Last edit by: WineCountryUA
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#121
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,030
Looks like this was re-added in the past few weeks.
web.archive.org has a copy of the VA page from April 27, and whilst it doesn't display it properly if you look at the page source it shows the old instructions of taking your bags to the T-bus and then re-checking them in Terminal 2 (domestic).....
web.archive.org has a copy of the VA page from April 27, and whilst it doesn't display it properly if you look at the page source it shows the old instructions of taking your bags to the T-bus and then re-checking them in Terminal 2 (domestic).....
Link-->Airport info SYDNEY (SYD) - amenities, transfers, transport
#122
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Internet
Posts: 865
#123
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 75
I'm look at adding a domestic VA leg to a UA SYD-SFO itinerary. From expertflyer, it appears that the MCT is 2:30. Is this correct? It just seems surprising to me because someone mentioned above that I-D is 2:00, and I'm surprised D-I would be higher.
ONLINE .30 1.00 1.15 1.00
OFFLINE .30 1.00 1.15 1.00
** OR * ARE ALL
VA-UA DI 2.30
**-UA DI 2.30
Minimum Connect Times
Share ResultsSTANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.ONLINE .30 1.00 1.15 1.00
OFFLINE .30 1.00 1.15 1.00
** OR * ARE ALL
VA-UA DI 2.30
**-UA DI 2.30
#125
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
I'm look at adding a domestic VA leg to a UA SYD-SFO itinerary. From expertflyer, it appears that the MCT is 2:30. Is this correct? It just seems surprising to me because someone mentioned above that I-D is 2:00, and I'm surprised D-I would be higher.
ONLINE .30 1.00 1.15 1.00
OFFLINE .30 1.00 1.15 1.00
** OR * ARE ALL
VA-UA DI 2.30
**-UA DI 2.30
Minimum Connect Times
Share ResultsSTANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.ONLINE .30 1.00 1.15 1.00
OFFLINE .30 1.00 1.15 1.00
** OR * ARE ALL
VA-UA DI 2.30
**-UA DI 2.30
Also, like most intl departures, you need to clear exit immigration formalities at SYD. This usually does not take a long time and SYD has the egates (if they are working right) but the lines can sometimes be long in the mornings.
#126
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 75
A couple of things to be aware of when arriving into SYD domestically, particularly in the mornings. SYD has a curfew. So all the intl. arrivals are generally timed/prioritized by ATC if there are any delays due to weather etc. And SYD does get the weather (fog, t-storms etc.). If you are arriving on a domestic flight, expect to be delayed from time to time. Build that into your travel time. I usually planned on 3 hrs D-I in SYD or connected in MEL where this is less of an issue.
Also, like most intl departures, you need to clear exit immigration formalities at SYD. This usually does not take a long time and SYD has the egates (if they are working right) but the lines can sometimes be long in the mornings.
Also, like most intl departures, you need to clear exit immigration formalities at SYD. This usually does not take a long time and SYD has the egates (if they are working right) but the lines can sometimes be long in the mornings.
#127
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
I've been on lengthy UA delays ex syd for these reasons and have also had flights canceled and been rerouted etc. I'm not sure if they hold for transfers like they do on their own metal. It's best to have the Australia ua number handy...they were good for these things. Not sure about recently.
#128
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,424
Correct. Not a huge difference and note it overrides VA-** 2h00; the US carriers like to board their international flights earlier. Given exit immigration and reclearing security, I would not really expect D/I to actually go faster than I/D at SYD; if anything it might actually be the slower direction. Regardless, I would always recommend being more careful with connections D/I anyway because of the consequences of a misconnect (e.g. if you miss your 11am SYD-MEL, who cares? - not the same missing SYD-SFO)
#129
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: BOS+SFO+SIN
Programs: UA GS 2MM+, JetBlue Mosaic, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, & Hertz PC
Posts: 113
A couple of things to be aware of when arriving into SYD domestically, particularly in the mornings. SYD has a curfew. So all the intl. arrivals are generally timed/prioritized by ATC if there are any delays due to weather etc. And SYD does get the weather (fog, t-storms etc.). If you are arriving on a domestic flight, expect to be delayed from time to time. Build that into your travel time. I usually planned on 3 hrs D-I in SYD or connected in MEL where this is less of an issue.
Also, like most intl departures, you need to clear exit immigration formalities at SYD. This usually does not take a long time and SYD has the egates (if they are working right) but the lines can sometimes be long in the mornings.
Also, like most intl departures, you need to clear exit immigration formalities at SYD. This usually does not take a long time and SYD has the egates (if they are working right) but the lines can sometimes be long in the mornings.
#130
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,162
For the good of anyone reading telemark27's comments who isn't familiar with Sydney Airport, T3 is the Qantas terminal, and the QF D->I transfer desk being referenced is for Qantas passengers only. Virgin domestic uses T2, and do not currently have their own bus running, and instead are directing people to the airport-run T-Bus which runs land-side between terminals (realistically there's probably not a lot of difference - the Virgin bus always ran landside anyway, and all of them drop you land-side at the international terminal anyway!)
#131
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: BOS+SFO+SIN
Programs: UA GS 2MM+, JetBlue Mosaic, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, & Hertz PC
Posts: 113
Did the QF transfer bus run airside, or is it going landside?
For the good of anyone reading telemark27's comments who isn't familiar with Sydney Airport, T3 is the Qantas terminal, and the QF D->I transfer desk being referenced is for Qantas passengers only. Virgin domestic uses T2, and do not currently have their own bus running, and instead are directing people to the airport-run T-Bus which runs land-side between terminals (realistically there's probably not a lot of difference - the Virgin bus always ran landside anyway, and all of them drop you land-side at the international terminal anyway!)
For the good of anyone reading telemark27's comments who isn't familiar with Sydney Airport, T3 is the Qantas terminal, and the QF D->I transfer desk being referenced is for Qantas passengers only. Virgin domestic uses T2, and do not currently have their own bus running, and instead are directing people to the airport-run T-Bus which runs land-side between terminals (realistically there's probably not a lot of difference - the Virgin bus always ran landside anyway, and all of them drop you land-side at the international terminal anyway!)
#132
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,162
Award flights are loaded. Just re-booked a trip I had later in the year to include two VA domestic flights, including one using the excursionist perk.
#133
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1K 1.5MM
Posts: 207
Looks like my SYD-CNS round-trip in July is 35000 miles + USD40, which isn't really a win compared to the AUD310 = USD220 from just buying the "choice" (includes a bag etc) ticket directly. I'm glad I bought the cash one a while ago rather than waiting for what I assumed would be the amazing award flight deals to appear.
Now, the business award flights are 25k miles + USD20 each-way, i.e. only a little bit more than coach. Maybe this is where the deals are, for those who are into virgin australia domestic business.
#134
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
I did SFO-SYD-MEL last week on UA/VA single ticket.
Immigration at SYD was a breeze, but luggage took awhile. Once clearning custom before exit door, there is a door on the left that connects you to the VA transfer desk. Look out for the sign.
Transfer, rechecking the bag (single luggage tag issued by UA), and issuing the boarding pass took less than 5 min.
The longest wait is the bus from T3 to T1. There were mutiple flights arriving during early morning, so the line was long, I got onto the third bus after I got into the waitling line. The buses were crowded and luggages were stored on the seats and between seats, so made it hard to get out of bus if you were stuck in the back. The buses were packed because many passengers were desparate to get to their connecting fights.
Once I was in the VA lounge, nice flat white and full breakfast made me forgetting the unpleasant bus ride quickly.
It would be a much pleasant experience if the inter-terminal bus transfer can be improved.
I budged 3 hours for the transit, and glad I did not take the VA agent's offer to get on an earlier flight (an hour earlier), I needed the extra time for waiting for the bus, and clear security at the domestic terminal. A 40-min relaxing vist in the VA lounge with great coffee is a nice break after a long 15-hour flight. It would be even nicer if the showers were working at the VA lounge.
Immigration at SYD was a breeze, but luggage took awhile. Once clearning custom before exit door, there is a door on the left that connects you to the VA transfer desk. Look out for the sign.
Transfer, rechecking the bag (single luggage tag issued by UA), and issuing the boarding pass took less than 5 min.
The longest wait is the bus from T3 to T1. There were mutiple flights arriving during early morning, so the line was long, I got onto the third bus after I got into the waitling line. The buses were crowded and luggages were stored on the seats and between seats, so made it hard to get out of bus if you were stuck in the back. The buses were packed because many passengers were desparate to get to their connecting fights.
Once I was in the VA lounge, nice flat white and full breakfast made me forgetting the unpleasant bus ride quickly.
It would be a much pleasant experience if the inter-terminal bus transfer can be improved.
I budged 3 hours for the transit, and glad I did not take the VA agent's offer to get on an earlier flight (an hour earlier), I needed the extra time for waiting for the bus, and clear security at the domestic terminal. A 40-min relaxing vist in the VA lounge with great coffee is a nice break after a long 15-hour flight. It would be even nicer if the showers were working at the VA lounge.