VA-DL Baggage Interline

[EvanC]

I'm travelling to MEL-LAX in August with VA, and then onwards to DCA via SLC with DL. They're booked on separate itineraries, the VA leg with VA and the DL with DL (jumped on a cheap fare for my international flights before I knew what I was doing in the States).

Does anyone know if, when I check in at MEL, I'd be able to get the check in agent to interline my baggage through to the DL flights? I understand that I'll have to collect them as I pass through customs/etc at LAX, but from what I've been reading it could smooth the process of dropping them for my DL flights.

Hoping someone might have some insight into this - at this point I'm really just quite curious! Thanks!

 

[notzac]

I believe the official answer is 'no', as they're not on the one itinerary - but there are mixed reports of success if you have both the itineraries with you at MEL. Unsure as to what Sabre actually allows the check-in agents to do here.

 

[EvanC]

Aha, I had a feeling that might have been how it goes. I guess I'll have to wait and see if I can persuade them to try it for me.

 

[serfty]

Won't be much of a problem anyway as DL apparently have a recheck desk at TBIT arrivals where you can check in for you SLC flight before heading to t5

 

[Lizzi]

I asked the same thing when doing a similar itinerary earlier in the year, and they said no, but as with so many things, it might depend on who's manning the desk

 

[MandM]

Won't be much of a problem anyway as DL apparently have a recheck desk at TBIT arrivals where you can check in for you SLC flight before heading to t5

Won't it be T5 arrival and T5 departure?

 

[serfty]

Won't it be T5 arrival and T5 departure?

Los Angeles Airport Guide | Virgin Australia

From 1 June 2013, all Virgin Australia operated aircraft arriving into Los Angeles will be disembarking at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) moving from our current location of Terminal 5. ...

 

[LiamR]

I don't think VA staff are quite confident enough with Sabre to check in luggage across multiple PNRs yet. If the staff member says no, perhaps ask if anybody else on duty might know how to do it?

 

[jneufeld]

Los Angeles Airport Guide | Virgin Australia

Sorry a little off topic but, how long has this been out there for? I've heard nothing till now and am on VA1 with a connection in 3 weeks.

 

[Fruitcake]

Sorry a little off topic but, how long has this been out there for? I've heard nothing till now and am on VA1 with a connection in 3 weeks.

It's relatively new. 2-3 weeks at most. The first I heard was a post on here.

NZ is moving to TBIT as well (from T2) but I don't think this will have any significant impact for VA pax. The ideal outcome (as I see it) would be for VA to move departures to TBIT and use the new Star Alliance lounge, which has showers. Given NZ and SQ are both VA partners, they might have enough leverage to pull that one off but the relatively recent opening of the VX Loft in T3 means the odds of that move look pretty low.

Either way I think something has to be done about VA lounge facilities in LAX - the Loft wins on the funkiness factor but it's well below par as a departure lounge for long haul services, particularly when many pax are coming in off 5hr+ connecting flights and may 4+ hours in transit.

 

[jneufeld]

It's relatively new. 2-3 weeks at most. The first I heard was a post on here.

NZ is moving to TBIT as well (from T2) but I don't think this will have any significant impact for VA pax.

How do the immigration cues at TBIT stack up against those at T5 when the VA flights arrive? Surely having the inbound flight arrive at the same terminal all the codeshare connections is a big bonus.

 

[MandM]

How do the immigration cues at TBIT stack up against those at T5 when the VA flights arrive? Surely having the inbound flight arrive at the same terminal all the codeshare connections is a big bonus.

Not all connections are on Delta - some are Virgin America in T3, so TBIT is nicely placed between the Delta terminal and the Virgin America terminal.

 

[EvanC]

I must say that I was quite disappointed to discover that they're moving to TBIT (first read that on here about a week ago). The T5 factor was one of the things that pushed me toward Delta in the first place.

 

[alanzeino]

Not all connections are on Delta - some are Virgin America in T3, so TBIT is nicely placed between the Delta terminal and the Virgin America terminal.

As a Virgin America fan I sure wish this meant VA started offering VX codeshares on routes I use (LAX to SFO, for example).

T3 is closer to TBIT (though not but a whole lot), and it's probably time for them to offer the VX codeshare from SFO to LAX considering the flights land straight into T3 (where VA departs).

 

[serfty]

As a Virgin America fan I sure wish this meant VA started offering VX codeshares on routes I use (LAX to SFO, for example).

T3 is closer to TBIT (though not but a whole lot), and it's probably time for them to offer the VX codeshare from SFO to LAX considering the flights land straight into T3 (where VA departs).

The plans for the "Bradley West" development include an Airside walkway between T3 and TBIT (as well as another for TBIT and T4).

 

[cssaus]

Los Angeles Airport Guide | Virgin Australia

I'll be looking with interest to read experiences with arrivals at TBIT especially immigration queues.

At the moment they're not too bad at T5 but it's quite a fair walk from the gate that VA uses on arrival. Mind you, the brisk walk helps get the body moving again after the 13 hour flight from Sydney. I wonder if that will change at TBIT.

I'm sure this will end up as a new thread.

 

[EvanC]

I'll be looking with interest to read experiences with arrivals at TBIT especially immigration queues.

At the moment they're not too bad at T5 but it's quite a fair walk from the gate that VA uses on arrival. Mind you, the brisk walk helps get the body moving again after the 13 hour flight from Sydney. I wonder if that will change at TBIT.

I'm sure this will end up as a new thread.

Brisk walk also offers the chance to overtake others on your flight!

 

[cssaus]

Brisk walk also offers the chance to overtake others on your flight!

For my recent flights I've been sitting in 5C.....first one off!

 

[jneufeld]

Well I will be arriving at LAX and transitting to DL on June 3, so 2 days after the terminal change. I will be sure to report back.

 

[cssaus]

Well I will be arriving at LAX and transitting to DL on June 3, so 2 days after the terminal change. I will be sure to report back.

Good luck.

Let us know how long it takes to get from the gate to Immigration, get through immigration and transit to T5. What cabin are you flying in?