LAX - MIA : enough time for connecting flight

[kinkacruiser]

Flying into LAX on the QF 15 flight out of Brisbane next year. It's our first time into LAX and our connecting AA flight to Miami leaves from Terminal 4. From a map, it looks to be close. We arrive at 6:40 am and the AA flight departs at 9:15 am. Is this sufficient time to allow for Immigration and a walk to terminal 4. Is check in time for the AA flight to Miami 1 hour prior to departure? Will our luggage be automatically transferred to the AA flight? Incidentally, both flights were booked with Qantas.

 

[harvyk]

All on the one PNR (Ticket)?

 

[Mac502]

On AA and Qantas even with different PNRs you should get checked all the way through including boarding passes. If you have been through the U.S. before and have esta you can use the new automatic kiosks and then you'll make it with plenty of time.

 

[harvyk]

On AA and Qantas even with different PNRs you should get checked all the way through including boarding passes. If you have been through the U.S. before and have esta you can use the new automatic kiosks and then you'll make it with plenty of time.

That's not the problem, separate tickets means that AA would be under no obligation to fly you to MIA should the QF flight arrive late. I have heard that AA will place you onto a subsequent flight even if on separate tickets if there was a problem, but technically they would be under no obligation.

 

[RooFlyer]

With new arrangements at LAX, I'd say you were fine. If your flight is late getting in, if it becomes a 2hour or less connection, you should get an express voucher for immigration immediately after you de-plane (the you are usually directed to use free USA lanes, if kiosks busy), customs AND security at T4 for the onward flight. As far as I'm aware, this applies to all pax, not just J/F and status.

Your luggage will be tagged through to destination, but you have to pick it up off the carousel at LAX, clear US customs, then you place it on another belt very shortly after; then you exit TBIT (Tom Bradley Int terminal, where you will arrive to).

Exit door of TBIT (then turn right) to entry door to T4 is about 5 mins. You should have boarding pass already, so go straight to security, which may be slow, even with an express pass if your plane was late in. You usually need to be at the gate at least 30 mins before departure, so don't dawdle in any case.

BTW, anyone ... can separate PNRs get joined, in this case?

 

[harvyk]

BTW, anyone ... can separate PNRs get joined, in this case?

Going OT, I don't think so, I believe it needs to be an offer made by the airline(s) at time of sale. A TA might be able to do so post sale but I doubt it would be for free.

 

[ausfox]

I joined a travelling companion in Sydney to fly to USA last year. I initiated in Mel and he from DBO.I had the PNRs joined to allow travel as a group by the nice folk at Qantas.

 

[harvyk]

I joined a travelling companion in Sydney to fly to USA last year. I initiated in Mel and he from DBO.I had the PNRs joined to allow travel as a group by the nice folk at Qantas.

That's slightly different. What that means is that QF will attempt to seat everyone in your group together.

The important thing is if it's the same PNR for your SYD-LAX flight as the LAX-MIA flight. If you booked everything on the same website at the same time (so 1 payment) or via a travel agent and you booked it as a SYD-MIA flight (with change of carrier in LAX) then you'll be fine. If you went to qantas.com and booked the SYD-LAX component and then AA.com for the LAX-MIA component then you'll have 2 PNR's.

 

[serfty]

That's not the problem, separate tickets means that AA would be under no obligation to fly you to MIA should the QF flight arrive late. I have heard that AA will place you onto a subsequent flight even if on separate tickets if there was a problem, but technically they would be under no obligation.

Actually, it is stated on the AA website there is an obligation if all tickets are oneworld airline stock and the carriers are oneworld: (oneworld - Separate Tickets - American Airlines)

AA to/from AA or a oneworld® Carrier

If a customer is holding separate tickets on AA or another oneworld carrier, customers holding separate tickets where travel is on oneworld airlines should be treated as through ticketed passengers. In the event of a disruption on the originating ticket, the carrier responsible for the disruption will be required to reroute the customer to their final destination. The ticket stock of the second ticket must be of a oneworld carrier, eligible under the Endorsement Waiver Agreement. You may contact AA Reservations 1-800-433-7300 (U.S. and Canada) or outside the U.S. and Canada, reference Worldwide Reservations Numbers for additional information if the separate ticket is for travel on a oneworld carrier.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Flying into LAX on the QF 15 flight out of Brisbane next year. It's our first time into LAX and our connecting AA flight to Miami leaves from Terminal 4. From a map, it looks to be close. We arrive at 6:40 am and the AA flight departs at 9:15 am.

Is this sufficient time to allow for Immigration and a walk to terminal 4. Is check in time for the AA flight to Miami 1 hour prior to departure? Will our luggage be automatically transferred to the AA flight? Incidentally, both flights were booked with Qantas.

I second everything Roo Flyer has said but if you have carryon luggage you want to put in the overhead lockers you need to board as soon as your group is called. Often flights start boarding 45 mins or earlier prior to departure. We generally start getting ready to leave the lounge about one hour prior to departure to allow plenty of time to walk to the gate and browse at nearby shops or buy a Starbucks coffee to take onboard with us.

BTW, anyone ... can separate PNRs get joined, in this case?

You can only divide/split pax out of pnrs not add or merge people into the same pnr if they were booked separately in the beginning.

I joined a travelling companion in Sydney to fly to USA last year. I initiated in Mel and he from DBO.I had the PNRs joined to allow travel as a group by the nice folk at Qantas.

This is more a case of linking the names in the Altea checkin system which gives the appearance of everyone being on the same booking however the respective pnrs are still separate.

The linking of the names in checkin will also apply to the remainder of flights in those same pnrs so when you checkin at LAX on the homeward sector (assuming you're returning on the same flight as well) you'll already be linked in the checkin system.

 

[UP4014]

Personally I would allow more time.

You don't mention what time of year you are going, this makes a big difference and winter causes delays all over the place in the US for obvious reasons.

I have been on QF15 which departed 2 hours late and missed my connection to San Jose then Boise, there's all your transfer time gone in a problem which originated in Brisbane.

It's only a short walk to the AA terminal and welcome after being locked up for 13 hours. ALso be aware that delays at LAX can result in massive security bank ups to get into the terminal, I've waited there an hour to get back in.

But on the plus side, if the tickets are linked AA will simply put you on the next flight out or route you via somewhere like Phoenix or Chicago so not an issue.

Matt

 

[RooFlyer]

All on the one PNR (Ticket)?

<snip>

You can only divide/split pax out of pnrs not add or merge people into the same pnr if they were booked separately in the beginning.
<snip>.

Oops for some reason I thought the OP said the two flights were separate PNRs. Sorry for the distraction.

I'll move across to the more expensive gin, now. Should clear the head.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Oops for some reason I thought the OP said the two flights were separate PNRs. Sorry for the distraction.

I'll move across to the more expensive gin, now. Should clear the head.

Doesn't matter if they are separate pnrs, QF will still through check bags to AA (or US) for the LAX/MIA flight. Just make sure you have the AA itinerary handy if this is the case to give the QF CSA when you checkin at BNE.

Also KinkaCruiser don't forget you can pre-allocate your AA seats on their website, just ask QF for the AA pnr or you could try entering the QF pnr into www.checkmytrip.com and see if it will display your AA pnr.

 

[kinkacruiser]

All on the one PNR (Ticket)?

Yes both flights on the same ticket. We were last in the USA in 2011. How long is the ESTA valid for?

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes both flights on the same ticket. We were last in the USA in 2011. How long is the ESTA valid for?

generally 2 years. time to pay up again!

 

[serfty]

generally 2 years. time to pay up again!

Yeah - my current one expires in a few weeks - six weeks out i received a notification/reminder via email from the usa cbp.

 

[kinkacruiser]

Personally I would allow more time.

You don't mention what time of year you are going, this makes a big difference and winter causes delays all over the place in the US for obvious reasons.

I have been on QF15 which departed 2 hours late and missed my connection to San Jose then Boise, there's all your transfer time gone in a problem which originated in Brisbane.

It's only a short walk to the AA terminal and welcome after being locked up for 13 hours. ALso be aware that delays at LAX can result in massive security bank ups to get into the terminal, I've waited there an hour to get back in.

But on the plus side, if the tickets are linked AA will simply put you on the next flight out or route you via somewhere like Phoenix or Chicago so not an issue.

Matt

April 27 - one PNR. I hope we're not late in. Last time we organised ESTA it was free now it's $15. Has to be one of the least expensive visas.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yeah - my current one express in a few weeks - six weeks out i received a reminder from usa cbp

That's good to know (that they send reminders).

 

[harvyk]

Yes both flights on the same ticket. We were last in the USA in 2011. How long is the ESTA valid for?

You'll be fine then. Since everything is on one ticket, as far as the airlines are concerned you're flying from BNE-MIA. LAX is simply a stopover and not the destination. Therefore it is up to QF / AA to get you to MIA full stop end of story.

 

[aaflyer]

You'll be fine then. Since everything is on one ticket, as far as the airlines are concerned you're flying from BNE-MIA. LAX is simply a stopover and not the destination. Therefore it is up to QF / AA to get you to MIA full stop end of story.

As serfty posted earlier, it could be totally separate tickets and the OP would be fine.

AA have it in writing that they will protect connecting OW pax on separate tickets. It's one of the best things about AA IMHO.