V-Flyer

hi,we are going to hawaii next year via lax arriving at 2.35pm on the vs007. before i book the connecting flights how long should i allow to get through customs,baggage claim etc?. there are various options in the 2-4 hour range.
thanks

quote:Originally posted by archie
hi,we are going to hawaii next year via lax arriving at 2.35pm on the vs007. before i book the connecting flights how long should i allow to get through customs,baggage claim etc?. there are various options in the 2-4 hour range.
thanks


Go for the later flight and IF you get to the gate early they well let you get an earlier flight (as is often the case in the USA). Personallyy I would leave myself at least 3 hours.

Also after flying to Hawaii myself I did not realsise just how long the flight is from LAX - in future I would definately spend a night in LAX as it is too far for me to do in one go again - was shatered for days when I finally got to the hotel.

HG

I would go for the later flight for sure, all you need is VS leaving LHR late, immigration being slow and the trek across to which ever terminal your flying out off to become a pain, plus check in, you could end up cutting it close.

Leave plenty of time for immigration as have seen the queues out of the immigration hall many times when VS land at the same time as AF, NZ and KLM.

thanks for the advice.i think a night in airport hotel and then an early flight the next day sounds a good idea and a bit less stressful.

You are in luck. I've been to Oahu in Hawaii twice connecting in LA with Virgin Atlantic then with Hawaiian Airlines.

We took VS007 from Heathrow which arrives into LA at about 2:30pm. We then took Hawaiian Airlines flight HAL9 which left at 5:55pm.

Hawaiian and Virgin both use Termainal 2 so you dont need to travel far at LAX. If you luggage is checked through to Honolulu (like ours was) you will need to collect in in LA, then before you leave the luggage hall hand it to a luggage transfer agent. The area is sign posted so you cant miss it. Once outside you need to go up one level (as the lower level is for arrivals and upper is for depatures).

Coming back we got HAL10 which leaves at 8:10am and you get back to LA at 4:25pm then left LA at 8:55pm on VS024.

I would use those flights if i were you. I didnt feel rushed to make the connection, but if the first flight of the travel had been delayed if i got flights closer together, i would have found it quite stressful.

Agree with what Nick said, the problems can come if you don't use HAL to get to the islands, switching over to DL/AA/UA can be a bear, the easy way is to just grab your luggage and cut through the parking lots, Welcome to the US !

Hi, first post and it's to answer a question!!

Following on from what Nick has said, I've booked a holiday with VH to Hawaii in March and they've booked me on VS007, arriving in LA at 14:55 and then onto HA9 which departs at 17:05.

The timings do appear a little tight but if VH booked them there should be a higher than average chance of making the onward flight.

Yes there should, for the most part VS7 get's in before 3pm, however I am wondering what VH would do if 7 was late.

Thanks Scrooge, wondered the same thing myself - presuming that VH would sort for us, lots of possible scenarios I guess, but I have faith in them !

quote:Originally posted by slashand lemmy
Hi, first post and it's to answer a question!!

Following on from what Nick has said, I've booked a holiday with VH to Hawaii in March and they've booked me on VS007, arriving in LA at 14:55 and then onto HA9 which departs at 17:05.

The timings do appear a little tight but if VH booked them there should be a higher than average chance of making the onward flight.



I just checked hawaiian airlines' website and HA9 leaves at 5:55pm and arrives into Honolulu at 8:30pm local time (the flight is about 5 1/2 hours). From my experience, that amount of time waiting at LA is just about right... not too short so you might miss your connection if the Virgin flight is delayed but not too long so you wont get restless waiting at LA. Terminal 2 is tiny though, only about 4 shops and few places to get food.

If you go to any other island apart fro Oahu, you will need to overnight in LA or Honolulu.

Hmm.. all this Hawaii talk is making me want to book to go again

You could always try that flight connector site VA are displaying on their web homepage. It will show up connections

Unless VS7 goes pear shaped you should have plenty of time to make a flight with HA, make sure your FC number is inputted as you do get credit for that flight as well.

Also if you have any questions regarding Hawaii feel free to ask.

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge

Also if you have any questions regarding Hawaii feel free to ask.


Will I get lei'd upon arrival in HI?

As to the topic: LAX is really a terrible bore of a place, T2 is one of the least interesting areas. If you do have time, I suggest going to Encounter restaurant in the amazing Theme Building (http://www.encounterlax.com/). It's the white 'spider' building in the middle of the airport drive...delicious food, great views and out of the madness of the airport proper.

Good luck and happy flying!

GJ

If you have an extra day to spare I agree with the thought of spending an overnight at LAX. You'll be up early (on LHR time) the next morning and can easily make a morning flight to the Islands.

Chuck-