Virgin blue / v australia connections - any advice?

[Holiday123]

Hi I am posting regarding virgin blue / v australia flights and connections.

I am looking at a flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles, which is purchased all through V Australia as one ticket. Although the actual ticket includes a Melbourne to Sydney flight with Virgin Blue, and then a Sydney to Los Angeles flight with V Australia.

I am not booking the domestic and international flight seperate, but together as the one ticket of Melbourne to Los Angeles.

I have had a read of the V Australia website and have found the following information on check in / connections etc:

Guests check-in at the domestic port, where their bags will be checked through to their final V Australia destination. They will also receive a transfer wallet, which contains a map of the transfer port and a bus pass to use in Sydney. Upon arriving in Sydney, guests should head to the transfer lounge at Gate 37, where they can check-in for their international flight. Once they have received their boarding pass for their VA flight, they will be shown downstairs to the transfer bus, which will take them over to the international terminal. ** If issued VA boarding pass at the transfer lounge at Gate 37 then guests are not required to check-in again once they arrive at the international terminal.

Has anyone on these forums purchased / flown a similar ticket? From my understanding, I do domestic check in at Melbourne, and then international check in at the transfer lounge at gate 37 in Sydney? I have been told that my checked luggage will only need to be checked in Melbourne and will go all the way through to Los Angeles (no need to check the luggage in Sydney).

Does anyone know how far the transfer lounge is from where you arrive in Sydney on a Virgin Blue flight? How does this work when you get to the transfer lounge? Is the transfer lounge only for Virgin Blue / V Australia or different airlines too? Are we to expect big queues at the transfer lounge? I assume once we have checked in at the transfer lounge, at the international terminal, there is nothing else to do except go through security and arrive at the gate?

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

 

[notzac]

Has anyone on these forums purchased / flown a similar ticket? From my understanding, I do domestic check in at Melbourne, and then international check in at the transfer lounge at gate 37 in Sydney? I have been told that my checked luggage will only need to be checked in Melbourne and will go all the way through to Los Angeles (no need to check the luggage in Sydney).

Hi Holiday123, welcome to AFF!

Your understanding is correct; your bags are checked through to your final destination and you only have to pick them up once you reach the US.

Does anyone know how far the transfer lounge is from where you arrive in Sydney on a Virgin Blue flight? How does this work when you get to the transfer lounge? Is the transfer lounge only for Virgin Blue / V Australia or different airlines too? Are we to expect big queues at the transfer lounge? I assume once we have checked in at the transfer lounge, at the international terminal, there is nothing else to do except go through security and arrive at the gate?

This is the bit I'm not so sure about. If DJ are unable to issue your boarding pass for SYD-LAX in MEL, you will need to collect the boarding pass in SYD. The transfer lounge (as I understand it) is a desk by one of the departure gates at SYD; you simply need to front up at the desk with your baggage tags and (maybe?) your itinerary to collect your boarding pass and whatever is required to access the transfer bus across to the International terminal.

There could well be a queue -- I would definitely recommend making a point of having as long a connection as you can get for in between flights in case of delays.

Aside from that, once you're bussed to the International terminal it's just a matter of clearing security, immigration and then avoid spending too much money at the shopping mall prior to reaching your departure gate.

 

[jakplus1]

I agree with Notzac - we did the same flight as you are doing, except we went via BNE.

The transfer desk was near one of the gates - we got off our plane and raced down there, only to find that it wasn't manned for about 30 minutes after we got there. We were first in line so it was nice and quick. You just need your itinerary, passports etc.

Your bags will be checked all the way from Melbourne to LA - and yes, you are right, after getting your boarding pass at the transfer desk, you just have to make your way to your departure gate.

I guess I haven't really added anything more than notzac, but I hope that helps.

 

[Holiday123]

Thanks both for your responses! I have a better understanding now of connections etc.

Jaksmum, do you mind if I ask with your flights, for the domestic portion from Melbourne to Brisbane, did you check in online yourself before the flight (like you can do with a normal domestic flight), or did you need to wait to get at the airport to check in there?

Thanks again, Holiday123

 

[jakplus1]

Thanks both for your responses! I have a better understanding now of connections etc.

Jaksmum, do you mind if I ask with your flights, for the domestic portion from Melbourne to Brisbane, did you check in online yourself before the flight (like you can do with a normal domestic flight), or did you need to wait to get at the airport to check in there?

Thanks again, Holiday123

We checked in at the airport...

 

[acoolbreeze]

I have a similiar situation - dep Melb via BNE and was wondering if I wanted to pay the extra money for a bulk head/exit seat do I do it at check in in Melb or while transferring at Bne?
Also, will Virgin Blue interline my bags on behalf of V Aust in Melb as I have a onward flight with Alaskan to Mexico?

Thanks.

 

[Holiday123]

I have a similiar situation - dep Melb via BNE and was wondering if I wanted to pay the extra money for a bulk head/exit seat do I do it at check in in Melb or while transferring at Bne?
Also, will Virgin Blue interline my bags on behalf of V Aust in Melb as I have a onward flight with Alaskan to Mexico?

Thanks.

Yes I would love to know the answer too for where to pay extra for the exit seats.

Whether it be at Melbourne airport where they take our luggage or at Sydney (or in your case Brisbane) where we get the boarding passes for the international flight.

If you find an answer, I would love to know! Otherwise I might contact V Australia for clarification.

The exit seats are worth the extra money. Unsure about bulkhead as have not sat there before, but I dont think they have as much leg room as the emergency exit seats

 

[Holiday123]

I have a similiar situation - dep Melb via BNE and was wondering if I wanted to pay the extra money for a bulk head/exit seat do I do it at check in in Melb or while transferring at Bne?
Also, will Virgin Blue interline my bags on behalf of V Aust in Melb as I have a onward flight with Alaskan to Mexico?

Thanks.

I have found the following information from the V Australia website:

Exit row seats

Ever boarded a plane and looked with envy at the person who lucked into an Exit Row Seat? Well now we are offering that extra leg room to you!

• enjoy more room with no-one in front.
• exit row seats are available from AUD $150 ex AU or USD $110 ex US on the day of travel, from the check-in desk (including service desks, transfer desks & transit desks). All seats are subject to availability.

 

[Holiday123]

I have contacted V Australia and have been advised that the emergency exit seats / bulkheads etc need to be organised at international check in (which will be Sydney in the case of a Melbourne to Los Angeles flight via Sydney).

Acoolbrreze, if you are travelling Melbourne to Los Angeles via Brisbane, I assume you will need to do this in Brisbane, but suggest you contact V Australia to confirm.

 

[acoolbreeze]

I have contacted V Australia and have been advised that the emergency exit seats / bulkheads etc need to be organised at international check in (which will be Sydney in the case of a Melbourne to Los Angeles flight via Sydney).

Acoolbrreze, if you are travelling Melbourne to Los Angeles via Brisbane, I assume you will need to do this in Brisbane, but suggest you contact V Australia to confirm.

Will do, thanks for the heads up.