LAX Connection / Lounge Help

[justinbrett]

As part of a RTW trip in May, I am flying from Las Vagas to Darwin (Home). It's the last leg of the trip (well obviously multiple legs).

I have to choose between:
LAS - LAX - BNE - DRW
and
LAS - LAX - SYD - DRW

The difference in terminals in LAX (T4 and TB) are a large part of the consideration.

The BNE flight gets me home an hour or so sooner.

But I have heard horror stories about the TB terminal. Although, the new QP lounge has opened. Does this take away all the problems?

I flew through T4 last year and found the joint AA/QF lounge exceptional, right up there with the Terraces lounge in LHR T1 (can't work out which I liked more).

The other factor is I'm arriving from LAS with AA in T4, so a T4 depature would be easier.

The other variable is the LAX - BNE flight has no F seats (I'm travelling Y). As a Gold member I have been assigned the first row of Y - Row 26, in the 'mini-cabin' which accordng to seat guru is a great seat. I didn't ask for it, it was just allocated.

So considering all of these factors, what would you recommend?

 

[alect]

When does your LAS-LAX flight arrive into LAX? If it arrives earlier in the evening (eg 5-6pm) TBIT security lines are almost non existent. They get longer later in the night as all of the Aust and Asian flights depart late at night.

The only real problem for your may be the security lines at TBIT - your luggage will be through checked. The hour earlier arrival home is a big plus (well would be for me). The new lounge in TBIT would be up there or better than the AC in T4 (I personally don't think the AC is all that - nice but not exceptional). Plus you have a great seat on the BNE flight - so unless you have a very good reason to avoid TBIT I would stick with the BNE flight.

 

[justinbrett]

When does your LAS-LAX flight arrive into LAX? If it arrives earlier in the evening (eg 5-6pm) TBIT security lines are almost non existent. They get longer later in the night as all of the Aust and Asian flights depart late at night.

The only real problem for your may be the security lines at TBIT - your luggage will be through checked. The hour earlier arrival home is a big plus (well would be for me). The new lounge in TBIT would be up there or better than the AC in T4 (I personally don't think the AC is all that - nice but not exceptional). Plus you have a great seat on the BNE flight - so unless you have a very good reason to avoid TBIT I would stick with the BNE flight.

My flight gets into LAX at 1940. At this stage I'm leaning towards staying with the BNE flight, the ony factors putting me off it were the change of terminals, and the use of the TB terminal. As a new club it should be pretty good, and not being shared with AA means I probably don't have to keep asking for drink vouchers.

I am using T5 in Heathrow, and I have big expectations for their Terraces lounge.

 

[alect]

My flight gets into LAX at 1940. At this stage I'm leaning towards staying with the BNE flight, the ony factors putting me off it were the change of terminals, and the use of the TB terminal. As a new club it should be pretty good, and not being shared with AA means I probably don't have to keep asking for drink vouchers.

I am using T5 in Heathrow, and I have big expectations for their Terraces lounge.

well the change in terminals really is no biggie - literally a 100-150m walk. The security lines may be long around that time - if you check in with QF and see the security lines at that northern end of the terminal are long, walk to the other side (southern) of the terminal and check those security lines - often they are much shorter as most people don't know of them and check in near the northern end.

 

[Dave Noble]

I wouldn't worry about the walk from T4 to TBIT; when you arrive in from LAS, you will likely arrive at the G concourse since you are on a beagle flight so will have to walk to near the arrivals hall to get to the H/K concourses; the walk out the door and up to TBIT will take v little time;

I would suggest the LAX-BNE service and get home earlier rather thqn go via SYD; ( well ok personally, I would do my best to get AA3102 to connect to QF8 to avoid the overnight flight, but if overnight the T4-TBIT stroll wouldnt affect my decision

Dave

 

[NM]

I wouldn't worry about the walk from T4 to TBIT; when you arrive in from LAS, you will likely arrive at the G concourse since you are on a beagle flight so will have to walk to near the arrivals hall to get to the H/K concourses; the walk out the door and up to TBIT will take v little time;

G, H/K concourses? Sounds more like ORD than LAX??

 

[Dave Noble]

G, H/K concourses? Sounds more like ORD than LAX??

Whoops; was getting my airports mixed up. Even so, I wouldn't be worrying about the transfer to TBIT

Dave

 

[serfty]

Aha! That explains it.

(The Beagle reference had me confused as I have not used this service via LAX - I thought it may have been a reference to some aspect of the AEagle Remote terminal I had not come across )

 

[NM]

Whoops; was getting my airports mixed up. Even so, I wouldn't be worrying about the transfer to TBIT

Dave

Indeed not a problem at LAX, Very quick and simple wander from T4 arrivals to TBIT.

Just note that there are two security check-points at TBIT, one each side of the terminal. It is often the case that a long line builds up at one side and the other line is short. So if you find a long queue, turn 180 degrees and check out the other line. All gates are accessible from both security lines.

 

[alect]

G, H/K concourses? Sounds more like ORD than LAX??

indeed such a walk to TBIT would be sort of longish