Domestic to International transfer in Melbourne

[Vee711]

I'm taking the 0600-0825 BNE-MEL flight (I think this is the first flight for the day for this leg) before taking a MEL-HKG flight (J seat) departing at 1020. Both with QF.

The two tickets were bought separately but a prior experience with QF has allowed my baggage to be connected so I don't have to pick it up when I land in MEL. Hopefully the same will happen this time.

I also recall the transfer to be pretty quick? Like 5mins to get to security for international departure?

It didn't occur to me that the layover in MEL might be a bit tight especially if there are delays but I'm hoping that because it's the first BNE-MEL flight out, the only real risk of delay would be due to weather and not operational. My concern is that because the tickets weren't bought together if I miss my HKG flight because of a delay, I won't have much recourse from QF except via insurance.

Just wondering if I can get some thoughts from more seasoned flyers if I should just purchase a BNE-MEL flight the night before or whether the 2hr period between the flights should be okay absent any significant weather event in BNE that may delay the first flight.

 

[Human]

I think you'll be fine, especially if Qantas checks your luggage through all the way to Hong Kong. Yes, it's no more than a 5-minute walk between Qantas domestic arrivals and International departures.

Obviously flying to Melbourne the night before would make things even safer -- it depends on how willing you are to risk a last-minute adverse weather or technical event.

 

[serfty]

Just wondering if I can get some thoughts from more seasoned flyers if I should just purchase a BNE-MEL flight the night before or whether the 2hr period between the flights should be okay absent any significant weather event in BNE that may delay the first flight.

Most times you will make it.

How much are you prepared to risk the cost of not making it?

Qantas in BNE should check luggage through to HKG since your bookings meet MCT.

As you say it is a short walk, after arrival go up to the departures level and exit to the left of security.

 

[Vee711]

I think you'll be fine, especially if Qantas checks your luggage through all the way to Hong Kong.

Most times you will make it.

That's relieving to hear. I might just risk it but I'll keep a close eye on the weather on the days leading up

Qantas in BNE should check luggage through to HKG since your bookings meet MCT.

What does MCT stand for?

 

[flyingfan]

That's relieving to hear. I might just risk it but I'll keep a close eye on the weather on the days leading up


What does MCT stand for?

Minimum connection time.

 

[serfty]

What does MCT stand for?

Minimum connection time.

Yes.

Basically the minimum time a carrier will allow for a transit between flights in the one booking.

It can vary based on several parameters such as Airport(s), departure and arrival carrier(s), dometic/International connection, terminals, etc.

For yours, being Qantas Domestic T1 to Qantas International T2 it is 90 minutes.

Note that at BNE they would be unlikely to check your bags on separate bookings if the connection was less than the MCT.

 

[LostRedditor]

For Virgin domestic arrivals in Terminal 3, is it pretty quick to walk to T2 international departures?
This seems like a bit tight but doable as long as Virgin through checks the luggage, right?


I might just book the domestic leg separately to get an earlier one

 

[dajop]

For Virgin domestic arrivals in Terminal 3, is it pretty quick to walk to T2 international departures?
This seems like a bit tight but doable as long as Virgin through checks the luggage, right?


I might just book the domestic leg separately to get an earlier one

If there was a guaranteed arrival of 9:05pm, then this would not be tight, 1:25 is plenty of time.

But the biggest problem is the reliability of the inbound flight. You only have about a 30-35 min buffer, your flight needs to arrive from SYD at 21:40 at the latest (assuming 5 mins to disembark, 5 min walk to T2, 10 mins for security/immigration, 5 min walk to gate and being at gate 25 mins before departure).

 

[AIRwin]

I might just book the domestic leg separately to get an earlier one

Will it cost more? Try the call centre to ask if they can book you an earlier connection on the same ticket?

 

[LostRedditor]

Will it cost more? Try the call centre to ask if they can book you an earlier connection on the same ticket?

Yeah that's a good idea. I will call them today

 

[LostRedditor]

Will it cost more? Try the call centre to ask if they can book you an earlier connection on the same ticket?

Just called and they weren't able to put the two rewards bookings together, so I've booked MEL-DOH-OSL as one booking, and will book NTL-MEL separately. This is better actually, won't have to go from SYD. A bit more cost but only slightly. In fact, I should see about using that Velocity AMEX free flight