Transfer Time in SYD - Not Enough To Get Use Of First Lounge?

[impartiality]

So my flight into Sydney on Monday gets in at 11:50am (domestic).

I then have a flight to LAX (QF11) departing at 1:05pm (presumably starts boarding at 12:20pm).

I forget how long the transfer takes from domestic to international - can anyone kindly let me know how long the walk + bus transfer + security check takes?

I think by the time I get through I will be hopping straight on the QF11 flight

 

[Mal]

Much too short a connection if you want time in the F lounge. Also, being a US bound flight, I presume they'll start boarding a little bit sooner than normal for other International flights, due to the additional security checks required.

It's been quite a while since I've done the SYD connection, but an estimation of 30 mins gate to gate shouldn't be too far off the minimum possible.

 

[anat0l]

That's a little bit of a tight connection for my liking - 75 minutes. I'm guessing that the QF booking engine allowed such a flight selection (I can't remember what the stated MCT is for domestic->international for SYD).

In saying that, assuming you are all booked on QF metal and you can through check your bags to LAX, then connecting from T3 to T1 should not take much time. Your having WP (or flying F) will give you priority line which helps a bit at T1.

If you do not dawdle and are fortunate not to have to wait too long for the transfer bus (it leaves every 20 min IIRC; I think there is a bus that leaves on the hour, so if you pull up to gate at 1150h then you have ten minutes to get to Gate 2 at T3), the bus itself takes about 5-7 minutes to get to T1. From here, you'll clear immigration (should be at most 5-8 minutes) then security screening (at most 8-12 minutes, more if you get rescreened / explosives check + pat down). Either way, you should be able to make your connecting international flight comfortably for boarding.

But as you say, probably not enough time for the F lounge, if only to skip up there, get a drink and snack from the self-serve, then go. You'll probably be told that your flight is boarding as your BP is scanned at the F lounge front desk.

 

[impartiality]

Thanks anat0l - excellent answer Assume MCT means "Mean Connect Time".

Hate that freaking bus in SYD - it's about time they had a train installed like most major airports in the world.

That's a little bit of a tight connection for my liking - 75 minutes. I'm guessing that the QF booking engine allowed such a flight selection (I can't remember what the stated MCT is for domestic->international for SYD).

In saying that, assuming you are all booked on QF metal and you can through check your bags to LAX, then connecting from T3 to T1 should not take much time. Your having WP (or flying F) will give you priority line which helps a bit at T1.

If you do not dawdle and are fortunate not to have to wait too long for the transfer bus (it leaves every 20 min IIRC; I think there is a bus that leaves on the hour, so if you pull up to gate at 1150h then you have ten minutes to get to Gate 2 at T3), the bus itself takes about 5-7 minutes to get to T1. From here, you'll clear immigration (should be at most 5-8 minutes) then security screening (at most 8-12 minutes, more if you get rescreened / explosives check + pat down). Either way, you should be able to make your connecting international flight comfortably for boarding.

But as you say, probably not enough time for the F lounge, if only to skip up there, get a drink and snack from the self-serve, then go. You'll probably be told that your flight is boarding as your BP is scanned at the F lounge front desk.

 

[anat0l]

Thanks anat0l - excellent answer Assume MCT means "Mean Connect Time".

Hate that freaking bus in SYD - it's about time they had a train installed like most major airports in the world.

MCT = minimum connection time.

A train wouldn't be much better since they probably wouldn't up the frequency anyway At least the bus crosses the tarmac, so no traffic.

 

[dk4]

... I presume they'll start boarding a little bit sooner than normal for other International flights, due to the additional security checks required.

This has just been downgraded to "random" (at the moment) - thus as you enter the roped off gate area, it is not like the 100% double-check as it was a few months back - yay.

And the new paperless I94W (linked to the ESTA) is being progresssively introduced at more entry ports. (Although there is some degree of confusion in communication between the airlines and officials during the change overs.) But another great move nonetheless.

 

[markis10]

Thanks anat0l - excellent answer Assume MCT means "Mean Connect Time".

Hate that freaking bus in SYD - it's about time they had a train installed like most major airports in the world.

They do have a train, has it been a while since you visited SYD?

 

[anat0l]

They do have a train, has it been a while since you visited SYD?

"Terminal transfer by train" isn't for free as far as I can tell.

Besides, no guarantee on its frequency or reliability either.

 

[DrAndyC]

You can do the terminal transfer by train. Probably goes about 5 times an hour at that time of day....and I think it is $5.

 

[serfty]

Any chance of getting an earlier flight into SYD?

 

[Leumas]

As others mentioned, I don't really like your chances. Are the flights on one itinerary? I'm surprised they even issued that.

I recently had a scheduled 2 hours transit, and due to the late incoming flight, the time was cut to ~45 mins. I walked really quickly to the transfer area (of course, I was allocated to one of the far away gates) and was lucky to get there when people was boarding the bus.

Once got to T1, I also used the Express card (once of the rare times that I actually used one - glad I always take a spare set or two). Even with all that, I used ~20 mins.

So that left another 20 mins or so in the F lounge. The restaurant staff was great in that I told them I was in a hurry and they told me which options were viable...

In other words, you may have ~10 mins in the F lounge, assuming the bus leaves as soon as you get there. If you have to wait for the bus, I don't think you can make the lounge at all, if not already late for boarding.

I'd follow the advice of trying to get onto an earlier SYD-bound flight. Perhaps just turn up earlier (and early enough for an earlier flight), so plead that you don't want to miss your connection...

P.S. As it turned out, when I was leaving the lounge, my departing flight was also delayed, so I afforded a full meal in the lounge. But that's another story...

 

[notzac]

You can do the terminal transfer by train. Probably goes about 5 times an hour at that time of day....and I think it is $5.

..and using the train will generally take a fair while longer, as you have to exit the domestic terminal to get to the train platform - and that's a good 3-5 minute walk right there.

Echoing other comments, I would call and see if you can get on an earlier flight (or turn up early at your departure airport and see if they can accommodate you)