Connection VA 2 to VA555 - will we make it?

[Jurahn]

Hi all

I know what a lot of the answers to this thread will probably be - and that's "no" but just asking to see whether anyone has had any experience of this connection in recent times and/or what immigration and customs are like at SYD Int these days when VA2 arrives.

Just as some background - we're flying PER-SYD-LAX return, coming back on a Wednesday in March. Flights are all booked on the same PNR and we will be flying J on all sectors. I know the connection between VA2 (ETA 7.50am) and VA555 (ETD 9.20am) is very tight, but it was one of the options offered when we booked and to be honest, with the next flight to PER not until 1400, after the 15-hour haul from LA and then another 5 hours to PER to look forward to (not), the idea of hanging around SYD for 5-6 hours in between was not particularly appealing, so I thought "oh sod it" and booked the tighter connection in the faint hope that we might make it LOL.

It doesn't particularly worry us if we don't make VA555 and have to be moved to the next flight, as at least we can spend the time in The Lounge and the time we arrive back in PER isn't critical - as I said, it was just the chance (and the hope!) of getting back to PER earlier in the day that made the connection attractive. So mainly for curiosity's sake more than anything else, is there a possibility we'll make this connection ... or do we have Buckley's?

 

[bullerdude]

If you land on time and customs isn't super crazy you should be fine. At Syd you will recheck your bags and get your domestic boarding pass at the transfer areas just after you exit customs. So once the bus drops you outside of the domestic terminal you can pretty much go direct to the gate if time is short.

 

[mlob]

I was really surprised how quickly we were curb side when we landed in Sydney from LAX two weeks ago on a friday morning. Maybe 20 mins max. I then had to fly to the Gold Coast. For various reasons that was on a separate ticket. I got over to domestic alot quicker then I thoght I would and was able to Fly Ahead on an earlier connection to the one I had had booked. I think you'll be fine.

 

[williamsf1]

Assume you are on a AUST ePassport ? as mlob mentioned, SYD can be very fast to clear immigration / customs.... on arrival in SYD stay to the right hand side and use the eGates for immigration 1-2 mins wait... Then collect bags ( being J your bags should be out in the first bunch). Keep your eye on the customs line to see what one is moving the fastest. I often find using the " express path" takes longer than the normal line ( I now have a collection of cards)... Once cleared, you go down a small ramp to the VA desk for your next flight and a bus across to T2

90mins connection is more than achievable

 

[jpk]

I think you will be totally fine!

 

[TomVexille]

I did have a friend make an 8am-930 departure CHC-SYD-BNE the other week with plenty of time to spare. Admittedly HLO and coming off a 737. But he's no Frequent Flyer (but not an idiot either) and he made it easily.

I think your chances are pretty decent.

 

[Jurahn]

Thanks for the replies everyone - looks like we might make that connection then after all . Yes, we're (finally) both on ePassports - I've had one for a while but hubby still had an older one that's only just expired, so after renewing he now has an ePassport as well.