Is Halifax, Nova Scotia considered an international destination for Continental at Newark? How much time between flights does one need to allow to catch this flight? Do you have to clear Canada's customs?

Thanks.....

I flew to Halifax over the 4th of July. (I was using a $300 CO travel cert). I only fly one a year on CO for the last few years. I will do my best to answer your questions.

1. It is intl for checkin purposes. I had to check in at the counter at LAX even though I had no checked luggage. Unable to do web checkin. Some of the CO regulars can tell you if it is intl for upgrade purposes.
2. I cleared Canadian Customs in Halifax for EWR-YHZ.
3. Coming back, there is no preclearing customs like in Toronto, Calgary, etc. Return flight clears US customs in EWR.
4. I had long layovers in EWR in both directions. (at least my free Pres Club coupons came in handy). I cleared security at Halifax quite fast. I came 2 hrs before & I was bored. In my case, an hour was more than enough. The flight to/from EWR is in a RJ. They board only 10-15 mins before the flight if I remember correctly.

Note: Some of the more experienced CO fliers can give you more & better info.

Canada is a bit tricky on CO.

All Canadian flights originating in the USA require you to check in at the International counter. You cannot check in online, or using a e-service machine (although other airlines allow this, CO prefers to restrict its international pax). If you are flying from Portland to EWR, and then on to YHZ, this means that you cannot check in online because your flight is not wholly domestic. This might mess up your chances to get on a waitlist early on if your EUA doesn't clear. But I digress...

You will not have any problems making a connection to the YHZ flight. The flights to YHZ originate in Terminal C, which is almost certainly where your flight from Portland will land. It's considered a regular domestic connection.

All Canadian flights are elligible for regular domestic upgrades, should you be lucky enough not to fly on a Jungle Jet.

Be careful, however, because many CO check-in staff on the international desk do not know that EUA upgrades are permitted on this flight, and will scold you if you ask to be put on a waitlist. If you didn't get EUA'd, and the check-in agent will not upgrade you or put you on a list, go to the P-Club and have them do it.

Also, the lines for international check-in at EWR and other CO served airports are notoriously long. Go early.

You will clear customs in YHZ, and then again on your return in EWR. Major Canadian airports like YUL and YYZ have US INS/Customs pre-clearing facilities, enabling you to avoid this upon deplaning.

With respect to documentation, if you are a US citizen, you do not need a passport to travel to Canada, but it is advisable. Proof of citizenship is required, as well as government issued photo id. Make sure you have a pen on you, because you need to fill out a Canadian customs card en route, and the Canadian airports are notorious for not having any pens available when you need them most.

I hope this helps, and I hope you enjoy your time in halifax (I will be going there this weekend, actually--it's quite a nice city).

(Edited to add information because I just noticed you are making a connection in EWR to YHZ)



[This message has been edited by kpalle (edited 07-31-2003).]

Thanks...

The flights I am looking at have a small window. Continental is a small player in Portland and has one PDX-EWR flight a day and then about an hour before the flight to Halifax. Is that do-able, a one hour connection from domestic to international?

As for the return that is even messier. The flight is 6:40 a.m. and then into EWR around 8 a.m. How much time needed to clear customs? There is a 10am flight or a 12:30 pm flight to Seattle before I catch a commuter to Portland.

No matter how I look at it the flight options are bad. I may end up driving to Seattle, where I can catch a one-stop Air Canada flight through Toronto, or have some better Continental connections from Seattle. I guess NWA now has a seasonal flight through Detroit, but it is not on when I need to go.

No problem. It's as simple as walking over to a different gate. Remember, the flight to halifax is for all intents and purposes a domestic flight for connection purposes.


Customs can be a mess at EWR, but that early you won't have a problem. I'd budget 20 minutes at the most for clearing customs and immigration, which is much less than your 2 hour connection time.

I'd avoid AC through YYZ. You'll still have to clear customs in Toronto, going to Halifax, and then clear US customs in Toronto going back to Seattle. Stick with CO through EWR, and you'll find it painless, i'm sure.



[This message has been edited by kpalle (edited 07-31-2003).]