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

 

[Zagantha]

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?

Would have a hefty fee, that’s the reason I originally chose those route as it was 1k cheaper

 

[Zagantha]

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.

Yeah I’m hesitant to buy a different flight as I’ve heard that would void my entire trip. Depending on the change fee for the direct I’ll have to see if it’s an option for me.

 

[RichardMEL]

I think responses saying it would require a refare and huge change fees is more poor call centre training imo. This saddens me.

the only plus to this is that QF sold it, they need to honour it, and if when you get to SYD and go through the transfer (gate 15) they scan your BP, they know where you are and what flight you're due on. I suspect QF11 may take a bit of a delay. or it SHOULD. Either way QF must cover you.

Having said that, as with others, 1 hour DOM->INT even online QF->QF is ridiculous. It takes 10-15 mins just to do the transfer, and that's assuming the transfer bus fills and leaves in a reasonable amount of time, then going through international security and outbound processing is still going to take a minimum of 20ish minutes I would think, specially with no fast track, and this isn't even allowing for any delays in the inbound from BNE... so already you're using up, at the very least 40+ minutes of that hour.

I agree to arrive BNE to get on earlier flight and plead the case with the international connection check in at BNE domestic check in. I know I certainly would.

Gee, good luck!

Post automatically merged: Jul 12, 2022

Yeah I’m hesitant to buy a different flight as I’ve heard that would void my entire trip. Depending on the change fee for the direct I’ll have to see if it’s an option for me.

A separate flight would void your trip IF QF treats you leaving earlier and not taking the ticketed first sector as a no show, then yes they would cancel the rest. Obviously you do NOT want this.

You need the flight changed in the booking or to show up early and hope staff have common sense in BNE next Wed morning and put you on that earlier one.

 

[Zagantha]

I think responses saying it would require a refare and huge change fees is more poor call centre training imo. This saddens me.

the only plus to this is that QF sold it, they need to honour it, and if when you get to SYD and go through the transfer (gate 15) they scan your BP, they know where you are and what flight you're due on. I suspect QF11 may take a bit of a delay. or it SHOULD. Either way QF must cover you.

Having said that, as with others, 1 hour DOM->INT even online QF->QF is ridiculous. It takes 10-15 mins just to do the transfer, and that's assuming the transfer bus fills and leaves in a reasonable amount of time, then going through international security and outbound processing is still going to take a minimum of 20ish minutes I would think, specially with no fast track, and this isn't even allowing for any delays in the inbound from BNE... so already you're using up, at the very least 40+ minutes of that hour.

I agree to arrive BNE to get on earlier flight and plead the case with the international connection check in at BNE domestic check in. I know I certainly would.

Gee, good luck!

Post automatically merged: Jul 12, 2022

A separate flight would void your trip IF QF treats you leaving earlier and not taking the ticketed first sector as a no show, then yes they would cancel the rest. Obviously you do NOT want this.

You need the flight changed in the booking or to show up early and hope staff have common sense in BNE next Wed morning and put you on that earlier one.

Yep, thanks I’ll keep this in mind as this seems to be everyone’s sentiment. I’ll get to the airport early and pray I get put on an earlier flight.

 

[Daver6]

What day of the week are you flying? I think you should be prepared to miss your connection and either be put on the evening flight or hopefully the flight the next day.

Would the OP have any chance of being put on a different airline that same day by QF if he misses QF11?

 

[Zagantha]

What day of the week are you flying? I think you should be prepared to miss your connection and either be put on the evening flight or hopefully the flight the next day.

Would the OP have any chance of being put on a different airline that same day by QF if he misses QF11?

Wednesday. Yeah I’m kinda screwed if I do as I have another flight to Miami 4 hours after landing in LAX so that would really suck

 

[serfty]

QF-QF DI 1.00 TRM 3 - 1

That is absolutely crazy!

@Zagantha I guess if you miss the LAX flight due to your inbound being late, Qantas have to protect you. Depending on the day of the week they could put on the evening QF17, back to BNE for QF15 or on to MEL for QF93/QF95.

Of course any of that makes for a long day and may upset plan you have for LA.

In any case start brushing up on this:

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/at-the-airport/airport-guides/sydney-t1-international-airport-guide.html

Note the T-Bus generally departs on the hour and on the ½ hour and takes about 20 minutes including loading and unloading PAX/Luggage. If you use the T-Bus, stay close to the exit doors for a quick getaway. While any luggage you have will likely be checked through from BNE, others on the bus often block you from making a quick exit while they fumble around with their bags.

 

[serfty]

Wednesday. Yeah I’m kinda screwed if I do as I have another flight to Miami 4 hours after landing in LAX so that would really suck

Ouch, Ouch! Separate booking?

If on AA, they may protect you. Not any more ...

 

[Zagantha]

Ouch, Ouch! Separate booking?

If on AA, they may protect you.

Yep seperate and yes on AA. Honestly I have too much faith in qantas lol Otherwise would never have booked this if I knew one hour was never gonna be enough

 

[JasonK]

QF11 has been departing late the past few flights, so that might be a plus hopefully.

 

[Zagantha]

QF11 has been departing late the past few flights, so that might be a plus hopefully.

Some good news at least

 

[serfty]

QF11 has been departing late the past few flights, so that might be a plus hopefully.

Probably waiting for PAX transferring from BNE off QF507.

 

[encryptededdy]

Yeah, you should *just* make it if you run straight to Gate 15, and I do suspect they will hold QF11 for a bit.

As to what happens if your domestic flight ends up significantly delayed is anybody's guess.

 

[Zagantha]

Yeah, you should *just* make it if you run straight to Gate 15, and I do suspect they will hold QF11 for a bit.

As to what happens if your domestic flight ends up significantly delayed is anybody's guess.

In general would they wait if they know theres connection passengers that are yet to board?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

OP if you read on here for a while you will see QF is rated quite poorly, and they have saved money and cut cost to the bone, so to speak.
It's all about more rev and less costs.
You are lucky to have had your call answered at all.
Or in a sane amount of wait time.
99.9% of their call centres are all outsourced.
Getting to BNE dom early is best tip, as they need your passport and view ESTA, thus bypassing QF desk in SYD T1.
Make sure you go to BNE dom and not BNE int terminal for the flight.
SYD T3 to SYD T1 are far apart and is not walkable.
Tbus/taxi will be too slow.
The QF transfer bus goes by an internal road, so is fastest.
Just follow the crowd off the bus, bypassing the check in area in SYD T1.
Edit: they sometimes hold the bus till it's full.
So trying for an earlier flight in BNE is best.
In fact if you have time the day before go to BNE QF terminal and explain your situation.
Or be there before 6am.
Sorry for the waffly.

 

[jpp42]

In general would they wait if they know theres connection passengers that are yet to board?

They might if they know there are passengers on their way that will be along in a few minutes (say, 15-20 minutes) - as noted above they will scan your BP at gate 15 which gives a signal to the gate agents for QF11 that you're on the way. They won't hold it for significant amounts of time as it will cause lots of flow-on effects, like duty time limits of crew, landing slots at the destination airport, etc. It's not really worth counting upon.

 

[Zagantha]

They might if they know there are passengers on their way that will be along in a few minutes (say, 15-20 minutes) - as noted above they will scan your BP at gate 15 which gives a signal to the gate agents for QF11 that you're on the way. They won't hold it for significant amounts of time as it will cause lots of flow-on effects, like duty time limits of crew, landing slots at the destination airport, etc. It's not really worth counting upon.

Yeah I mean fair enough if it’s over 30 minutes but you’d think they would accomodate for all passengers and wait so fingers crossed I get to gate 15 in time.

 

[Zagantha]

Y

OP if you read on here for a while you will see QF is rated quite poorly, and they have saved money and cut cost to the bone, so to speak.
It's all about more rev and less costs.
You are lucky to have had your call answered at all.
Or in a sane amount of wait time.
99.9% of their call centres are all outsourced.
Getting to BNE dom early is best tip, as they need your passport and view ESTA, thus bypassing QF desk in SYD T1.
Make sure you go to BNE dom and not BNE int terminal for the flight.
SYD T3 to SYD T1 are far apart and is not walkable.
Tbus/taxi will be too slow.
The QF transfer bus goes by an internal road, so is fastest.
Just follow the crowd off the bus, bypassing the check in area in SYD T1.
Edit: they sometimes hold the bus till it's full.
So trying for an earlier flight in BNE is best.
In fact if you have time the day before go to BNE QF terminal and explain your situation.
Or be there before 6am.
Sorry for the waffly.

Thanks for the tips and suggestions. Will follow through with this as many have said the same.

 

[justinbrett]

If you do miss your connection, get on the phone to AA and change your onward booking once you have your new flight details. It would be much easier than waiting until you arrive and have already missed the flight.

 

[RichardMEL]

If you do miss your connection, get on the phone to AA and change your onward booking once you have your new flight details. It would be much easier than waiting until you arrive and have already missed the flight.

yes, very good advice.

While US airlines have the "flat tire"(sic) rule that usually applies to a few hours post the departure of a flight, if one misses QF11 you won't get into LAX anytime close to an 11am-noon departure, and this is the time to get on the front foot with AA rather than wait and hope.

(aside.. hope you do not.. I had a hell time with AA res the other evening trying to talk to an agent on a very noisy line it was really difficult!)