USA min. connecting flight x-fer time?
Discussion
kapiteinlangzaam said:
As above really.
Flying Amsterdam to Las Vegas in June - nothing is direct, so will need to do an internal transfer at either JFK or Chicago (and perhaps Seattle on the way back).
To keep it simple, I will be using the same airline for the intl. and domestic segment, but what is the realistic min. transfer time I should allow myself?
The 'ideal' flights I have found are only giving me a 55min connection in JFK for example, which seems ridiculous considering the typical customs and immigration queues... plus, I will need to collect and re-check my baggage I think?
Something around 3hrs more sensible?
If you are subject to US Immigration as a visitor at JFK or ORD, an hour isn't enough - 2 hours is. You don't have the rigmarole of re-checking bags - just putting them back on the belt when you clear customs (You have t o have all your bags in your possession at US Customs point of entry).Flying Amsterdam to Las Vegas in June - nothing is direct, so will need to do an internal transfer at either JFK or Chicago (and perhaps Seattle on the way back).
To keep it simple, I will be using the same airline for the intl. and domestic segment, but what is the realistic min. transfer time I should allow myself?
The 'ideal' flights I have found are only giving me a 55min connection in JFK for example, which seems ridiculous considering the typical customs and immigration queues... plus, I will need to collect and re-check my baggage I think?
Something around 3hrs more sensible?
I've been through Chicago twice recently and there were no hold-ups anywhere - couldn't have been faster through Immigration using the terminals - but it still took an hour from landing to getting to the next gate, even with knowing to go the less used security checkpoint after switching terminals. It's an absolutely *huge* airport.
Also, I think they aim to close the aircraft door 10 mins before departure so in practice your 55 mins is only 45 mins.
Having said that I saw the orange priority card schemes for people on tight connections getting plenty of use in the US, although I also saw people who thought they should qualify but weren't listed.
Also, I think they aim to close the aircraft door 10 mins before departure so in practice your 55 mins is only 45 mins.
Having said that I saw the orange priority card schemes for people on tight connections getting plenty of use in the US, although I also saw people who thought they should qualify but weren't listed.
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Id love to, but a direct flight from NL, BE dont seem to exist.
I know BA and Virgin go direct from LHR, but im still faced with the problem of getting myself to London.
There is one direct flight from Germany (Cologne) but its with a bloody horrible airline and I refuse to subject myself to an 'extended Ryanair' experience on a 10hr+ flight
I could be wrong but i think the only transatlantic airlines that fly direct are BA, Virgin & Luthansa & possibly Thomas Cook never seen any other carriers from over the pond there. I know BA and Virgin go direct from LHR, but im still faced with the problem of getting myself to London.
There is one direct flight from Germany (Cologne) but its with a bloody horrible airline and I refuse to subject myself to an 'extended Ryanair' experience on a 10hr+ flight
A few years ago we did a transfer in 35 minutes! That was, however, in Denver in late October & it's not something I'd ever want to do again.
If you can't do it direct I'd recommend changing flights in Europe, as your baggage will then be checked through to your final destination; if you can use one of the airports that has US pre-clearance (in Europe, just Dublin at the moment as far as I know) it should be quicker.
If you've previously travelled to the US on an ESTA you can now use the automated kiosks at immigration, which helps bypass the long queues.
If you can't do it direct I'd recommend changing flights in Europe, as your baggage will then be checked through to your final destination; if you can use one of the airports that has US pre-clearance (in Europe, just Dublin at the moment as far as I know) it should be quicker.
If you've previously travelled to the US on an ESTA you can now use the automated kiosks at immigration, which helps bypass the long queues.
Edited by Dave Brand on Sunday 29th November 11:04
If you're on the same airline, they do tend to hold flights for a while for other incoming connecting passengers plus the onward flight often leave from the same terminal that you arrived at.
I flew to Panama City last week via New York Newark and was through customs and bag re-checked within 15 mins of getting off the plane but coming back, connected via Houston and it took over an hour.
I'd say 2 hours is the least you need.
Also, don't forget to buy your visa waiver thing before you go.
I flew to Panama City last week via New York Newark and was through customs and bag re-checked within 15 mins of getting off the plane but coming back, connected via Houston and it took over an hour.
I'd say 2 hours is the least you need.
Also, don't forget to buy your visa waiver thing before you go.
My dad and I had a 2hr connection in LAX last week whilst en route from LHR to LIH; we had about 30 mins to spare when we reached the gate but we didn't have to change terminal which saved a lot of time.
Also we got through immigration A LOT faster than a few years ago; they have self-service machines now for those travelling on ESTAs (in LAX at least, I imagine other major hubs also) which sped things up considerably.
Also we got through immigration A LOT faster than a few years ago; they have self-service machines now for those travelling on ESTAs (in LAX at least, I imagine other major hubs also) which sped things up considerably.
Is it your first visit on your current VISA?
The USA allows you to go through a much faster process if you are using a returning VISA and you already have all of your data logged in their system, its a case of photo / hand scan, short queue (with US citizens) and you are off.
I have done this in Atlanta, JFK, LV, LAX, RDU, O'Hare and a few others, 1 hour is possible ... but you will need some luck.
Are you flying economy or business and are you a frequent flyer status?
Reason is you can (in the larger airports) skip a lot of the queuing and go straight to the front which saves time
.
The USA allows you to go through a much faster process if you are using a returning VISA and you already have all of your data logged in their system, its a case of photo / hand scan, short queue (with US citizens) and you are off.
I have done this in Atlanta, JFK, LV, LAX, RDU, O'Hare and a few others, 1 hour is possible ... but you will need some luck.
Are you flying economy or business and are you a frequent flyer status?
Reason is you can (in the larger airports) skip a lot of the queuing and go straight to the front which saves time
.Trexthedinosaur said:
Is it your first visit on your current VISA?
The USA allows you to go through a much faster process if you are using a returning VISA and you already have all of your data logged in their system, its a case of photo / hand scan, short queue (with US citizens) and you are off.
This also applies to anyone travelling on a an ESTA who has entered the states on their current passport (even if the ESTA from the last entry has since lapsed, and you are entering on a new ESTA) - found this out the other week as we thought we'd have to join the long queue, but luckily not!The USA allows you to go through a much faster process if you are using a returning VISA and you already have all of your data logged in their system, its a case of photo / hand scan, short queue (with US citizens) and you are off.
parabolica said:
This also applies to anyone travelling on a an ESTA who has entered the states on their current passport (even if the ESTA from the last entry has since lapsed, and you are entering on a new ESTA) - found this out the other week as we thought we'd have to join the long queue, but luckily not!
The CBP website says that to use APC kiosks:"Visa Waiver Program visitors must have Electronic System for Travel Authorizations (ESTA) approval prior to travel and have visited the United States on at least one occasion after 2008."
In other words it's not linked to any particular passport or ESTA. Bt definition, if you've entered as a VWP visitor since 2008 it will have been under the ESTA system.
Whenever I've done California from the UK I've tried to go through Europe rather than change on the East Coast, for me Manchester to Frankfurt and Frankfurt to San Francisco was the best, or Manchester to Heathrow to San Francisco if the price wasn't too bad (work were paying).
Changing on the East Coast is a complete pain in the arse, you've just been sat for 6-8 hours and you've got to queue up with your bags, the lines are usually at least 30 minutes long and it takes around 30 minutes to get your bags sorted out. Anything under an hour and a half was a no-no, I was always at the United desk in Atlanta whenever I'd been booked for a short turnaround asking for a reserve seat on the next flight.
If you can, change in Frankfurt, London or somewhere else, if not, allow yourself 2 hours
Changing on the East Coast is a complete pain in the arse, you've just been sat for 6-8 hours and you've got to queue up with your bags, the lines are usually at least 30 minutes long and it takes around 30 minutes to get your bags sorted out. Anything under an hour and a half was a no-no, I was always at the United desk in Atlanta whenever I'd been booked for a short turnaround asking for a reserve seat on the next flight.
If you can, change in Frankfurt, London or somewhere else, if not, allow yourself 2 hours
andy-xr said:
Whenever I've done California from the UK I've tried to go through Europe rather than change on the East Coast, for me Manchester to Frankfurt and Frankfurt to San Francisco was the best, or Manchester to Heathrow to San Francisco if the price wasn't too bad (work were paying).
Touch wood, I've always found Manchester to Chicago OK. Fly American and pay for extra leg room (Main Cabin Extra) usually in a separate cabin, and it's not too bad, although the IFE is pretty ropey if you get an older plane but they're gradually being refitted or replaced.Dave Brand said:
The CBP website says that to use APC kiosks:
"Visa Waiver Program visitors must have Electronic System for Travel Authorizations (ESTA) approval prior to travel and have visited the United States on at least one occasion after 2008."
In other words it's not linked to any particular passport or ESTA. Bt definition, if you've entered as a VWP visitor since 2008 it will have been under the ESTA system.
Ah ok; we didn't know about the kiosks until we were coming into land. The official only asked us if we had entered on our current passports previously - nothing about 2008. "Visa Waiver Program visitors must have Electronic System for Travel Authorizations (ESTA) approval prior to travel and have visited the United States on at least one occasion after 2008."
In other words it's not linked to any particular passport or ESTA. Bt definition, if you've entered as a VWP visitor since 2008 it will have been under the ESTA system.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff