Domestic Minimum Connection Time

[JohnK]

Qantas is introducing 2 routes in South Australia from December 18 2005, from Adelade to Port Lincoln and Adelaide to Kangaroo Island.

The Adelaide-Port Lincoln route has 5 flights daily so no real problems there, but the Adelaide-Kangaroo Insland route only has 1 flight daily. For a mini status run $65 Adelaide-Kangaroo Island and $61 Kangaroo Island-Adelaide.

The only problem is plane arrives in Kingscote at 12:10 and departs at 12:30. I assume that I can get boarding passes from Adelaide before flight down. Is 20 minutes enough to get off plane in Kingscote and then check-in for flight back?

The same applies with the route that goes Brisbane-Gladstone-Rockhampton-Mackay-Townsville. There is 20 minute stopover in each airport.

 

[Mal]

Low volume flights like these tend to use the same plane and crew. The plane flies out, pax jump off. Plane refuelled and recatered (in some cases) and new pax head onboard. Watch the look of suprise when the FA notices you're back onboard

If the outbound plane is late, the inbound one will be as well!

The booking system will not allow you to book a return due to the MCT not being met. However you could book two one ways, and ask really nicely that Qantas check you in for both when you arrive at the airport. Some check in staff may think you're crazy, but most realise you're keeping them in a job and if you choose to spend your money this way...

Sometimes 2 boarding passes will automatically spit out when you check in via an agent as well. The agent is also suprised at this point and can be a little confused.

Another way is to get the first boarding pass from QuickCheck, then at the Customer service desk or Qantas Club show them the booking invoice and ask for the second boarding pass.

You may get a minor telling off by the check-in agent (as I've had before) because you've not met the MCT when booking your tickets. Normally they'll give you the passes without any real drama but basically say you're on your own if you don't get the second flight. If you have checked baggage, then you will probably not get the second boarding pass and will get a big telling off!

If you try and check in at the end destination, then you may be denied and have an unexpected night on Kangaroo Island (hope you've brought your tent or booked accomodation!) . They tend to close off the flights around the 15-20 minute mark at the extreme latest. Have a look at this link on the Qantas site:

http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/atTheAirport/gettingAwayOnTime

Much safer to get your return pass at the origin airport.

 

[JohnK]

Thanks Mal I think you have answered my question.

From the link to the Qantas site

http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/atTheAirport/gettingAwayOnTime.

For domestic flights QF400 and above the following deadlines apply before departure:

30 minutes - check-in with baggage closes
20 minutes - boarding starts
15 minutes - check in without baggage closes
5 minutes - boarding closes

So I basically have 15 minutes to get off plane and reboard. Too easy.

Much safer to get your return pass at the origin airport.

I will have no checked baggage, so get boarding passes in Adelaide, and tell FA's that I will get back on the plane in Kingscote. :roll: I have had people looking at me funny all my life, so no problem there.

I will be in Adelaide for 3 days playing some golf and the thought of a mini status run to Kangaroo Island ($126 return, 20 status credits) and possibly Port Lincoln is too good to pass up.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Try to get the BP issued at origin. Sometimes I have been successful, and sometimes not. If not then rush to check-in counter as soon as you arrive. If they're any good they will have spotted you are coming in on the a/c and have the BP printed ready for you.

Enjoy.

 

[jasonja3]

I dont know if different airports have different rules, but I been flying SYD-WGA-SYD often lately with sometimes only 1-2 hours on the ground, and I always get both boadrding passes after asking.

 

[NM]

You could be in trouble if you have not yet checked in for the return flight and the flight is running late. Once the normal check-in time has closed, they may off-load you and even give your seat to a waitlist/stand-by/staff passenger.

Why not go an enjoy the destination and stay a while?

 

[JohnK]

Why not go an enjoy the destination and stay a while?

I will only be in Adelaide for 3 days and want to play some golf.
Only one flight in and one flight out per day. Same plane just turns around and leaves in 20 minutes. :shock: Don't really want to spend a whole day/night on Kangaroo Island. Maybe another time when I have more time.

I was thinking of mini status run, 20 SC's for $126.