US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - MR to LGW....3 hour lay over...do I have to go thru customs?

Doing a mileage run next weekend, and have a 3 hour layover.

Although everyone says the club at LGW is very nice(I believe I'll be flying envoy), I'm concerned about the time constraint.

Is it possible when exiting the plane to be able to go to the departure gates instead of going through customs?

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US CP,Starwood gold
HHonors gold

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by starboy340:
Doing a mileage run next weekend, and have a 3 hour layover.

Although everyone says the club at LGW is very nice(I believe I'll be flying envoy), I'm concerned about the time constraint.

Is it possible when exiting the plane to be able to go to the departure gates instead of going through customs?

</font>

No, you are funneled to a tram to customs/immigration after deboarding the plane.

From Baa.com:

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Connections at Gatwick Airport

International Connections
You will not need to clear Customs or Immigration at London Gatwick.</font>

I do note that there is the flight connections center that you can go to right after you get off the tram, and before customs. I'm going to defer to those who have used it to see if you can use it for check-in for the return. Otherwise, even if you're not upgraded, remember that you can use Envoy check in.

If you're in Envoy both ways - you should have enough time to go to the arrivals lounge and take a quick shower - provided you go ahead and check in first for your return. Since it sounds like you'll have no bags, you should be able to get through Fast Track and then breeze through Customs (since I didn't see a single customs inspector at the green channel for nothing to declare). Boarding for the return flights to the US start 45 minutes before departure, so plan accordingly. Don't forget about having to pay the 20GBP upgrade tax if you're upgraded to Envoy on the return.

If your mileage run brings you in on the PHL flight, and back on the CLT flight - that'll give you the maximum time, barring delays.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by cedric:
From Baa.com:

Connections at Gatwick Airport

International Connections
You will not need to clear Customs or Immigration at London Gatwick.</font>

True, for cases where the UK is not the final destination on the current checked segment of the flight itinerary. If check in is required for an onward flight out of the UK, then one will need to clear immigration and customs going out into the arrivals hall. From there one will need to check in for the onward flight.

In the back-to-back MR instance since LGW is the final destination for the outward leg, unless one is able to check in for both the outward and return legs at the original departure point, which unless anyone else knows otherwise, I would say was highly unlikely then, at LGW, you will need to clear immigration and customs prior to rechecking in at the US Airways counter.

It is recommended that people check in 3hrs early at LGW for transatlantic flights. I think that the minimum would be 2hrs depending on the queues. Immigration and customs again is somewhat variable. You should be alright for the roundtrip as you won't need to wait for any checked baggage. The only problem will be if the inbound flight is delayed.

Regards,
LGW741



[This message has been edited by lgw741 (edited Dec 02, 2003).]

LGW,

I think the out-bound flight , is the in-bound flight. I am coming from PHL and returning to PHL......so the funny part is that I'll probably reboarding the same equipment, possibly in the same seat....funny.....

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US CP,Starwood gold
HHonors gold

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by starboy340:
I think the out-bound flight , is the in-bound flight. I am coming from PHL and returning to PHL...</font>

This may or may not be the case. The A-330's are rotated thru CLT where they have the work hanger for mechanical issues and "cleaning".

Regardless, I do not think you will have any issues getting off at LGW, clearing immigration, and getting checked in for the next flight.

In the terminal where US arrives, before you go down the ramps to the big immigration check point, there is a small 1 lane security point that allows connecting passengers thru to check in at the counters right behind it (not the normal ones on the main check in floor). I believe as long as you have an itinerary or paper ticket (have the agent here print out the paper ticket for you when you check in for the outbound), they'll let you through that security line without forcing you to go through UK immigration and customs. I've done this several times when connecting through LGW.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Storm1n:
I've done this several times when connecting through LGW.</font>

I think the problem is that LGW is the final destination on the first leg of this roundtrip ticket.

Security-wise, I'm suspect there is no way a passenger will be able to check-in for a LGW-PHL flight without documentation in his/her passport and UK Immigration that they even entered the country.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by starboy340:
so the funny part is that I'll probably reboarding the same equipment, possibly in the same seat....funny....
</font>

I did that last year on a mileage run to SAN. Same metal/same seat. Got a few funny looks! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by geo1005:
I think the problem is that LGW is the final destination on the first leg of this roundtrip ticket.

Security-wise, I'm suspect there is no way a passenger will be able to check-in for a LGW-PHL flight without documentation in his/her passport and UK Immigration that they even entered the country.</font>

But might this very thing be possible in the near future? Airborne broadband (eg Connexion by Boeing) and some airlines now permit international --&gt; USA online check-in. So, if one were to bring a wifi laptop and portable printer, wouldn't it be possible to check in for your LON-PHL flight while you are flying to LON and print out your boarding pass?

Well it looks like the texture of the whole trip has changed. It appears that US has substituted a 767 for the A330.

Yes, I did get updated to "Envoy" in the 767, but if I am not mis-taken, isn't the 767 amenities different. I've not flown the 767 Internationally before.

1) the Airbus has a seatback entertainment system. Does the 767?

2) the Airbus has seats that recline substantially and are fairly comfortable. Do the seats recline on the 767 internationally. They only tilt a little domestically......

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US CP,Starwood gold
HHonors gold

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by starboy340:
1) the Airbus has a seatback entertainment system. Does the 767?

2) the Airbus has seats that recline substantially and are fairly comfortable. Do the seats recline on the 767 internationally. They only tilt a little domestically......
</font>

1. If you're in Envoy, there are personal televisions, however they run a set program on multiple channels - so you can't watch a particular movie when you want - it's when its running. No seat back tv in coach.

2. The Envoy seats have the same type of recline, and (at least to me) are more comfortable than the 330 Envoy seats.


Pount is - you're upgraded - so it'll be a nice trip in the 767 as it would be in the 330. There are 24 Envoy seats in the 767, vs. 41 (1 is a crew rest seat on the 330) If you're flying the 767 both ways - oh well. If not, you'll get to compare and contrast 'em.


[This message has been edited by CLTFlyer (edited Dec 03, 2003).]

There is a god.....

My flight is now an A330 again, and they put me in row 1.....

Guess I'll get a chance to try out the US "heavenly sleeper".....

Thanks all for the helpful advice.....

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US CP,Starwood gold
HHonors gold