Originally Posted by
RPRocket
(1) If I am checking luggage, will I need to collect by bags and clear customs in SYD or can I check direct to MEL? Does it matter whether I book a separate domestic ticket or try to bolt this leg onto the existing ticket?
Yiu have to clear immigration, customs & quarantine at first port of call when exiting an international terminal.
Then check in for your next flight and drop bags off.
On some flights [eg UA] you can transit air side, as the UA aircraft goes SYD international to MEL international, and then immigration at MEL.
Originally Posted by
RPRocket
(2) Does it matter whether I book this leg on Qantas or Virgin Australia given I am traveling internationally on Delta?
Delta & Virgin have a tie up of some kind, but doubt it will make a difference.
Originally Posted by
RPRocket
(3) Are domestic flights within AUS at a completely separate terminal and do Virgin and Qantas offer the same degree of complexity from Int'l arrivals?
International & domestic terminals are separate is Australia. Each has its own security and no mixing with other pax.
At SYD (and BNE - PER) they are some distance apart, hence the bus - train.
MEL (and ADL) has both international & domestic terminals in the same physical building. A few minutes walk
Both QF & DJ have the same complexity for a domestic flight
Originally Posted by
RPRocket
(4) I've seen mention of the free QF bus, would I be eligible for this is I book a o/w SYD-MEL on QF?
Yes. Can check in at the intl terminal and take the free QF bus across.
Unsure if DJ offer domestic check in from international terminal