LAX T5 to TBIT Transfer

[cssaus]

Arriving at Delta T5 on a DL flight that is on a separate DL PNR to a VA flight to SYD on a VA PNR.

Has anyone be able to use the Delta T5 to TBIT transfer at Gate 52B when travelling without checked luggage and without a BP but instead presenting an E-Ticket as evidence for their VA flight to SYD/BNE? Then after arriving at TBIT having their BP issued by VA ground staff.

Hopefully I've made myself clear

 

[Cryptarcadian]

Don't know if what you're proposing will work, but didn't you already work out in the other thread that you can probably ask DL to check you all the way through to SYD, even on a different VA PNR (as others have reported some success with)?

Anyway failing that, you can now walk from T5 to TBIT via T4 entirely airside without needing a boarding pass. And that's why I don't know if the transfer bus will work, since I couldn't be bothered waiting for it!

 

[moa999]

Tend to agree - 15min walk versus 5-10min bus ride with half hour or worse frequency

 

[cssaus]

Don't know if what you're proposing will work, but didn't you already work out in the other thread that you can probably ask DL to check you all the way through to SYD, even on a different VA PNR (as others have reported some success with)?

Correct, but after some further inquiries with both DL & VA, I didn't quite come away with any confidence that DL could check me in for the SYD flight so I was l looking at the alternative option just in case of presenting my E-Ticket.

I didn't know that you could use the new walkway to T5 if you didn't have a BP. If that is the case then that would work too.

 

[serfty]

Note that TBIT and all the Southern terminals (T4 to T8) are now connected airside.

For the T5 to TBIT walk, it's down escalators from the centre of the T5 concourse and strait ahead along a tunnel to T4. Then up escalators to the T4 concourse. Head down towards Gate 41, it's on the left, and after you pass it there is a short walk beside that gate to an escalator leading up to the airside connector to TBIT.

Now that is useful if you can get checked in by DL for your VA flight, but if not, you are going to have to go landside to T3 to check in, then back through security. When I do this, I normally exit from T5 on the lower level and use the pedestrian crossings to cut across to T2 (past the 'flying saucer' restaurant building), go left then walk along to T3 going up to the departures level when you can. VA checkin is at the far West end of T3, close to TBIT.

 

[deepblerg]

I used the new airside connection tunnel to TBIT a couple weeks ago. The DL check-in staff at SJC checked my bag thru to SYD and printed BP. However I was not 100% confident at the check-in desk when they said "VA... hmmm what airline is that?" Anyway, all worked fine in the end!!

Note that there are two turns you need to make while on the airside walk which aren't that obvious / are poorly signed. Had to do a bit of guesswork, hopefully signage will be improved.

Out of interest the BP printed in SJC for VA2 didn't scan at the gate but after a few taps on the computer they had me sorted.

 

[cssaus]

I used the new airside connection tunnel to TBIT a couple weeks ago. The DL check-in staff at SJC checked my bag thru to SYD and printed BP. However I was not 100% confident at the check-in desk when they said "VA... hmmm what airline is that?" Anyway, all worked fine in the end!!

Note that there are two turns you need to make while on the airside walk which aren't that obvious / are poorly signed. Had to do a bit of guesswork, hopefully signage will be improved.

Out of interest the BP printed in SJC for VA2 didn't scan at the gate but after a few taps on the computer they had me sorted.

When you did eventually end up at TBIT were you required to show a BP to gain access?

Usually when you are given a DL BP for the VA flight, the VA gate staff require you surrender it for a BP printed on VA stock. I usually get the BP re-printed in the lounge at TBIT.

 

[deepblerg]

When you did eventually end up at TBIT were you required to show a BP to gain access?

No. Which surprised me. I literally walked all the way unchecked into the *A lounge. Very efficient!

 

[cssaus]

No. Which surprised me. I literally walked all the way unchecked into the *A lounge. Very efficient!

Hey that's pretty cool.

So it means that if I'm just traveling with carry on, I can stay airside and walk through to TBIT and check-in at the *A Lounge.

 

[Marty_]

Interesting... I just flew SYD > LAX on VA1, then LAX > PHX on a DL flight. I asked VA if they could check me all the way through and they said no? Apparently they cannot access the DL system in any way whatsoever, making the request impossible. I had to collect bags, clear customs, leave TBIT, walk to T5 for checkin and bagdrop, then walk to T6 for my gate. I asked if I could shortcut through the TBIT transfers desk and was again told no.

Does it only work for DL to VA? Or was my advice rubbish?

 

[deepblerg]

Interesting... I just flew SYD > LAX on VA1, then LAX > PHX on a DL flight. I asked VA if they could check me all the way through and they said no? Apparently they cannot access the DL system in any way whatsoever, making the request impossible. I had to collect bags, clear customs, leave TBIT, walk to T5 for checkin and bagdrop, then walk to T6 for my gate. I asked if I could shortcut through the TBIT transfers desk and was again told no.

Does it only work for DL to VA? Or was my advice rubbish?

Yeah you unfortunately can't do it outbound from AUS. Everyone needs to clear customs at LAX and collect bags. However outbound from LAX, you can avail of airside transfer to TBIT.

 

[liamsal]

Interesting... I just flew SYD > LAX on VA1, then LAX > PHX on a DL flight. I asked VA if they could check me all the way through and they said no? Apparently they cannot access the DL system in any way whatsoever, making the request impossible. I had to collect bags, clear customs, leave TBIT, walk to T5 for checkin and bagdrop, then walk to T6 for my gate. I asked if I could shortcut through the TBIT transfers desk and was again told no.

Does it only work for DL to VA? Or was my advice rubbish?

I flew VA from BNE - LAX and then DL LAX - SEA and SEA - YVR in June. While I had to collect my bags and clear customs in LAX, they checked me in for all my flights in BNE.

 

[deepblerg]

Hey that's pretty cool.

So it means that if I'm just traveling with carry on, I can stay airside and walk through to TBIT and check-in at the *A Lounge.

Yep exactly, it's awesome!

 

[Cryptarcadian]

Does it only work for DL to VA? Or was my advice rubbish?

Depends on who you get, and how experienced they are? I managed to get VA to check me in SYD-LAX, then LAX-LAS on a separate DL PNR a few months ago.

Yeah you unfortunately can't do it outbound from AUS. Everyone needs to clear customs at LAX and collect bags.

Except... when you can, it's actually useful. You can have your boarding pass for the US domestic leg and your bags tagged all the way through, so once you clear customs you can just drop your bags off at the dedicated transfer bag drop before walking out of TBIT with just your carry-on for the walk to the next terminal.