Questions connecting BRS-EWR-PTY
 

Next week I am flying CO on BRS-EWR-PTY and have a few questions:-

1. On international-international connections is it still necessary to go through the routine of picking up bags, going through customs and then dropping them off again before security?

2. Are there smoking areas at EWR?

3. What food should I expect in coach, if any, on the EWR-PTY leg?

1. I'm not 100% sure, but I think so. Surely someone knows for sure and can guide you.
2. there is no smoking anywhere in EWR, you have to go outside of the terminal. This may impact #1 above, and "encourage" you to go out and re-enter. Also, no where to smoke in PTY.
3. The flight is listed as serving dinner, so expect standard economy class (assuming you're in Y) grub. If you are in Business, the food is pretty good.

All passengers entering the US even if only in transit Must go thru Customs and Immigration. Which means if a person is transiting the US as you are and are from a country which requires them to have a VISA to enter the US then even for a simple transit they will need to have gotten a VISA otherwise they will be denied entrance into the US and sent back to country of origin

dont know about smoking, food is usually a so so meal but you would hav ejust eaten on your EWR inbound anyway.

You clear immigration and customs. At that point you'll be outside security. Drop your bags back in the recheck facility and then instead of heading back upstairs and through security, go outside the terminal. That is the only place you can smoke; there is no smoking area inside security. If you happen to arrivein Terminal B you can decide if you want to spend your smoking time walking to C or smoking first, then taking the train.

Once you've finished with that you can clear back through security and go to your EWR-PTY flight. You've got four hours, which should be plenty of time to clear immigration, have a smoke or three, clear security and pick up a dinner for the flight at one of the many facilities in the airport. Pick up something for dinner that you want instead of depending on CO. There will be a dinner served, but odds are you'll find something you will like better in the terminal.

EWR-PTY is a sandwich (roast beef or ham and cheese)
PTY-EWR is also a sandwich, but I don't remember what kind. I always go to the Fresh Greens salad/sandwich area at the food court at Terminal C. You have plenty of time so grab a wrap or have a salad made up and bring it onboard. PTY is non smoking also until you get out of the terminal.

Panama City is wonderful. Enjoy.

Thanks all for your help and advice. I knew I had to go through immigration and customs, but wasn't sure about my checked bags. I know you have to re-check for international-domestic as I do this several times a year. Visa is no problem as I will be on a visa waiver.

Thanks also for the tips about smoking areas. This is for the benefit of Mrs Allenkeys. If I don't plan for a smoke break I'm in big trouble! Looks like she will have to pollute the clean NJ air.

Also, good to know in advance about the food on the EWR-PTY flight. I have been caught out many times, either buying food in advance only to find a full meal service provied, or the opposite and having to go hungry for several hours!