Originally Posted by
flashware
I've been monitoring flights here and am trying to get ahead of the game somewhat. Today we're travelling on DUB-LHR-MIA-GRU (BA BA AA) and given the reliability issues with the A380 I thought it'd be best to make sure we know what our options are.
We are on BA209 connecting through to AA925 in J, which currently has a roughly 2 hour transfer; so already tight I feel. From what I can see, there is a flight 1 hour later AA995 but J seems to be full. If we do get rebooked onto that flight and dropped down to PE, would UK261 apply as the delay/missed flight would be due to the original BA delay?
What other options would we have? We currently have a 6 hour connection in GRU before getting our flight to IGU (separate ticket) but looking at options on other airlines etc. I can't see anything else that would still get us there in time if we miss AA925 (unless taking AA995 and accepting a downgrade).
As we are transiting internationally, do we still need to collect and recheck bags like you do when doing something like LHR-JFK-LAX?
We don't have Global Entry, and a month ago when we tried to use the MPC app it just wouldn't work - but it was my first time through on a new passport, so I'm hoping that will work now to help the immigration side of things as we transit.
I'll let others comment on alternatives but yes, you would be covered by EU261 as well as UK261 in the event of a missed connection along the way, even if it's for an AA sector. This is because at least one of your flights is operated by an EU/UK airline (BA). In theory the procedure is to claim downgrade reimbursement from the airline whose flight you were downgraded on - how that works out in practice is another question (especially if there's a travel agent involved or you booked via a third airline...).
DFW & MIA are (the only?) two US airports which allow "ITI" (international-to-international) through checking of bags, but only if the bag is appropriately marked and checked through to the destination. You should make sure this is done properly at the DUB check-in desk. However you yourself still need to go through passport control and customs; there is no way of avoiding this when transiting the US.
The MPC app only works for a second or subsequent entry on a given ESTA AFAIK. So it should work this time.