Flying BNE LAX MCO all on VA PE, October.

Flight LAX MCO operated by Delta but VA flight number, has been rescheduled and we now have exactly 2 hours to connect.

VA have ticketed it (all on one ticket) with this connection but am wondering if it is an OK connection?

On NZ passport with ESTA visas.

Thanks for any help

The MCT is exactly two hours:Results from ExpertFlyer.com

You should make it but will depend entirely on queues at TBIT. Remember if you don't, you will be rebooked on the next flight (probably DL, but possibly VX).

Be absolutely sure you have everything in your carry-on that you would need for 48 hours after arrival. The chances of your checked luggage being delayed are quite high. Be sure you have your itinerary in an unlocked pocket of your bags, with name, address, and phone number of your onward hotel.

You will just have to go with the flow when you get to LAX. Know the layout of the airport and which terminal your onward flight will be in. Others here will have done this connection and can advise you of any particular tips on getting to DL. I've had problems with the inter-terminal buses before and always walk now unless I have a long connection with lots of time to use the bus.

It looks like DL has lots of connecting flights to MCO, but they sure take a lot longer than the non-stop you're booked on. Ask for help from the FAs if your inbound flight is late, ground agents will have a list of connecting passengers and should meet your flight.

I flew to MCO via MSP early last month - ex LAX 12:30pm, arrive MCO 11:45pm (it's how it was booked, first class for USD515 to earn 140 Velocity SC's).

Hmm, last time I flew VA they landed at the Delta terminal, where they did a pretty good job at prioritising people with onward flights. Pity, because at TBIT they won't do anything for you.

Forget the bus, I lived in LA for 2 years, went to LAX a lot and can't remember ever seeing that bus. Go through immigration, pick up your bags (no checking straight through to MCO), go through customs, go outside the terminal, turn right and follow the road around to the Delta terminal (#5, one after AA).

Although mornings at TBIT are better than the afternoons, I still don't fancy your chances. At least you're booked through on one ticket, so they will look after you (and I rate DL above the other major US carriers).

Good luck!

VA comes into Terminal 5, not TBIT. Terminal 5 is also the Delta terminal, so OP should have no problem, barring any issues in Customs.

Not since June 1st ...

http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en...l/los-angeles/

As has been pointed out, VA has moved arrivals to TBIT and is considering moving departures there too from September.

Ah, last time I was at Delta T5 (January) they still had VA coming in there, and it's still on LAWA's PDF map of LAX. Thanks for the update and sorry for the confusion!

Wasn't clearly pointed out that I see, until the poster I just quoted. All I see is people mentioning TBIT, and last time I was in the associated area they were still in T5.

Out of interest, if you are flying VA SYD/MEL- LAX, then onwards to IAD with VX, is there a change of terminal at LAX?

Also slightly OT, but I cant seem to get the points calculator to work out the SCs for that trip. It is 3 flights to the USA: SYD MEL, MEL LAX, LAX IAD and on return is only two flights IAD LAX, LAX SYD.

Can anyone help out a semi-newbie VA flyer with this please?

Most likely flying cheapest Y fare at this stage and its for my daughter (but I have family pooling) ^.

Thanks

Today, VA's BNE-LAX was very late, which cut my transit time at LAX from 8 hours to 50 minutes. From door open on the arriving VA flight, it took me 30 minutes to go from Bradley Terminal to my departing gate in Terminal 5.

However, this was exceptional, and I had some advantages that won't apply to the OP:

Biz class on VA helped me be first off the plane
US passport, which meant shorter lines
Immigration and inspection lines unusually short
No checked luggage
Walkable from Bradley to Terminal 5
Didn't have to wait for "A" Airline Connections bus

Two hour is possible, but not a slam dunk without these advantages

VA arrives in TBIT (which is between T3 and T4). VX departs out of T3. 5 minute walk or less if reasonably fit once you're on the curb outside of TBIT.

Because TBIT-T3 is clockwise while the traffic goes counterclockwise, the bus would take considerably longer than 5 minutes once you're on the bus (ie neglecting the wait time), and getting to the bus stops may involve more walking than simply walking between terminals anyway.

See the distances and use the VA status credit table. Outbound should be 10+40+20 status credits; return 20+40. I'm curious what's confusing?

The problem was that if you just click on the drop down box and type in Melbourne it automatically goes to Melbourne, Florida and only shows Atlanta in there in the connecting destinations box.

If you're scrolling through you'll find MEL no problems first obviously

Thanks for the info ^

Jozdemir explained what my issue was when trying to use the VA SC earn page etc. Couldnt get MEL Australia to come up !!