State of Schiphol for BA (to LHR) queues etc?
Oct 20, 2022, 1:31 am
#301
Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,552
Data point for today, October 22, 2022.
Arrived at 08:15 for my flight with boarding time at 11:00 and departure at 11:40. Check in took 15 minutes, which as caused by some problem at the priority line. The three customers ahead of me were checked in in two minutes each.
Priority was open, but the line was not that long. Security took in the priority line around 10 minutes and another 10 minutes for immigration. Used the facilities to the far right, as there is often one line for two self immigration gates. Lounge was busy and all passengers with lounge passes were told waiting time is one hour. Arrived in the lounge at 09:10 and was granted access without problems.
Overall not that bad.
Arrived at 08:15 for my flight with boarding time at 11:00 and departure at 11:40. Check in took 15 minutes, which as caused by some problem at the priority line. The three customers ahead of me were checked in in two minutes each.
Priority was open, but the line was not that long. Security took in the priority line around 10 minutes and another 10 minutes for immigration. Used the facilities to the far right, as there is often one line for two self immigration gates. Lounge was busy and all passengers with lounge passes were told waiting time is one hour. Arrived in the lounge at 09:10 and was granted access without problems.
Overall not that bad.
Oct 21, 2022, 2:55 pm
#302
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: AY+ Platinum / FlyingBlue Gold
Posts: 836
Data point for today, October 22, 2022.
Arrived at 08:15 for my flight with boarding time at 11:00 and departure at 11:40. Check in took 15 minutes, which as caused by some problem at the priority line. The three customers ahead of me were checked in in two minutes each.
Priority was open, but the line was not that long. Security took in the priority line around 10 minutes and another 10 minutes for immigration. Used the facilities to the far right, as there is often one line for two self immigration gates. Lounge was busy and all passengers with lounge passes were told waiting time is one hour. Arrived in the lounge at 09:10 and was granted access without problems.
Overall not that bad.
Arrived at 08:15 for my flight with boarding time at 11:00 and departure at 11:40. Check in took 15 minutes, which as caused by some problem at the priority line. The three customers ahead of me were checked in in two minutes each.
Priority was open, but the line was not that long. Security took in the priority line around 10 minutes and another 10 minutes for immigration. Used the facilities to the far right, as there is often one line for two self immigration gates. Lounge was busy and all passengers with lounge passes were told waiting time is one hour. Arrived in the lounge at 09:10 and was granted access without problems.
Overall not that bad.
When I was there the other day it was also absolutely crowded. Ended up finding a spot to sit down and was accompanied by two mice. When I mentioned this to the staff they laughed and said ''yeah, haha. They live here''.
Oct 22, 2022, 4:49 am
#303
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: NCL
Programs: BA Exec Club: Gold HHons:Diamond FB:Ivory Accor:Plat Hertz: PC USA:GlobalEntry
Posts: 235
Oct 22, 2022, 4:53 am
#304
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: NCL
Programs: BA Exec Club: Gold HHons:Diamond FB:Ivory Accor:Plat Hertz: PC USA:GlobalEntry
Posts: 235
Back into AMS last Thursday from my ex-EU on Qatar and using BA to get back to UK:
AMS-LHR flight was delayed, gate was rammed with people waiting. When boarding was announced it was for "All passengers in groups 1, 2 and 3".
A few CE pax had to walk up the plane to stow their overhead carry-ons.
AMS-LHR flight was delayed, gate was rammed with people waiting. When boarding was announced it was for "All passengers in groups 1, 2 and 3".
A few CE pax had to walk up the plane to stow their overhead carry-ons.
Oct 29, 2022, 7:55 pm
#307
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Toronto and Switzerland
Programs: AA EXP - Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium and lifetime PLT
Posts: 178
couple q's on Schipol for emerald traveller...
i am oneworld emerald and landing tomorrow at ams from lhr with a canadian passport in J and curious on time to get out? is there a fast track through arrivals? And I am flying out to LHR on Tuesday am and flying economy but will my emerald enable me to fast track? apologies for the newbie question...i used to be in AMS 6 times a year but you know, pandemic 
thanks in advance and safe travels all!
thanks in advance and safe travels all!
Oct 30, 2022, 3:59 am
#308
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: BA, Virgin, Lufthansa
Posts: 184
Data point for today, October 22, 2022.
Arrived at 08:15 for my flight with boarding time at 11:00 and departure at 11:40. Check in took 15 minutes, which as caused by some problem at the priority line. The three customers ahead of me were checked in in two minutes each.
Priority was open, but the line was not that long. Security took in the priority line around 10 minutes and another 10 minutes for immigration. Used the facilities to the far right, as there is often one line for two self immigration gates. Lounge was busy and all passengers with lounge passes were told waiting time is one hour. Arrived in the lounge at 09:10 and was granted access without problems.
Overall not that bad.
Arrived at 08:15 for my flight with boarding time at 11:00 and departure at 11:40. Check in took 15 minutes, which as caused by some problem at the priority line. The three customers ahead of me were checked in in two minutes each.
Priority was open, but the line was not that long. Security took in the priority line around 10 minutes and another 10 minutes for immigration. Used the facilities to the far right, as there is often one line for two self immigration gates. Lounge was busy and all passengers with lounge passes were told waiting time is one hour. Arrived in the lounge at 09:10 and was granted access without problems.
Overall not that bad.
Oct 30, 2022, 5:09 am
#309
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Amsterdam and London
Programs: Mucci Platinum Hairbrush des Bonnes Nouvelles. BA LTG, Bonvoy LTP, AA LTS, KL LTPt, Easy Flight Club
Posts: 378
i am oneworld emerald and landing tomorrow at ams from lhr with a canadian passport in J and curious on time to get out? is there a fast track through arrivals? And I am flying out to LHR on Tuesday am and flying economy but will my emerald enable me to fast track? apologies for the newbie question...i used to be in AMS 6 times a year but you know, pandemic thanks in advance and safe travels all!
thanks in advance and safe travels all!Groetjes
Fritz
Oct 30, 2022, 7:35 am
#310
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Toronto and Switzerland
Programs: AA EXP - Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium and lifetime PLT
Posts: 178
big Thanks Fritz...I looked at the previum and it looks like they are not accepting applications now as it is backlogged and one can get on a waiting list...anywho, sounds like a roll of the dice coming in but hopefully getting out is better...i am in and out twice this week and will update. fwiw, LHR was a breeze (today late am) and i have FCO as well (weds in and thurs out... ahh, the glamour of travel 
update - smooth coming into AMS on Sunday Oct 30 - was no line at passport control (i was 2c and key was getting there ahead of my fellow pax)
update - smooth coming into AMS on Sunday Oct 30 - was no line at passport control (i was 2c and key was getting there ahead of my fellow pax)
Last edited by billbarilko; Oct 31, 2022 at 6:16 am
Nov 5, 2022, 6:52 am
#311
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Berkshire
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 75
Schiphol Update, 05 November 2022
Tier Point run, same-day return
*Outbound flight arrived on stand on time. Lengthy sprint to entry stairs down to Immigration to find.....a crowd and a closed entryway, similar to Tube gate closings. Stood there at least 10 minutes before the (now large) crowd was let through. Down the stairs to find...another large crowd in front of us. Pre-pandemic passports could be scanned at e-gates, sign is now blacked out to show only EU and Swiss passports allowed. 3 of 5 manual processing desks open, 2 were for non-EU passports. Exited to luggage area at 90-minute mark.
*Return flight--still in the uninspiring Aspire Lounge (what a tip it is) as I write this. Fast Track Security was fairly quick, less than 10 minutes and more down to the rookie passengers in the queue than the staff themselves. Passport Control took a while longer--lengthy queues to get to desks or e-gates. E-gates were accepting a variety of non-EU passports to process passengers, was a lot quicker than entry, probably about 25 minutes to pass through.
Tier Point run, same-day return
*Outbound flight arrived on stand on time. Lengthy sprint to entry stairs down to Immigration to find.....a crowd and a closed entryway, similar to Tube gate closings. Stood there at least 10 minutes before the (now large) crowd was let through. Down the stairs to find...another large crowd in front of us. Pre-pandemic passports could be scanned at e-gates, sign is now blacked out to show only EU and Swiss passports allowed. 3 of 5 manual processing desks open, 2 were for non-EU passports. Exited to luggage area at 90-minute mark.
*Return flight--still in the uninspiring Aspire Lounge (what a tip it is) as I write this. Fast Track Security was fairly quick, less than 10 minutes and more down to the rookie passengers in the queue than the staff themselves. Passport Control took a while longer--lengthy queues to get to desks or e-gates. E-gates were accepting a variety of non-EU passports to process passengers, was a lot quicker than entry, probably about 25 minutes to pass through.
Nov 5, 2022, 7:51 am
#312
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,991
Schiphol Update, 05 November 2022
Tier Point run, same-day return
*Outbound flight arrived on stand on time. Lengthy sprint to entry stairs down to Immigration to find.....a crowd and a closed entryway, similar to Tube gate closings. Stood there at least 10 minutes before the (now large) crowd was let through. Down the stairs to find...another large crowd in front of us. Pre-pandemic passports could be scanned at e-gates, sign is now blacked out to show only EU and Swiss passports allowed. 3 of 5 manual processing desks open, 2 were for non-EU passports. Exited to luggage area at 90-minute mark.
*Return flight--still in the uninspiring Aspire Lounge (what a tip it is) as I write this. Fast Track Security was fairly quick, less than 10 minutes and more down to the rookie passengers in the queue than the staff themselves. Passport Control took a while longer--lengthy queues to get to desks or e-gates. E-gates were accepting a variety of non-EU passports to process passengers, was a lot quicker than entry, probably about 25 minutes to pass through.
Tier Point run, same-day return
*Outbound flight arrived on stand on time. Lengthy sprint to entry stairs down to Immigration to find.....a crowd and a closed entryway, similar to Tube gate closings. Stood there at least 10 minutes before the (now large) crowd was let through. Down the stairs to find...another large crowd in front of us. Pre-pandemic passports could be scanned at e-gates, sign is now blacked out to show only EU and Swiss passports allowed. 3 of 5 manual processing desks open, 2 were for non-EU passports. Exited to luggage area at 90-minute mark.
*Return flight--still in the uninspiring Aspire Lounge (what a tip it is) as I write this. Fast Track Security was fairly quick, less than 10 minutes and more down to the rookie passengers in the queue than the staff themselves. Passport Control took a while longer--lengthy queues to get to desks or e-gates. E-gates were accepting a variety of non-EU passports to process passengers, was a lot quicker than entry, probably about 25 minutes to pass through.
Nov 5, 2022, 12:58 pm
#313
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Berkshire
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 75
I was planning to go into Amsterdam for a short time. After the arrivals experience and not knowing what might happen getting to departures, I moved my return flight up and went back through. I certainly won't make that mistake again, although I'll probably do my best to find another, more amenable Tier Point Run destination.
Nov 7, 2022, 10:31 pm
#314
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 243
Data point
Nov 7th - landed 1840, disembarked 1900, arrived at immigration 1910. Done by 1915. Very small queue.
Nov 8th. Arr departures 3 at 0535. Through security and immigration by 0545. No queues at all. Had to wait for lounge to open! Wasn’t too bad in there at that time of day.
Nov 7th - landed 1840, disembarked 1900, arrived at immigration 1910. Done by 1915. Very small queue.
Nov 8th. Arr departures 3 at 0535. Through security and immigration by 0545. No queues at all. Had to wait for lounge to open! Wasn’t too bad in there at that time of day.
Nov 8, 2022, 8:16 pm
#315
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Warwickshire, England
Programs: BA Executive Club Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 222
This morning (9th Nov), no queues at security (signs reading 0-5 mins), and then about a dozen people in the passport check queue. From arrival at the airport to sitting airside with a coffee was about 10 mins.