I will be traveling from Switzerland to Washington (IAD) and then SFO soon. I was wondering whether I will be able to check mu lugguage all the way through to SFO. If so, will I need to pick up my luggage before clearing customs, and "re-check" my luggage to SFO at the United Airlines counter in the main terminal?
Your bag will be checked in GVA or ZRH all the way to SFO. HOWEVER, after you pass passport control at IAD, you will need to pick up your bag, walk with it through customs, and drop it off just after customs. You will then go through a security screening before proceeding to your gate for your flight to SFO.
IAD is a bit different from most airports in the US in that it has an "arrivals" area and a "connections" area (even though it's not the same thing as you'd see in EU airports). You should follow the sign for connections.
Your bag will be checked in GVA or ZRH all the way to SFO. HOWEVER, after you pass passport control at IAD, you will need to pick up your bag, walk with it through customs, and drop it off just after customs. You will then go through a security screening before proceeding to your gate for your flight to SFO.
IAD is a bit different from most airports in the US in that it has an "arrivals" area and a "connections" area (even though it's not the same thing as you'd see in EU airports). You should follow the sign for connections.
Thank you for the welcome! So, there is a baggage belt for passengers with connecting flights located right past Customs, is this correct?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cho
Thank you for the welcome! So, there is a baggage belt for passengers with connecting flights located right past Customs, is this correct?
Thank you again for your help.
When you exit the plane at IAD you will see signs for ARRIVALS and TRANSFERS. Follow the purple TRANSFERS sign, which leads you downstairs to:
Immigration
Baggage Claim
Customs
Baggage re-check
TSA security
After TSA security, go up the escalator (or elevator, or stairs). You will be across from gate C7. Check the Departure screens for your SFO departure gate and walk to the gate. The flight could be anywhere in the C or D Concourse - both concourses are a single 1/2-mile long structure.
