Air New Zealand Air Points - SAN/LAX/LHR transfer time ?

:confused: My first time flying ANZ and I'm jazzed! However, not convinced with the info received from UAL agent that I have enough time from my LAX arrival at 3:00 pm to comfortably make it to ANZ#2 departing at 4:40. Will I need to go through security again? Appreciate your input.

:confused: My first time flying ANZ and I'm jazzed! However, not convinced with the info received from UAL agent that I have enough time from my LAX arrival at 3:00 pm to comfortably make it to ANZ#2 departing at 4:40. Will I need to go through security again? Appreciate your input.

Connecting from a UA flight to NZ would mean you would need to change terminals; I'm not sure a 1h40 connection at LAX could be considered comfortable.

My experience in the LAX terminal that NZ and AC use, has always been good. No delays at security or c-kin. Their is a premuim security line, the staff their are usually excellent, if you are tight for time, let someone know and they will whisk you through.

I would definently get an earlier flight ex SAN to allow for those unexpected delays that do occur and to allow sufficent transfer times.

Enjoy Air New Zealand!!!!!

1 hour 40 is really pushing it for a UA to NZ connection.

UA flight arrives terminal 6 or 7, on the opposite side of the airport to T2 which NZ uses. Can either take the *A bus, which runs every 10 minutes or so, or walk around the terminals (about 15 minutes). IIRC there is also a short way through the carparks but it hasnt been immediately obvious to me.

If you can get bags checked right through and BP issued for NZ flight in SAN that will save some time. Expect to take at least 30 minutes to clear immigration and security at T2.

Enjoy your flight to London :)

I always take an earlier flight out of San Diego than required when connecting in LAX or SFO to an international flight. The cost of an extra hour is well worth it in peace of mind. We get coastal haze at times; at other times, there are flow delays into LA or SFO; and then many times the flight goes on schedule and all is well. Still, I remember about 6 months ago when I flew from SAN to SFO to catch a flight to LHR. I caught an earlier flight out of San Diego; there were about 10 people on the flight that had the specified connection. They didn't make the LHR flight; I did.

Go earlier. Relax in LA - and enjoy your flight onward.

My experience going from UA to NZ is that 1 hour 40 minutes is plenty of time, of course I always cut through the parking garage (walk towards the encounters restaurant, the big fancy sculpture/building in the middle of the airport where the ATC tower is and from there walk straight over to terminal 2) and it saves a bunch of time. The security lines for NZ shouldn't be a problem as they are pretty quick. I'd say the last time it took me less than 30 minutes from the time I walk off the EMB until I was in the lounge in the NZ terminal.

If you want to play it safe I woudn't worry about re-booking on an earlier flight, just show up a little bit earlier than an hour before the 3pm flight and the check in staff in SD will probably offer to put you on the earlier flight to get up to LA, if they don't offer than just ask and you'll probably get there a bit earlier. Usually when I'm in the commuter terminal I hear them asking if anyone wants to go on an earlier flight. Of course that depends on how many people are on the flight, mid day shouldn't be a problem though.

Good luck.

SML

Yes, mid day is usually no problem! The airport seems 'light between noon and 3:00pm! I've done the UA NZ thing a few times (coming from PSP to LAX). Never a problem. Doing it again in April. Walking is a good option if you have no luggage or just a roller. Thru the parking lot and you are there (good exercise before a long flight too). The bus has always been quick since you get on the last stop of the loop and get off the 2nd stop in the loop.


Air New Zealand service is great!!! Seats are big, and old, but service a space are excellent!

Have fun!

Thanks so much for the information. Amazes me how hard it is to find out this type of thing from the airline. I called both UAL and ANZ and they both felt I have plenty of time to get to the terminal and that I don't have to go through security again. Didn't sound right to me at all... especially if one is crossing through parking lots.

I assume the flight from San Diego to LAX leaves from the commuter terminal as the flight is 4-digits. The agent said her info indicates terminal 1. I'll keep checking... This trip is in July :rolleyes:

I assume the flight from San Diego to LAX leaves from the commuter terminal as the flight is 4-digits. The agent said her info indicates terminal 1. I'll keep checking... This trip is in July :rolleyes:

All UA SAN-LAX flights leave from the Commuter Terminal. Once upon a time we had 2 or 3 737s on the route, but no more.