TBIT connector

10 replies

Kitch

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 10 Jun 2015

Total posts 72

I'm flying into lax soon on Qantas and have a tight connection to Las Vegas. The flights are on separate bookings, I read somewhere that I might have to re check. Any help please!

dp

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 16 Jan 2015

Total posts 24

More than likely - if it is an AA flight you might get lucky and be checked right through (but still have to pick up your luggage and drop it off again), but otherwise, it requires a recheck. Some airlines will allow you to do it at the bag drop rather than having to exit the terminal and then get in line again.


If you can check in online for your second flight before departing, that will make things simpler.

Himeno

Member since 12 Dec 2012

Total posts 295

As they are on different bookings, unless one is an award flight, QF will not check you through to the AA LAS flight, so they won't give you boarding passes for LAX-LAS or tag any bags to LAS (even though you need to collect bags at LAX for CBP).

How long is this "tight" connection?

Kitch

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 10 Jun 2015

Total posts 72

As they are on different bookings, unless one is an award flight, QF will not check you through to the AA LAS flight, so they won't give you boarding passes for LAX-LAS or tag any bags to LAS (even though you need to collect bags at LAX for CBP).

How long is this "tight" connection?

about 1 hour 40 mins. AA wants bags to be checked between 45- to and hour before the flight, so only 40 mins to leave the plane, go through customs, re check, then go through American security. And that doesn't account for any delays qantas might have.

flychrisfly

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 09 Jun 2011

Total posts 40

Doesn't look like you'll be using the TBIT connector... Hope your Qantas flight arrives early and the US CBP gods smile upon you.

BevanMcBevan

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 01 Mar 2013

Total posts 32

Aha. Welcome to the USA. You could be in for a little work here. Yes QF & AA should work together, but they don't. See what you can do to get your ticket linked. Once you land make sure you get the lucky 'orange express' pass that will help with customs. Once done get that bag and recheck as quickly as possible (you have no choice as you will need to go through the transfer dash). Once done get to the gate asap. This is America and under Trump the Xenophobia is just going to get worse.

johninoz

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 01 Apr 2011

Total posts 9

I have a similar situation in February next year.  Travelling business class on Virgin Australia to LAX, and arriving at TBIT.  I am then flying on Delta to LAS.  Virgin flight is due in at around 6.30am.  I have deliberately chosen the LAS flight at 11.15am.  I wasn't comfortable with any less transfer time, as I am unfamiliar with current immigration processes (even in the old days it took ages to clear immigration), and of course, current TSA security and checkin etc.  I've not not been to the US since before 9-11, so it is all going to be new to me.  


I am only taking carry on, so baggage is not going to be a problem.  But I will not have a Delta boarding pass for my LAS flight.  I guess that means I have to exit TBIT and find my way to Terminal 3 to get my BP and go through security again.  I wondered if I might be able to use the airside connector/tunnels, but if so, can I get my BP in the secure area of Delta terminal?  I guess the answer is no in this case as I have to clear immigration first??  Or are the tunnels in the secure area before leaving baggage claim?

I also have some mobility problems, though I can manage with difficulty.  I haven't yet requested wheelchair assistance.  It would probably help given the walking distances in TBIT, but I doubt they would transfer me from TBIT to Terminal 3.

One last question if I may.  VA checkin is in Terminal 3 at LAX, but the plane leaves from TBIT according to the VA website.  How does this work?  Do you just check in at Terminal 3, then walk/bus to TBIT??

Himeno

Member since 12 Dec 2012

Total posts 295

I also have some mobility problems, though I can manage with difficulty.  I haven't yet requested wheelchair assistance.  It would probably help given the walking distances in TBIT, but I doubt they would transfer me from TBIT to Terminal 3.

One last question if I may.  VA checkin is in Terminal 3 at LAX, but the plane leaves from TBIT according to the VA website.  How does this work?  Do you just check in at Terminal 3, then walk/bus to TBIT??

There is no airside connections on the T1-T3 side of the airfield. T3 is next to TBIT, opposite T4. Traffic on World Way (the loop the ground side of the terminals is on) goes past T3 then TBIT then T4.

Are you sure you need to go to T3 for the LAS flight? Delta are in LAX T5, which is connected to TBIT via the connector building to T4 then the tunnel to T5.

johninoz

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 01 Apr 2011

Total posts 9

Sorry my mistake, the Las Vegas flight is from Terminal 5.  I didn't proof read before posting!  So, the question remains, if I use the connector and stay in the secure area, can I get a Delta BP once I am inside T5?


The Virgin Australia check in for my flight home is Terminal 3 at LAX, yet the actual flight is from TBIT???


pdaniels62

Member since 10 Aug 2016

Total posts 1

We transited LAX on the way to SFO. It was on VA with a code share to SFO on Delta. The booking had the one PNR. We had our Delta boarding passes and bags tagged all the way to SFO so it went smoothly using the bag drop at TBIT. I've also had to do it the hard way. I'd suggest you check in on line for your AA flight. Terminal 4 can be a nightmare and the queues can be horrendous. If you check in on line, try using the bag drop at TBIT

WP_fornow

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 17 Oct 2014

Total posts 1

Hi, I will be transiting through LAX from MCO and onto HKG this month. I have separate tickets for each flight. Is there an easy way to use the T4 to TBIT connector to avoid what I understand are long security queues at TBIT? Is there a bag drop for TBIT flights in T4 or could I check in in TBIT and walk back to T4 to clear security?

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