Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Transfer Time from Virgin Blue to BA First at SYD?

At SYD, how long should it take from the Virgin Blue domestic gate to the QF First International Lounge used by BA, around 9 on a weekday morning? And what's the route - landside or airside, fee or no fee? Also, is it possible to get through Intl security/immigration at that time, when the BA flight isn't until about 4 in the afternoon?

Thanks....

Others will be able to give more detailed instructions, but your transfer will be done landside, and you'll have to do it yourself.

I don't think Virgin Blue interline with BA/QF. You'll need to get your luggage from the T2 (where Virgin Blue operates), then get yourself to T1 (the International terminal). I believe there's a transfer bus that you can catch - check the Sydney Airport web site. A fee will apply.

You should have plenty of time, partly because you won't be able to check in to your BA flight until 3 hours prior. All international flights don't open until that time.

Connecting via a Qantas flight will be much easier - they'll check your bags all the way through, you'll be able to use the airside transfer which is free and you'll be able to go to the F lounge immediately. Otherwise you'll have to wait until BA open their checkin about 3 hours before departure before you can get to the lounge and pay for the landside transfer.

Audrey

Unfortunately Qantas Int'l isn't an option, since this is an award ticket on BA. Virgin's domestic connection is less than half the cost of Qantas.

But....since I checked in for the BA flight online, and am armed with a boarding pass, why can't I go through security to the lounge at SYD before the BA check-in counter opens? OK, I'll have to limit my liquids and gels, but is there any limit on baggage size, weight, or number of pieces when going through security at SYD? (This wouldn't be possible at LHR, but that's LHR.) If it's an issue for BA when boarding the aircraft, I could check one bag from the lounge or the gate, no?

You can do what you said given you don't have any checked luggage or your bags aren't too big to attract attention. I haven't seen anyone stopping people during security because of luggage issues, but I'm not sure many have tried what you're thinking.

You can also try to drop your bags off at the SYD F check-in, but from memory, BA have their own check-in, including F. So the QF counters may not even want to know.

You can try and get the lounge to check your bags in, but IMHO, you'll be adding unnecessary risks. Expect to discuss/argue with someone why what you're doing is valid.

Explore,

Your other thread indicates that you will have 23 kg of checked luggage. You will not be able to take checked luggage through security - you will have to wait for check-in to open.

If you factor in the cost of the landside transfer, the cost of buying refreshments etc are you sure Virgin Blue is cheaper? When connecting to an international flight in F you would have access to the domestic Qantas Clubs before your domestic flight which will provide a free breakfast. You'll get this even on a Red E-Deal fare.

Where are you connecting from?

Audrey

Thanks for the replies....I was successful this morning in going through SYD emigration and security about 3 hours before the BA check-in counters opened. Have been enjoying the QF F lounge ever since, with a massage appointment coming up in 15 minutes.

I didn't bother trying to check luggage with QF, though the BA flight is probably a QF codeshare. Just schlepped the entire 35 kg or so ("checked" and cabin baggage) through security, and it's with me in the lounge. If BA doesn't want a big case in the F closet (though there's usually plenty of room), they're welcome to gate-check it.

I saved at least AUD 125 taking Virgin over Qantas from CNS to SYD, even after the DJ checked baggage fee, and spent AUD 5 for the landside transfer by train at SYD. No expenses for food or drink on Virgin, as I slept through much of the 6:00 a.m. flight, and ate my own snack. Plenty of food here at the QF lounge. Cheers!