I’m flying Qantas Melb to Sydney (arrive 16:55) and fly out Sydney to SF (17:55).
Do I go through customs in Melb or because it’s a domestic flight, I’ll have to do all that within 1 hour in Sydney?
It’s all on one ticket. Thanks.
Customs for Melb>Syd>SF
John678 on 07/07/2018 - 12:55
Comments
I’m flying Qantas Melb to Sydney (arrive 16:55) and fly out Sydney to SF (17:55).
Do I go through customs in Melb or because it’s a domestic flight, I’ll have to do all that within 1 hour in Sydney?
You will go through customs in Sydney.
Have you booked as one booking or two separate bookings?
If your flight number with Qantas MEL-SYD is 399 or below, it is an international flight from Melbourne and you’ll clear Immigration in Melbourne. 3 hours before flight is the recommended time in that case.
What did Qantas say when you asked them? :)
It's probably noted on your itinerary. Also the departure terminal would be a clue.
It’s one ticket and it’s a domestic flight from melb to Sydney.
I can’t see how it would be possible to make the flight to San Fran. If the flight is delayed by even 20 minutes that would be enough for me to miss it.
Has anyone else successfully made the transition from domestic to international within one hour?
How do you know that you have to transfer from Domestic to International? If it's the same plane, then it becomes an international flight to SFO, so it may land at, pick up more passengers and depart from SYD International. Since it's one ticket, it's Qantas's problem, not yours.
Because on the ticket it has different flight numbers etc.
I guess it’s their problem but missing it would mean a 24 hour delay and basically ruin the holiday.
Flight numbers can change for another leg even though it's the same plane. Why don't you ask Qantas and let us know?
Their response :
“Your flights are currently scheduled for the minimum connection time of one hour in Sydney. If there is a schedule change and the time drops below one hour, we'll be able to change the flights free of charge, same with if the there's a delay on the day of departure. We do have a lot of flights from Melbourne to Sydney on the 1st of March. We're also able to take a preemptive approach and make a voluntary change. In which case, a change fee and fare differences will apply. Please note a service fee may also apply. Let us know your thoughts.”
I told them I wouldn’t be paying to change flight and the onus was on them to ensure adequate time.
I may just get to Melb super early and ask to change or at least sit at the front for early exit and express passes.
Sure I’m not the only one on this flight.
If the MEL-SYD flight is late in arriving, and given there will probably be several connecting passengers, then they can hold the flight for 30 minutes of so. They will have this amount of slack built into the flight schedule in an event.
It’s a bit tight but you should be ok.
If you look up the Qantas schedule you might be able to time your airport arrival so you get to the airport early and get on the earlier
qf flight.I’ve done that before.
Mel to syd isn’t a issue. There’s litterly 50 fIights a day. The SYD TO SFO might be a issue but worst case you get a syd to lax and get a shuttle to sfo.
Yes, did it last year. It was a quick walk from domestic to the international shuttle bus. But then we waited in the international terminal for ages because departure was delayed. Customs is a very quick process.
Reminds me of this similar situation where Jetstar changed their mind:
I am a stressful traveller, and so I would never have booked such a tight connection, especially as there are many flight options Melb-Syd.
I just can't see how you can make it. Boarding closes 20 minutes before the flight. You have to transfer from domestic to international terminals plus do Customs and security. Also I would be worried about whether baggage is checked through,and goes without you.When it’s all on one ticket it’s often not your choice to choose the connecting flight. Qantas do it all the time and quote 1hr as their minimum to transfer to international flight.
I purchased a couple of express passes but yeah I’m just gonna hope we can change flights once we check in.
This seems to be a common tactic Qantas use. I flew Perth-Sydney-Dallas with Qantas, and also only had an hour layover in Sydney. 45 minutes into the layover I started to panic, but then realized I was surrounded by several people from my Perth flight and even more from a Melbourne flight who were all scheduled to be on the Houston flight and had the short layover.
In the end, I think the Houston flight left about 30 minutes late.
Not sure why Qantas does the short layover, but you won't be the only one in that position. It's unlikely they'd leave with half the plane still in the process of transferring from domestic flights.
You will transfer from the domestic airport in Sydney and check in through customs etc in Sydney.
There is a special express process when you are coming from interstate. Qantas will explain as you arrive in Sydney and they have a special transit area for international connections.
The exception to this rule is if your flight from Melbourne is on an international plane then you would check in through customs in Melbourne. Check the flight number etc it may also be explained on your ticket.