Recent Experiences with QF’s new terminal transfer at SYD

[justinbrett]

So whoever said QF gave up the lease on the security checkpoint in T1 - that wasn't actually the case?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

But someone also mentioned that one of the human xray screening machines at the QF INT - DOM transfer area was removed, or seemed in the process of being so, though.
But truthfully, its been years since I passed that area.
(OT) that DPD really puts me off from flying int again, pity that.(OT)
Its a great system, better than the VA INT - DOM way, which seems to be a free for all, the last time I used it, it seemed that everyone was using it, not only VA pax, as the sheer number of pax on that service was lots.

 

[justinbrett]

There it is, not as definitive as I recalled.

I thought I heard that QF had given up the lease on the space at T1 so they can't do this anymore.

Nah, I guess that wasn't the case.

 

[RealtimeY]

Sounds like they were just upgrading the x-rays? Do they have the new 3D scanners there now, like in the main terminal?

 

[RichardMEL]

It definitely sounds like it was an equipment replacement/upgrade to me.. which is a good thing in my book.

 

[whughes3]

Has there been any increase in the frequency of the bus transfers? The QF website still says it is every 30 mins.
Also are the Express lanes at international open?

 

[Daver6]

Also are the Express lanes at international open?

This article from a couple of weeks ago addresses your question. Essentially the answer is no, not in the traditional sense ‘Express Path’ returns to Sydney Airport, but there’s a catch

 

[Jay M]

I go from QF domestic onto UA international later this week, all the one ticket. Presume I don't get access to the seamless bus?

Usually I do QF or OW right through. So first time flipping to UA.

 

[Beano]

Went through the transfer today at 8am and the security screening and air side bus is operating today. Bus leaves when full and you’re dropped off straight into terminal. This was the easy part.

However the queue for the recheck of bags was chockers. Queue started from the maccas and so slow that my 2.5 hours buffer was not sufficient resulting in a missed connection an downgrade to the next earliest available connection. Ironically that flight is also now delayed by another 1.5 hours

Have a question for those more in the know: is it not possible to have your luggage tagged all the way through to another domestic airport if going via Sydney? Sorry can’t remember now having not flown for a bit and using int/dom transfer cause I could have made my earlier flight If I had the bags pre-tagged. Thank.

I went through the transfer from INT to DOM in the evening of 20 June 2022. No queues but bus waited until full, which took some time.

 

[RichardMEL]

I go from QF domestic onto UA international later this week, all the one ticket. Presume I don't get access to the seamless bus?

Usually I do QF or OW right through. So first time flipping to UA.

Probably not.

Now possibly if you are through checked and receive a BP for your UA sector on QF card stock they may allow it, but strictly it's only supposed to be for QF/ow (I've been OK'd for connecting to MH in the past). There's certainly no harm in trying it given you arrive in SYD so not too far a diversion to at least give it a go. They can only say no.

Otherwise the T bus or train.

 

[Beano]

Probably not.

Now possibly if you are through checked and receive a BP for your UA sector on QF card stock they may allow it, but strictly it's only supposed to be for QF/ow (I've been OK'd for connecting to MH in the past). There's certainly no harm in trying it given you arrive in SYD so not too far a diversion to at least give it a go. They can only say no.

Otherwise the T bus or train.

I noticed that they did not check your boarding pass when getting on the bus. I was travelling with no checked bags but I think they like you to go to the transfer desk anyway.

 

[RichardMEL]

I noticed that they did not check your boarding pass when getting on the bus. I was travelling with no checked bags but I think they like you to go to the transfer desk anyway.

Agree, they prefer one to check in at the desk there - mostly to have BP scanned (so for QF flights they know where you are, or at least when you checked in there as well as to determine if one is eligible for the service).

Checked bags are not going to be relevant for the dom->int transfer as they should be checked through from the start point - this is just a pax transfer service. If one was only checked to SYD for some reason then they'd need to collect their bags and schlep them to international themselves and re-check in with the international carrier (but this would not happen with a QF->UA same ticket connection).

 

[RichardMEL]

Pooch you can fly again now and enjoy the SYD transfer (if that is your whim) with the DPD going away from Wednesday (but to come back in some "more user friendly" form later on to replace the paper arrival card). so get booking and see you on the transfer bus

 

[Katie]

But someone also mentioned that one of the human xray screening machines at the QF INT - DOM transfer area was removed, or seemed in the process of being so, though.

Yes, I spotted that on 21 May when I dropped my bags off before catching the train due to the queue.

There was no signage indicating if the area/security machines were being upgraded, just the left one was basically gone, and the right one partly dismantled.

I'm now wondering if they've been upgraded to the newer style, a la SYD T3 on the far left, where laptops and iPads stay in your bags ... but jackets and belts still come off.

 

[jrfsp]

What fun transit in syd has become!
Business class, arrived on BA15 this morning an hour late - single ticket connecting through to MEL. Went to transfer to be told this is now only QF to QF.

Everyone piles on the T bus - pi**ing rain absolutely packed, lots of people left behind. Only one stop at T2. Walk through the car park to get to T3. Now I’ve missed the connection, huge lines at the service desk - arghhh! Lots of people from my flight getting turned away told to phone BA , not QFs problem!!!

As business class pax with platinum i was actually helped and rebooked.(accepted downgrade) All flights full today, good luck to anyone trying to get home.

Other pax were looking at trains buses all sorts

 

[TomVexille]

What fun transit in syd has become!
Business class, arrived on BA15 this morning an hour late - single ticket connecting through to MEL. Went to transfer to be told this is now only QF to QF.

Everyone piles on the T bus - pi**ing rain absolutely packed, lots of people left behind. Only one stop at T2. Walk through the car park to get to T3. Now I’ve missed the connection, huge lines at the service desk - arghhh! Lots of people from my flight getting turned away told to phone BA , not QFs problem!!!

As business class pax with platinum i was actually helped and rebooked.(accepted downgrade) All flights full today, good luck to anyone trying to get home.

Other pax were looking at trains buses all sorts

Disgraceful from QF

 

[RooFlyer]

Disgraceful Typical from QF

Fixed that for you.

 

[justinbrett]

Disgraceful from QF BA

Fixed that for you.

 

[ChrisMars]

QF transfer is advertised as available for Qantas connections Qantas / Oneworld, subject to capacity. I guess they hit capacity, and favored Qantas to Qantas during this pick time?

In my opinion, the real failure is Sydney airport. Its an aberation airlines and passengers pay taxes and receive poor transfer services leading to missed connections, in what is considered the flagship Australian airport.

Traveling is just a pain, and will remain like that for a little while.

 

[Mwenenzi]

What fun transit in syd has become!
Business class, arrived on BA15 this morning an hour late - single ticket connecting through to MEL. Went to transfer to be told this is now only QF to QF.

That is a significant change from pre CV19. As well as people on single ticket (international-SYD-domestic AU), before was not uncommon for people to arrive on an international flight, and have a separate QF domestic flight. They checked in at T1 and took the QF airside bus to T3 gate 15. Some years ago I checked in for some SYD-MEL QF T3 flights at T1 (had colleagues departing internationally - same taxi)