Sydney transfer BA F

[royf]

Hi,
I am new here so I hope this is the correct forum.
I am QF gold and last year instead of going for platinum decided to get AirNZ gold as well, therefore I have never used the Sydney F lounge that I hear is excellent. I am based in Adelaide.
I am travelling with my wife to the UK on a very good BA special F fare and have a Qantas codeshare flight ADL-SYD with only a 90 min transfer. I usually try to avoid Sydney transfers as the bus always seems to take an eternity (especially when you are in a rush).
I assumethere is not a different arrangement for first passengers or plat FF.
This time I am keen to spend as much time as possible in the lounge and I am wondering what the best way to do this is.
The options I can see are:
Take my chances on the bus
Leave the terminal and catch a taxi to the international terminal and check in at the first counter that I presume will have a very short wait and priority clearance through immigration/security.

If I opt for option 2 can I check my bag through or do I need to pick them up.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Roy

 

[TonyHancock]

My advice would be to get an earlier flight if you want to enjoy the F lounge. You'll get next to no time, from my experience, with a 90 min connection.

The QF transfer bus has been pretty reliable for me this year and in my opinion is the best way to make the trip from domestic to international. Make sure you pick up an express card for Sydney immigration and security when you check in in Adelaide. This will save you some time too.

You should be able to check your baggage through to LHR when you check in in Adelaide.

 

[Canny man]

I have taken the connection from domestic to a First flight on a number of occasions and am surprised at the lack of a fast track. If you miss the bus you can wait for up to 20 mins. Best bet is to take the early flight and ensure you have your fast track doc's and BP ready to go.

As per the post above. You need at least 1hr in the lounge to enjoy the experience. I'd assume the following and work back:

Domestic gate to bus check in 5 mins
Wait for bus 10 mins
Bus trip 10 mins
From bust through Immigration/security 15 mins
Security to Flounge 5 mins

If things run well it's possible to go better than this but I wouldn't bet my connection on it.

The experience on return is, in my mind better. I once had a fairly tight connection and was met by a host as I got of the plane, and escorted through the fastest fast track experience I've ever had.

 

[TravelingSmithy]

Hi Hope you got one of those pay business fly first BA special They were very good value. AustBT have stories about the best seats on the Sectors on varied aircraft Good for ref but does not matter I can only concur with the time issue. Delays Domestically & through can only finish the Lounge time. You will enjoy SydneyFirst check in, Express Lane, can still take a while, depending on it devices & liquids. Lounge is only a 2 min walk from there. I allow a min of 2 1/2 hours transit ex BNE. If you are there more First pax are priority for Massages. Anyway I am a passionate Non Liker #pls note Red Roo of the bus. Service is poor in peak & average at non Peak. Options $20-30 for taxi (10mins) or $5 each for the train One station That is my choice these days. Even the QFBusiness Lounge SydDom say there should,be better options. Fly EK & Limos for J even. Hope this helps

 

[ajw373]

Leave the terminal and catch a taxi to the international terminal and check in at the first counter that I presume will have a very short wait and priority clearance through immigration/security.

If I opt for option 2 can I check my bag through or do I need to pick them up.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Roy

In all cases (Qantas to BA) you can through check your bags, even if they are on a different booking reference. In which case when you check-in in ADL they will give you your next boarding pass as well as imigration forms and an express pass to use when you get to Sydney. As others have said the bus is the best way when in Sydney, don't even try to get a taxi, but having said that you won't have much time in the lounge.

One other thing when they check your bags in in ADL make sure they put a first tag on it. I fly regularly from Canberra to international destinations (as a platinum) and most times they just whack a business tag on and when you say something they come back and say there is no first on domestic, which is bizzar as most flights are dash-8's where there is no business either. Anyway just watchem.

 

[Princess Fiona]

IMO I would definitely get an earlier flight to SYD. I think $5 on the train ( cf. free bus) is a worthwhile investment for transfer and is small change in comparison to the cost of the premium cabin fare.
Through check your bags at ADL and allow a good 90 mins to 2 hours F Lounge time. Food and service are generally superb but shouldn't be rushed.
Enjoy the Anya Hindmarch kit and understated PJ's on board.
Happy Travels

 

[Heleigh]

Personally I like 2.5 to 3hr transfer to allow enough time for transfer. In the lounge a relaxing massage, order a light meal (which takes about 20mins) and a nice drink without having to rush.

 

[royf]

Thanks everyone for the fast response.
I did book the BA first for buisness special (and cheap buisness at that).
Unfortunately tickets can't be changed.
I booked in a rush and made a few mistakes including booking via BKK on 747, that will likely have old F, rather than SIN 777 with new F. For some reason only certain Qantas ADL SYD fares were codeshare and they all seemed to have fairly short connections.

Looks like I will be taking the bus and keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks

Roy

 

[TonyHancock]

You could always take a gamble and turn up at ADL early and see if QF will move you to an earlier flight.

 

[serfty]

Of course, the BA flight will be scheduled to commence boarding 40 mins beforehand, so that cuts the available transit time by 44%.

 

[royf]

You could always take a gamble and turn put at ADL early and see if QF will move you to an earlier flight.

Has any one had any luck trying this?
I would be tempted if I was booked with Qantas but given not every domestic flight is codeshare I can't see it happening with a BA ticket.

It's not the end of the world I am sure overall it will be one of the better flying experiences - I am just trying to make the most of it.

Thanks

 

[TonyHancock]

Has any one had any luck trying this?

Twice. Like I say though it is a gamble.

 

[simongr]

Have you called BA to ask to get on an earlier flight? It can't hurt to ask.

 

[TonyHancock]

Of course, the BA flight will be scheduled to commence boarding 40 mins beforehand, so that cuts the available transit time by 44%.

Indeed! It is a pain!

My Feb connection time is 2:10 but I'll be turning up at MEL extra early in the hope of an earlier flight. (Those BA F deals were pretty darn good.)

I got a little luckier in May and have 2:45, but that was only because of the BA/QF changes around flights to LHR via BKK. I'll still be turning up earlier in MEL in the hope of an earlier flight. (No F deal there though )

 

[Heleigh]

BA in BKK use QF lounge which is small spent a very short time just enough to do on line check in for SYD-BNE, wait staff got me a drink but would have got what ever was available (due to late flight Air Asia I just made flight checkin then back to Air Asia staff to arrange for baggage to follow), in pass threads it has been stated QJ is bigger. This year I will have time to check out QJ and then end in QF. Also the lounges are down the end of alley (sounds dark and dingy) F is to left and J to right but don't remember which level.

Last Dec I flew 747 BA F BKK-SYD in the new suite, but was disapointed in June ORD-LHR and return LHR-DXB on 777 and all old F seating. So I like your chances of new F.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[ozmille]

This year I will have time to check out QJ and then end in QF. Also the lounges are down the end of alley (sounds dark and dingy) F is to left and J to right but don't remember which level.
.

4th floor G pier. Usually QF and BA depart from there, with the occasional E thrown in the mix. I prefer the Flounge, a lot smaller but the last time I was in the QP it was standing room only.




Sent from my iPad using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[amaroo]

Has any one had any luck trying this?
I would be tempted if I was booked with Qantas but given not every domestic flight is codeshare I can't see it happening with a BA ticket.

It's not the end of the world I am sure overall it will be one of the better flying experiences - I am just trying to make the most of it.

Thanks

We've booked the same BA offer and start our journey mid Dec. Now I've got some good first had experience with this problem as we've tried to do the same thing.

We changed quite a few segments on two PNR for 5 people without problem - then dramas started to happen out of the blue.

In short, any change now seems to cost around $10k per ticket and the response from BA is pretty consistent and closed. I've been very lucky to get assistance from the good folk at FT who provided me with the details of Nicci from BAEC, who kindly sorted things out for us (LHR-MAD) at no charge.

We are travelling from BNE-SYD to catch BA10 & tried to move the flight early however, no chance......unless you pay the $10K. The best advice I received from BA was to turn up early and once checkin they can basically do anything to your ticket if seats are available.

I think the best plan is to get EF or KVS or ask someone here that has a subscription to see if seats are available on early ADE-SYD flight - if so turn up early and jag the seats.

I think you may have better luck than us as trying to secure 5 J seats may be a little tough.....anyway good luck & good travels.

 

[amaroo]

I booked in a rush and made a few mistakes including booking via BKK on 747, that will likely have old F, rather than SIN 777 with new F.

Not sure if you are already aware of ftdashboard or not - anyway, if not here it is......you might be able to see if you'll jag NF before you fly. The people running it are taking a small break but it will be back up & updated on the 11th Nov.

FT Dashboard - Home

I personally like the 747 F over the 777 - no matter if OF or NF

 

[royf]

I've tried to swap as well Amaroo for a variety of reasons - predominatly because I booked as the special was about to expire and didn't quite think things through.
I have had exactly the same response you have that you need to pay the difference between the discount and current fare which is prohibitively expensive. I have tried everything I can think off including trying youfirst last time I was in the UK with no luck. The convesation goes round and round in circles with me pointing out that seats are available on both planes and cost the same now (and the same albeit much less when we booked) so what does it matter what plane we are on and them saying my ticket was 6k and it is now 14k.

As curious as I am about the Sydney F lounge I don't think I want to take my chances with ADL airport for an extra 21/2 hours if we can't jump to the earlier flight - I will sleep in and pay for a decent cafe breakfast instead.

Thanks again everyone for the great response.

Roy

 

[amaroo]

I've tried to swap as well Amaroo for a variety of reasons - predominatly because I booked as the special was about to expire and didn't quite think things through.
I have had exactly the same response you have that you need to pay the difference between the discount and current fare which is prohibitively expensive. I have tried everything I can think off including trying youfirst last time I was in the UK with no luck. The convesation goes round and round in circles with me pointing out that seats are available on both planes and cost the same now (and the same albeit much less when we booked) so what does it matter what plane we are on and them saying my ticket was 6k and it is now 14k.

As curious as I am about the Sydney F lounge I don't think I want to take my chances with ADL airport for an extra 21/2 hours if we can't jump to the earlier flight - I will sleep in and pay for a decent cafe breakfast instead.

Thanks again everyone for the great response.

Roy

I thought I had a good deal - we paid $8,900 for us & $6,900 for the kids.

Don't give up on the F lounge.......I for one would give an early flight a go.

Are you flying to London only or transiting to another destination - if so, you may get access to the CCR.