Flying MEL - LAX with AirNZ in May - flight arrival is 2.55pm. Am about to book a domestic leg to SEA - how much time to I need to allow to clear all the formalities, collect our bags and then checkin to a domestic flight? Is 2.5 hours enough, or should I allow more? The day I arrive just happens to be a Public Holiday too - Memorial Day!
2.5 hrs is quite tight, also considering you need to go through customs etc at the international terminal which will be filled up since it's a public holiday, then transiting to the other terminal, which shouldn't be too much of a hassle, I think as stated above from a previous person, minimum 3 hrs as LAX can be very unpredictable.
I agree with the other comments here. You can do it in 2.5 hours but everything has to go perfectly. If there are any long queues, and there normally are, then 2.5 hours doesn't give you any time to recover from any delays.
Book all sectors on a single PNR for peace of mind.
MEL/LAX would involve a stop over in NZ. If any of those two sectors (MEL/AKL & AKL/LAX) is delayed then you're going to be fretting all through a 13 trans-pacific flight. It's not worth it.
Flying MEL - LAX with AirNZ in May - flight arrival is 2.55pm. Am about to book a domestic leg to SEA - how much time to I need to allow to clear all the formalities, collect our bags and then checkin to a domestic flight? Is 2.5 hours enough, or should I allow more? The day I arrive just happens to be a Public Holiday too - Memorial
2.5 hours should be fine. Although you might cut it close if there are any delays.
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trevorrose
trevorrose
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Jan 2014
Total posts 21
Flying MEL - LAX with AirNZ in May - flight arrival is 2.55pm. Am about to book a domestic leg to SEA - how much time to I need to allow to clear all the formalities, collect our bags and then checkin to a domestic flight? Is 2.5 hours enough, or should I allow more? The day I arrive just happens to be a Public Holiday too - Memorial Day!
lind26
lind26
Member since 24 Apr 2014
Total posts 231
I would say 3 minimum, LAX can be a nightmare.
Packetman21
Packetman21
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Jul 2016
Total posts 68
2.5 hrs is quite tight, also considering you need to go through customs etc at the international terminal which will be filled up since it's a public holiday, then transiting to the other terminal, which shouldn't be too much of a hassle, I think as stated above from a previous person, minimum 3 hrs as LAX can be very unpredictable.
fxdxdy
fxdxdy
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 18 May 2011
Total posts 43
I agree with the other comments here.
You can do it in 2.5 hours but everything has to go perfectly.
If there are any long queues, and there normally are, then 2.5 hours doesn't give you any time to recover from any delays.
russell
russell
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 04 Nov 2011
Total posts 236
Agreed, 3 hours would be bare minimum for me. I wouldn't want the stress of anticipating everything to go like clockwork to make a connector at LAX.
TheRealBabushka
TheRealBabushka
Member since 21 Apr 2012
Total posts 2,058
Book all sectors on a single PNR for peace of mind.
MEL/LAX would involve a stop over in NZ. If any of those two sectors (MEL/AKL & AKL/LAX) is delayed then you're going to be fretting all through a 13 trans-pacific flight. It's not worth it.
davew2000
davew2000
Member since 19 Oct 2017
Total posts 2
2.5 hours should be fine. Although you might cut it close if there are any delays.