Tight YYZ international connection time
Dec 19, 2018, 4:07 pm
#1
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Tight YYZ international connection time
My wife might be flying AC in economy SFO-YYZ-AMS next June. One option has a tight connection time of one hour and six minutes. (The minimum on the AC site is one hour.) She'll just have carry-on bags. She has US Global Entry, but not the Canadian equivalent. (Sorry I forgot the name of the program.)
Also, both her flights would be 789s, so I'm wondering if by some chance this is the same plane that continues all the way on that route.
In any event, any thoughts and/or advice on her chances of making the connection?
Thanks for any help.
Also, both her flights would be 789s, so I'm wondering if by some chance this is the same plane that continues all the way on that route.
In any event, any thoughts and/or advice on her chances of making the connection?
Thanks for any help.
Dec 19, 2018, 4:18 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: YVR
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I wouldn't chance it. I did a similar US-Domestic connection last week. The problem is once you clear Canadian immigration, even with Nexus, you get kicked out to groundside and have to re-clear security and get to your gate.
Might be doable under ideal conditions, but a lot can go wrong to cause delays.
Might be doable under ideal conditions, but a lot can go wrong to cause delays.
Dec 19, 2018, 4:26 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Toronto, ON
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A US-INTL connection is not comparable to a US-Canada connection.
If you’re transiting to an international connection, you don’t need to collect bags or reclear security, and the customs check is a basic check at the transit point.
If you’re transiting to an international connection, you don’t need to collect bags or reclear security, and the customs check is a basic check at the transit point.
Dec 19, 2018, 4:27 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2017
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I wouldn't chance it. I did a similar US-Domestic connection last week. The problem is once you clear Canadian immigration, even with Nexus, you get kicked out to groundside and have to re-clear security and get to your gate.
Might be doable under ideal conditions, but a lot can go wrong to cause delays.
Might be doable under ideal conditions, but a lot can go wrong to cause delays.
OP, is there no way to book one of the earlier flights out of SFO? UA will be flying that route and AC has flights at 7:35am and 9:55am which gives a nicer buffer than 12:00pm.
Dec 19, 2018, 4:27 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2006
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I'd book this flight. If something happens it'll be up to the airline to reroute. IIRC there is just a quick passport check on the way to the int'l pier which doesn't take too long.
I wouldn't equate the procedure for USA-YYZ-Domestic to USA-YYZ-International (AMS). FWIW I've done plenty of USA-domestic connections at YYZ where my inbound was late and I made the connection with less than 30 minutes on several occasions. In those cases I wouldn't use Nexus, but use the OSS bus instead.
I wouldn't chance it. I did a similar US-Domestic connection last week. The problem is once you clear Canadian immigration, even with Nexus, you get kicked out to groundside and have to re-clear security and get to your gate.
Might be doable under ideal conditions, but a lot can go wrong to cause delays.
Might be doable under ideal conditions, but a lot can go wrong to cause delays.
Dec 19, 2018, 4:37 pm
#6
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Thanks a lot for the quick and much appreciated replies, folks.
The noon flight out of SFO would be better for her in terms of work, which is why I asked. But the others might be possible and certainly do provide that buffer. Thanks.
The noon flight out of SFO would be better for her in terms of work, which is why I asked. But the others might be possible and certainly do provide that buffer. Thanks.
Dec 19, 2018, 4:50 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2015
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I'd book this flight. If something happens it'll be up to the airline to reroute. IIRC there is just a quick passport check on the way to the int'l pier which doesn't take too long.
I wouldn't equate the procedure for USA-YYZ-Domestic to USA-YYZ-International (AMS). FWIW I've done plenty of USA-domestic connections at YYZ where my inbound was late and I made the connection with less than 30 minutes on several occasions. In those cases I wouldn't use Nexus, but use the OSS bus instead.
I wouldn't equate the procedure for USA-YYZ-Domestic to USA-YYZ-International (AMS). FWIW I've done plenty of USA-domestic connections at YYZ where my inbound was late and I made the connection with less than 30 minutes on several occasions. In those cases I wouldn't use Nexus, but use the OSS bus instead.
Dec 19, 2018, 4:56 pm
#9
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Where did you see the Nexus stand for connecting pax?? I Did USA-YYZ-domestic last Friday, they don't accept Nexus at the Connecting Customs agent. It's a small 3-4 agents stand. Then took the bus from the 250 something gates to Domestic terminal. Overall landed at 10:42 pm and my 2nd leg departed the runway at 11:10pm (no joke, on a Friday, did everything in 28 minutes - was the last one to board, I did not really run at YYZ even thought it was my first time).
Previous poster precisely said he did not use Nexus because he used the OSS thing. Which indeed does not take nexus.My experience has been the opposite though, often a long line at OSS so not worth it if you have nexus, better go through the normal exit using nexus, and go through security again on the domestic side. But I guess it all depends upon the time of the day and how busy OSS is.Anyway, none of this is related to the OP's issue. But yes, I would go for the quick connection. Why give up without trying, when once you are in, it is the responsibility of the airline to bring you to destination, and rebook if needed?
Dec 19, 2018, 5:13 pm
#10
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Previous poster precisely said he did not use Nexus because he used the OSS thing. Which indeed does not take nexus.My experience has been the opposite though, often a long line at OSS so not worth it if you have nexus, better go through the normal exit using nexus, and go through security again on the domestic side. But I guess it all depends upon the time of the day and how busy OSS is.Anyway, none of this is related to the OP's issue. But yes, I would go for the quick connection. Why give up without trying, when once you are in, it is the responsibility of the airline to bring you to destination, and rebook if needed?
Dec 19, 2018, 5:20 pm
#11
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Good question. Most credit card insurances do however. (In that situation, I don't ask the airline, just book on my own and let the insurance go after the airline for whatever they pay.)
Dec 19, 2018, 5:21 pm
#12
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I'd book this flight. If something happens it'll be up to the airline to reroute. IIRC there is just a quick passport check on the way to the int'l pier which doesn't take too long.
I wouldn't equate the procedure for USA-YYZ-Domestic to USA-YYZ-International (AMS). FWIW I've done plenty of USA-domestic connections at YYZ where my inbound was late and I made the connection with less than 30 minutes on several occasions. In those cases I wouldn't use Nexus, but use the OSS bus instead.
I wouldn't equate the procedure for USA-YYZ-Domestic to USA-YYZ-International (AMS). FWIW I've done plenty of USA-domestic connections at YYZ where my inbound was late and I made the connection with less than 30 minutes on several occasions. In those cases I wouldn't use Nexus, but use the OSS bus instead.
I did SFO-YYZ-AMS with the same flights, and I think I had a good 45 minutes in the lounge.
Dec 19, 2018, 5:36 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
When going USA to International via Canada, there is no customs or immigration to clear since technically you are not intending to stay (or leave items) behind in the country. Hence, the checks are very minor with luggage behind forwarded to final destination. That and MLLs are one of the few redeeming qualities of doing a Canadian connection. An hour is pushing it albeit as others have noted if you mis-connect it's on the airline to figure it out!
Certainly wouldn't want to spend more than 45 minutes in YYZ without MLL access, in which case it become a field day!
Safe Travels,
James
Certainly wouldn't want to spend more than 45 minutes in YYZ without MLL access, in which case it become a field day!
Safe Travels,
James
Dec 19, 2018, 5:45 pm
#14
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Above 2 posters are correct. It’s INTL-INTL. You go to the international connections area after you get off your plane. You scan your passport in the machine and it spits out a confirmation that you are connecting INTL. Passangers from the US do not even need to redo security (bags/xrays/etc) - they are allowed through the door inbetween the machines and security right through to “airside”. I have done PTY-YYZ-AMS a couple of times this year with a 1 hour connection. Had no issues even with having to do security after the machines
Dec 19, 2018, 6:41 pm
#15
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Where did you see the Nexus stand for connecting pax?? I Did USA-YYZ-domestic last Friday, they don't accept Nexus at the Connecting Customs agent. It's a small 3-4 agents stand. Then took the bus from the 250 something gates to Domestic terminal. Overall landed at 10:42 pm and my 2nd leg departed the runway at 11:10pm (no joke, on a Friday, did everything in 28 minutes - was the last one to board, I did not really run at YYZ even thought it was my first time).
I take the bus whenever I can myself. I make a game of it, seeing how illegible I can make my declaration card without having to redo it. So far, no do overs, and my natural handwriting is nigh impossible to read.