International Check-In Question

[cssaus]

If I'm flying from LAS-LAX on a DL booking and then from LAX-SYD on a separate VA booking, when checking in at LAS, can Delta also provide me with a BP for the LAX-SYD flight or will have to go to the VA check-in at LAX?

Is the VA check-in LAX still at T3 and if so what time does it open for the LAX-SYD flight?

 

[Quickstatus]

If I'm flying from LAS-LAX on a DL booking and then from LAX-SYD on a separate VA booking, when checking in at LAS, can Delta also provide me with a BP for the LAX-SYD flight or will have to go to the VA check-in at LAX?

Is the VA check-in LAX still at T3 and if so what time does it open for the LAX-SYD flight?

DL at LAS should check your bags through to your final VA destination even if separate PNR (tickets). They should also give you the VA boarding pass. I say "should" because technically it's a "will" but sometimes it does not happen for a variety of reasons such a delayed departing flight from LAS. The flexibility of booking a 2 PNR itinerary is balanced by the possibility that you carry the can for missing the subsequent sector.
Yes the VA checkin is at T3 but the flight departs from the adjacent TBIT. T3 VA checkin opens at 1530hrs:

http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/e...ort/airport-guides/international/los-angeles/

 

[cssaus]

DL at LAS should check your bags through to your final VA destination even if separate PNR (tickets). They should also give you the VA boarding pass. I say "should" because technically it's a "will" but sometimes it does not happen for a variety of reasons such a delayed departing flight from LAS. The flexibility of booking a 2 PNR itinerary is balanced by the possibility that you carry the can for missing the subsequent sector.
Yes the VA checkin is at T3 but the flight departs from the adjacent TBIT. T3 VA checkin opens at 1530hrs:

http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/e...ort/airport-guides/international/los-angeles/

Thanks for the feedback.

I won't be traveling with checked baggage, just carry-on, I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed that DL can issue me a BP at LAS.

The reason I asked is that for the very first time traveling SYD-LAS I have had to book it as two separate PNR's. Took advantage of today's bonus sale and got a J return to LAX for $4,501. Unfortunately VA weren't able to take-on a continuing flight to LAS unless I wanted to pay something like $9,000...ouch!!

Anyway as VA Platinum I can get free Economy Comfort on DL.

 

[Quickstatus]

You will have to request the DLComfort in advance via the Delta app. Being a plat your request window starts earlier than Gold. There is a chance that the DLComfort will be all booked by the time your request window opens.

Generally speakng DL is pretty good at connecting a separate PNR VA passenger. When do you arrive into LAX?

As you are a Plat with a VA boarding pass issued by DL in LAS. When you get to LAX you should be able to remain airside and take the tunnel from T5 to T4 and then a newly opened separate airside elevated walkway from T4 to TBIT and straight to the Star Alliance Lounge. I think no need to go out onto the street and re-enter security at TBIT

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....gram/lax-tbit-connector-open-great-74336.html

 

[Muppet501st]

Returned from the states last week, 2 seperate PNRs, JFK-LAX, LAX-BNE. At checkin in JFK, I had to request for my bags to be checked in all the way to BNE, and a BP. The lady wasn't able to, but luckily asked another colleague and she was able to show her how to to do it.
i had a 6hr wait for the flight in LAX and would've been peeved to have to wait for the VA checkin to open instead of lounging in the Terrace of the Star Alliance lounge

 

[cssaus]

Returned from the states last week, 2 seperate PNRs, JFK-LAX, LAX-BNE. At checkin in JFK, I had to request for my bags to be checked in all the way to BNE, and a BP. The lady wasn't able to, but luckily asked another colleague and she was able to show her how to to do it.
i had a 6hr wait for the flight in LAX and would've been peeved to have to wait for the VA checkin to open instead of lounging in the Terrace of the Star Alliance lounge

Good to know you had success with the BP, I guess it's a case of being persistent and if necessary getting the check-in person to refer to a supervisor. Saves the hassle of not having to go through security again at LAX.

 

[Cryptarcadian]

Anyone know if this would work in reverse?

I have on separate PNRs:
SYD-LAX (VA)
LAX-LAS (DL)

Would VA be happy to tag my bags through to LAS when I check in at SYD, and would they be willing to do it even if they can't issue a boarding pass?

On the other hand, is there even any benefit in doing so given that I have to clear immigration/customs at LAX anyway? I booked the two flights separately because I wasn't sure when I booked the first one, and also to give us a longer connection time in the great sadness that is LAX. Maybe if I end up being on time, I should ask DL if they do something like Fly Ahead, in which case not having bags through-tagged would help!

 

[Quickstatus]

Anyone know if this would work in reverse?

I have on separate PNRs:
SYD-LAX (VA)
LAX-LAS (DL)

Would VA be happy to tag my bags through to LAS when I check in at SYD, and would they be willing to do it even if they can't issue a boarding pass?

On the other hand, is there even any benefit in doing so given that I have to clear immigration/customs at LAX anyway? I booked the two flights separately because I wasn't sure when I booked the first one, and also to give us a longer connection time in the great sadness that is LAX. Maybe if I end up being on time, I should ask DL if they do something like Fly Ahead, in which case not having bags through-tagged would help!

Yes VA/DL. Works in either direction for luggage and boarding pass. Sometimes as suggested above you need a senior checkin agent who knows their mojo

benefit is you don't have to cart your luggage from ground level TBIT to first floor T5 and you don't have to checkin again.
Also your luggage allowance might be greater flying Int than the connecting Dom leg. This way you don't have to pay excess luggage fees.

 

[VulpesVulpes]

the VA checkin is at T3 but the flight departs from the adjacent TBIT. T3 VA checkin opens at 1530hrs:

http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/e...ort/airport-guides/international/los-angeles/

Sorry to hijack the thread here but I am going to the US in a few weeks and I am confused. I have not been to LAX since 2003 (!!)

It looks like, according to this that check in is at T3 and they depart from T3 - yet the star alliance lounge (first class baby!) is in TBIT. Is the lounge a long way from where the plane departs?

Cheers

 

[Cryptarcadian]

Works in either direction for luggage and boarding pass. Sometimes as suggested above you need a senior checkin agent who knows their mojo

Thanks! I'll definitely give it a go and politely push them if required... I do remember reading posts from others saying they found VA staff reluctant to do this, even when DL staff were fine with it.

VulpesVulpes, they're still doing the split where check-in is at T3, but actual departure is from TBIT.

I think this is the original announcement, where it was described as only a transitional arrangement (since 2013?):
https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.c...atestNews/tom-bradley-international-terminal/

 

[Quickstatus]

Sorry to hijack the thread here but I am going to the US in a few weeks and I am confused. I have not been to LAX since 2003 (!!)

It looks like, according to this that check in is at T3 and they depart from T3 - yet the star alliance lounge (first class baby!) is in TBIT. Is the lounge a long way from where the plane departs?

Cheers

only check in is in T3
lounge is star alliance in TBIT and flight VA2 and VA7 departs from TBIT.
It's very easy as T3 right next door to TBIT

when you go to TBIT you will understand why. The hordes of people sitting around on the floor waiting for their flight will make the lounge an oasis

https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.c...atestNews/tom-bradley-international-terminal/

 

[Muppet501st]

Good to know you had success with the BP, I guess it's a case of being persistent and if necessary getting the check-in person to refer to a supervisor. Saves the hassle of not having to go through security again at LAX.

still had to go thru security again, as the walkway was not opened yet.

 

[Muppet501st]

Anyone know if this would work in reverse?

I have on separate PNRs:
SYD-LAX (VA)
LAX-LAS (DL)

Would VA be happy to tag my bags through to LAS when I check in at SYD, and would they be willing to do it even if they can't issue a boarding pass?

On the other hand, is there even any benefit in doing so given that I have to clear immigration/customs at LAX anyway? I booked the two flights separately because I wasn't sure when I booked the first one, and also to give us a longer connection time in the great sadness that is LAX. Maybe if I end up being on time, I should ask DL if they do something like Fly Ahead, in which case not having bags through-tagged would help!

not sure if it will affect you ( or it was just me) but last April, travelling on 2 separate PNRs, BNE-LAX, LAX-ATL-LGA, VA BNE were able to check in my luggage all the way, but not able to print the BPs. There was a msg attached to my DL booking, where I had to present my CC that I used to pay for the DL flights , at the DL checkin counter. But just last week, ( used the same CC ) 2 separate PNRs, BNE-LAX, LAX-CVG, VA BNE were able to print my DL BPs. Was a lot easier then having to line up and checkin again in LAX. Though DL reprinted new BPs in the DL lounge in LAX.