Connecting Flight Sydney / Business Class

alwaysis on 02/02/2024 - 09:50
Last edited 02/02/2024 - 10:36 by 1 other user

Hi everyone, I have a Qantas connecting flight in Sydney.

I have 1 hour 40 mins to get from domestic terminal to international at Sydney airport. I've read that the buses leave every 20 mins to transfer. Can I easily get a taxi or uber to avoid this delay? Does it take very long to go through immigration etc at Sydney generally? I don't have to get my bags as they will allegedly go to the Bali flight.

What happens if the flight to Sydney from Brisbane is delayed? I've called Qantas and two conflicting responses received. One said I will be refunded and have to make my own arrangements to find another business class flight. The next person said if its Qantas fault they will find me the next available business class seat. I am thinking there's a risk there would be no business seats, they would put me on to economy and refund SOME of the difference. I asked them if the Brisbane to Sydney flight could be moved to earlier flight. No, not without me paying again.

I didn't think about the time in between flights when I booked and worried it could become a shitshow :(

Travel Airfare

Comments

  • Duckie2hh on 02/02/2024 - 09:57
    +1

    be no business seats, they would put me on to economy and refund SOME of the difference.

    This could happen but unlikely for you to miss your connection with almost a 2 hour connection.

    • jv on 02/02/2024 - 10:08
      -2

      Why are you giving the OP false hope?

      • Duckie2hh on 02/02/2024 - 10:08
        +1

        It will be more painful when it happens

        criticaldamage

        • jv on 02/02/2024 - 10:09
          -1

          Good point…

  • djkelly69 on 02/02/2024 - 09:57
    +1

    Are both flights booked under one booking reference?

    • alwaysis on 02/02/2024 - 10:43

      yes 1 booking

      • djkelly69 on 02/02/2024 - 10:50
        +9

        You will be protected for the connection then.

        I would turn up to airport early in BNE, let them know you have an international flight out of SYD later, and see if they can put you on an earlier flight. There won't be any fees if they are able to do it that way. If not, you just have to hope for the best.

        • alwaysis on 16/02/2024 - 18:43
          +1

          Thank you for saving the day
          I did as you suggested and qantas put me on earlier flight

  • jv on 02/02/2024 - 10:07
    -6

    I have 1 hour 40 mins to get from domestic terminal to international at sydney airport.

    You need to arrive at the international terminal at least 3 hours prior to an international flight.
    It takes forever to go through security.

  • bdl on 02/02/2024 - 10:12
    +5

    Minimum connect time is 90 minutes from domestic to international so if a shit show, then it was self inflicted :)

    There's a bus airside, no point catching an uber/taxi as you'd have to go landside and bring even more uncertainty into the logistics.

    I would pay the extra + change fees for an earlier domestic flight and enjoy business lounge for longer before you leave for bali with no stressing.

  • El cheepo on 02/02/2024 - 10:33
    +1

    People fly business class to bali? 🤯

    • Nillionaire on 02/02/2024 - 10:57
      +2

      I think it might be cheapest possible international business class fight destination. I can see people splurging on it to experience international business class in their life.

      • El cheepo on 02/02/2024 - 12:28
        +2

        That is a logical reason i guess.

        I have always assumed a business class flight to bali was a bit oxymoronic.

        Travelling to the cheapest holiday destination the most expensive way.

      • bdl on 02/02/2024 - 16:05

        And then fly JQ business class :P which just means they punch you one time less in the balls than economy inflight

  • JimmyF on 02/02/2024 - 10:39
    +1

    I have a Qantas connecting flight in sydney.
    What happens if the flight to sydney from Brisbane is delayed?

    Are the flights under one booking or two? As that will be the key to answering this.

    If under 1 booking, Qantas will sort it out for you. If you miss your connecting flight due to their delay, you might be refunded the fare difference if you are bumped from Business on the next available flight.

    If you booked two different flights, then you are on your own if Qantas is late in arriving to Sydney.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 02/02/2024 - 10:52

    Deep pockets fot a one hour flight

  • vocadata on 02/02/2024 - 10:54
    +7

    If it's on the same booking, then it's the airline's responsibility to connect you to the next flight – even if your flight coming in to Sydney is late. If it's a short delay they will usually hold the next flight, but if it's a longer delay they will rebook you onto another flight at no cost. You can also get your international boarding passes and have your bags checked through to the final destination from Brisbane.

    If separate bookings, then you'll need to collect your bag at domestic and re-check it at international (or travel with carry-on only). As you are flying business class, you'll usually get through check-in faster anyway, but go directly to the supervisor desk and explain you have a short connection so they check you in quickly. I would also ask the crew on your domestic flight to try to notify Sydney airport that you are on your way (once you are in the air). This doesn't guarantee that they will hold the next flight, but it may give you some extra minutes.

    You could also try arriving at Brisbane airport a little early and ask if they can put you on an earlier flight because of your tight connection time. The airport often has more flexibility to do this… but again, there are no guarantees.

    Business class passengers have priority lanes for immigration, customs and security in Sydney so you should typically make it through this area quickly. Once again, if you let someone know you have a short connection time, they may be able to prioritise you through.

    Lastly, as a lot of the airline and airport staff take plenty of daily abuse from passengers, being polite often goes a long way in my experience.

    • jenki on 03/02/2024 - 08:59
      +1

      Good advice!

      I would also ask the crew on your domestic flight to try to notify Sydney airport that you are on your way (once you are in the air).

      You don't need to do this - the airline already actively monitors connecting passengers. It is in their interest for all pax to make their connections, particularly international connections, as it costs time and money to reschedule pax, especially if they have to accommodate you on other airlines.

      The QA person overseeing connecting pax at SYD will actively communicate with the airside bus e.g. they will hold the bus till a flight containing international connectors lands. Once the X number of connecting pax disembark their domestic flight and board the bus it will depart for the international airport.

      Also there is likely several pax on your flight connecting to the same Bali flight. (You could definitely ask the cabin supervisor about this when you board if you wanted to feel extra secure).

      Enjoy your holiday!

  • try2bhelpful on 02/02/2024 - 11:13

    I would look at moving to an earlier domestic flight as well. You might make this but all you will do is stress the entire time. See if there is a penalty for moving your domestic flight. There should’ve been warning flags when this booking went through.

    • bdl on 02/02/2024 - 16:05
      +1

      If it's all one one ticket then the booking systems don't let you book connecting flights any closer than the MCT (minimum connect time). There usually isn't a warning, it just doesn't any flights that would result in a time difference less than the MCT.

      • try2bhelpful on 02/02/2024 - 18:19
        +1

        The airline must think there is enough time, then, so they should wear the risk.

  • alwaysis on 03/02/2024 - 06:44
    +1

    Thankyou everyone 👍

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