LAX to Orlando connecting flights

[Adub]

Planning the last details to my mid October trip to Disneyworld (first time) and Disneyland (7th time)...

Flying in on QF93 which is due to arrive at LAX at 6:45am - then flying Virgin America from LAX to Orlando at 8:45.

Am I cutting it fine with a 2 hour timeframe?

 

[cola]

yes, you are cutting it fine.

Sometimes people can get through quickly, but just as often if can take forever. Do you have to change terminals? That adds lots too going through LAX security takes forever.

 

[ssour]

Planning the last details to my mid October trip to Disneyworld (first time) and Disneyland (7th time)...

Flying in on QF93 which is due to arrive at LAX at 6:45am - then flying Virgin America from LAX to Orlando at 8:45.

Am I cutting it fine with a 2 hour timeframe?

We did QF to United in May but with almost 3 hours (reduced to just over 2 and a half with a delay in Sydney). Since Virgin and Qantas do not code share you will have to switch terminals and check in for your Virgin flight. Our luggage took 50 mins to get off the A380 (after we made it through immigration) and we had to run to the transfer point and our connecting flight. We were the second last on the plane and were being paged. Long story short, definitely cutting it too fine in my opinion.

 

[baf65]

if you are on separate tickets, 2hours is a risk as if your QF flight is late and you miss your connection the airlines wont help you out
personally id book a later connection
if all one the one booking and thats the connection the airlines give you then thats another story!

 

[ssour]

if you are on separate tickets, 2hours is a risk as if your QF flight is late and you miss your connection the airlines wont help you out
personally id book a later connection
if all one the one booking and thats the connection the airlines give you then thats another story!

Ours was all on the same ticket, but having to check in for the connecting flight is where the time gets tight. Your bags are checked in the whole way through (although you have to collect them and take them to the transfer area), but you can't be (unless you're flying AA). Even if they'll help you find another flight, it is so much of a hassle I'd do my best to avoid it, especially with so few direct flights. You could find yourself on an overnight flight. If you can get an American Airlines connecting flight you'd have a much better chance of making it.

 

[kylieh]

I'm another in the "that's a little too fine" category," esp when on different tickets. Try for at least 3 hours. Immigration can be an hour easily, plus then security.

 

[marvel]

its not worth the risk if you weigh up what would happen if you miss the flight. you dont need that stress.

 

[Travel Mum]

We had two hours connection on a Through-ticket to Orlando and our QF flight got into LAX late giving us just over an hour to connect. We were let off the plane first and given priority passes through immigration/customs. It was still so rushed and stressful but we made it. If we had not have been on through-tickets we would not have been helped so there is no way I'd risk two hours on separate tickets.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Two hours isn't long enough to do it comfortably. If you have to change terminals and check into your domestic flight, two hours is cutting it fine.

Last trip, we flew in on Delta and flew out with Delta so we didn't change terminals. We flew in at 6:30am. We didn't get out of customs and upstairs until 8:15am. Our flight wasn't until 10:30am so we had plenty of time. But we didn't need to recheck in, change terminals or go through security again.

Try flying out on Delta, their direct flights leave for Orlando between 10am -10:30am. Generally, 3 hours is considered the minimum lay over for flights.

 

[Adub]

Thanks everyone.

ok, I'm $screwed as they are already booked and paid for.

I must admit, the last 4 times I've flown to LA on a A380 it's been pretty quick getting through customs. So I'm just going to pray to the airline gods.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Thanks everyone.

ok, I'm $screwed as they are already booked and paid for.

I must admit, the last 4 times I've flown to LA on a A380 it's been pretty quick getting through customs. So I'm just going to pray to the airline gods.

When you check in, talk to them when you're getting your tickets. Even though its not a connecting flight, they might be able to assist getting you off the plane first ect.

 

[ssour]

I'd ask them to tag your bags as priority so they come off with the business class bags - luggage was our major hold up.

 

[Adub]

Thanks.

I thought about doing that, in fact, I didn't sleep much last night wondering what I should do.

Cancel my Virgin America flight and lose $100 USD and re-book with someone else.

Or try to change my QF93 flight to the day earlier (and stay near LAX) one night - cannot do this, I tried.

 

[ssour]

Thanks.

I thought about doing that, in fact, I didn't sleep much last night wondering what I should do.

Cancel my Virgin America flight and lose $100 USD and re-book with someone else.

Or try to change my QF93 flight to the day earlier (and stay near LAX) one night - cannot do this, I tried.

If it were me I'd probably suck up the $100 USD if I can get a decent fare with someone else, only because Virgin America only has the one flight each day, so if you do miss it, there's nothing until the following day. If I'm understanding your post correctly you have booked the Virgin America flight separate from your Qantas flight? If so, that means you'll have to get your luggage to the Virgin terminal and check in at least 45 mins before departure. This leaves you with only an hour and 15 mins to disembark, get through immigration, collect your luggage, go through customs and get your luggage to the Virgin terminal. Being early in the morning, hopefully immigration isn't too bad, it's basically your flight, the 747 from Sydney and a flight from Israel that get into Tom Bradley between 5am and 7am.

If you're planning on keeping it, make sure you pre-select seats as close to the front of the plane as possible and ring Qantas to ask them to note on your reservation that you have a tight connection and would like express passes.

Delta have a nonstop flight at 9:50am, which gives you an extra hour (so long as you don't have any delays). But, they also have a number of other flights later in the day (albeit not non-stop and arrive in MCO quite late).

Southwest also have a 10:30am flight, again not direct and later arrival.

 

[Adub]

Thanks ssour

 

[lffam]

Definitely change it. $100 cancel fee now may seem a lot to you but the cost if you have to change later will be slot more. I'd play it safe. Good luck

 

[Adub]

We are going to take the risk - we've decided not to take suitcases (only carry ons) and buy everything we need when we get there.

Worst case if we don't make the flight, I think the travel insurance will cover this.

 

[Snickals]

Planning the last details to my mid October trip to Disneyworld (first time) and Disneyland (7th time)...

Flying in on QF93 which is due to arrive at LAX at 6:45am - then flying Virgin America from LAX to Orlando at 8:45.

Am I cutting it fine with a 2 hour timeframe?

We are on the exact same flights...but late October, I think it should be okay. Have never flown Qantas before but am confident we will make it. If worse comes to worse you can always be booked on another flight, like you have said insurance should cover it - just check it does though lol

 

[Adub]

We are on the exact same flights...but late October, I think it should be okay. Have never flown Qantas before but am confident we will make it. If worse comes to worse you can always be booked on another flight, like you have said insurance should cover it - just check it does though lol

I'll let you know how we go Snickals.

 

[Snickals]

I'll let you know how we go Snickals.

That'd be great thanks!