Algiers Airport Transit
Feb 16, 2023, 3:49 am
#76
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Germany
Programs: BA GGL, CCR - TK G
Posts: 809
Had a really bad experience here. I’m Oneworld Sapphire, but I boarded a bit late at MAD as the flights wasn’t displayed as boarding.
Of course it’s was a packed flight and they asked people to check their hand baggage. It was a remote stand..
I explained that I don’t have a visa, I won’t be able to pick up my bag. Somehow I was allowed to take my bag on board after all. It’s a bit on the larger side and I used some force to close the overhead bin (in business class, while I was in coach). This the purser didn’t like, she said I would damage “her” plane.
There was more than enough space if I had moved some bags around (then my bag would have fit sideways).
One pax even suggested keeping the bag next to him in an empty seat.
The moment I took out my bag (to make space for it), the ground agent grabbed it and ran off, to place it in the cargo hold.
Fast forward to arrival at ALG: We arrived at a jetbridge and the ground staff were lovely. I had to wait for 1.5 hours or so and then they came back with the boarding pass for my next flight, which I hadn’t been able to print myself.
”Sorry about your bag. We can’t take it back through security for you. We can’t let you pick it up without a visa. And the airline is refusing to accept it as checked baggage because there’s nothing in the system indicating it’s actually yours. Not even a name on the tag. You’ll have to register a claim upon arrival and then it will be sent to you.”
As I had a connection, this wasn’t really a solution. Luckily, the border police showed mercy and I was escorted to baggage claim and back airside.
Long story short: Never EVER let them check your bag. Or if they do, make sure it’s at least properly registered in the system and that there isn’t just an anonymous paper tag on the bag…
Of course it’s was a packed flight and they asked people to check their hand baggage. It was a remote stand..
I explained that I don’t have a visa, I won’t be able to pick up my bag. Somehow I was allowed to take my bag on board after all. It’s a bit on the larger side and I used some force to close the overhead bin (in business class, while I was in coach). This the purser didn’t like, she said I would damage “her” plane.
There was more than enough space if I had moved some bags around (then my bag would have fit sideways).
One pax even suggested keeping the bag next to him in an empty seat.
The moment I took out my bag (to make space for it), the ground agent grabbed it and ran off, to place it in the cargo hold.
Fast forward to arrival at ALG: We arrived at a jetbridge and the ground staff were lovely. I had to wait for 1.5 hours or so and then they came back with the boarding pass for my next flight, which I hadn’t been able to print myself.
”Sorry about your bag. We can’t take it back through security for you. We can’t let you pick it up without a visa. And the airline is refusing to accept it as checked baggage because there’s nothing in the system indicating it’s actually yours. Not even a name on the tag. You’ll have to register a claim upon arrival and then it will be sent to you.”
As I had a connection, this wasn’t really a solution. Luckily, the border police showed mercy and I was escorted to baggage claim and back airside.
Long story short: Never EVER let them check your bag. Or if they do, make sure it’s at least properly registered in the system and that there isn’t just an anonymous paper tag on the bag…
what a horror!! I can only imagine.. its scary enough without baggage.. lol
I have a flight in March.. basicaly its still no problem though?
I am always afraid they dont take me on the plane in france.. will fly out of lyon as no early flights from CDG anymore..
whats your input ?
thnx
Feb 16, 2023, 5:18 am
#79
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: DXB
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, BA Silver, A3 Gold, Sixt Diamond
Posts: 2,811
Alright, I checked ExpertFlyer for you:
I hope that you are aware that TWOV only works if you fly X-ALG-Y, with X and Y being different countries.
They also require a COVID tests if you've been in China/Macao in the last 10 days before your arrival into ALG.
TWOV (Transit Without Visa)
Passengers with a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third country within 24 hours. They must stay in the international transit area of the airport and have documents required for the next destination.
Passengers with a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third country within 24 hours. They must stay in the international transit area of the airport and have documents required for the next destination.
They also require a COVID tests if you've been in China/Macao in the last 10 days before your arrival into ALG.
Feb 16, 2023, 7:30 am
#80
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Germany
Programs: BA GGL, CCR - TK G
Posts: 809
Will get a PCR test anyhow... good Idea..
I will fly in from Lyon arriving 8.50 am hand luggage only and connect to the LHR at 12.50.. I'm fine then, as long as the check in agent knows xpert flyer :-)
Mar 8, 2023, 11:45 am
#81
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Germany
Programs: BA GGL, CCR - TK G
Posts: 809
Worst case scenario. My lyon alg flight in the am was canceled. Has anyone ever done a b2b at alg?
Any chance? Cuz it's my only chance. To change the ticket to depart from lhr would be 13k pounds extra. Oops.
Any chance? Cuz it's my only chance. To change the ticket to depart from lhr would be 13k pounds extra. Oops.
Mar 8, 2023, 12:22 pm
#82
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: DXB
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, BA Silver, A3 Gold, Sixt Diamond
Posts: 2,811
Do you have a visa? Because I don’t think you can B2B without a visa: AFAIK, TWOV. requires you to fly to a third country.
Mar 8, 2023, 12:46 pm
#84
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Germany
Programs: BA GGL, CCR - TK G
Posts: 809
So now I need to go lhr alg lhr. No other chance.
Mar 8, 2023, 12:50 pm
#85
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Germany
Programs: BA GGL, CCR - TK G
Posts: 809
Mar 8, 2023, 1:09 pm
#87
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: DXB
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, BA Silver, A3 Gold, Sixt Diamond
Posts: 2,811
Mar 9, 2023, 5:15 am
#88
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Germany
Programs: BA GGL, CCR - TK G
Posts: 809
It worked. But was stressful and I would not do it again on purpose.. Just to let everyone know.
Jun 14, 2023, 12:30 pm
#90
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: Free agent
Posts: 1,296
About to do a TWOV, but first time at the new airport. We are booked US-LHR-ALG, then ALG-DOH on a separate ticket with a four hour connection. Any issues at the new airport? We did it at the old airport with a five hour connection and it was a bit of a PITA as described by everyone.
I did read that they allow VOA for Americans as of January so this might be moot.
I did read that they allow VOA for Americans as of January so this might be moot.