SYD - LAX Flight

[Atleastonce]

We walked it in November last year, not a huge walk for us. Had plenty of time to spare between flights.

 

[artemis]

Having not been to LAX and will be doing this transfer in October I would like to know what you or others would consider plenty of time. I'll be travelling with a slow walker ( my mum). Im tending towards walking as I dont know the airport at all I would hate to get on the wrong bus etc.

It's very easily walkable from T5 to TBIT. In fact, it's quite pleasant to get out and stretch your legs. Walking to T7 (United) can be draining.

If you get off from Delta (T5) you simply head outside and turn left. You'll see the signs. However, I've always had to walk past TBIT to then go upstairs to T3 and check in (even though my bags are already checked all the way through to Sydney). Maybe someone here smarter than me knows how to get around that!

The real pain in the derriere is having to go through security again in TBIT. Plus flights to Aus leave at the same time as flights to Asia, and so it can be mayhem...allow at least 45mins to clear security. And take a book to read in line.

Then enjoy the Star Alliance lounge. Showers are ok, but I can never get the wifi to work for me. And then it's generally a very long walk to the gate as well.

I wish more airlines flew to Aus out of SFO... I would travel once a week!

 

[mandmshow]

I'm confused as to why you need to go to T3 to check-in if you fly Delta then VA and your bags are already checked all the way through ?
ie. you check in at another North American city all the way to Oz (you receive your two boarding passes, Delta to LAX then VA to Oz, say goodbye to your suitcase in that city and receive the baggage receipt ?
You fly to T5 then go to TBIT.
Am I missing something ?

 

[notzac]

Confirming there is no airside shuttle to/from TBIT from any other terminal for VA passengers.
When you arrive on Delta from other US cities you have to exit the terminal then make your way to TBIT (walk or take the free landside shuttle) for the VA flight to Australia.

Ouch, I didn't realise they'd removed the transfer bus since moving to TBIT

If the security queues are as bad as I recall, I wouldn't want anything less than 2 hours to make the connection (preferably more).

I'm confused as to why you need to go to T3 to check-in if you fly Delta then VA and your bags are already checked all the way through ?
ie. you check in at another North American city all the way to Oz (you receive your two boarding passes, Delta to LAX then VA to Oz, say goodbye to your suitcase in that city and receive the baggage receipt ?
You fly to T5 then go to TBIT.
Am I missing something ?

You'd only need to go to T3 if you had to get a new boarding card or if you had to re-check bags .. if DL have checked bags through already and you have your boarding card for the VA flight, there's no need to go to the VA check-in desks at T3. Head straight for TBIT instead.

 

[serfty]

... However, I've always had to walk past TBIT to then go upstairs to T3 and check in (even though my bags are already checked all the way through to Sydney). Maybe someone here smarter than me knows how to get around that!
...

I don't see why if DL have already issues BPs and your bags are checked through you cannot proceed strait to TBIT. (If this is the case then some thing is really amiss.)

ANyhoo If you plan to walk around the perimeter from T5 to TBIT/T3, (if one's bags have been checked through) don't go down to baggage claim on arrival into T5 - stay at the departures level for exit and walk around the upper concourse past T4 to TBIT (and maybe t3).

Other than that if you do have luggage to recheck you can collect it and walk through the carparks from T5 to T3 for check in.

On Monday I am arrving into T4 before heading across to T3 to check in and then back to TBIT.

 

[artemis]

I'm confused as to why you need to go to T3 to check-in if you fly Delta then VA and your bags are already checked all the way through ?
ie. you check in at another North American city all the way to Oz (you receive your two boarding passes, Delta to LAX then VA to Oz, say goodbye to your suitcase in that city and receive the baggage receipt ?
You fly to T5 then go to TBIT.
Am I missing something ?

No - you're not missing anything.

Delta at SFO had enough trouble checking my bags (they tried to check them on VS002 - EWR- LHR!!!) let alone giving me a boarding pass. Clearly VA has a little more training to do...

I certainly earned a few drinks after that trip. At least on board DL first class uses free pour, so my G&T was a _whole_ lotta G and not much T!!

 

[Kolo]

Confirming there is no airside shuttle to/from TBIT from any other terminal for VA passengers.
When you arrive on Delta from other US cities you have to exit the terminal then make your way to TBIT (walk or take the free landside shuttle) for the VA flight to Australia.

This means you have to go through security which wasn't required in the past as you were airside. Ensure you allow extra time for this.

So this has changed? In January I flew in to LAX on DL and got the airside shuttle to TBIT as described above. The only hassle was VA staff changing my BP from a DL one (issued in PIT) to a VA one, on arrival at TBIT.

 

[artemis]

So this has changed? In January I flew in to LAX on DL and got the airside shuttle to TBIT as described above. The only hassle was VA staff changing my BP from a DL one (issued in PIT) to a VA one, on arrival at TBIT.

It was my understanding from the website, that it could still be done.

Where did you go to get the airside shuttle? Just to confirm - you didn't have to clear security in TBIT (the worst part of the whole thing!)

 

[Kolo]

It was my understanding from the website, that it could still be done.

Where did you go to get the airside shuttle? Just to confirm - you didn't have to clear security in TBIT (the worst part of the whole thing!)

From whichever terminal the DL flight from ATL landed at. At the relevant gate (someone above said 50) there was a sign for VA transfers. Wait to be called, then you go downstairs to a bus on the tarmac, which drives you to TBIT airside. On entry there, they reissued the BP then it was off the the wonderful Star Alliance lounge. A bit of a hike but no security. I travelled PIT- ATL-LAX and the only security I had to go through was at PIT.

 

[Jurahn]

Then enjoy the Star Alliance lounge. Showers are ok, but I can never get the wifi to work for me. And then it's generally a very long walk to the gate as well.

I found the wifi worked fine inside the lounge, but constantly dropped out if I went out on to the balcony or to the outside terrace. I had plenty of time to try different areas as I was on VA24 so a late departure - checked in at T3 at about 4pm and went straight over to TBIT and up to the lounge. And yes, it was a VERY long hike to the gate (this was back in December, so not sure whether it's changed by now) and then an even longer drive by bus out to the plane - and then another long wait to board, everyone just standing around on the air bridge - and I was on the first bus that went out, so don't know how long it took others to get on board!

 

[artemis]

From whichever terminal the DL flight from ATL landed at. At the relevant gate (someone above said 50) there was a sign for VA transfers. Wait to be called, then you go downstairs to a bus on the tarmac, which drives you to TBIT airside. On entry there, they reissued the BP then it was off the the wonderful Star Alliance lounge. A bit of a hike but no security. I travelled PIT- ATL-LAX and the only security I had to go through was at PIT.

Thanks - will try for this in December!

How long did it take to credit DL SC to VA?

 

[blackcat20]

I found the wifi worked fine inside the lounge, but constantly dropped out if I went out on to the balcony or to the outside terrace. I had plenty of time to try different areas as I was on VA24 so a late departure - checked in at T3 at about 4pm and went straight over to TBIT and up to the lounge. And yes, it was a VERY long hike to the gate (this was back in December, so not sure whether it's changed by now) and then an even longer drive by bus out to the plane - and then another long wait to board, everyone just standing around on the air bridge - and I was on the first bus that went out, so don't know how long it took others to get on board!

A long walk to the gate two weeks ago, but no busses required.

lounge wifi was good, but needed to be re-logged in quite regularly.

 

[serfty]

The Bus gates are to to far North West of the TBIT build - a good 10 minute amble or 5 minute brisk walk.

Quite a long way from the central area...

 

[EuroFlyer]

Ooh disappointed to hear this.
I have a J reward ticket from Lax - Syd in October with VA and I was looking forward to the trip.
I'm 6ft 4 and quiet broad and i find even the Etihad seats narrow. Still its better than a ticket down the back for the long flight I'm sure.
Anyone with positive stories with on board experience? Im not liking this report for the journey home.

Hi All,

Just did a J leg of this route.

Not a fanboy of this product. Only took it because couldn't get QF.

The seating is dated to say the least. The staff are friendly enough.

Food leaves a lot to be desired. The steak was dry and overcooked. Breakfast Croque Monsieur was absolutely disgusting. Some soggy bread with the content drowned was not my idea of a good time.

Had a few drinks at the bar (nice idea) but how about some decent beer. Pure Blonde and VB were the only ones available. Some lame excuse about catering getting it wrong.

Perhaps JB should fly SQ or Etihad to experience business class.

The great pretender in my book. I would class it as more like Premium Economy.

SQ rules in my book.

 

[Bolthead]

Ooh disappointed to hear this.
I have a J reward ticket from Lax - Syd in October with VA and I was looking forward to the trip.
I'm 6ft 4 and quiet broad and i find even the Etihad seats narrow. Still its better than a ticket down the back for the long flight I'm sure.
Anyone with positive stories with on board experience? Im not liking this report for the journey home.

I have just returned on this flight in J (seat 5H). I have flown in J both to LAX and AUH many times and I am a little disappointed with the comfort of the seat especially when it is in the lay-down position. I also flew SQ recently and found their J product on the A380 much better than VA. My flight over to LAX was in Y+ (reward ticket both ways) and for value of money I find the Y+ seat better that the VA J seat. I also prefer the EY J product better than VA J however my wife thinks the opposite. I am on the wide side and I didn't have an issue with the width of the seat. You won't have a problem with the leg room. Try and get row 5 if you can and aim for any of the isle seats.

 

[Kolo]

Thanks - will try for this in December!

How long did it take to credit DL SC to VA?

I got most of the DL flight SCs very quickly. The only problem I had was with the VA flight! Because they changed the DL BP to a VA one it seemed to upset their systems. I had to lodge a retro claim and make two phone calls but eventually got the SCs about 8 weeks later.

Ooh disappointed to hear this.
I have a J reward ticket from Lax - Syd in October with VA and I was looking forward to the trip.
I'm 6ft 4 and quiet broad and i find even the Etihad seats narrow. Still its better than a ticket down the back for the long flight I'm sure.
Anyone with positive stories with on board experience? Im not liking this report for the journey home.

I was very tired but I had one of the best sleeps ever on my flight. I found the bed very comfy, not as good as NZ but still fine. Most people will fine the length more than adequate and I has no probs with the width, but I'm average. I had a light supper of a delicious soup served quickly after take off. Breakfast was not to the best J standard but OK. The crew were fantastic. In my view SQ quality but with a great VA happy disposition. I'm sure you'll have a good time. I'd happily fly VA on this route again but NZ J remains my first choice.

 

[rioter]

I got most of the DL flight SCs very quickly. The only problem I had was with the VA flight! Because they changed the DL BP to a VA one it seemed to upset their systems. I had to lodge a retro claim and make two phone calls but eventually got the SCs about 8 weeks later.



I was very tired but I had one of the best sleeps ever on my flight. I found the bed very comfy, not as good as NZ but still fine. Most people will fine the length more than adequate and I has no probs with the width, but I'm average. I had a light supper of a delicious soup served quickly after take off. Breakfast was not to the best J standard but OK. The crew were fantastic. In my view SQ quality but with a great VA happy disposition. I'm sure you'll have a good time. I'd happily fly VA on this route again but NZ J remains my first choice.

I found the seat/bed a little hard, kept waking up with pins and needles in my arm(stealing some blankets usually helps). Doesn't happen with airnz due to that memory foam mattress they put down.

 

[blackcat20]

I found the seat/bed a little hard, kept waking up with pins and needles in my arm(stealing some blankets usually helps). Doesn't happen with airnz due to that memory foam mattress they put down.

I found the flight a big warm so slept on the mattress and the folded-over blanket. Was ok except for under my hip (side sleeper).