Travel to lax/fll

[tsschatswood]

We will be travelling to Fort Lauderdale Florida via Los Angeles arriving via QF107 at 06:25 on 30 October 2012. We are then keen to fly asap to FLL preferably by a direct flight. Virgin America has a direct flight (334) departing LAX at 10:15 on 30 October and we wondered whether it is feasible to try and catch that flight in view of the comparatively short period between flights.
It is some years since we have travelled to the USA and we are a little concerned that the entry requirements might mean that it is futile to attempt to take the Virgin flight.
We would appreciate any comments. We understand that the comments would have to be on the basis that the QF flights is on time.

Regards - Trevor

 

[ReLoad]

You have a mini lottery on your hands.

Sometimes its great and easy to get through and you will have time to spare, other times, a slight delay leaving AU and you are now many flights behind the other arrivals (QF 15, QF 93, QF 25 etc).
What class are you flying? I.e will you get out of the plane first?

Personally as long as the ticket is flexible it is worth taking the risk (as I do with AA on the same PNR) however different airlines mean if you miss it you're screwed.

 

[cove]

Trevor, you could stop in Los Angeles for a day. We tend to do that as we have been going to LAX for 35 years.
What you are proposing is way more sensible than a lot of folks who need to grab for an express card to try to save 10 minutes off their layover/ transit time.

 

[drron]

Unless you have already got your ticket to LAX it would be worth going SYD-DFW and then on to FLL.You can get the ticket right through with either QF or AA and then you are protected.AA have flights DFW-FLL every 2 hours or so.
DFW is also a lot easier to get through than LAX.

 

[Blackadder]

We will be travelling to Fort Lauderdale Florida via Los Angeles arriving via QF107 at 06:25 on 30 October 2012. We are then keen to fly asap to FLL preferably by a direct flight. Virgin America has a direct flight (334) departing LAX at 10:15 on 30 October and we wondered whether it is feasible to try and catch that flight in view of the comparatively short period between flights.
It is some years since we have travelled to the USA and we are a little concerned that the entry requirements might mean that it is futile to attempt to take the Virgin flight.
We would appreciate any comments. We understand that the comments would have to be on the basis that the QF flights is on time.

Regards - Trevor

It should be okay as long as things are running to schedule, however any delays ex Aus may put a spanner in the works.

 

[tsschatswood]

Thanks to all who responded. You have confirmed our understanding. We are flying Business Class and already have the tickets so DFW is not an option.
The other problem is that if we book seats on the Virgin America flight at 10:15 and miss it, the only other Virgin direct flight on that day is not until 22:00 that night. We will have to make up our mind whether to take the chance or stay in Los Angeles and take the early Virgin direct flight the next day or try and take a later internal flight with a layover on the way.

 

[smit0847]

Hi Trevor

This is slightly risky because I assume they are ticketed separately (because there is no alliance/interline between the two airlines) meaning VX will not care why you missed your flight if you do (separately ticketed late incoming arrival on another airline is not an excuse).

As others have said, if the flights are on time you wont have a problem. Remember VX is a small airline (compared with AA, QF, DL etc) so if there are issues with the VX flight there arent as many options. I was on a NYC-LAX VX flight that was cancelled due to technical issues and they couldnt get me to LAX until 24 hours later.

 

[tsschatswood]

Hi Trevor

This is slightly risky because I assume they are ticketed separately (because there is no alliance/interline between the two airlines) meaning VX will not care why you missed your flight if you do (separately ticketed late incoming arrival on another airline is not an excuse).

As others have said, if the flights are on time you wont have a problem. Remember VX is a small airline (compared with AA, QF, DL etc) so if there are issues with the VX flight there arent as many options. I was on a NYC-LAX VX flight that was cancelled due to technical issues and they couldnt get me to LAX until 24 hours later.

OK, thanks for your advice. We are leaning towards trying for a non-direct AA flight a little later in the day even if it means arriving in FLL late that night.

 

[UP4014]

Personally, I'd continue on using AA to protect yourself on the onward flight.

I've been delayed in Brisbane because a mechanical fault (QF15? to LAX) and missed the next 4 AA flights to my destination, but front up to the AA counter and you're on the next one without being out of pocket.

Matt

 

[infinity]

did the FLL /LAX on VA in December in economy. Great flight for Y class and good IFE. VA pride themselves on leaving on time, so assume you need to take that into consieration at the LAX end

 

[SYD]

Myself and partner have done SYD-LAX-DFW-FLL two years running (to join a cruise out of FLL) and taken advantage of the AA YUP fares. Last year was a bit hairy with all the snow (in Feb), but that will hardly be a problem in Oct!

Personally, I wouldn't hesitate in booking the Virgin option myself if you wanted a direct option. There is also an AA direct option now.

 

[ammer]

I flew to LA with Virgin last year in Economy. We were late leaving Melbourne so missed our slot in LA. Waited on the tar for about an hour then we got bused into customs. The poor buggers who were getting connections were have canaries. Customs was diabolical. Seriously they didn't give a **** about anyone. Lots of people everywhere for about 2 hours trying to get through and lots of missed connections. I have never been in a worse queue. People were literally pushing by us (with one child in our arms and 3 asleep on the floor draped over our baggage) trying to skip ahead because of connections. The trouble was that about half the plane load seemed to be doing it. It was very stressful! So this year, next Tuesday, we are flying to LA but I know it could be rough and thank god we won't have a connection.

 

[FlyboyAl]

Like others have said, if all goes to plan, it should be fine.
My last flight to LAX was 2 hours late leaving SYD and when we got to LAX it was bedlam, and as the last poster said, it seemed "everyone" was trying to make connections. I was lucky - I was getting off in LA so I just kept smiling and slowly worked my way through customs. There was a LOT of stress in the air - even the flight crew took about 90 mins to get through customs! I got through customs about 15 minutes after I saw most of them walk past the back of the customs check points.
There is a lot to be said for having all the flights on one PNR, and a LOT less stress.
I'm off to SFO in a couple of weeks on QF/AA, and if I'm late getting through customs, it is AA's problem to get me onto the next flight. I've allowed an extra day for "just in case" scenarios

 

[cove]

Good thinking FlyboyAl.
We are regulars to LAX so we see lots of un-necessary stress.

 

[tsschatswood]

Good thinking FlyboyAl.
We are regulars to LAX so we see lots of un-necessary stress.

Thanks to everyone who replied. We have decided to travel to FLL with AA thereby (hopefully) avoiding any stress.

 

[ReLoad]

Thanks to everyone who replied. We have decided to travel to FLL with AA thereby (hopefully) avoiding any stress.

A wise choice

 

[UP4014]

Thanks to everyone who replied. We have decided to travel to FLL with AA thereby (hopefully) avoiding any stress.

It will at least avoid knowing you'll have to sort a second lot of tickets out if you're late and sitting on a late flight knowing that's what your first task it when you get off. Just joint the AA check in queue and they'll make sure you get there on the next available.

Matt

 

[FlyboyAl]

Thanks to everyone who replied. We have decided to travel to FLL with AA thereby (hopefully) avoiding any stress.

Look on the bright side - they will be as bad as anyone else