Originally Posted by
flyertalker543
I'll be flying LGA-LHR-HEL-RVN on Finnair (all on one ticket)
You'll probably be flying LHR-HEL-RVN on Finnair. I don't think you're going to fly LGA-LHR directly on any airline.
Originally Posted by
flyertalker543
I just realized my connection time in HEL is only 55 minutes -- might that be a problem?
MCT for non-Schengen -> domestic is 40 mins - so no it's not a problem.
Originally Posted by
flyertalker543
I'll have my luggage checked from LGA all the way to RVN. However, will I have to pick-up my luggage to go through customs in HEL (since it's my first connection in my final destination country)?
No you won't have to pick up your luggage until Rovaniemi. In case you need to contact customs you can do it there.
Originally Posted by
flyertalker543
I understand how customs/luggage works in the US, but I'm always confused about this part in Europe (especially with the whole Schengen/non-Schengen thing).
Schengen is about border control/immigration - not customs. You always go through customs in your final destination (except for the US and some small airports that lack customs facilities). In Europe, you go through immigration at your first point of entry (in your case HEL) as there is no border control for intra-Schengen travel.