WATP

Just arrived at the gate and Ive counted only 35 other punters ready to board. will hopefully get a whole row to myself. Everyone wearing masks.

mikeyfly

About 25/26 in economy according to live seat map on Expert Flyer. I think you'll have several rows to yourself !

ISTFlyer

Thanks for reporting us,
Could you please take photos of the meal offerings during the flight and share it with the FT community later on?

Thank you.

miguel0881

Wow, heavy load today. I'm serious.

LucasD81

Are you a US citizen or did you have show any evidence that you are allowed into the US?

CKBA

... see How many here are still flying regularly?

CKBA

Busier than on Wednesday.
Just done a booking for 26 June IAD-LHR and surprised that 16 seats already taken in WT+, and return on 29 July with 13 seats taken in WT+. Oddly our (2) seats had been assigned on different rows on each of the flights :-|

ISTFlyer

I saw your post there, thanks for that.
I am wondering if the offerings are the same in all cabins. Your travel was in Club World and the OP of this thread is travelling in World Traveler.

miguel0881

Of course they are verifying that you are a US Citizen, LPR, or otherwise authorized traveler at check-in, and again when accessing the boarding area at LHR. And of course your info is transmitted to CBP. Do you really think they're going to let an unauthorized traveler slip by in violation of the existing travel restrictions to the USA?

CKBA

I think the offerings were same in all cabins... .

LucasD81

I’m curious to learn more about the process. I’m due to fly in July and I’m exempt from the Proclamation due to my marriage. If the original poster is in a similar situation, it would be great to learn about their experiences and whether they presented any evidence with them.

jeffers

What's with the aggressive tone for no reason?

corporate-wage-slave

I am / was exempt due to my visa, but I think have reported it elsewhere: if you don't have an Esta you will find it easier if you can get a B1/B2 visa, because the Esta may get cancelled. You then need to get clearance at Zone F to be able to check-in, and marriage to a US citizen is probably the most common reason. Both at check-in and at the B gates there is access to someone from DHS or their authorised contractor who can quickly give green lights to passengers. It would not be surprising, if you are Esta, if you get some slightly scary notices at OLCI but there isn't much you can do but turn up at the airport. If you already have a B1/B2 then OLCI works in the usual way, but DHS/the contractor will check your bona fides as you board.. With so few passengers this isn't problematic. if you have the paperwork ready it takes just a few seconds, and you don't need to arrive early at T5.Two hours will be overkill even with checked bags.

In your case, presence of your wife / husband would be good enough, failing that marriage certificates, photo of his/her passport and the usual proof that you will not overstay should suffice.

miguel0881

Not aggressive, just the truth. Either you have the requisite proof to enter, or you don't. That being said, I am a US citizen and CBP has not been particularly nice to me during this pandemic (including a lengthy trip to secondary just because), so I will say that the experience is not something to relish.

CKBA

CBP experiences can vary hugely (not surprising really) - coming in to IAD on Wednesday no problem - more a quick informal chat rather than anything else. Before Christmas my daughter came into IAD on an ESTA and spent about 20 minutes with an agent who was adamant that she couldn't enter the US on an ESTA, finally he got his supervisor who just said 'she's got an ESTA: what's the problem?' and that was that.