Korea - ICN transit

Hi all -

I am considering doing a turn around at ICN this weekend. Can anyone tell me if I'll need to go through Customs or security before catching my return to the US? If I have to go through Customs, are there any special documents needed?

Any other advice?

Thanks in advance.
DD
(yes, I did do a search)

(deleted)........

My cousins flies there regularly for business, so I'll check with him. Although since he doesn't do turn arounds he may not know the answer.

Hi all -

I am considering doing a turn around at ICN this weekend. Can anyone tell me if I'll need to go through Customs or security before catching my return to the US? If I have to go through Customs, are there any special documents needed?

Any other advice?

Thanks in advance.
DD
(yes, I did do a search)



Need some extra miles to maintain 1K for the next year? :D

Transit passengers do not need to go through immigration and customs. However, they do need to go through security. Even if you go through Customs, you do not need any special docs. However, you may need to fill out a form. It has been a while since I've been to ICN, so I cannot remember if you need to fill out a customs form.

In the meantime, I need extra 5000 miles to maintain 1P. :(

Hi all -

I am considering doing a turn around at ICN this weekend. Can anyone tell me if I'll need to go through Customs or security before catching my return to the US? If I have to go through Customs, are there any special documents needed?

Any other advice?

Thanks in advance.
DD
(yes, I did do a search)

I arrived in transit a few months ago without an onward BP. There was a desk before transfer security, it was not a transfer desk per se, which printed out something to show security and then I could proceed to the transfer desk beyond security.

I don't think you'll need to deal with customs.... but security yes. Probably several times.

NB: I was on an OZ-OZ transfer. If you're traveling UA-UA you'll be in a different terminal and I don't know the procedure there.

Need some extra miles to maintain 1K for the next year? :D

You're right. And my flexibility to acquire those miles is almost nil :(

Thanks for the help. I sure hope there is a desk in the UA-UA Pre-security area. Pat, do you think your cousin flies UA? Maybe he can confirm if UA has a desk?

Do you think 2 hours will be enough for the connection? I may not be able to check in for my rtn before landing (had this happen once going to UK but then I had a much longer layover). I won't have luggage, just a roll aboard.

DD

I just went through transit at ICN two days ago, on my way to USA. I don't know if a turnaround like you're trying is identical, but probably similar if you have no need to leave the secure area and claim baggage. After deplaning from my first flight (from China), followed the "transfer" signs to the security checkpoint where passport and onward boarding pass were checked, then quickly through (WTMD only and carry-on xray), then up to departure level. At the gate before the jetway, there was a second manual search of carry-ons but very quick and not overly aggressive--I think it added about 5 more minutes to the boarding process. I was flying Asiana but I presume all USA-bound flights will be the same regardless of airline. Customs was a non-issue. I would think 2 hours would be enough. If your outgoing flight will be on the same aircraft as your incoming, then a delay shouldn't matter as inbound delay will likely result in similar outbound delay.

Have you tried asking United? Surely you're not the first person to try this. :-) Any options to do online check-in and print out boarding pass? Certainly once in ICN you can get online but would have to find a biz center to get a print out, and not sure where they are placed in your arrival terminal vs onward security checkpoint.

Have you tried asking United? Surely you're not the first person to try this. :-) Any options to do online check-in and print out boarding pass? Certainly once in ICN you can get online but would have to find a biz center to get a print out, and not sure where they are placed in your arrival terminal vs onward security checkpoint.

UA wasn't very helpful on this. As for not being the first person to try this, that was why I posted on FT... I figured if it had been done before, it would have been done by an FTer :)

I'm not sure about being able to print out my BP before my flight to ICN. I had a problem with this earlier this year on a flight to Europe where I couldn't print out my return BP until I landed at LHR. I'm not sure what the problem was. The only thing different this time, aside from destination, is that previously my LHR flights were on two separate files (nested MRs) while this time, all flights are on one itinerary.

My real concern is the two hour check-in, however that is for pax with bags. I just don't want to be offloaded because I didn't check in before the two hour window (as I said, I won't have checked bags).

DD

You're right. And my flexibility to acquire those miles is almost nil :(

Thanks for the help. I sure hope there is a desk in the UA-UA Pre-security area. Pat, do you think your cousin flies UA? Maybe he can confirm if UA has a desk?

Do you think 2 hours will be enough for the connection? I may not be able to check in for my rtn before landing (had this happen once going to UK but then I had a much longer layover). I won't have luggage, just a roll aboard.

DD


Do not worry about the two-hour check-in unless you have bag. As long as you reach the transit counter one hour prior to the departure time, you should be okay. BTW, do not go to the Main Terminal. I think there should be a transit desk for outbound UA passengers in Concourse A.



UA wasn't very helpful on this. As for not being the first person to try this, that was why I posted on FT... I figured if it had been done before, it would have been done by an FTer :)

I'm not sure about being able to print out my BP before my flight to ICN. I had a problem with this earlier this year on a flight to Europe where I couldn't print out my return BP until I landed at LHR. I'm not sure what the problem was. The only thing different this time, aside from destination, is that previously my LHR flights were on two separate files (nested MRs) while this time, all flights are on one itinerary.

My real concern is the two hour check-in, however that is for pax with bags. I just don't want to be offloaded because I didn't check in before the two hour window (as I said, I won't have checked bags).

DD


I think you might very likely be the first person to try this at ICN. Until last May or June, United did not do the quick turn around of two hours at ICN with the SFO flight. The aircraft arrived in the evening, and departed in the afternoon. It has been only few months since they have started doing the same-day turn around, so no one really could not do the short turn around. If you are not the first person, I am pretty sure you are one of the first five people to do this.

ARARRAR, I need 5000 miles.

Yes, this is a pure MR and shocked if im the first to do it!

Right now, I'm here at the Asiana lounge in ICN.

Turns out I was able to obtain my BP before arriving here so didn't have to worry about it when I arrived; however, for those who might need to get one, there is a transfer desk along the hallway - just follow the moving sidewalks. As for me, I was able to clear security for gates 90-130 just after deplaning. After going through there, there is another transfer desk just up the escalator. I don't know if security will let you through without an onward BP to get to that desk, but if it's not busy, might be worth a shot.

At the transfer desk upstairs from security, go left then up the first escalator near gate 119) and the Asiana lounge is right there. It's quite large. The food looks varied. I didn't try any as I had just had the pre-landing snack.

Time to pack up!
DD

Ps I did not have to change terminals :)

Hi all -

I am considering doing a turn around at ICN this weekend. Can anyone tell me if I'll need to go through Customs or security before catching my return to the US? If I have to go through Customs, are there any special documents needed?

Any other advice?

Thanks in advance.
DD
(yes, I did do a search)

Customs and immigration no.

Security, yes. Pick up your return boarding pass at the issue desk just before
Security.
This is for DL and KE. Cannot speak to Asiana and others but I am willing to believe it is the same for them.

One followup point; when I was boarding at ICN the gate agent noticed I didn't have a stamp on my BP from Customs :eek: I was sure she was going to send me away to get something stamped, but when I explained I had just gotten off this aircraft, she laughed and let me on. Whew.

Secondary gate screening revealed I had a bottle of water which was confiscated even though I had obtained it in the secure area. Oh well...

Due to tight connections (flts were arriving late) there was a lot of running between flights. This was especially challenging at SFO on the return as I had to clear Customs, run to terminal three, clear security then down to gate 90, to the furthest gate :(. UA actually ended up holding my this flt as there were about 25 pax trying to catch the connection.

All in all, a good run but I might reconsider connecting times.

DD