US to US flight connecting in YUL
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 394
US to US flight connecting in YUL
I have a weird layover where I am leaving the US and connecting to YUL and going right back to the US. What do I need to pass through in YUL as far as immigration?
#2
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 223
That sounds like cabotage to me if I am not mistaken? That is, assuming you are taking AC and not a codeshare or something.
Last edited by bman1002; Mar 21, 2019 at 8:35 am Reason: AC comment.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 394
#4
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*SE-MM, BA Bronze, Marriott Titanium & lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,820
It's not sold as a single ticket connecting flight (which would be "cabotage" and against the rules) presumably. Either way, they don't expect US-US connections in Canadian airports, so you'll have to do Canadian immigration then turn around and do US immigration.
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,446
As this is not really an airline specific question the thread has been relocated to the FT Canada destination forum for further discussion.
tcook052
Air Canada forum moderator
tcook052
Air Canada forum moderator
#7
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
Being AA to AC it's cabotage. If on two tickets things should be ok but DO NOT tell AA about the second flight. If you have luggage you'll have to clear Canadian immigration, get bag, go through customs, check bag with AC and then clear US immigration (Flights from YUL to the US are CBP precleared.
Be sure to leave a lot of time between flights.
Be sure to leave a lot of time between flights.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 394
Being AA to AC it's cabotage. If on two tickets things should be ok but DO NOT tell AA about the second flight. If you have luggage you'll have to clear Canadian immigration, get bag, go through customs, check bag with AC and then clear US immigration (Flights from YUL to the US are CBP precleared.
Be sure to leave a lot of time between flights.
Be sure to leave a lot of time between flights.
#9
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Atlanta Metro
Programs: DL , AC, BA, Hhonors Diamond, IH Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,352
I had never heard or read the word "cabotage" before. I initially thought it was some kind of Flyertalk-invented terminology based on "sabotage."
#10
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
At YUL you'll do Canadian immigration and if asked just tell them you're in transit between flights. Most won't ask details than that. Since no baggage you'll pass through Customs and proceed to US PreClearance to do US immigration & customs. Board your plane and when you land it'll be like you were a domestic flight. Walk off the plane and to transportation.
It's a bit outdated, in my opinion, law about who can carry passengers between two domestic routes in the territory of a country. It gets complicated with places like Hawaii and Guam.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
Depending upon OPs passport might CBSA in YUL object to this? Unlikely to be asked any questions if legal resident of Canada but others will be listing duration of stay as “1 day” and may be asked purpose of visit no?
#12
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,118
I can't imagine it would be a big deal. The OP could simply say something like "we're doing a mileage run" or some other answer indicating they're headed straight back to the US.
#13
Last fall I had a weird flight via YUL as well, 2 hours connection time and due to my unusual and weird itinerary (Casablanca - Montreal - Casablanca b2b - last 747 commercial flight for Royal Air Maroc) I had interview with 3 different agents and at the end I still had 1h to kill in the airside (after I passed again the security check) good luck
#14
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PMD
Programs: UA*G, NW, AA-G. WR-P, HH-G, IHG-S, ALL. TT-GE.
Posts: 2,907
#15
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: ba silver
Posts: 729
It' s two separate airlines and from the OP' s information two separate tickets so this isn't cabotage as it' s not being sold as a through trip.. When you land at Trudeau you go upstairs through a long corridor towards CBSA; there are stairs midway leading to US departures and US CBP. You may or may be allowed to go that way. They will definitely not check bags all the way through. You'll have to claim them and check them again with AC. This is not a connection, but rather a trip to Montreal followed by a trip to another city from Montreal. It' s important to keep in mind that if your first flight is delayed and you miss the second one you will forfeit the second ticket if it' s non-refundable, and your first airline is not responsible to re-route you if the flight is delayed, only to get you to Montreal. Good luck!