international connections out of LAX

[crib08]

Can anyone tell me........

If I am flying to AKL New Zealand via LAX do I have to clear customs and collect luggage or do I stay in transit. flying with VS out to LAX and Air NZ out of LAX.

Just wanted to know about the passport checking as well please or is that not required if im just passing through

[speedbirdhouse]

All inbound into the US MUST clear customs and immigration regardless of their final destination, "there are NO exceptions".

[Pax Vobiscum]

And you will be required to provide details of your first night's accommodation in the USA (and, optionally, why on earth you would travel to the US and not want to spend more than a few hours there)! Good luck!!

PS I believe this is still required even if you're travelling in and out on the same aircraft (i.e. NZ1 or 2), in other words you can't just stay on board - can anyone confirm?

[Long Haul]

You will need to go through immigration and customs in LAX. Both Virgin and Air New Zealand are in terminal 2, which is good. Just show your passport to immigration, collect your checked luggage, go through customs and then turn right immedeately after handing in the customs declaration in order to recheck your luggage through to AKL. Then it's back upstairs to the gate.

[alangirvan]

If you were flying AirNZ for the whole journey, there is a pokey little transit lounge you can use at LAX without going through US immigration. Look on the AirNZ website for details. But it is such a bad transit experience for passengers, that AirNZ have introduced NZ to UK flights through HKG, and they now use a 777 ( a much smaller plane) on the AKL-LAX-LHR service. If you really want to fly Virgin, perhaps SFO would be a nicer transit airport.