Connection Times at SYD to/from VS flights

Hi

Not sure if this is the right place to post these questions but here goes.

As opportunity to collect FC miles out here is limited have decided to just cash in all my miles for two UC, first time in UC , returns SYD to HKG in August for a little holiday and as we live in MEL and will need to connect from DJ in SYD with the VS flights.

Can anyone shed any light on what the minimum connection times are? I have not booked the internal flights as don't know how much time to allow.

Also I have read somewhere that access to the DJ lounge is granted if arriving and connecting on DJ on same day from UC LHR/HKG but what about connectimg to UC HKG/LHR?

Any help would be appreciated.

Rob

Originally posted by RobL
As opportunity to collect FC miles out here is limited have decided to just cash in all my miles for two UC, first time in UC , returns SYD to HKG in August for a little holiday and as we live in MEL and will need to connect from DJ in SYD with the VS flights.

Can anyone shed any light on what the minimum connection times are? I have not booked the internal flights as don't know how much time to allow.

Hi Rob

I would give yourself a couple of hours - I have found myself short on time on this one on a couple of occasions, to the extent of missing a domestic connection once when my incoming international flight was delayed. As the connecting flight was on JetStar, the low cost carrier, I had to purchase another ticket. Nice.

When SYD was upgraded for the 2000 Olympics, no consideration was made for transit passengers between the Domestic terminals and the International terminal. Unbelievably there is not even free transport between them! I am trying to think of any other airports that charge for terminal transfer but have yet to find one. [Almost as crazy as expecting incoming pax to have a fistful of quarters to rent a baggage cart at many US international terminals.]

The transfer is about a ten or fifteen minute journey.

In the past I have used the VS's (or other airline) supplied limo to do the transfer, but on a miles flight there is no limo unless you part with another 10,000 miles for each transfer - rather a waste for such a short journey.

ISTR reading some time ago that DJ/VS were to have some kind of arrangement to facilitate transfer between terminals, although whether this includes interlined baggage transfer and shuttle transfer vouchers I don't know. Sorry, I have been unable to find any active link detailing this.

Cheers, Howard

Howard

thanks for the information I will book accordingly.

Rob

On your outbound to HKG, DJ will probably quote verbatim from Virgin's own site:
From the Clubhouse Information Page
Sydney
Upper Class passengers are invited to unwind in the Air New Zealand International Lounge located in Terminal C - enjoy a snack in the cafe, sit back with a drink at the bar or make use of the business facilities.

Although the DJ lounges seem very nice, (see herefor tallprawn's MEL lounge pix in TR) I see you'll be in ANZ's SYD lounge on the outbound leg SYD-HKG, although, as stated in the mentioned thread, you'll be able to use the MEL DJ lounge before your MEL-SYD DJ flight. The inbound DJ leg should get you access to the SYD DJ lounge, though, unless I'm being particularly obtuse tonight. FWIW, I'd give them a call and make very sure, or plan on spending a few dollars for access if need be (it shouldn't be).

On all of the above, though, I presumed no layovers. Layovers would negate any connection allowances, and they'd probably make you pay.

Hope this helps.