Back with yet another interlining question. Flying CO EWR-CDG and connecting to AF to BCN next week. Two of us, both on BF award reservations. Just making sure we will be able to check our bags all the way through and STAY AIRSIDE for the transfer. Similar to the recent poster on my old thread about CO/Air Europa interline, I am planning to make some liquid duty-free purchases and would not like to go back through security.

Also, anyone in CDG recently - did you notice if they still have airside smoking areas since their new laws? Just wondering if I should bring along some nicotine gum for that "landing craving" I always get. Funny, I can handle any long flight with no problem, but as soon as we start descent - the craving comes strong!

Robin

CDG-Barcelona will be Schengen flight, so your entry will be CDG at which point you may have to collect your bags for CIQ. I may be mistaken, but I think that's how it went when I entered Schengen (MAD) from EWR last summer.

No, you won't have to collect your bags. They will be checked all the way through. You will clear Shengen immigration in CDG and the CDG-BCN flight will be treated as "domestic".

Indeed, but I'm pretty sure there is a security screening between the arrival and the departure gates, so liquids would be confiscated. I know that I had to pass through one last time I transited CDG.

+1 I transferred at CDG apx 2 years ago and had to go through security but don't recall collecting and rechecking bags.

There is a security screening you will have to go through (even though bags will be checked all the way to your final destination). They will screen carry-ons, but I doubt they will confiscate your liquids from duty free. Keep liquids under 100ml and carry the ziploc bag the Duty Free Shop will hand you; you should be ok.

True.

Last time I transited non-Schengen to Schengen at CDG (by walking from 2E over to the Schengen portion of 2F), the security screeners made the guy in front of us throw away about $120 in premium liquor he had just purchased from duty free.

As others have noted, you will have to reclear security when you transfer to a schengen flight; your bags will go direct. Upon arrival at final Euro stop, your bags will not have the green edges on the tags that identify Euro flights, and you should do a customs check there.

As a BF reminder, when flying back from BCN through CDG on AF you do not get the baggage allowance you get on CO and will pay a fee for the extra bags even in F on AF. I have dealt with this twice both from VCE and DUS.
Not sure if you will have lots of bags, but I did due to some goods transfers and got stuck with the huge AF fee even if it was free on CO in BF.

Ciao,
FH

Just be careful!
I just flew GVA [af]-CDG-[CO]-EWR-HNL, and when I got to EWR to go through US customs, my baggage wasn't there. When I checked in with Air France they told me it was checked all the way through. An agent in the EWR B terminal arrivals said it was because I was supposed to re-check them in CDG. When I was in CDG I tried to reconfirm, and they told me I did *not* have to check it and it was already checked through to the US.

So I'm not really sure what happens when AF is trying to get your bags to CO. This happened just a few days ago.

Needless to say, it took 3 days for my bags to finally make it back from Paris to Hawaii....

Thanks, this is all good to know and glad I asked. I guess I will forego my "liquid" purchases in EWR. With the CDG-BCN being considered "domestic", I suppose there isn't a shot at duty-free after security at CDG or is it even worth it in the EU? Not that big a deal I suppose - heading for a cruise and wanted to pick up a bit to take onboard (I have my ways ). I could always pick some up in Barcelona, since now it is too late to order thru the cruiseline.

No worries about luggage, we travel light, and our return is non-stop CO if we decide to pick up a little extra. I just want to make sure my bags get to BCN to begin with!


Nobody noticed smoking areas in CDG? So hard being part of the minority these days.....

Robin

Yes, there is duty free for you to shop. Schengen applies to the free flow of people, not goods, so you will need to clear customs on arrival to BCN.

And sorry, I have not seen any smoking areas in CDG though you can run out for a quick one when changing terminals.

As far as smoking is concerned Terminals 3 2A-D&F had smoking facilities as recently as last year. Terminal 1 (which I believe is the new terminal) is completely smoke free.
Take a look at this site which has the smoking areas highlighted.
http://bonjourlafrance.net/air-franc...dg-airport.htm

Interestingly enough the official CDG website says smoking is banned throughout the complex. Just another prime example of French contridictions.

http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/e...t_airports.htm

If you are transiting you will need to reclear security. The doors leading outside are literaly 50 feet from the security checkpoint. You shouldn't have a problem at all.

Excellent. I saw the same contradiction on the website - maybe it's the new law with old terminal maps, either way I will be fine. Thank you all again!

Robin