General questions: SFO/LAX-SYD/MEL and vv (service, food, connections, etc) {Archive}
Jun 24, 2010, 12:11 pm
#46
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Jun 24, 2010, 10:12 pm
#47
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The problem is UA is trying to have the best of both worlds. Be a high-priced carrier while offering low priced amenities. You can't offer C and F product at outrageous prices, especially internationally, and then offer Southwest style food and Aeroflot style service. I've taken much of my international service this year to other carriers myself, usually at lower prices and MUCH better service. UA has to decide what it wants to be.
Jun 24, 2010, 10:43 pm
#48
Join Date: Aug 2005
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The problem is UA is trying to have the best of both worlds. Be a high-priced carrier while offering low priced amenities. You can't offer C and F product at outrageous prices, especially internationally, and then offer Southwest style food and Aeroflot style service. I've taken much of my international service this year to other carriers myself, usually at lower prices and MUCH better service. UA has to decide what it wants to be.
thanks your advice is useful. I like the idea of using other lounges. too. but it really is a sad state when united's lounges are not being used by united's passengers.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Jun 25, 2010 at 1:18 pm Reason: merge
Jun 26, 2010, 3:19 am
#49
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Jun 26, 2010, 5:10 am
#50
Join Date: Jul 2007
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. Myself and Mini DG have received 3 op-ups each, 2 SYD LAX and 1 SFO SYD ^. The most recent two were in July 2009. I have not flown UA this year so I cant comment but I believe this year is a lot tougher all round - even with getting SWUs to clear.
Jul 12, 2010, 7:18 pm
#51
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: LAX
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MEL-SYD-LAX Flight 840
United 840 from Melbourne changes planes in Sydney then on to LAX.
Just trying to determine any time consuming steps in the trip, so my questions are:
1) Is all the customs stuff taken care of in Melbourne?
2) In Sydney, do I just stay in the International Terminal with no more customs or passport checks before boarding for flight to LAX?
Just trying to determine any time consuming steps in the trip, so my questions are:
1) Is all the customs stuff taken care of in Melbourne?
2) In Sydney, do I just stay in the International Terminal with no more customs or passport checks before boarding for flight to LAX?
Jul 13, 2010, 2:08 pm
#52
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Welcome to FlyerTalk! The answer to both your questions is yes.
Jul 14, 2010, 12:14 pm
#53
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 23
Ual 839 lax-syd-mel - Is it possible to have a shower during the layover in SYD?
Traveling this route in late July and have a question. I see from other posts that you don't clear customs/immigration until you get to MEL. Is it possible to have a shower during the layover in SYD?
Thank you
Thank you
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Jul 14, 2010 at 12:27 pm Reason: thread title too vague
Jul 14, 2010, 12:20 pm
#54
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Absolutely, if there's enough time and you have access to one of the lounges with shower facilities.
Jul 14, 2010, 12:35 pm
#55
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Wont be a huge layover, so you need to make haste.
Jul 14, 2010, 12:43 pm
#56
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 23
Thanks eightblack. Have to get a seat near the front of the aircraft
Jul 14, 2010, 12:55 pm
#57
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My wife and I flew this route early this year. IIRC, we did have a bit of time to spare in the nice Air NZ lounge. But don't dawdle within the airport. Though you don't clear customs/immigration, you do go through security before getting to the lounge, and the day we traveled there was an extremely long line for that connection (from what I guess was the international to domestic terminals).
Also, as another thread somewhere in this forum has noted, even though you're simply getting back on the same plane, when you get off it in SYD it can be confusing sorting out where to go. Make sure to ask a UA ground staff there for directions if you're going on to MEL. Even forewarned of this problem (and granted that the two of us have lousy senses of direction!), we headed off in the wrong direction before we found a UA person who pointed us the right way (to that very long security line, which is yet another reason to know where you're going).
Anyway, have a great trip!
Also, as another thread somewhere in this forum has noted, even though you're simply getting back on the same plane, when you get off it in SYD it can be confusing sorting out where to go. Make sure to ask a UA ground staff there for directions if you're going on to MEL. Even forewarned of this problem (and granted that the two of us have lousy senses of direction!), we headed off in the wrong direction before we found a UA person who pointed us the right way (to that very long security line, which is yet another reason to know where you're going).
Anyway, have a great trip!
Jul 14, 2010, 4:11 pm
#59
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MEL
Programs: UA 1K, DJ, QF, SQ, SPG.
Posts: 211
My wife and I flew this route early this year. IIRC, we did have a bit of time to spare in the nice Air NZ lounge. But don't dawdle within the airport. Though you don't clear customs/immigration, you do go through security before getting to the lounge, and the day we traveled there was an extremely long line for that connection (from what I guess was the international to domestic terminals).
Also, as another thread somewhere in this forum has noted, even though you're simply getting back on the same plane, when you get off it in SYD it can be confusing sorting out where to go. Make sure to ask a UA ground staff there for directions if you're going on to MEL. Even forewarned of this problem (and granted that the two of us have lousy senses of direction!), we headed off in the wrong direction before we found a UA person who pointed us the right way (to that very long security line, which is yet another reason to know where you're going).
Anyway, have a great trip!
Also, as another thread somewhere in this forum has noted, even though you're simply getting back on the same plane, when you get off it in SYD it can be confusing sorting out where to go. Make sure to ask a UA ground staff there for directions if you're going on to MEL. Even forewarned of this problem (and granted that the two of us have lousy senses of direction!), we headed off in the wrong direction before we found a UA person who pointed us the right way (to that very long security line, which is yet another reason to know where you're going).
Anyway, have a great trip!
if it helps the op, if you come down the lift,(from the NZ lounge) you make a left and another left and its on your right hand side. lol- after reading that i understand why i get lost!!
Jul 14, 2010, 6:46 pm
#60
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: BWI
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Should have time
I do not recall having to go through customs when stopping in SYD going on to MEL. Once you exit the plane you take a right where the sign indicates transient or connecting flights, go up to the excellent NZ lounge (best of the SA lounges at the airport). Once you show the representative your boarding card and they sign you in; the showers are to your left near the restrooms. Unless you are a slow shower taker, you will have time to shower, grab a coffee and make your connection to MEL.
The showers have all the basics like towels, soap and shampoo dispensers. I STRONGLY recommend that you bring shower shoes unless you do not mind walking where others have gone before; if you get my drift!!
The showers have all the basics like towels, soap and shampoo dispensers. I STRONGLY recommend that you bring shower shoes unless you do not mind walking where others have gone before; if you get my drift!!
Last edited by flywithmjt; Jul 14, 2010 at 7:03 pm Reason: Additional thought