your bags through if you VX USA booking is on a separate PNR/booking.

Of course I stand corrected but the Toll staff who do checkin in Australia for VA aren't that versed in airline systems. What you will probably have to do is collect your bags at T5 in LAX. Clear customs walk upstairs to the departure level and then over to T3 and then check in again. This is doable (but don't stop) if incoming flight on time.

 

[justcallmeryan]

Hi Guys.

The other thing is, has anyone flown in on VA now that they are at T5? I have yet to experience this, and hoping that I can reach the VX desk in T3 by 10am.

Yup flew in last week. MUCH better to arrive at the Delta terminal than TBIT. I cleared customs, got my bags and was waiting for a cab within 30 minutes which must be a record at LAX! Having said that, we were the first flight to arrive at the terminal in the morning (I flew in on VA6 from BNE which arrives early).

Good luck!

 

[Noob]

This is where QF/AA has a slight advantage.

Ex Australia QF will check you and your bags through on an AA flight and give you boarding passes etc for a separate booking/PNR.

I doubt whether VA checkin in Melbourne or Sydney will get into VX's computer system and give you boarding passes and/or check your bags through if you VX USA booking is on a separate PNR/booking.

Of course I stand corrected but the Toll staff who do checkin in Australia for VA aren't that versed in airline systems. What you will probably have to do is collect your bags at T5 in LAX. Clear customs walk upstairs to the departure level and then over to T3 and then check in again. This is doable (but don't stop) if incoming flight on time.

I think they can with Delta, i.e. if you book a flight on VA to New York (LAX-JFK codeshare with Delta Air Lines).

 

[MelUser]

But I suspect if you were booking a VA codeshare flight it would be on the 1 PNR

It is a bit like a QF codeshare flight on AA metal - you would only book this in conjunction with a QF PNR containing the main flight from OZ on QF.

 

[`X']

Have flown VA > VX seperate PNRs with a LAX transfer

No issues for bags to be checked all the way through. I checked in online 24 hours prior with VX (wanted MCS upgrade) and had no issues using the transfer service for bags and then walking round to the Check in at T3 for the boarding passes and to clear security.