V Australia interline transits through LAX

[Robert S]

Had a bit of a Google but I couldn't find anyone asking about this or posting a trip report before.

I've booked flights with VA to New York, connecting via VX from LAX to JFK. Just wondering what the transit arrangements are at LAX.

On the outbound, will V Australia tag my bag through to JFK? If so, do I just have to escort my bag through customs or am I going to have to cart it around to T3? Or am I going to have to go through the entire check-in process at T3?

On the return, I'm hoping this page is correct in that Virgin America will check my bags from JFK to SYD and that I can just collect my V Australia boarding pass at the gate in LAX. Would I be correct in thinking that if this is the case, I won't see my bag at all and won't need to leave the secure area of T3 at LAX? I have a fairly tight 95 minute transit in LAX on the way back, so if I have to clear security there it's just asking for trouble.

A small aside question - I was able to log into the Virgin America site using my PNR and go on to preselect seats. For the V Aus flights, I notice on this page that they say you can call the GCC and request a seat. I'll call them, but just wondering has anyone done this - is it just a generic request (window/ailse) or a specific assignment? (Just wondering if I should swot up on the V Australia seating plan before calling )

[Hakan I]

Hey Robert,

On the way up you will need to collect your luggage at LAX, however there is a bag drop off just after customs before entering the arrivals hall where you drop your bag off before continuing, its pretty easy and an easy walk from TBIT to T3 to connect with VX.

On the return you will not see your bag and besides T3 isn't that big at all.

Hope you enjoy the flights, I have flown with VA twice to the US and have to say that they are awesome! Beats QF and UA anyday!

Hakan

[Robert S]

Thanks Hakan. Yes, I flew with VA to LAX and back when they were a couple of months old and saw T3 - if my bag is going to transfer straight through on the way home and I don't need to leave the secure area, then 95 minutes is ample... if I arrive on time from JFK then I'll probably start getting bored - there's nothing to do there.

I'm looking forward to seeing how they are faring two years later, but I totally agree - they couldn't be less like QF or UA.

[Robert S]

Originally Posted by Robert S

For the V Aus flights, I notice on this page that they say you can call the GCC and request a seat. I'll call them, but just wondering has anyone done this - is it just a generic request (window/ailse) or a specific assignment? (Just wondering if I should swot up on the V Australia seating plan before calling )

To save anyone the trouble - you can't make a seat request if you're booked on a V Promo fare.

Looks like I'm almost certainly going to be enjoying the delights of an xxF seat on the way home... sigh.

[Lukas M]

you can't make a seat request if you're booked on a V Promo fare.

Well I did about 10mins ago.

[Robert S]

Well that's weird. I called and asked and they were quite clear about not on a V Promo fare. I knew it was, but got her to check and it was "Yeah, no, that's a V Promo fare, you can do seat selection when you check in".

[Robert S]

Ended up asking them via Twitter. They said the new rule about no seat allocation for V Promo fares started on 16 March.