Connecting Flights
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Connecting Flights
I'm sorry, this has probably been answered before, but you guys know more about aviation than me and my friends and family, and I have a question, probably a stupid one.
Next month, I'm flying LHR to EWR with United (never flown with them so don't know what to expect) and then EWR to BOS with Republic, under the United Express banner.
I'm flying alone for the first time ever, and I'm going to the States on a J1 exchange visa, which needs to be stamped at my point of entry, I believe. I'm guessing this is Newark?
I've never done a connecting flight before - can some nice person explain how it all works, what I need to do, and how the visa thing works - do I have to check in again and clear security etc?
Someone, please give me the idiot's guide to connecting flights! I'm a nervous flyer (totally irrational, I know!) whose main issue is giving up control - my visa sponsor has booked all the flights etc so I'm way out of my comfort zone already, without this new experience of making a connection being in the mix.
Next month, I'm flying LHR to EWR with United (never flown with them so don't know what to expect) and then EWR to BOS with Republic, under the United Express banner.
I'm flying alone for the first time ever, and I'm going to the States on a J1 exchange visa, which needs to be stamped at my point of entry, I believe. I'm guessing this is Newark?
I've never done a connecting flight before - can some nice person explain how it all works, what I need to do, and how the visa thing works - do I have to check in again and clear security etc?
Someone, please give me the idiot's guide to connecting flights! I'm a nervous flyer (totally irrational, I know!) whose main issue is giving up control - my visa sponsor has booked all the flights etc so I'm way out of my comfort zone already, without this new experience of making a connection being in the mix.
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EWR-BOS is a domestic flight so it has bugger all to do with visas. Once you're in the country, you're in the country. The only thing they care about then is that you don't overstay your welcome.
Only the jobsworths at the border care about your visa, so in your case, the official you meet when you step off your LHR-EWR flight, the one who treats you like a criminal and takes your photograph and fingerprints.
But I've never done a direct connection in the US, so I'm happy to be proven wrong. One thing you might want to check is that you are actually connecting and not flying in, picking up your bags, and checking in again. I suspect the US may demand in the name of secuwwwity that the latter happens. In which case, the point of immigration will be very clear to you.
Only the jobsworths at the border care about your visa, so in your case, the official you meet when you step off your LHR-EWR flight, the one who treats you like a criminal and takes your photograph and fingerprints.
But I've never done a direct connection in the US, so I'm happy to be proven wrong. One thing you might want to check is that you are actually connecting and not flying in, picking up your bags, and checking in again. I suspect the US may demand in the name of secuwwwity that the latter happens. In which case, the point of immigration will be very clear to you.
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Ha, I've been to New York before, so I've done the fingerprint/photo thing. The Embassy wanted all 10 prints the other day, when I went for my visa! Is there a way of telling on my reservation whether it's a connection or a collect bags and check in again scenario?
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I suspect this is your answer :
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...t-via-airlines
But someone here has no doubt done it before and can confirm for sure.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...t-via-airlines
But someone here has no doubt done it before and can confirm for sure.
1. I'm guessing you're on a through ticket LON-EWR-BOS so your bags will be booked all the way thru to BOS.
2. Arrive Newark Terminal B (International), enter USA via immigration checks.
3. Collect baggage, clear customs, drop bags at Connections, reclear Security.
4. United Express could leave from neighbouring A or C terminal, linked by shuttle bus.
(unless its changed since my last transit)
2. Arrive Newark Terminal B (International), enter USA via immigration checks.
3. Collect baggage, clear customs, drop bags at Connections, reclear Security.
4. United Express could leave from neighbouring A or C terminal, linked by shuttle bus.
(unless its changed since my last transit)
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As G-ARZG says. Incidentally, if you're booked on a through ticket, don't worry if you were to miss your connection due to a delayed arrival into EWR. United will put you on a later flight at no extra cost.
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All of the above applies for an international to domestic connection at a US Border Entry point. Nothing to worry about, even if things go slightly pear-shaped.
Slightly different procedures would apply if you were travelling via a Canadian airport with US pre-clearance facilities. i.e. LHR-YYZ-BOS.
Even different procedures would apply, at the connecting point, if you were travelling via another non-CA/US point. i.e. LHR-CDG-BOS.
The third is the easiest, the first two about the same. Just remember that you must collect your checked luggage and take it through Customs - even if the bag is checked through to BOS. Once you clear customs you should see a 'flight connections' desk where you can drop off your bag. I don't know EWR but it should be clearly indicated.
Slightly different procedures would apply if you were travelling via a Canadian airport with US pre-clearance facilities. i.e. LHR-YYZ-BOS.
Even different procedures would apply, at the connecting point, if you were travelling via another non-CA/US point. i.e. LHR-CDG-BOS.
The third is the easiest, the first two about the same. Just remember that you must collect your checked luggage and take it through Customs - even if the bag is checked through to BOS. Once you clear customs you should see a 'flight connections' desk where you can drop off your bag. I don't know EWR but it should be clearly indicated.
Está servira para distraerle.
Carry enough clothing with you in your hand baggage to last a couple of days while your bags catch up with you. I would think that a three hour connection gap for immigration and customs at EWR would be sufficient but if I were changing airlines and terminals I'd prefer four.
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In addition to the above, just incase your bag arrives later than you, always put your name and DESTINATION address inside your bag and on a label outside. That way, even if it gets delayed and the original tag somehow falls off, they still have some way of tracing it back to you.
Can someone explain why you have to collect your bags in the States if connecting as the thread starter is? Security? Saving money? Only did it once but it's a bit of a pain.
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What I find more bizarre is having to do it all, plus clear US immigration even if you're in transit to a non USA destination. Having to have a Visa/ESTA just to spend a few hours airside in an airport is frankly ridiculous. I realise the USA isn't alone with this requirement, but considering how busy the major US airports are for traffic to Central/South American countries it is a barrier for a lot of people.
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Remember the days well when MIA used to have an international transit gate and I could check bags all the way from London to home and not see them till I reached. It used to be so much easier not having to clear immigration and customs for a transit stop, sadly that is something in the past!
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Having done this many times, let me answer.
When checking in at LHR, your bag will receive a tag indicating that BOS is is final destination, but you will need to clear it through customs at EWR.
You will arrive in EWR either at Terminal B or C. After leaving the plane, you will first go through immigration (inspect passport, visa, fingerprint, photo, etc.). You will then enter the baggage hall where you will pick up your baggage from the belt and carry it through a customs inspection. After that, you will be in the recheck area where you will return your bag to United for transfer to your Boston flight. You must then check the video monitor to determine whether your BOS flight leaves from Terminal C or A.
Arrive at C and depart from C: you follow the signs in C to security, clear security and go to your gate.
Arrive C and depart from A: follow the signs to the Airtrain, take it to A, clear security in A and go to your gate.
Arrive B and depart from either A or C: follow the signs to the Airtrain, take it to A or C, clear security in A or C, and go to your gate.
Once you arrive in BOS, you saunter off the plane and to the baggage claim area to collect (hopefully) your bag. You then exit the airport for your taxi/bus, etc. You encounter no formalities of any type.
Note, your bag must clear customs in EWR (your first point of entry into the U.S.) because once in the U.S., there are no secured international transit areas in any of the airports, and there is no immigration or customs inspection made of passengers on domestic flights. Thus, you must go through immigration whenever arriving in the U.S. Otherwise, you could simply walk out of the airport without any processing.
When checking in at LHR, your bag will receive a tag indicating that BOS is is final destination, but you will need to clear it through customs at EWR.
You will arrive in EWR either at Terminal B or C. After leaving the plane, you will first go through immigration (inspect passport, visa, fingerprint, photo, etc.). You will then enter the baggage hall where you will pick up your baggage from the belt and carry it through a customs inspection. After that, you will be in the recheck area where you will return your bag to United for transfer to your Boston flight. You must then check the video monitor to determine whether your BOS flight leaves from Terminal C or A.
Arrive at C and depart from C: you follow the signs in C to security, clear security and go to your gate.
Arrive C and depart from A: follow the signs to the Airtrain, take it to A, clear security in A and go to your gate.
Arrive B and depart from either A or C: follow the signs to the Airtrain, take it to A or C, clear security in A or C, and go to your gate.
Once you arrive in BOS, you saunter off the plane and to the baggage claim area to collect (hopefully) your bag. You then exit the airport for your taxi/bus, etc. You encounter no formalities of any type.
Note, your bag must clear customs in EWR (your first point of entry into the U.S.) because once in the U.S., there are no secured international transit areas in any of the airports, and there is no immigration or customs inspection made of passengers on domestic flights. Thus, you must go through immigration whenever arriving in the U.S. Otherwise, you could simply walk out of the airport without any processing.
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Thanks guys, I actually had no idea I'd have to re-check my bag - I assumed it'd just head off to Boston and I'd see it there! A little internet research educated me as to why that is.
I called United today as I'm visually impaired and had to inform them I'm travelling solo. I'm a little nervous about finding my way around, I can see well enough that I don't need help but it takes a while to figure out where I'm going in new places. I'm sure it'll be fine though.
I called United today as I'm visually impaired and had to inform them I'm travelling solo. I'm a little nervous about finding my way around, I can see well enough that I don't need help but it takes a while to figure out where I'm going in new places. I'm sure it'll be fine though.
