Flying to and from Columbus Ohio
Discussion
Hi All,
Next year, my son and I hope to visit America for the first time - specifically, to stay with relations who live near Columbus, Ohio.
We've been advised by friends, that it would be a good idea to fly from Liverpool (our nearest airport) to Shannon airport and then on to Columbus (by way of Chicago). Apparently, all the mandatory checks are undertaken at Shannon - as they have an agreement, which means that they don't need to be done in the US (which can take time and be stressful).
What concerns me, is that if we fly from Shannon to Chicago, on arrival at Chicago, there's about an hour gap before the flight to Columbus. Although the passport/visa checks will have been undertaken at Shannon Airport, is that hour enough time, to collect luggage and then catch the flight to Columbus ? I'm worried, that we might miss the plane - is that likely to happen, or am I worrying unduly ?
What I would also like to know, is how easy is it to make a booking to include extra leg room ? The various websites I've seen, don't seem to offer the option of paying for extra legroom - my son is 6ft 6, so he really needs extra legroom.
Should I look to make flight bookings online, or should I make them through a local travel agent. (I'm not an experienced traveller, so I welcome any guidance).
If anyone can provide a link to a suitable website to make a flight booking, that would be much appreciated. Thank you for any advice/guidance provided.
Next year, my son and I hope to visit America for the first time - specifically, to stay with relations who live near Columbus, Ohio.
We've been advised by friends, that it would be a good idea to fly from Liverpool (our nearest airport) to Shannon airport and then on to Columbus (by way of Chicago). Apparently, all the mandatory checks are undertaken at Shannon - as they have an agreement, which means that they don't need to be done in the US (which can take time and be stressful).
What concerns me, is that if we fly from Shannon to Chicago, on arrival at Chicago, there's about an hour gap before the flight to Columbus. Although the passport/visa checks will have been undertaken at Shannon Airport, is that hour enough time, to collect luggage and then catch the flight to Columbus ? I'm worried, that we might miss the plane - is that likely to happen, or am I worrying unduly ?
What I would also like to know, is how easy is it to make a booking to include extra leg room ? The various websites I've seen, don't seem to offer the option of paying for extra legroom - my son is 6ft 6, so he really needs extra legroom.
Should I look to make flight bookings online, or should I make them through a local travel agent. (I'm not an experienced traveller, so I welcome any guidance).
If anyone can provide a link to a suitable website to make a flight booking, that would be much appreciated. Thank you for any advice/guidance provided.
Edited by pubrunner on Friday 29th November 00:36
Edited by pubrunner on Friday 29th November 00:38
Chicago is an absolute b*tch for flight delays and one I ignore if I can when transiting. In fact the last time I didn’t take that advice, I was stuck overnight there! An hour is cutting it fine, I can’t remember if you have to take your bags off and recheck them as you’re going internal. Internal flights here are a bit like buses, pretty basic.
There’s plenty of cool stuff to do in Columbus when you’re there. Happy to offer any help I can!
There’s plenty of cool stuff to do in Columbus when you’re there. Happy to offer any help I can!
I've done 20 minute transfers in Chicago when domestic to domestic and its been fine. If you pre-clear in Ireland your flight will be treated as a domestic flight. That being said, if this is a rare trip and you can spare an hour, I wouldn't go out of my way / pay extra to fly via Shannon. Why not fly from Manchester or Heathrow to Chicago and then clear immigration there. Its really not that bad.
For context, I've been to the US at least four or five times a year for the past decade, , and immigration has never taken me more than two hours (that was LAX) and is generally much closer to half an hour.
If you are worried, make sure you book on one ticket, so that the airline will protect your connection. Also, I generally find it best to book direct with the airline on-line.
For context, I've been to the US at least four or five times a year for the past decade, , and immigration has never taken me more than two hours (that was LAX) and is generally much closer to half an hour.
If you are worried, make sure you book on one ticket, so that the airline will protect your connection. Also, I generally find it best to book direct with the airline on-line.
We fly into Columbus as our daughter is at Ohio University in Athens OH.
My advice would be to either book it all with one Airline - American or United for example - and to choose a flight with a longer gap between the leg into the USA and the internal flight to CMH. Or make two separate bookings, the UK-USA return and the internal flight to CMH.
Our last two flights have been into JFK - with Norse and BA. Norse we flew Premium (lots of leg room, good value, 1st on/off the aircraft), and were through immigration in 5 minutes, BA was economy and got though in 30 mins - we were the only flight in the queue both times which helped.
In October we flew to CMH with Spirit from LGA so had to get across Long Island - used Uber 30-45 mins.
If using United/American, booking direct on their website gives you much more flexibility with regards to selecting flight times to give you a longer gap between the legs, also if there is a delay they are responsible for getting you to your final destination and you can speak to them directly rather than having to go through your travel agent or a booking website (booking.com/expedia etc).
Just looked at prices for 2 weeks in May from Liverpool - flight duration is 35 hours for United - £6500, 16 hours for American £2300, whereas from Heathrow flight time is around 12 hours and United from £725, American from £660. I'd be flying from Heathrow.
Two separate bookings with different airlines gives you complete flexibility as to timings and airlines. Again I'd book direct with the airline as two return trips.
My advice would be to either book it all with one Airline - American or United for example - and to choose a flight with a longer gap between the leg into the USA and the internal flight to CMH. Or make two separate bookings, the UK-USA return and the internal flight to CMH.
Our last two flights have been into JFK - with Norse and BA. Norse we flew Premium (lots of leg room, good value, 1st on/off the aircraft), and were through immigration in 5 minutes, BA was economy and got though in 30 mins - we were the only flight in the queue both times which helped.
In October we flew to CMH with Spirit from LGA so had to get across Long Island - used Uber 30-45 mins.
If using United/American, booking direct on their website gives you much more flexibility with regards to selecting flight times to give you a longer gap between the legs, also if there is a delay they are responsible for getting you to your final destination and you can speak to them directly rather than having to go through your travel agent or a booking website (booking.com/expedia etc).
Just looked at prices for 2 weeks in May from Liverpool - flight duration is 35 hours for United - £6500, 16 hours for American £2300, whereas from Heathrow flight time is around 12 hours and United from £725, American from £660. I'd be flying from Heathrow.
Two separate bookings with different airlines gives you complete flexibility as to timings and airlines. Again I'd book direct with the airline as two return trips.
I take a team of 20-odd people to the US every year, from the UK, Australia and Europe - and without exception the internal US legs of every journey are delayed. In a couple of cases it’s led to additional overnight stays and other hassle.
If I had to go to Columbus I would hop to Dublin on RyanAir or EasyJet and then fly from Dublin to Cleveland - direct flight with Aer Lingus, clear US Immigration in Dublin before departure - and then hire a car to drive down to Columbus…
If I had to go to Columbus I would hop to Dublin on RyanAir or EasyJet and then fly from Dublin to Cleveland - direct flight with Aer Lingus, clear US Immigration in Dublin before departure - and then hire a car to drive down to Columbus…
pubrunner said:
Hi All,
Next year, my son and I hope to visit America for the first time - specifically, to stay with relations who live near Columbus, Ohio.
We've been advised by friends, that it would be a good idea to fly from Liverpool (our nearest airport) to Shannon airport and then on to Columbus (by way of Chicago). Apparently, all the mandatory checks are undertaken at Shannon - as they have an agreement, which means that they don't need to be done in the US (which can take time and be stressful).
What concerns me, is that if we fly from Shannon to Chicago, on arrival at Chicago, there's about an hour gap before the flight to Columbus. Although the passport/visa checks will have been undertaken at Shannon Airport, is that hour enough time, to collect luggage and then catch the flight to Columbus ? I'm worried, that we might miss the plane - is that likely to happen, or am I worrying unduly ?
What I would also like to know, is how easy is it to make a booking to include extra leg room ? The various websites I've seen, don't seem to offer the option of paying for extra legroom - my son is 6ft 6, so he really needs extra legroom.
Should I look to make flight bookings online, or should I make them through a local travel agent. (I'm not an experienced traveller, so I welcome any guidance).
If anyone can provide a link to a suitable website to make a flight booking, that would be much appreciated. Thank you for any advice/guidance provided.
Fly via Dublin, not Shannon.Next year, my son and I hope to visit America for the first time - specifically, to stay with relations who live near Columbus, Ohio.
We've been advised by friends, that it would be a good idea to fly from Liverpool (our nearest airport) to Shannon airport and then on to Columbus (by way of Chicago). Apparently, all the mandatory checks are undertaken at Shannon - as they have an agreement, which means that they don't need to be done in the US (which can take time and be stressful).
What concerns me, is that if we fly from Shannon to Chicago, on arrival at Chicago, there's about an hour gap before the flight to Columbus. Although the passport/visa checks will have been undertaken at Shannon Airport, is that hour enough time, to collect luggage and then catch the flight to Columbus ? I'm worried, that we might miss the plane - is that likely to happen, or am I worrying unduly ?
What I would also like to know, is how easy is it to make a booking to include extra leg room ? The various websites I've seen, don't seem to offer the option of paying for extra legroom - my son is 6ft 6, so he really needs extra legroom.
Should I look to make flight bookings online, or should I make them through a local travel agent. (I'm not an experienced traveller, so I welcome any guidance).
If anyone can provide a link to a suitable website to make a flight booking, that would be much appreciated. Thank you for any advice/guidance provided.
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