West Coast US - getting there . . .
Discussion
We're thinking of a holiday on the west coast of America next year and probably do a similar sort of trip we did last time we were there (pre kids!). Can anyone recommend a decent flight from the north to say San Francisco? In an ideal world, I'd like to go through immigration on this side of the pond as it was horrendous last time we flow into Washington (at the same time as 3-4 other flights) and don't mind connections as we could always add a couple of day stopover on the way out.
At the moment the only European airports which offer US customs & immigration pre-clearance are Dublin & Shannon; however, Manchester has been shortlisted by the Department of Homeland Security as a priority site for this facility, although it's not yet known when it will come into operation. If you can't pre-clear or get a direct flight do your change of flights in Europe - it won't get you through immigration any faster, but you won't have to worry about missing your connection!
chopper602 said:
Just wondered if there was a recommended route.
I'd look at the Las Vegas option. Thomas Cook does direct flights from Manchester - it's something we considered last year as an alternative to LAX, but they were expensive for the flight out & flights had stopped before our return date - they were only operating during the holiday season last year, although from a quick check on their website it appears that this year they are operating year-round.My only experience of Thomas Cook Airlines is a flight to Alicante a few years ago - not the worst airline I've flown with!
If you have an ESTA, and have travelled to the US before on it, you now can go through the US Citizen line which now uses machines - I'm often through in less than 5 minutes from walking off the plane, including the walk to the immigration hall (so you are through as fast as the Yanks), only to wait for my bags which sometimes can take much, much longer.
All the major airports should have them by now, but regardless you can only fly direct from the UK to LAX, SAN, SFO, SEA, LAS, and PHX on west side of the US.
All the major airports should have them by now, but regardless you can only fly direct from the UK to LAX, SAN, SFO, SEA, LAS, and PHX on west side of the US.
chopper602 said:
Previous ESTA expired 
My boss had a new ESTA because of a new passport, went through the machines and it let him through.Just use the machines, if it rejects you, no problem, they divert you to a short line to a person in a booth, rather than the massive 'general population line'.
And to add, from May 2015 BA are flying to San Jose CA, which is probably just what you are after. It won't have the immigration problems as it is light on international flights, and they will be regular travellers.
Edited by smack on Friday 4th September 11:16
I flew into San Francisco a month ago, from Manila, and took THREE hours to get cleared through.
I was sat towards the rear of the plane, and there was a huge queue when I got to immigration. Only four desks were open, and they took the traditional ten minutes of bulls
t with every person.
Then off to collect the bag, and then queue for customs. Then find the ticket desk for checking in for the next flight...... and three hours were gone. Luckily my next flight was delayed, so I had chance to catch it!
Three hours from start to finish!
The USA is always 'special' when it comes to normal everyday things. I've never taken three hours to get through ANY airport, from Burma, to Bangkok, to Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, anywhere.
I was sat towards the rear of the plane, and there was a huge queue when I got to immigration. Only four desks were open, and they took the traditional ten minutes of bulls
t with every person. Then off to collect the bag, and then queue for customs. Then find the ticket desk for checking in for the next flight...... and three hours were gone. Luckily my next flight was delayed, so I had chance to catch it!
Three hours from start to finish!
The USA is always 'special' when it comes to normal everyday things. I've never taken three hours to get through ANY airport, from Burma, to Bangkok, to Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, anywhere.
Well last time we went to the States (Orlando Int via Washington Dulles, from Manchester), I thought we'd have enough time to get the connection (about 2 hours). Immigration took an age, followed by bag collection and drop-off and then security took another age. The gate was officially closed by the time we got there, but they had held the flight for us and another family. Hence why I'm keen to get it over with on this side, if possible.
(We had to do the walk of shame through the packed aircraft!!)
(We had to do the walk of shame through the packed aircraft!!)
So it would seem that if you land in SF, you could be through immigration in 5-10 mins at best, or 3 hours at worst. LA may be somewhere in between, or at least as bad. In either case makes the suggestion of going to Vegas a bit a giraffe really. The only reason why you should go to Vega is that you really want to go to Vegas in the first place.
We have done the West Coast from Manchester 3 times in the last 5 years.
Best route was Seattle via Amsterdam with KLM/Delta.
Worst was Seattle via Chicago with AA. Old Plane, Late leaving, extra stop as low on fuel. Very slow getting through Chicago immigration. Delayed leaving Las Vegas on the way home, missing connection.
Virgin to San Fran via Heathrow was Ok
Best route was Seattle via Amsterdam with KLM/Delta.
Worst was Seattle via Chicago with AA. Old Plane, Late leaving, extra stop as low on fuel. Very slow getting through Chicago immigration. Delayed leaving Las Vegas on the way home, missing connection.
Virgin to San Fran via Heathrow was Ok
The Moose said:
If you've been in on any ESTA before you're registered in their system (finger prints, photos etc) so when you renew the ESTA you can, as has already been said, go through the short queue, not the long one!
Makes a big difference
Every time I have been there has only ever been one queue and that is at a variety of airports.Makes a big difference
Dave Brand said:
I'd look at the Las Vegas option. Thomas Cook does direct flights from Manchester - it's something we considered last year as an alternative to LAX, but they were expensive for the flight out & flights had stopped before our return date - they were only operating during the holiday season last year, although from a quick check on their website it appears that this year they are operating year-round.
My only experience of Thomas Cook Airlines is a flight to Alicante a few years ago - not the worst airline I've flown with!
LA twice weekly from manchester next year too, Vegas going up to 6 days a week.My only experience of Thomas Cook Airlines is a flight to Alicante a few years ago - not the worst airline I've flown with!
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