1 Hour between Connecting Flights at Melbourne

TubeLight on 25/07/2022 - 15:14

Looking for some advice from frequent fliers and airline staff (if any)

The wife and child (pre teen) are travelling from Brisbane to Delhi transiting via Melbourne.

We had 1 hour 20 mins between flights at Melbourne. I’ve just got an email from Qantas saying our Mel to Delhi flight has been brought forward by 20 mins giving us only 1 hour between flights.

I am not sure about the layout and connectivity of the domestic and international terminals. Is it possible to do this in an hour? What assistance can we expect from the ground staff?

Called Qantas, they were hopeless. No guarantees for any Airport assistance, not willing to move us to the front of the plane. All in all, a complete lack of support. I have 24 hrs to decide if I want to cancel my flight.

Travel Airfare

Comments

  • oscargamer on 25/07/2022 - 15:16

    Do you have to collect luggage between flights?

    • TubeLight on 25/07/2022 - 15:16

      No. Atleast they committed on that one. It’ll be checked all the way to Delhi right from Brisbane.

      • oscargamer on 25/07/2022 - 15:17

        Google is your friend when it comes to layout of the airport. You know the terminal you are arriving at and leaving from…..

        You might make it, you might not

        • TubeLight on 25/07/2022 - 15:18

          That’s ‘might’ part is the one I’m trying to ascertain. Haha

          • oscargamer on 25/07/2022 - 15:19
            +3

            @TubeLight: Yep. If the incoming flight is delayed, if the disembarkation takes longer than anticipated, if one of you is unfit, if if if.
            I doubt the luggage will make it…. That's just a prediction given things at the moment

            • TubeLight on 25/07/2022 - 15:24

              @oscargamer: Yeah… I thought if the luggage too. I don’t think things will be that efficient that the luggage will make it.

              Too many variables.

      • blwnhr on 26/07/2022 - 12:09
        +1

        Careful with this, Qantas changed our flight at the last second then told us we needed to collect our bags and re-check them.

  • Brian McGee on 25/07/2022 - 15:21
    +1

    I hope you're not with anyone disabled.

    • TubeLight on 25/07/2022 - 15:23

      Thankfully not mate. That sounds horrendous.

  • atris17 on 25/07/2022 - 15:22

    Is it in 1 ticket ? From Brisbane to Delhi

    • TubeLight on 25/07/2022 - 15:23

      Yep.. single ticket.

  • netjock on 25/07/2022 - 15:25
    +3

    Given Qantas performance I'd be more worried about your luggage arriving with you.

    If there is no delays you could do it within the hour.

    • TubeLight on 25/07/2022 - 15:32

      Looking more and more dire here. Might have to cancel.

  • djkelly69 on 25/07/2022 - 15:27
    +2

    I would have thought 1hr was less than MCT for an international flight at MEL.

    If you are brave, read some threads in the Qantas forum on AFF (such as Flight delayed, missed connection and abandoned by Qantas.)

    Summary: I would be wanting a significantly longer connection time.

    • TubeLight on 25/07/2022 - 15:33

      I can’t take a flight the day before unfortunately. Too strapped for time.

    • TubeLight on 25/07/2022 - 15:34

      Looks like I’m going to have to cancel it and start looking all over again. Only problem, tickets are now more than 1500 dearer.

      • djkelly69 on 25/07/2022 - 15:40
        +3

        I would be trying Qantas again (probably a few more times until you get the desired result) to try and get them to get you on either a later flight to Delhi or more likely an earlier flight to Mel, due to the 'involuntary schedule change'.

        • TubeLight on 25/07/2022 - 15:42

          I might call them again and hope to get a better person in the phone.

  • GG57 on 25/07/2022 - 15:40
    +5

    In my view, given the current state of Qantas, I would be very nervous.
    The Melb airport configuration is a good one, with International located between the domestic terminals and all in the one building. But, you need to get through security and immigration to get to the International gates, and you don't have any control over when you will arrive. If you were lucky to get there on time and when there are minimal other International flights getting ready to depart, you might be ok.

    • TubeLight on 25/07/2022 - 17:26

      Wouldn’t Qantas’s ground staff help with the queue situation?

      • GG57 on 26/07/2022 - 09:40

        In my understanding, not within the government-managed security and immigration area.

  • kanmen on 25/07/2022 - 15:44
    +1

    I would say your issue is not clearing the domestic terminal but rather coming through international departures. If there's a long wait at security to get into the departure area this could mess you up. From what I've seen and heard this depends on what time of the day it is.

    It seems like if you're leaving during the day you're likely to face delays getting through the airport. If its night/early morning then it seems okay.

    That said I was on a domestic Q-Link flight last month that was delayed and it had passengers with an international connection from Melbourne. When we landed the pilot let those passengers disembark first, but I'm unsure as to how they were taken across to the international terminal although there were staff ready to take them across with haste

    • TubeLight on 25/07/2022 - 17:29

      It’s the very first flight out of Brisbane at 6.00 in the morning. One would home it’ll be on time. Lands at Melbourne at 8.40 and the international flight is at 9.40. I am hoping the ground staff and flight crew will be cooperating enough to let them get off the plane on priority. If that happens, we might have a chance. Luggage will still be an issue though.

      • Shadowsfury on 25/07/2022 - 20:31

        You'd probably need priority off the plane as well as a priority/express flyer to help get into the faster security lanes (the kinds of cards they hand out to business class passengers)

        • TubeLight on 26/07/2022 - 06:48

          We’ve got a meet and assist request on the ticket. Additionally, we will be requesting the staff while checking in at Brisbane to make sure they can de plane sooner on riority. Maybe even chat to the flight crew to about the same.

      • trashcan on 25/07/2022 - 21:06

        If my memory serves me right, the qantas flight to Delhi is via Adelaide. Check with Qantas if they can fly you from Brisbane to Adelaide directly and then onward to Delhi.Given the current chaos 1 hour would be too close for my comfort.

        • TubeLight on 26/07/2022 - 06:49

          It’s a direct flight from Mel to Delhi.

  • iforgotmysocks on 25/07/2022 - 15:45
    +4

    Luggage will be checked all the way through. You’ll get your boarding pass for your international connection in Brisbane. The international terminal is literally right next to the qantas terminal, you’ll just need to go upstairs when you get to qantas baggage claim and follow the signs. You’ll be at the international security within 10 mins of getting off your previous flight.

    The only real hurdle is clearing security in a timely manner.

    What time of the day and what day are your flights? There are a lot of flights between bris and Melb, you could possibly turn up a couple of hours before your flight at Brisbane and they would likely shuffle you onto the next one departing with room.

    I think you will be fine personally but I fly a lot. Appreciate there’s a level of anxiety if you don’t do it all the time.

    • TubeLight on 25/07/2022 - 17:31

      Reaching melb at 8.40am and flying out at 9.40. I’m hoping qantas’ ground staff can get them to deplane on priority and get them through security on priority.

  • capslock on 25/07/2022 - 16:05
    +3

    I think you will be fine.

    Flights departing early morning usually departs and arrives on time. Your first flight is not likely to be delayed.

    Qantas sells tickets on their website with just a 1hr connection so it is a legal connection. The Delhi flight might even wait for you if they know you are coming.

    Flights to Delhi leave in the morning so I think you only have 1 choice of departure from Brisbane unless you want to overnight in Melbourne.

    • TubeLight on 25/07/2022 - 17:32

      Yep. All that you said is spot on. First flight out of Brisbane. So chances of it being on time are high. Qantas did tell me that their minimum time between flights is 1 hour.

    • Love a bargain on 26/07/2022 - 12:43

      Flights departing early morning usually departs and arrives on time. 

      Unless it's foggy (https://amp.abc.net.au/article/101265452).

    • capslock on 26/07/2022 - 12:56

      I've just had a look at the recent history of QF69 to Delhi and it usually departs late, maybe to wait for connecting passengers from other states.

      Even more evidence that your wife and child will probably be just fine.

  • meowsers on 25/07/2022 - 16:10
    +2

    Just get the best travel insurance and profit when your flight is delayed. Go buy new clothes and get reimbursed.

    • TubeLight on 25/07/2022 - 17:33

      Not a bad idea. Except, one wants to maximise time with family overseas… especially when you’re seeing them after years. Thanks to the pandemic.

      • Love a bargain on 26/07/2022 - 12:46

        If they don't make the connection, say, due to the first flight getting into MEL late, QF will probably rebook them onto the next available flight (perhaps on the following day). That will shorten their trip but a shortened trip is better than none at all.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 25/07/2022 - 16:11

    You have two chances of making it. Zero and (profanity) all.

    • TubeLight on 25/07/2022 - 17:34

      I know what you’re saying is true, but I want to live in denial. Lol

  • klendestined on 25/07/2022 - 16:23
    +1

    If you've booked it with Qantas as a single booking you're generally fine. I've had short layovers before without dramas. I've missed connections before due to delayed flights / issues and they just booked me on the next available. Risk of being stuck in Melbourne for sure.

    Melbourne airport will have a map. Possibly review where you expect to land. Another things was if it is a direct flight occasionally the 'domestic flight' is an international flight. I flew BRIS to MELB through the international terminal and never went back landside. If you do all the customs ahead of time then you'll be fine, otherwise an hour would seem a bit tight

    • TubeLight on 25/07/2022 - 17:35

      I might see what’s the history of the domestic flight. Ideal would be to just do the immigration at Brisbane.

      • Love a bargain on 26/07/2022 - 12:49

        You don't need to look into the history for that. If a "domestic" flight departs from the international terminal, it would say so on your ticket/ itinerary.

        There is simply no border control facility in domestic terminals.

  • FirstWizard on 25/07/2022 - 17:15
    +1

    I've done SYD-MEL-DXB with Qantas before (2016), and had 2 hours for the connection. But the security and immigration in Melbourne International terminal almost 1.5hrs and it was on last call when I got to the gate. And I was travelling alone, even had an express path token as I was flying business class- not sure if they do it anymore.
    For most international flights, the gates close 30mins before departure.

    So I will not do it again.

    • TubeLight on 25/07/2022 - 17:36

      That doesn’t sound good at all man.

  • pegaxs on 25/07/2022 - 18:11
    +2

    Next post:

    Flight from BNE delayed by 30 mins and didn’t make connecting flight. How do I get a refund?

  • Presence on 25/07/2022 - 20:50
    +2

    Is it possible to do this in an hour? What assistance can we expect from the ground staff?

    Melbourne terminals are all connected so its no more than a 10-15m walk from any gate to gate if you aren't dawdling. The problem is you have to deboard, walk to the right terminal, line up, go through security, line up again, go through immigration and walk to the gate. Forget about taking a piss or getting any food. I wouldn't risk it.

    • TubeLight on 26/07/2022 - 06:51

      It’s the only option now… Fingers crossed.

  • TubeLight on 26/07/2022 - 06:39
    +1

    Thank you to everyone who has commented so far.

    Here is an update…

    I called Qantas again and found someone who was just as unhelpful.

    To complete the picture, my child is returning from a school camp on the previous evening and lands at Brisbane at 7.05pm. So if I have to change my flight (Bris to Mel) I have two options

    1. Last flight from Qantas leaving Bris at 9.15pm - Fully booked
    2. Jetstar flight leaving Bris at 9.00pm - I requested to be put on this flight, but they wouldn’t give me the same baggage allowance on this flight. Reason, Qantas and Jetstar are different companies and the person on the phone cannot do that.

    Both the above options would’ve meant me paying for a hotel at Mel which I was ready to do.

    So now we have a request on the flight for a ‘meet and assist’ for ground staff to get us to the flight.

    Another request I made was to move them to the front of the plane, but apparently all the seats are taken.

    Essentially Qantas was not ready to do anything for me other than the meet and assist. Surely, they could’ve allowed the same baggage allowance on the Jetstar flight or moved them to the front of the plane. I could not get them to move an iota from their stance.

    Customer service is an ethos which is generally baked in the culture of an org. Qantas obviously doesn’t care. Customer service 101 dictates that if you have an irate customer, show some empathy…make them feel you’re on their side (just to clarify, I didnt lose my cool right at the start. It was when I kept getting pushed back on both the requests that I lost my temper). You can still deliver the message that you can’t do much, but its the way it is delivered. It wasn’t a happy experience. I’ve been in similar situations in the past with Singapore airlines and their approach to resolving the situation was totally different.

    If the people on the phone dont have the authority to accomodate and tailor solutions per the situation, it speaks of a centralised org with little delegation to those at the front line. And of course, you can never get to speak to a supervisor cause they are never there…

    Rant over.

    Hope the flight from Brisbane is on time and the ground staff can assist. Will update this thread in 51 days.

    • A Driver on 26/07/2022 - 07:44

      So @kushc are you saying you are going to risk missing your international flight as you don’t want to pay a few bucks for baggage on an earlier flight???

      • TubeLight on 26/07/2022 - 07:51

        To be honest, I didn’t think of it this ways at the time man. You’ve got me thinking again now.

        Although, I don’t know if I can change it again. I’d hate to call qantas and fight with them again.

      • TubeLight on 26/07/2022 - 07:54
        +1

        Also, what’s to say my sons flight on the previous evening won’t be delayed and we won’t find ourselves in a very similar situation.

    • Love a bargain on 26/07/2022 - 12:55

      To be fair, they can't move you to the front if all the seats have already been assigned - & people do tend to choose seats in the front of the aircraft over those at the back.

      Imagine what you'd feel like if the seat in the front that you selected when you bought your ticket has been taken from you and now you're sitting at the back of the plane.

      • TubeLight on 26/07/2022 - 13:37

        Some of those could well be auto-allocated?

        Anyhow, we are on row 16… which is what I had selected anyways.

        • Love a bargain on 27/07/2022 - 16:39

          You're making a huge assumption about auto-allocation there.

          From my experience, the system doesn't attempt to allocate anyone a seat until someone who hasn't already selected a seat checks in. Even then, the passenger gets to choose another available seat anyway. Qantas offers free seat selection to all passengers on domestic flights so I really can't see why the front rows won't already have been filled with real passengers.

          Another explanation is, of cos, when airlines block certain seat (i.e. not letting anyone sit in those seats) for operational reasons, although I wouldn't expect that to happen on domestic flights.

  • jhaley3180 on 26/07/2022 - 08:25
    +3

    Based on what you are saying… As a semi regular flyer with family including the kids; I'd pay the bit extra for the Jetstar luggage. They are different corporate entities with different policies and service. I hate Jetstar but given your info, I would. An hour is possible but it is very tight and stressful traveling with family.

    That being said if Qantas is going to do a meet and greet. I'd be more comfortable. 1 hour is tight but MEL is actually a really good airport, particularly for QANTAS travelers. The key crunch point will be security and customs and will be entirely dependent on how busy that day is. 4 weeks ago, on a Thursday early evening, our family was through international security and customs in well under 10 minutes. You could ask for QANTAS to issue you with priority access to security and customs (I think ground support would take you that way anyway). But airlines can issue you with a slip that gives you access to priority lane.

    Finally, call centers for all airlines are abysmal. But I found the QANTAS staff themselves, both ground crew and flight to be extremely good by global standards. Let your flight crew know, ask them to arrange a ground crew assistance in advance and finally; have you thought about literally going into Brisbane airport and speaking to the QANTAS service desk rather than phoning.

    In the end this is why I use an excellent reliable travel agent, who I have used for years. They sort this sort of rubbish out for me.

    • Presence on 26/07/2022 - 08:49

      have you thought about literally going into Brisbane airport and speaking to the QANTAS service desk rather than phoning.

      Surely they'd just laugh you out of the building?

      There was an article in The Age in 2020 saying QANTAS were closing all their service and sale desks in all airports?

    • TubeLight on 26/07/2022 - 13:52

      Cheers mate. I guess we will find out on the day now.

  • David 1969 on 26/07/2022 - 09:21
    +4

    As an ex-baggage handler I'd never dream of having that close a connection!
    I know all too well what happens 'behind the scenes'.🤦🤦🤦

    Sure they might say '1 hour is sufficient' when booking, but on the day you can be left looking out the window @ Tulla as your plane taxis down the runway.

    These are just SOME regular occurrences which can cause delays to your 1st flight, and of course with less staff due to sackings and qualified people refusing to have the 💉💉💉 in order to work:

    *Waiting on paperwork delays from Load control.
    *Bad weather causing the fuel truck to return and add more fuel, requiring another set of paperwork.
    *Waiting on catering, fuel, toilet & water services.
    *Waiting on ground/flight/engineering staff should there be high levels of absenteeism that day.
    * Bag searches for people who have checked in but haven't boarded the plane. Baggage monkeys have to search the aircraft hold for their checked bags and throw them off, all whilst making 1 or maybe 2 PA announcements in the departure lounges for the passengers. It's amazing how many people turn up to an airport, check in, then go outside for a smoke or 3 and think they can walk back with 5 mins to spare! 🤦.
    *If the above scenario involves 5 or 10 people, guess what the pilot needs?????(You guessed it NEW PAPERWORK)
    *Bad weather at departure airport. (Staff aren't permitted to work 'airside' if there's lightning within 3 nautical miles of the airport for safety reasons).
    *Bad weather at arrival airport (Aircraft can't depart if there's fog or other delays there…… ATC won't allow it. It can be beautiful and sunny in BNE but a hurricane in MEL, meaning you can't take off)
    *Congestion on taxiways & runways (although should be minimum first thing).
    *Bad weather, incidents at arrival airport en-route causing you to circle the airport waiting to land.
    * The above scenario later causing the plane to divert to ADL or SYD. YES this happens!!! 😳😳😳
    *Emergency on-board causing a diversion to another airport like SYD or CBR.
    *Congestion at terminals causing you to wait for a departing aircraft in order to dock at a vacant Aerobridge. (Priority is given to departures, not arrivals as those are the 'On time performance KPIs they use)
    *Arriving at a gate without an aerobridge, requiring staff to push up manual stairs to the aircraft. (Shouldn't affect QA… But never say never in aviation!)
    *Parking at a gate and waiting for qualified staff to operate the aerobridge onto the aircraft. Not everyone has the access/licence or skills to dock them, they're amazing all by themselves.
    *Having 'entitled' passengers jump up and clog the aircraft aisle when you stop, regardless of announcements about connecting passengers. Out of the 160+ onboard there might be 80 with onward connections from MEL!!!
    *Having a loo break…….ya can't hold on for hours & hours, and don't think that you'll be the only one lining up for a cubicle…… almost EVERYONE needs the loo when they land or are about to fly with butterflies.
    *As others have said, lines with security, immigration etc etc can be horrific. Flight crew are always through first, if you're lucky an express pass might assist, but if any of the previous issues causes a 5 or 10 min delay you'll be sweating more than a vindaloo curry!

    Don't make the mistake of thinking they're buses who will wait for you, aviation is amazing, and still very much in its infancy, don't temp fate and expect everything to go to plan. Flying is fantastic and you should 'enjoy the ride' as much as getting to your destination.

    Just stop and think that thousands of tonnes can get your ar*e off the ground going 800kms/hr strapped to a metal coffin with 15tonnes+ of highly flammable avgas to get you to another country using a couple of fast spinning fans 😂🤣😂🤣, it's AMAZEBALLS!

    Allow yourself MORE time than you think, if you need to waste an hour or 2 more then take a book, grab a latte and relaxxxxx before getting on the next flight after you've gone through security and immigration.

    To the OP…… If you need to fly the night before, do it! Or alter the flights through other airports or days. If prices have gone up, or you need to pay for a hotel then TBH you should have asked these questions & done your research earlier, not the day before flying! I assume you've been on a big metal coffin before? 😂 The onus is on the passenger, not the airline. People should read the 'terms & conditions' of their ticket at least once in their life. Then you'll realise who holds the ace card.

    I hope this gives everyone an appreciation of flying, I'm not being a negative Nancy……… just opening your eyes to what happens daily around Australia & the world. And remember there's MANY things that can go right as well 🤟👌🙂

    Enjoy your holiday!
    🙏👍👌✈️🛫🛬🌏

    • TubeLight on 26/07/2022 - 13:51
      +1

      I agree with most of what you’ve said. As a bit of an aviation enthusiast myself, I am amazed by the system.

      When I booked there was 1.20 between flights. I have in the past changes flights within 1.30 at Singapore where I had to go from one terminal to the other, by a train. No special assistance needed. I haven’t changed, the airline has.

      I was ready to pay for the hotel which is about 350. But they keep shifting the goal post.

      I did also ask them if they could move my entire itinerary (including my return tickets) to a few days later. Response- we can only change the outward leg.

      Why am I copping the blame for a situation I find myself in?

  • MontyMacaw on 26/07/2022 - 11:35
    +1

    Forget it. Melbourne is the best airport for getting through security and immigration but you have to board 30 minutes before your flight so that window can only shrink further given current delays and staff shortages.

    • TubeLight on 26/07/2022 - 13:51

      Cheers mate!

  • TubeLight on 26/07/2022 - 17:31

    You guys have scared me so much that I called qantas again. 5 calls in 1.5 hrs. Very hard to get a clear line and get someone on the line who is fluent with English.

    So this morning, getting a Jetstar ticket was an option. It not longer is. One person said it’s against rules. One said they can’t change the ticket cause it’s a ‘married’ ticket. If they change that, they’ll also have to change my Mel to Delhi ticket. And that I’ll have to pay for the change. I have given up. There is no consistency in the advice being handed out.

    If you operate two airlines under the same brand, one would think that you’ll leave a window for one to talk to the other. And while looking online, I’ve seen tickets being sold by qantas which say flight operated by Jetstar. So obviously there is some sort of a codeshare arrangement.

    Bottom line, qantas ain’t getting my business again. I actually paid extra to book through their website instead of a travel agent btw. Thinking it’ll be easier to deal with the airlines directly in these uncertain Covid times.

    I can’t do anything else now, I can only catch the morning flight and hope all pieces fall in place. Which, if you think of it, is life in general.

    Unless someone can point me towards a place where my complaint can actually be heard by someone who can actually make some decisions and not read from a stupid inconsistent script.

  • David 1969 on 30/07/2022 - 09:24

    So what was the outcome after the plethora of responses???
    Did you make your connection, get stranded, did you make it and lost your luggage or did you alter your plans altogether???

    • TubeLight on 31/07/2022 - 07:41

      The flight is in mid sept. Will update then.

  • TubeLight on 15/09/2022 - 09:47
    +1

    To those who may be keen to get an update.

    They have just boarded the flight from Mel to Delhi. The flight from Brisbane landed 15 mins late leaving 45 mins between flights. Just got a very quick call from the Mrs before she was boarding. Apparently, it was a mission, but they got there.

    The ground staff at Brisbane were very good. The flight attendants also knew that we’ll need priority. they even let her know the gate numbers (no numbers were provided on the boarding pass for the international leg) and how to get from one to the other.

    Don’t have anymore details yet.

    Now hoping the luggage makes it as well. Should’ve put an air tag or something.

    • TubeLight on 16/09/2022 - 04:57
      +1

      Luggage arrived too.

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