Australia/NZ Minimum Connect Times for Principal Airports
Sep 15, 2010, 5:59 pm
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Waterloo Canada
Programs: QF SG, AC, AA
Posts: 425
Australia/NZ Minimum Connect Times for Principal Airports
Is there consolidated MCT information or various airports in Australia/NZ somewhere (on the QF website or on a Flyertalk wiki)?
If so, I apologize but I have been unable to find it.
QF telephone agents seem more interested in communicating "safe" connect times. For example, I was told by a QF agent that at AKL I should allow 3 hours QF international to QF international. I also know that I have made 35 minute int-int connections when required by a late plane, so 3 hours just seemed a bit OTT. Then she asked if I was a "premier" member (Never heard that term before as a QFF.) and when I arbitrarily said "Yes." she said that 90 minutes would be fine. I still do not know what the actual minimum connect time is for ticketing. When I asked about non-QF international to QF-international, I was also given 90 minutes as a response.
If not, there should be a source of this information somewhere for Flyertalk folks to use. Air Tahiti Nui publish very helpful info for their customers, but I could not find the same with QF, nor do I have reliable information as to whether the same times apply to QF.
So, on the assumption there is not MCT info readily available for QF, to start off a table, here is what I have found for SYD, AKL and CNS:
Air Tahitinui's times, with QF agent-provided times in italics:
Can anyone confirm that some or all of these MCT apply to QF tickets?
Sydney Airport
- From Domestic Flight to Domestic Flight: 30 min
- From Domestic Flight to International Flight: 1h
- From International Flight to Domestic Flight: 1h15 (same as QF agent gave me for QFint-QFdom, shorter than the 90 min she gave for non-QFint-QFdom)
- From International Flight to International Flight: 1h
From http://www.airtahitinui-usa.com/airports/sydney.asp
Auckland Airport
NOTE: The times listed represent the absolute minimum connection times, but the times shown do not guarantee a connection. Due to regular airport congestion Air Tahiti Nui recommends adding at least 30 minutes to the guidelines below.
- International to International:
1 Hour 15 Minutes (QF agent gave me 90 minutes)
- International to Domestic:
1 Hour 30 Minutes
- Domestic to International:
1 Hour 15 Minutes
From http://www.airtahitinui-usa.com/airports/auckland.asp
Cairns Domestic to Domestic: QF Agent gave 60 minutes
If so, I apologize but I have been unable to find it.
QF telephone agents seem more interested in communicating "safe" connect times. For example, I was told by a QF agent that at AKL I should allow 3 hours QF international to QF international. I also know that I have made 35 minute int-int connections when required by a late plane, so 3 hours just seemed a bit OTT. Then she asked if I was a "premier" member (Never heard that term before as a QFF.) and when I arbitrarily said "Yes." she said that 90 minutes would be fine. I still do not know what the actual minimum connect time is for ticketing. When I asked about non-QF international to QF-international, I was also given 90 minutes as a response.
If not, there should be a source of this information somewhere for Flyertalk folks to use. Air Tahiti Nui publish very helpful info for their customers, but I could not find the same with QF, nor do I have reliable information as to whether the same times apply to QF.
So, on the assumption there is not MCT info readily available for QF, to start off a table, here is what I have found for SYD, AKL and CNS:
Air Tahitinui's times, with QF agent-provided times in italics:
Can anyone confirm that some or all of these MCT apply to QF tickets?
Sydney Airport
- From Domestic Flight to Domestic Flight: 30 min
- From Domestic Flight to International Flight: 1h
- From International Flight to Domestic Flight: 1h15 (same as QF agent gave me for QFint-QFdom, shorter than the 90 min she gave for non-QFint-QFdom)
- From International Flight to International Flight: 1h
From http://www.airtahitinui-usa.com/airports/sydney.asp
Auckland Airport
NOTE: The times listed represent the absolute minimum connection times, but the times shown do not guarantee a connection. Due to regular airport congestion Air Tahiti Nui recommends adding at least 30 minutes to the guidelines below.
- International to International:
1 Hour 15 Minutes (QF agent gave me 90 minutes)
- International to Domestic:
1 Hour 30 Minutes
- Domestic to International:
1 Hour 15 Minutes
From http://www.airtahitinui-usa.com/airports/auckland.asp
Cairns Domestic to Domestic: QF Agent gave 60 minutes
Sep 15, 2010, 7:03 pm
#3
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Join Date: Nov 2003
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You do realise that there is no such thing as an airport MCT. Airlines have MCTs and can (and do) vary by all sorts of factors.
I'm bemused by TN (Air Tahiti Nui) having dom-dom MCTs at SYD given they don't even have passengers doing this connection on TN codeshares (even if the codeshares existed it would be cabotage and thus not allowed).
I'm bemused by TN (Air Tahiti Nui) having dom-dom MCTs at SYD given they don't even have passengers doing this connection on TN codeshares (even if the codeshares existed it would be cabotage and thus not allowed).
Sep 15, 2010, 7:16 pm
#4
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
MCT is airline specific and rarely varies by airport; as you have found out, elite status allows for shorter MCT sometimes. QF publishes the MCT in the GDS used by agents, so that is the definitive source (I don't have access to that directly). I've seen QF pubs that specify domestic MCT of 60 min and international MCT of 120 min within Australia. My own experience is that those times are sufficient in normal conditions.
Sep 15, 2010, 9:13 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Waterloo Canada
Programs: QF SG, AC, AA
Posts: 425
Yet the times I have been given for AKL and SYD are quite different both for Air Tahiti Nui and for QF, according to an agent. Reasonably, at least to me, simpler terminals and easier transfers for people and baggage between International and Domestic should make a difference in the time needed for people and their baggage to make another flight.
Anyone have further thoughts on this? QF PS? SG? WP?
Perhaps someone with access to a GDS can confirm whether the MCT for SYD and AKL listed above are correct for ticketing and whether MCT varies with elite status.
Sep 15, 2010, 9:17 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Joondalup,WA,Australia
Programs: VS Gold, QPPS, CX, DJ, SG, AA, NH
Posts: 196
Here is the GDS published MCT output for QF-QF connections at major capital city airports in Australia, including exceptions for specific flight numbers:
DD = Domestic to Domestic
DI = Domestic to International
ID = International to Domestic
II = International to International
[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Reference: Minimum Connection Time [MCT]: SYD/QF-QF]
[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Reference: Minimum Connection Time [MCT]: MEL/QF-QF]
[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Reference: Minimum Connection Time [MCT]: BNE/QF-QF]
[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Reference: Minimum Connection Time [MCT]: ADL/QF-QF]
[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Reference: Minimum Connection Time [MCT]: PER/QF-QF]
[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Reference: Minimum Connection Time [MCT]: DRW/QF-QF]
DD = Domestic to Domestic
DI = Domestic to International
ID = International to Domestic
II = International to International
[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Reference: Minimum Connection Time [MCT]: SYD/QF-QF]
Code:
DD DI ID II STANDARD: SYD 030 060 075 060 EXCEPTIONS: A/L FLT-NBR TR DEPARR QF 0501 3 040 --- --- --- QF 2205 2 QF 0372 --- --- 050 --- QF 0371 QF 0001-2999 --- 075 --- --- QF 0337 QF 5000-5999 --- 120 --- --- QF 0321 QF 1 --- 075 --- --- QF 0301 QF 1 --- 075 --- --- QF 0319 QF 2 --- 090 --- --- QF 0301 QF 2 --- 090 --- --- QF 0319 QF 3 --- 090 --- --- QF 0301 QF 3 --- 090 --- --- QF 0319 QF 3 --- 075 --- --- QF 0367 QF --- --- --- 075 QF 0301 QF --- --- --- 075 QF 0319 QF --- 090 --- --- QF 0321 QF --- 120 --- --- QF 0375 -ALL- --- 090 --- 090 QF 0301 -ALL- --- 090 --- 090 QF 0319 QF 0200-0299 1 --- 120 --- 120 QF 0300-0399 1 QF 0200-0299 1 --- 120 --- --- QF 0340-0342 1 QF 0200-0299 1 090 --- 135 --- QF 5000-5999 2 QF 0300-0399 1 --- --- 120 120 QF 0200-0299 1 QF 5000-5999 2 090 120 --- --- QF 0200-0299 1 QF 5000-5999 2 --- 120 --- --- QF 0340-0342 1 QF 1 --- --- --- 060 QF 0200-0299 1 QF 1 090 --- 135 --- QF 5000-5999 2 QF 2 --- 105 --- --- QF 0200-0299 1 QF 2 090 --- --- --- QF 5000-5999 2 QF 3 --- 090 --- --- QF 0200-0299 1 QF 3 090 --- --- --- QF 5000-5999 2 [Page Limit Exceeded]
Code:
DD DI ID II STANDARD: MEL 030 045 060 045 EXCEPTIONS: A/L FLT-NBR TR DEPARR AREA -ALL- MEL 180 --- --- --- QF AVV QF 0266 2 --- --- 090 --- QF 0266 2 QF 0268 2 --- --- 090 --- QF 0268 2 QF 0670 --- SUP --- --- QF 0201 QF 2 --- --- --- 120 QF 0200-0299 2 US QF --- 120 --- --- QF 0200-0299 2 US -ALL- --- 120 --- 120 QF 0200-0299 2 US QF 0200-0299 2 --- --- 120 --- QF 5000-5999 1 QF 5000-5999 1 090 --- --- --- QF 5000-5999 1 QF 1 --- 075 --- --- QF 0200-0299 2 QF 1 090 --- --- --- QF 5000-5999 1 QF 2 --- 060 --- 060 QF 0200-0299 2 QF 2 090 --- 120 --- QF 5000-5999 1 -ALL- 2 090 --- 120 --- QF 5000-5999 1 -ALL- 3 090 --- --- --- QF 5000-5999 1 -ALL- 090 105 120 120 QF 0200-0299 QF 0200-0299 2 --- --- 090 --- QF 1 QF 5000-5999 1 090 --- --- --- QF 1 QF 5000-5999 1 090 105 --- --- QF 2 QF 1 040 --- --- --- QF 1 QF 1 060 075 --- --- QF 2 QF 2 060 --- 090 --- QF 1 QF 2 060 060 060 060 QF 2 -ALL- 2 --- --- 090 --- QF 1 -ALL- 2 --- --- 090 060 QF 2 -ALL- 3 080 --- --- --- QF 1 -ALL- 3 080 120 --- --- QF 2 QF 0341-0344 2 --- --- --- 120 -ALL- 2 QF 5000-5999 1 090 105 --- --- -ALL- 2 [Page Limit Exceeded]
Code:
DD DI ID II STANDARD: BNE 030 090 090 050 EXCEPTIONS: A/L FLT-NBR TR DEPARR QF 2511 D MKY 035 --- --- --- QF 0613 D MEL QF 0600 D 035 --- --- --- QF 2308 D QF 0600 D 035 --- --- --- QF 2332 D QF 0604 D 035 --- --- --- QF 2308 D QF 0604 D 035 --- --- --- QF 2332 D QF 2517 D 035 --- --- --- QF 2427 D QF 0400-2999 D --- --- 120 --- QF 0377 I QF 0356 I --- --- 120 --- QF 0400-2999 D QF 0378 I --- --- 120 --- QF 0400-2999 D QF 0001-0199 I 045 --- 060 045 QF 0001-0199 I QF 0001-0199 I 045 045 060 045 QF 0300-0399 I QF 0001-0199 I 075 --- --- --- QF 0400-2999 D QF 0001-0199 I 090 --- 120 --- QF 5000-5999 D QF 0200-0299 I --- 060 060 --- QF 0200-0299 I QF 0200-0299 I --- 120 120 120 QF 0300-0399 I QF 0200-0299 I --- --- 120 --- QF 5000-5999 D QF 0300-0399 I 045 045 060 045 QF 0001-0199 I QF 0300-0399 I --- 120 120 120 QF 0200-0299 I QF 0300-0399 I 045 045 060 045 QF 0300-0399 I QF 0300-0399 I 075 --- --- --- QF 0400-2999 D QF 0300-0399 I 090 --- 120 --- QF 5000-5999 D QF 0400-2999 D 075 --- --- --- QF 0001-0199 I QF 0400-2999 D 075 --- --- --- QF 0300-0399 I QF 0400-2999 D 040 --- --- --- QF 0400-2999 D QF 0400-2999 D 090 --- --- --- QF 5000-5999 D QF 5000-5999 D 090 120 --- --- QF 0001-0199 I QF 5000-5999 D --- 120 --- --- QF 0200-0299 I QF 5000-5999 D 090 --- --- --- QF 0300-0399 I QF 5000-5999 D 090 --- --- --- QF 0400-2999 D [Page Limit Exceeded]
Code:
DD DI ID II
STANDARD: ADL 030 080 080 060
EXCEPTIONS:
A/L FLT-NBR DEPARR
-ALL- ADL 180 180 180 ---
QF XHX
QF ADL 180 180 180 ---
-ALL- XHX
QF 0001-0399 060 --- --- ---
QF 0001-0399
QF 0001-0399 090 --- --- ---
QF 0400-2999
QF 0400-2999 060 --- --- ---
QF 0001-0399
QF 0400-2999 040 --- --- ---
QF 0400-2999
QF 090 --- --- ---
QF 5000-5999
-ALL- 090 --- 150 ---
QF 5000-5999
QF 5000-5999 090 --- --- ---
QF
QF 5000-5999 090 150 --- ---
-ALL-
**END OF DISPLAY**
Code:
DD DI ID II STANDARD: PER 030 090 120 060 EXCEPTIONS: A/L FLT-NBR QF 0064 --- --- 085 --- QF 0808 QF 0001-0399 060 --- --- --- QF 0001-0399 QF 0001-0399 090 --- 090 --- QF 0400-2999 QF 0400-2999 090 --- --- --- QF 0001-0399 QF 0400-2999 040 --- --- --- QF 0400-2999 QF 090 --- 150 --- QF 5000-5999 QF 5000-5999 --- 150 --- --- QF **END OF DISPLAY**
Code:
DD DI ID II STANDARD: DRW 030 040 075 040 EXCEPTIONS: A/L FLT-NBR DEPARR -ALL- DRW 180 180 180 --- QF XJG QF DRW 180 180 180 --- -ALL- XJG QF 0260 --- --- 090 --- QF 5074 QF 5073 --- 060 --- --- QF 0259 QF 5000-5999 090 105 --- --- QF 0323 QF --- 060 --- 060 QF 0323 QF 0324 090 --- 120 --- QF 5000-5999 QF 0001-0199 030 --- 040 050 QF 0001-0199 QF 0001-0199 040 --- 060 --- QF 0400-2999 QF 0001-0199 090 --- 120 --- QF 5000-5999 QF 0200-0299 --- 065 090 --- QF 0200-0299 QF 0200-0299 --- --- 090 --- QF 5000-5999 QF 0300-0399 030 --- 040 050 QF 0300-0399 QF 0300-0399 040 --- 060 --- QF 0400-2999 QF 0300-0399 090 --- 120 --- QF 5000-5999 QF 0400-2999 040 --- --- --- QF 0001-0199 QF 0400-2999 040 --- --- --- QF 0300-0399 QF 0400-2999 040 --- --- --- QF 0400-2999 QF 0400-2999 090 --- --- --- QF 5000-5999 5000-5999 090 105 --- --- QF 0001-0199 QF 5000-5999 065 065 --- --- QF 0200-0299 QF 5000-5999 090 105 --- --- QF 0300-0399 QF 5000-5999 090 --- --- --- QF 5000-5999 QF 090 090 105 120 QF 0200-0299 -ALL- 090 105 105 120 QF 0200-0299 QF 0324 --- --- 090 090 QF QF 0200-0299 090 090 105 120 QF QF 0200-0299 090 105 105 120 -ALL- **END OF DISPLAY**
Sep 15, 2010, 9:19 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Joondalup,WA,Australia
Programs: VS Gold, QPPS, CX, DJ, SG, AA, NH
Posts: 196
Here is the GDS published MCT output for QF-QF connections at major airports in New Zealand, including exceptions for specific flight numbers:
DD = Domestic to Domestic
DI = Domestic to International
ID = International to Domestic
II = International to International
[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Reference: Minimum Connection Time [MCT]: CHC/QF-QF]
[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Reference: Minimum Connection Time [MCT]: AKL/QF-QF]
[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Reference: Minimum Connection Time [MCT]: WLG/QF-QF]
DD = Domestic to Domestic
DI = Domestic to International
ID = International to Domestic
II = International to International
[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Reference: Minimum Connection Time [MCT]: CHC/QF-QF]
Code:
DD DI ID II STANDARD: CHC 020 060 090 060 QF-QF ONLINE CHC 030 060 075 --- EXCEPTIONS: A/L FLT-NBR QF 0045 --- --- 070 --- QF 2783 QF 0201 --- --- 095 --- QF 2783 QF 0205 --- --- 100 --- QF 2783 QF 0209 --- --- 085 --- QF 2783 QF --- 105 --- 120 QF 0200-0299 QF 090 --- 105 --- QF 4950-4999 -ALL- --- 105 --- 120 QF 0200-0299 -ALL- 090 --- 105 --- QF 4950-4999 QF 0200-0299 --- --- 105 12 0 QF QF 4950-4999 090 105 --- --- QF -ALL- 045 060 --- --- QF QF 0200-0299 --- --- 105 120 -ALL- QF 4950-4999 090 105 --- --- -ALL- **END OF DISPLAY**
Code:
DD DI ID II STANDARD: AKL 020 075 090 055 QF-QF ONLINE AKL 020 075 --- --- EXCEPTIONS: A/L FLT-NBR DEPARR QF 4950-4999 090 --- --- --- QF 4950-4999 QF --- --- 120 --- QF 4950-4999 -ALL- --- --- 120 --- QF 4950-4999 QF --- --- 085 --- QF CHC QF --- --- 075 --- QF WLG QF 4950-4999 --- 090 --- --- QF -ALL- 045 --- --- 075 QF QF 0025 --- --- --- 120 -ALL- QF 4950-4999 --- 090 --- -- - -ALL- QF --- --- --- 075 -ALL- **END OF DISPLAY**
Code:
DD DI ID II STANDARD: WLG 030 075 090 090 QF-QF ONLINE WLG 030 045 075 --- EXCEPTIONS: A/L FLT-NBR QF 4950-4999 090 --- --- --- QF 4950-4999 QF --- --- 105 --- QF 4950-4999 -ALL- --- --- 105 --- QF 4950-4999 QF 4950-4999 --- 105 --- --- QF -ALL- 045 060 --- --- QF QF 4950-4999 --- 105 --- --- -ALL- QF --- --- 060 --- -ALL- **END OF DISPLAY**
Sep 15, 2010, 9:25 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Joondalup,WA,Australia
Programs: VS Gold, QPPS, CX, DJ, SG, AA, NH
Posts: 196
Yes, the statement by number_6 has no merit. MCT is the MCT, and the airline GDS will prevent sale of a ticket where the connection times between flights do not provide for the minimum connection times between flights as specified in the system.
Elite status has no bearing on the MCT for a flight.
Covered in my two previous posts with the MCT values for AUS and NZ flights. Elite status does not alter the MCT.
Elite status has no bearing on the MCT for a flight.
Covered in my two previous posts with the MCT values for AUS and NZ flights. Elite status does not alter the MCT.
Sep 15, 2010, 9:38 pm
#9
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
Many airlines will sell tickets which break the MCT to certain customers 
For most people the MCT is the MCT, however QF does for WP make some exceptions (ime). Other airlines do, too. The only time MCT is not flexible is for interline connections.
For most people the MCT is the MCT, however QF does for WP make some exceptions (ime). Other airlines do, too. The only time MCT is not flexible is for interline connections.
Sep 16, 2010, 7:48 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Sydney, AU.
Programs: QF. UA. Avis. AMEX.
Posts: 1,558
From experience 90 minutes DI for BNE is not long enough. If you miss the train and have to wait 30 min for the next one you are stuffed! I would also say that there is no way you could make a 90 min ID connection in BNE without having an express pass. I picked someone up the other evening from the SQ flight and it took 90 minutes just to get through immigration and customs.
From that list it looks like MEL is the place to connect, shame QF has so few international flights from MEL.
From that list it looks like MEL is the place to connect, shame QF has so few international flights from MEL.
Sep 16, 2010, 8:14 pm
#11
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
Bus has replaced the train at BNE some months ago; the train was too unreliable and erratic. Bus seems very reliable and seems like max transfer time between terminals is now 20 min at BNE, a huge improvement. Still landside, though (but security is very fast at BNE most of the time).
Oct 30, 2011, 3:04 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Ocean Beach
Programs: Alaska MPVG75, AAdvantage PlatPro, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 535
We're flying on a QF award ticket in J SYD-BNE transferring to PX paid ticket onward to POM. We're booked to arrive BNE at 9:00 and depart at 11:00. Is 1:55 sufficient time to transfer domestic to international? Also, will QF check us in for the PX flight in Sydney and transfer our bags?
Incidentally, how is BNE on carry on restrictions? I'm traveling with a 20" roller but containing underwater photographic gear which will weigh more than 7 kg.
Incidentally, how is BNE on carry on restrictions? I'm traveling with a 20" roller but containing underwater photographic gear which will weigh more than 7 kg.
Oct 30, 2011, 3:18 pm
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,552
We're flying on a QF award ticket in J SYD-BNE transferring to PX paid ticket onward to POM. We're booked to arrive BNE at 9:00 and depart at 11:00. Is 1:55 sufficient time to transfer domestic to international? Also, will QF check us in for the PX flight in Sydney and transfer our bags?
Incidentally, how is BNE on carry on restrictions? I'm traveling with a 20" roller but containing underwater photographic gear which will weigh more than 7 kg.
Incidentally, how is BNE on carry on restrictions? I'm traveling with a 20" roller but containing underwater photographic gear which will weigh more than 7 kg.
Qantas will not check your bags through to the PX flight and you will need to collect bags in Brisbane, get to International and then check in with PX
They may weigh your hand luggage and I would recommend just checking the camera gear in
Oct 30, 2011, 6:39 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Ocean Beach
Programs: Alaska MPVG75, AAdvantage PlatPro, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 535
I would say it is definitely too tight
Qantas will not check your bags through to the PX flight and you will need to collect bags in Brisbane, get to International and then check in with PX
They may weigh your hand luggage and I would recommend just checking the camera gear in
Qantas will not check your bags through to the PX flight and you will need to collect bags in Brisbane, get to International and then check in with PX
They may weigh your hand luggage and I would recommend just checking the camera gear in
Oct 30, 2011, 7:48 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Sydney, AU.
Programs: QF. UA. Avis. AMEX.
Posts: 1,558
I think it is a brave person who books a reward flight followed by a paid ticket when there are little to no alternatives for same day travel to the onward destination. The last time I did SYD-BNE-POM but on a single ticket by the time I had transferred terminals and was at the gate the flight was on final call and I was being paged. That was with a 2.5 hr connection time.