BNE to LAX via SYD 1 hour transit

[Zagantha]

Hi,

I’ve got my flight to LA next week and am stressing out now as I’m reading and hearing that one hour transit won’t be enough time? I’ve never been to Sydney airport but I’m reading I would catch the qantas seamless shuttle? Would I then need to go through customs/immigration and then get to my terminal? I’m assuming my checked in baggage from Brisbane will go straight to LA from my understanding. I’m really stressed so any pointers and tips would be appreciated

 

[Hvr]

Welcome aboard Zagantha.

No where near enough time. The plane will start boarding 45 minutes prior to departure. So basically you've got 15=30 minutes to transit in SYD including going through immigration and security. The slightest delay on your BNE-SYD flight will mean you'll miss the SYD-LAX flight.

Is this one ticket? If so you want to try and get QF to put you on an earlier flight.

 

[harvyk]

1 hour is no where near enough time. I typically do not consider doing transfers at SYD in less than 2 hours.
Is everything on the one ticket?

 

[justinbrett]

Hi,

I’ve got my flight to LA next week and am stressing out now as I’m reading and hearing that one hour transit won’t be enough time? I’ve never been to Sydney airport but I’m reading I would catch the qantas seamless shuttle? Would I then need to go through customs/immigration and then get to my terminal? I’m assuming my checked in baggage from Brisbane will go straight to LA from my understanding. I’m really stressed so any pointers and tips would be appreciated

Literally one hour? Anything less than 1:30 is an illegal connection.

Is it the same ticket? If so, call Qantas to change you domestic flight. If not - you'll have to change it at your expense.

 

[Zagantha]

T

Welcome aboard Zagantha.

No where near enough time. The plane will start boarding 45 minutes prior to departure. So basically you've got 15=30 minutes to transit in SYD including going through immigration and security. The slightest delay on your BNE-SYD flight will mean you'll miss the SYD-LAX flight.

Is this one ticket? If so you want to try and get QF to put you on an earlier flight.

Thanks!

Ugh I assumed so. This is so stressful. I called them and they said I would have to pay a fare difference(looks to be $1k or more) since it’s one booking I can’t just change one leg I’d need to get a whole new flight?

Post automatically merged: Jul 12, 2022

1 hour is no where near enough time. I typically do not consider doing transfers at SYD in less than 2 hours.
Is everything on the one ticket?

Yeah it did seem bizarre but the fact they were selling it I assumed it would be reasonable. Yep all in one ticket

Post automatically merged: Jul 12, 2022

Literally one hour? Anything less than 1:30 is an illegal connection.

Is it the same ticket? If so, call Qantas to change you domestic flight. If not - you'll have to change it at your expense.

Not according to qantas .

Yeah everything is on one ticket. I’ll have to call them again to see if they can get me on an earlier flight

 

[justinbrett]

T

Thanks!

Ugh I assumed so. This is so stressful. I called them and they said I would have to pay a fare difference(looks to be $1k or more) since it’s one booking I can’t just change one leg I’d need to get a whole new flight?

Post automatically merged: Jul 12, 2022

Yeah it did seem bizarre but the fact they were selling it I assumed it would be reasonable. Yep all in one ticket

No that is not right - can you confirm your flight numbers?

If it is in fact an illegal connection they have to change it at no cost, it should never have been booked that way (perhaps it wasn't but there has been a reschedule at some point?)

If it is an illegal connection call back and say "this booking does not meet the minimum connection time for SYD" and that should be footstomp enough for them to change it. You cannot leave this as is, it needs to be fixed ASAP.

 

[harvyk]

Ultimately this is a Qantas problem, so you don't have to pay anything. However the phone support people in general have absolutely zero idea on what they are doing.

My recommendation is to arrive at BNE airport as early as possible on the day of departure, airport staff tend to have a whole lot more flexibility to move people between flights. See if you can be bounced onto an earlier flight. Mention comments about minimum connection time. Do this BEFORE you check any bags in because once a bag has been checked in you can no longer request to go on earlier flights.

Of course you can always try the hang up and call again method to try and get on an earlier flight, but as mentioned above, the QF call center people are in general absolutely terrible at their job.

 

[Zagantha]

No that is not right - can you confirm your flight numbers?

If it is in fact an illegal connection they have to change it at no cost, it should never have been booked that way (perhaps it wasn't but there has been a reschedule at some point?)

If it is an illegal connection call back and say "this booking does not meet the minimum connection time for SYD" and that should be footstomp enough for them to change it. You cannot leave this as is, it needs to be fixed ASAP.

I’m not sure what the minimum connection time is for Sydney but both times I called them, they said 1 hour was fine :/

BNE to SYD QF507 7:40 - 9:15
SYD to LAX QF11 10:15 - 7:00

 

[bam71]

Good god - they are actually selling that!

 

[Zagantha]

Good god - they are actually selling that!

Yep….guess I got swindled

 

[justinbrett]

Turns out the MCT is 1:00.

Well I'm shocked. That surely has changed recently?

Did you pay cash or points? It's their fault if you miss the connection.

STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.
ONLINE .30 1.00 1.15 1.00
OFFLINE .30 1.00 1.15 1.00
** OR * ARE ALL
QF-QF DI 1.30 FLT 300 - 399 - FLT 321 - 321 TRM 1 - 1
QF-QF DI 2.00 FLT 200 - 299 - FLT 300 - 399 TRM 1 - 1
QF-QF DI 1.15 ALL - FLT 8000 - 8999 TRM 1 - 1
QF-QF DI 2.00 FLT 200 - 299 - ALL TRM 1 - 1
QF-QF DI 1.00 TRM 1 - 1
QF-QF DI 2.00 FLT 5000 - 5999 - FLT 21 - 21 TRM 2 - 1
ALL - NRT
QF-QF DI 2.30 FLT 5300 - 5999 - FLT 339 - 339 TRM 2 - 1
QF-QF DI 2.00 FLT 5000 - 5999 - FLT 200 - 299 TRM 2 - 1
QF-QF DI 2.30 FLT 5300 - 5999 - FLT 301 - 303 TRM 2 - 1
QF-QF DI 2.30 FLT 5300 - 5999 - FLT 5001 - 5005 TRM 2 - 1
QF-QF DI 2.00 FLT 5300 - 5999 - FLT 8000 - 8999 TRM 2 - 1
QF-QF DI 1.45 ALL - FLT 200 - 299 TRM 2 - 1
QF-QF DI 2.00 FLT 5000 - 5999 - ALL TRM 2 - 1
QF-QF DI 1.15 TRM 2 - 1
QF-QF DI 1.00 TRM 3 - 1 BNE - CGK
QF-QF DI 1.30 TRM 3 - 1 ARM - ALL
QF-QF DI 1.30 TRM 3 - 1 LDH - ALL
QF-QF DI 2.30 ALL - FLT 339 - 339 TRM 3 - 1
QF-QF DI 1.30 ALL - FLT 383 - 383 TRM 3 - 1
QF-QF DI 1.30 ALL - FLT 389 - 389 TRM 3 - 1
QF-QF DI 1.30 ALL - FLT 200 - 299 TRM 3 - 1
QF-QF DI 1.50 ALL - FLT 301 - 303 TRM 3 - 1
QF-QF DI 2.30 ALL - FLT 5001 - 5005 TRM 3 - 1
QF-QF DI 1.00 TRM 3 - 1
QF-QF DI 1.30 ALL - FLT 313 - 313 TRM 2 - **
QF-QF DI 1.15 ALL - FLT 367 - 367 TRM 3 - **
QF-QF DI 1.15 ALL - FLT 8000 - 8999 TRM 3 - **
QF-QF DI 1.15 ALL - FLT 21 - 21 ALL - NRT
QF-QF DI 2.00 FLT 5000 - 5999 - FLT 321 - 321
QF-QF DI 1.30 ALL - FLT 321 - 321
QF-QF DI 1.15 FLT 1 - 2999 - FLT 337 - 337
QF-QF DI 2.00 ALL - FLT 375 - 375
QF-QF DI 2.00 ALL - FLT 325 - 328
QF-QF DI 2.00 ALL - FLT 365 - 366
QF-QF DI 2.00 ALL - FLT 367 - 368
**-QF DI 1.15 ALL - FLT 8000 - 8999 TRM 1 - 1
**-QF DI 1.00 TRM 1 - 1
**-QF DI 1.45 ALL - FLT 200 - 299 TRM 2 - 1
**-QF DI 1.45 TRM 2 - 1
**-QF DI 1.30 ALL - FLT 200 - 299 TRM 3 - 1
QF-** DI 2.00 FLT 5000 - 5999 - ALL TRM ** - 1
QF-** DI 1.30 TRM 2 - **
QF-** DI 1.15 TRM 3 - **
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - 2D
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - 2Z
**-** DI GLSUP CDS 2D - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS 2Z - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AD - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AR - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS BC - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS BT - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS D8 - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS DY - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS EK - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS EW - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS F9 - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS H2 - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS HX - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS KC - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS MX - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS NK - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS O2 - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS PC - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS PD - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS QS - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS RO - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS SY - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS TR - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS TS - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS UX - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS VA - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS VB - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS W6 - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS XP - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS Y4 - AA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - AR
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - BC
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - BT
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - D8
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - DY
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - EK
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - EW
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - F9
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - H2
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - KC
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - MX
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - O2
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - PC
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - PD
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - QS
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - RO
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - SY
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - TR
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - UX
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - VA
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - VB
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - W6
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - XP
**-** DI GLSUP CDS AA - Y4

 

[bam71]

I would turn up and see if they can put you on a 6am or 6.30. The airport staff will know that connection just can’t be made.

 

[Zagantha]

Turns out the MCT is 1:00.

Well I'm shocked. That surely has changed recently?

Did you pay cash or points? It's their fault if you miss the connection.

Yeah…really weird.

I paid cash.

Post automatically merged: Jul 12, 2022

I would turn up and see if they can put you on a 6am or 6.30. The airport staff will know that connection just can’t be made.

This seems like my best bet if I can’t get them to change me over the phone.

 

[justinbrett]

To answer your question, yes bags will be transferred in SYD, when you arrive go straight to Gate 15, board a bus which will drop you at the international terminal, at the bottom of an escalator.

That leads straight to security & passport control.

Then walk to your gate.

If everything lines up and there's no queues, yes you can make that in an hour.

What's the date of travel? Do you happen to know what fare class you are booked in? (should be a letter next to economy - eg Economy (L) ). I can look up what the availability is on expert flyer.

 

[Zagantha]

To answer your question, yes bags will be transferred in SYD, when you arrive go straight to Gate 15, board a bus which will drop you at the international terminal, at the bottom of an escalator.

That leads straight to security & passport control.

Then walk to your gate.

If everything lines up and there's no queues, yes you can make that in an hour.

What's the date of travel? Do you happen to know what fare class you are booked in? (should be a letter next to economy - eg Economy (L) ). I can look up what the availability is on expert flyer.

Okay that’s a relief at least.

Thanks for elaborating on the process this has eased some of my stress haha.

20th of July(next wed) in Economy. Appreciate that thank you!

 

[Zagantha]

Ultimately this is a Qantas problem, so you don't have to pay anything. However the phone support people in general have absolutely zero idea on what they are doing.

My recommendation is to arrive at BNE airport as early as possible on the day of departure, airport staff tend to have a whole lot more flexibility to move people between flights. See if you can be bounced onto an earlier flight. Mention comments about minimum connection time. Do this BEFORE you check any bags in because once a bag has been checked in you can no longer request to go on earlier flights.

Of course you can always try the hang up and call again method to try and get on an earlier flight, but as mentioned above, the QF call center people are in general absolutely terrible at their job.

Thanks for your suggestion. I’ll most likely be doing this. Like you said their call system is no help at all.

 

[Daver6]

I wonder if the OP has any easy way to change to the BNE - LAX flight in order to just avoid the mess that is SYD?

 

[AIRwin]

My friend had a 1 hour 25 minutes transit in SYD on his way from BNE to SIN recently and I suggested he try changing to an earlier flight - they wouldn't when he called and also when checking in at the airport...

 

[justinbrett]

There's plenty of availability for the early flights, and you could book them directly for around $200pp.

The issue with changing it is "married sector" logic which means those cheap fares aren't available when connecting to LAX, as the LAX flight has mostly sold out, so only B and Y fares (the most expensive) are available. That would reprice the whole journey to be much more expensive.

As it's within their MCT there's not much you can do, other than getting to the airport early. At least if you do miss your connection, they will have to rebook you - but likely will mean returning to BNE for the evening flight, or flying via DFW.

There is decent availability on the direct BNE flight (QF15) so that might be an option but they'd sting you with the change fee.

 

[Hvr]

There's plenty of availability for the early flights, and you could book them directly for around $200pp.

The OP would need to be very careful arranging their own earlier flight. This is because if they don't fly the first leg then the rest of the itinerary will be cancelled. They could end up in SYD with no connecting flight and having to pay their own way home.