Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - AKL-SYD-MEL connection question

We're flying HNL-AKL-SYD-MEL on ANZ for the first 2 legs and connecting in SYD to UA.

The UA flight we're connecting to is the LAX-SYD-MEL run. We have an hour and ten minutes in SYD to go from ANZ to UA.

Question is: Since we're coming in int'l on ANZ, do we have to clear customs before we go onto the UA flight?

My thought is No because the passengers on the UA flight from LAX don't have to clear, so we'll be with them when they clear in MEL.

Can anyone confirm this? Also any thoughts on checked baggage?

Thanks.

Presumably this is all on one ticket (because United cannot sell SYD-MEL as a stand-alone sector). You can check bags at HNL all the way to MEL.

At AKL go to international transfers. This is on the right hand side at the base of the main pier, if you've turned left and entered a corridor with bird noises you have gone too far. There is security to get to the departures level so no liquids > 100ml.

At SYD go to international transfers. This is signposted and is before immigration. Again there is security so no liquids > 100ml.

You will clear immigration and customs in MEL.

Presumably this is all on one ticket (because United cannot sell SYD-MEL as a stand-alone sector). You can check bags at HNL all the way to MEL.

At AKL go to international transfers. This is on the right hand side at the base of the main pier, if you've turned left and entered a corridor with bird noises you have gone too far. There is security to get to the departures level so no liquids > 100ml.

At SYD go to international transfers. This is signposted and is before immigration. Again there is security so no liquids > 100ml.

You will clear immigration and customs in MEL.

Thanks so much, Kiwi. This is what I thought should happen and yes, it's all on one CO ticket. UA was telliing me I had to clear customs and, I knew it wasn't true.

Do you see any problem with the 1:10 connection time?

30 min is enough time for the connection in the SYD terminal but there is also deplaning time (which can take forever at SYD, 15 min delay opening doors at the jetbridge seems to be common) and if the UA flight is on time it will be boarding. However you are presumably within the MCT (I haven't checked) and if you miss the flight will get re-routed onto the frequent SYD-MEL flights (often as every 15 min on QF).

I have missed the connection a few times in SYD. If you do, then you will be rerouted on a QF domestic flight.

If this happens, you will go through customs and immigration, then you turn right (I think) and follow the signs to domestic transfers in the INTL TERMINAL. They will check your bags and give you your boarding passes if you did not get them before exiting customs. You will then clear security and they will put you on a bus that takes you across the tarmac and lets you off airside at the domestic terminal (no more security after that).

It is actually quite an easy transfer. Just make sure to follow the signs for transfers. DO NOT take the outside bus, the train, or a taxi. The transfer is free.

Oh, in case you are early, or have time, be sure to visit the ANZ/UA Star Gold lounge in SYD (upstairs from the gate area) and say hi to Annie!