Everything I'm about to say is just my opinion. I don't claim to be an expert, but I'm based in L.A. and have flown many international flights from there.


>UA839 LAX-SYD departs at 22.30, so would it be OK to arrive on UA from LAS at 21.13 or am I pushing it.

In today's world, I think it's a mistake EVER to rely upon a connection time of less than two hours. Especially when you're talking about a short flight from LAS to LAX followed by a very long international flight with a long wait before the next one.

If LAS - LAX departs on time, arrives on time, you're not stuck on the tarmac with a blocked gate, and they're able to open the jetway promptly, 77 minutes actually would be plenty of time. Under those ideal conditions, 45 minutes would work.

UA has two adjoining terminals, supposedly domestic & international. In reality, all kinds of flights leave from both Terminal 7 and Terminal 6.

So there's a reasonable chance you'll depart LAX from the same terminal you arrive at. If so, it's no more than a brisk 3-minute walk from gate to gate.

If you arrive at one terminal and depart in the other, it's no more than a brisk 10-minute walk. (You don't need a bus, you just need to be able to walk fast if you're on a tight schedule.)

My personal recommendation is to take the LAS - LAX flight that precedes the one that arrives at 21.13. If all goes well (and it probably will), you'll find yourself with a leisurely two hours' connecting time at LAX.

But if your flight is delayed as much as an hour, you'll still be in good shape. And if your flight is cancelled (e.g., "mechanical problems") you'll be able to take the later flight to LAX.


>I hope that my lugguage can be checked through at LAS all the way to SYD even though flights are not on the same ticket, couldn't it?

If all the flights are on UA, that should be no problem. (Even if they're on different airlines, you should be able to check them all the way through. But it's more reassuring if it's all on the same airline.) Just make sure that when you check in at LAS, you:

1. Have both tickets with you.

2. Tell the agent you want the bags checked all the way to SYD.

3. Look at the tags the agent puts on your bags to confirm that it says "LAS - LAX - SYD."

As for your questions re: online booking & changes, I don't have any experience there. But given your unease with the planning, you might want to consider doing it all by telephone with a live agent.

And I think you'd be wise to book the entire trip on one ticket, if possible. That might prove helpful in the event of a missed connection. (It probably won't matter, but when you have the choice it's best to be on a single ticket.)

Oh, one more thing: Unless things have changed, Australia requires American citizens to have a Visa to enter the country. That's NOT the same as a passport. You don't want to arrive at LAX, be asked for your Visa (not the credit card), and be refused boarding.