International Travel?

Question

I am traveling to Australia form Philadelphia and am connecting in LA. I am flying usairways to LA than getting on a qantas flight. I booked them together at the same time. Do i have to go back to the ticket counter and check in again or do I just go directly to the gate that the plane is leaving from.

Answer 1

you might want to ask the airport rep at your point of departure or when checking in so that your luggage does not get lost.

Answer 2

If your departing airport at Philadelphia is an international one, you can probably check-through your luggage from there to Australia without having to take it out and re-checkin at LAX. Ask the USAirways counter staff when you check-in.

As your travel between Philadelphia and LAX is considered domestic, you will need to re-checkin at the Qantas counter there for your international departure. This is where you pass through the passport control.

If USAirways is unable to check your luggage through to Australia for you, you will have to take out your luggage and re-checkin when you go to the Qantas counter.

Answer 3

I've made the trip Cleveland to Brisbane (through LAX), twice. Both times I had to check my bags at the Qantas ticket counter. Both times it was a hassle.

Also be careful with the weights of your luggage, including you carry-on. Qantas is a stickler the baggage weight. They will make you repack your bags or even check in the carry-on.

Answer 4

This is no sweat.

But, you do need to be aware of something about the terminal in Los Angeles (known as LAX).

BAGGAGE: When you check in at Philadelphia for your flight to LAX, ask them to tag your bag straight through to your Australia destination. You will need to provide your Quantas flight number and destination city. You will not touch your bag again until you get to Australia. The bag will go from plane to plane in LAX. Do indeed be careful about weight. Pack light! It will not only remove hassles about baggage weight but will over all make for a more enjoyable trip. Veteran travelers always pack light using mix-and-match tops and bottoms to avoid always looking the same. Figure you can easily get three days out of slacks before laundry and two days out of shirts. Pack a set of underwear for each day or figure on visiting a laundromat. (Tip: pack a small quantity of laundry detergent to preserve all your laundry options.)

YOU: Here's the thing you need to know about LAX. LAX has eight terminals. US Airways almost always will bring you into Terminal 1. Your departure on Quantas will be from Terminal 4 (nominally the American Airlines terminal) or from the International Terminal (right next to Terminal 4) DEPENDING ON THE CITY IN AUSTRALIA THAT IS YOU DESTINATION. Check with Quantas at 800-227-4500 and ask them which terminal YOU need for YOUR flight. Then, when you deplane in LAX, just gather up your stuff (pack light for carry-on as well as checked bags - and remember to put all your liquids, gels, etc. IN YOUR CHECKED BAG) and use the intra-terminal shuttle to go to your departure terminal.

I urge you also to get some good travel insurance. There is an amazing variety of things that can go wrong to ruin a trip in an instant. You can explore the subject and buy on-line too if that suits you. Here is a really neat site that is easy to use and provides a variety of options. For you, I think the best bet is probably Travel Guard International’s “Worldwide Health”. Travel Guard is the industry leader for good reason. They deliver quality service at a modest price. The policy provides coverage for health-related issues (like an illness during your trip) and for traveling-related issues (like lost baggage etc.) Go to http://www.wavehelp.com/travel-medical/index.htm and click on the red phone booth to see the details.

It sounds like a great trip - have fun.

Best wishes.

Answer 5

I dont think Quantas and Us airways have an interline agreement. Double check that though. My guess would be you will have to get your ticket from the quantas counter in LA.

Answer 6

Your lugage might be checked through, but I think you should check-in again at qantas counter to get a seat.

Answer 7

when you check in at the airport in Australia they should send it all the way through, if they dont they will tell you. Most likley you wont have to go back to the check in counter (95% certain)