Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan - BLI to LAX to catch Qantas to Sydney

Will Alaska/Horizon check my bags at BLI all the way through since they are partners? AND, on the returning flight from Melbourne, how much time is recommended between arrival at LAX and flight on AS up to SEA/BLI? (We are using FF miles between BLI and LAX). We arrive LAX at 7:30 a.m. and there are 2 flights I am looking at up to SEA - one leaves LAX 10:15 a.m., the other 1:45 p.m. - which is the safest to book? Thanks.

2 hours is recommended to connect from an international to a domestic flight. The 10:15 should give you plenty of time.

I've since seen (and put on hold) a flight leaving LAX at 11:15 JUST IN CASE Qantas was late getting in (wonder if that happens often?). Is that a safer bet?

Yes, I would definitely feel more comfortable with the longer connection time at LAX.

I'd book the 10:15 personally ... but if the 11:15 makes you feel better..have at it :)

Thanks for all the input. Think we'll go with the 11:15 even though the 10:15 would probably work - perhaps if we get there in plenty of time, we could standby for the 10:15. I'd just feel more comfortable knowing we had lots of time and it is, after all, only an extra hour - after flying for 14, that's not much. :) Thanks again.

I've since seen (and put on hold) a flight leaving LAX at 11:15 JUST IN CASE Qantas was late getting in (wonder if that happens often?). Is that a safer bet?

Not often late. The flight usually has a decent tailwind and, if anything, arrives early. If they can get Flextrack, I've been on flights that make the trip in 12 hours.

Okay, then - husband asked this question, so I will too. Say we book the 10:15 and the flight up from Oz IS late and we miss the 10:15, then what? An expensive one-way walk up fare? Or will Alaska work with us on this? (Sorry I don't know the answers to these questions).

It seems like there is quite a process when you get into LAX and have to clear customs, get your bags, and re-check in. Each time I've flown into LAX internationally before, I left the airport there, did not continue on.

Are the segments booked all on the same itinerary?

No. That's the glitch. The BLI-LAX and return is booked separately on Alaska; we are using a companion certificate. My TA told me to leave at least 3 hours between the international flight and the domestic.

in my experience as a frequent guest on the MEL-LAX flight, QF usually is on time...unless you are traveling in december/january (the dead middle of the summer in australia). when it is the middle of summer and is very hot in MEL, the flight cannot make it from MEL to LAX without stopping for refueling in either AKL or HNL. the plane is too heavy to take off if they load the amount of fuel they would need for the trip. i have taken that flight several times in the hot summer and have had to stop in AKL because of that reason. of course you then are late into LAX and connections are out the window.

AS has always been accomodating and found a flight for me to get on, although i usually lose the FC seat. even when booked in seperate records (SEA-LAX and LAX-MEL) AS has put me on the next available flight because of irregular ops with QF.

that being said, i would book the 1115. like you said, after being in the air so long, what is another hour?

We are traveling back on December 5 MEL-LAX. I did book the 11:15. So you are saying that if Qantas is late, even if on two separate reservations, Alaska will find you a way up to Seattle and beyond? (For a price, though, I'm sure ...?)

We are traveling back on December 5 MEL-LAX. I did book the 11:15. So you are saying that if Qantas is late, even if on two separate reservations, Alaska will find you a way up to Seattle and beyond? (For a price, though, I'm sure ...?)

maybe an AS person will correct me if i am wrong, but i have always found that if you are late because of another flight (even if they are seperate reservations) the airline will do what they can to get you on the next available flight (i think you will be going standby). i dont know if there is some "Rule" about this but i have had AS, AA, and NW all do this for me. (i have had it be the last flight of the night i miss though and i was responsible for the overnight accomodations)

as far as traveling back dec 5, that is a little early in the summer season...you shouldnt have any weight issues yet

maybe an AS person will correct me if i am wrong, but i have always found that if you are late because of another flight (even if they are seperate reservations) the airline will do what they can to get you on the next available flight (i think you will be going standby).

Most fares allow you to standby anyway, so they are likely just following the rules of the fare. Technically, if you're on a separate itin, QF is not responsible for getting you to that LAX-SEA flight, and AS isn't required to accomodate your late arrival. AS agents generally always try to be accomodating, but in a pinch...if you run into a bunch of oversold flights, things could get sticky.

maybe an AS person will correct me if i am wrong, but i have always found that if you are late because of another flight (even if they are seperate reservations) the airline will do what they can to get you on the next available flight (i think you will be going standby). i dont know if there is some "Rule" about this but i have had AS, AA, and NW all do this for me. (i have had it be the last flight of the night i miss though and i was responsible for the overnight accomodations)

as far as traveling back dec 5, that is a little early in the summer season...you shouldnt have any weight issues yet


I find that Alaska is one of the most helpful airlines for dealing with problems. That's one of the reasons I always fly AS to the Bay instead of Southwest or JetBlue.