V-Flyer

We (Mr DL and I )are planning a side trip to NZ during our next jaunt to Australia in June. We were intending to head to MEL first but are now re-thinking this and toying with flying directly to AKL on arrival into SYD. If we do this would we have to clear customs and then check in for the onward connection to AKL or is there a connection facility (the booking obviously won't be on the same PNR as the LHR-SYD flight)?
I would rather fly to MEL first, fly on to AKL and return to SYD on the EK 380 [:D](sad I know [:I]) but Mr DL would rather fly to AKL then MEL before finally hitting SYD.
Can anyone clarify?
All NZ suggestions gratefully accepted too.
Thanks
DL

DL,

I am not sure of your exact itinerary or flights, but I can tell you from bitter experience that SYD for me has is always been a disaster for connections, especially if there's a change of terminals, for example international to domestic or vice versa. It's bad enough just transferring within the international terminal itself especially if you arrive at the same time as all the other flights in the morning. It can take quite some time, with lots and lots of sweaty people. The only good news is that it's just security, not customs or immigration. Later in in the day transferring within the international terminal is a lot better.

If you do need to transfer terminals at SYD, assuming you're J/F book an EK chauffeur car to do the trip. Seriously.

If you're on EK flying via DXB-MEL-AKL or the other way, then you remain in the same terminal. It's a simple matter of sitting in the lounge (I assume you're J/F!) after going through a security check where in my experience there has been little or no queue, although it's a little bit of a walk.

So, when considering flights to SYD, see if you can choose one that arrives later on in the day. You avoid all the millions of early morning wide bodied flights coming in the EU and Asia that way.

I think that the EK A380 is SYD only though as you say. I would definitely do LON-DXB-MEL-AKL then AKL-SYD-DXB-LON due to the later timing of the connection in SYD avoiding the morning queues.

Not sure why you would be on a different PNR???

Have fun on EK! Are you going to try F? They're very nice and private, and oodles of lovely Dom and caviar!

Howard

quote:Originally posted by Howard Long
DL,

I am not sure of your exact itinerary or flights, but I can tell you from bitter experience that SYD for me has is always been a disaster for connections, especially if there's a change of terminals, for example international to domestic or vice versa. It's bad enough just transferring within the international terminal itself especially if you arrive at the same time as all the other flights in the morning. It can take quite some time, with lots and lots of sweaty people. The only good news is that it's just security, not customs or immigration. Later in in the day transferring is a lot better.

If you do need to transfer terminals at SYD, assuming you're J/F book an EK chauffeur car to do the trip. Seriously.

If you're on EK flying via DXB-MEL-AKL or the other way, then you remain in the same terminal. It's a simple matter of sitting in the lounge (I assume you're J/F!) after going through a security check where in my experience there has been little or no queue, although it's a little bit of a walk.

So, when considering flights to SYD, see if you can choose one that arrives later on in the day. You avoid all the millions of early morning wide bodied flights coming in the EU and Asia that way.

I think that the EK A380 is SYD only though as you say. I would definitely do LON-DXB-MEL-AKL then AKL-SYD-DXB-LON due to the later timing of the connection in SYD avoiding the morning queues.

Not sure why you would be on a different PNR???

Have fun on EK! Are you going to try F? They're very nice and private, and oodles of lovely Dom and caviar!

Howard


Thanks Howard.I haven't explained myself very well.
Our flight to SYD is already booked with VS and will be in PE [:0](OMG this will be a looooong journey with not even a sojurn to the CH in HKG but was a bargain).This means the dreaded early morning scrum on arrival into SYD.Our onward flight if we go straight on to AKL will probably be with ANZ due to timings.If however we head to MEL first we'll use DJ (via the domestic terminal), ANZ or EK to AKL, and then fly EK back to SYD on the 380.
I really want to experience the 380 and we could fly AKL- SYD either in J or even better F [:D]( and would also get a nice lounge and transfers this way).
The point I need clarifying is our position on arrival into SYD.As the flights will be booked separately will we have to clear immigration /customs etc and then check in all over again for an onward international flight to AKL? If so I'd rather fly straight to MEL (which is my preffered option anyway).
DL

quote:Originally posted by DragonLady
Our flight to SYD is already booked with VS and will be in PE [:0](OMG this will be a looooong journey with not even a sojurn to the CH in HKG but was a bargain).This means the dreaded early morning scrum on arrival into SYD.Our onward flight if we go straight on to AKL will probably be with ANZ due to timings.


If you can interline your baggage (I assume VS & NZ do that?) then they arrive and depart from the same bit of the international terminal, so all you'd need to do is another security check, but no immigration, customs, or even bottom wiping.

If you go to MEL on DJ then I'm afraid you'll have to do immigration, customs, quarantine, the afore mentioned bottom wiping etc, AND transfer terminals - there is no free transfer, and it's a good ten plus minute ride between the international terminal and the two domestics. ISTR reading somewhere that there are some facilities laid on for VS/DJ international to domestic transfers, a bus and/or baggage transfer after the formalities?

I know this is v-australia but I assume it's the same deal on VS connections.

Sorry I cannot be more helpful, I have never connected to DJ domestically, only to QF, and (ugh) Sh!tStar.

Howard

Because the ANZ flight wouldn't be on the same itinerary I don't know if VS will interline my bags? We've used DJ to connect to MEL before (when we were in J with VS).That bit is straight forward (ish).Probably best if we head to MEL first (and subsequently sleep for a few days).
Thanks again.
DL