Domestic -> International worries

[tanthalas]

Hi all!

First timer here, a little concerned with all the negative information I'm hearing floating around Qantas right now.

Just asking for advice, here are the details:

Fly from Canberra -> Brisbane, flight estimated to land at 10:15am.
Brisband -> Tokyo, flight estimated to take off at 11:40am same day.

Qantas sold me this ticket early this year (March), and it's all one ticket, no individual legs. I'm worried that the 85 minute gap isn't going to be enough time to disembark, transfer terminals, clear passport processing and immigration AND make it to my flight on time.

I have the option to change to an earlier domestic flight time, but it increases my time in Brisbane to 4 hours.

Can any of you recommend best action? I've never had such a short transfer time but surely Qantas wouldn't sell me a ticket I couldn't make, right?

 

[justinbrett]

Hi all!

First timer here, a little concerned with all the negative information I'm hearing floating around Qantas right now.

Just asking for advice, here are the details:

Fly from Canberra -> Brisbane, flight estimated to land at 10:15am.
Brisband -> Tokyo, flight estimated to take off at 11:40am same day.

Qantas sold me this ticket early this year (March), and it's all one ticket, no individual legs. I'm worried that the 85 minute gap isn't going to be enough time to disembark, transfer terminals, clear passport processing and immigration AND make it to my flight on time.

I have the option to change to an earlier domestic flight time, but it increases my time in Brisbane to 4 hours.

Can any of you recommend best action? I've never had such a short transfer time but surely Qantas wouldn't sell me a ticket I couldn't make, right?

MCT is 75 minutes so it’s legal.

BNE isn’t too bad for transfers, and security should be quick.

If you absolutely must be in Tokyo on time I would look at changing flights but otherwise don’t stress, QF will rebook you it something happens. You should be fine.

 

[MelbFlyer]

I've done a domestic to international transfer twice at Brisbane.

One back in 2017 - Melbourne to HK via Brisbane, layover was 2:15hrs, QF flights / baggage was checked all the way through to HK

Another last year - Singapore to Melbourne via Brisbane, layover was 2:50hrs, SQ to VA flight, bag was required to be re-checked in for the domestic leg due to entering Australia in Brisbane

I personally wouldn't be too comfortable with a 1:25hr layover unless it was in Melbourne where the domestic and international terminals are in the same building / within walking distance.

As per the above poster though, Brisbane is relatively okay with transfers (bus between terminals), and security will be dependent on loading at any one time, which is hard to foresee.

Sydney though, a completely different story and I wouldn't be comfortable with anything less than a 2hr layover.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Welcome on board AFF Airlines.
On the one PNR, ie, on a through tix/booking, you do not have to approach QF at BNE dom terminal, as QF in CBR would have swiped your passport though QF's system, and issued you 2 BP, so no need to approach staff at QFd BNE dom, all you need to do is catch the orange coloured bus outside the QFd terminal at BNE, the trip takes about 10/15 mins, via the public roadway, at BNE int, you just go down to the basement, go through outgoing int security screening, and do the Aust Smartgate passport outgoing procedure, and that's it.
Of course, if you do have lounge access because of status, your time might be limited in the BNE QFi J & F lounge.
BNE dom to BNE int is not walkable, but there is the train, and also the free orange bus.
===
Coming back I would try for more time in BNE int, as you will need to collect your bags off the incoming flight carousel, and go through incoming quarantine and security check, with Smartgate, it helps reduce the processing time, but quarantine is the one that can take a long time.
If they wave you through, and you are not picked to have your bags inspected, then go get the bus to BNE dom.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi all!

First timer here, a little concerned with all the negative information I'm hearing floating around Qantas right now.

Just asking for advice, here are the details:

Fly from Canberra -> Brisbane, flight estimated to land at 10:15am.
Brisband -> Tokyo, flight estimated to take off at 11:40am same day.

Qantas sold me this ticket early this year (March), and it's all one ticket, no individual legs. I'm worried that the 85 minute gap isn't going to be enough time to disembark, transfer terminals, clear passport processing and immigration AND make it to my flight on time.

I have the option to change to an earlier domestic flight time, but it increases my time in Brisbane to 4 hours.

Can any of you recommend best action? I've never had such a short transfer time but surely Qantas wouldn't sell me a ticket I couldn't make, right?

Hi and welcome to AFF.

It’s unusual for the call centre to or actively move you to an earlier flight free of charge.

The best option is to arrive at the airport early, well in advance of the 6am flight. Let them know you’re worried about the short connection time and if there are seats available, they may move you to the earlier flight.

Probably best to check there are seats available on the 6am!

CBR-BNE is a bit different to MEL-SYD where several friends of mine have had success by turning up early. More flights etc. But I think that’s your best bet.

You’d probably need to get to CBR around 5am.

 

[kookaburra75]

Hi all!

First timer here, a little concerned with all the negative information I'm hearing floating around Qantas right now.

Just asking for advice, here are the details:

Fly from Canberra -> Brisbane, flight estimated to land at 10:15am.
Brisband -> Tokyo, flight estimated to take off at 11:40am same day.

Qantas sold me this ticket early this year (March), and it's all one ticket, no individual legs. I'm worried that the 85 minute gap isn't going to be enough time to disembark, transfer terminals, clear passport processing and immigration AND make it to my flight on time.

I have the option to change to an earlier domestic flight time, but it increases my time in Brisbane to 4 hours.

Can any of you recommend best action? I've never had such a short transfer time but surely Qantas wouldn't sell me a ticket I couldn't make, right?

You should be ok. We're Canberra based too, and have done the Dom to Intl transfer several times at Brisbane.

Canberra Airport opens at 5am, and you might be able to get moved to the 6am flight which will give you more time at Brisbane. When you check in at Canberra, you'll get your boarding passes, and your bags get checked through all the way. As others have said, at Brisbane jump the orange transfer bus which only takes five minutes.

 

[tdimdad]

I've done the D>I transfer in BNE in 45 mins airside-to-airside (that was a few years ago, though, but things are still pretty much the same over there), however, that was with hand luggage only.

Your success depends on the arrival of the incoming flight. But if it's delayed in departure, that can give you time to visit the service / transfer desk in CBR to see what your options for the connecting flight are. And QF would automatically reroute you, anyway, when it becomes obvious that you'll miss your connection. However, the reroute may not be optimal for you so it might pay off to try be proactive about it.

 

[offshore171]

Fly from Canberra -> Brisbane, flight estimated to land at 10:15am.
Brisband -> Tokyo, flight estimated to take off at 11:40am same day.

I wouldn't be comfortable with that. What is the impact to your travel plans if you arrive in Tokyo a day later?

 

[Himeno]

Is this to HND or NRT?
If NRT, then both MEL and BNE are back to daily. They could move you to go via MEL, but the departure times for both MEL/BNE Tokyo flights is about the same, they'd have to rebook from CBR.

The other option in the event of a missed connection is the overnight from SYD or a 24 hour delay. (Or rebooked via HKG on CX)