Flying from London, UK, to Antigua with a Layover in the US
Jun 4, 2020, 10:57 pm
#1
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Flying from London, UK, to Antigua with a Layover in the US
I am trying to fly from London to Antigua. Because there are no direct flight I have to have a layover at MIA. I have my ESTA but will the COVID restrictions prevent me from catching my connecting flight to Antigua? Does anyone have any insight? Thanks!
Jun 4, 2020, 11:54 pm
#2
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What's your citizenship ? When do you travel. Those are important details to give you an advice.
Jun 5, 2020, 12:02 am
#3
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Optimus12, welcome to Flyertalk.
If you have an ESTA then you’re not a US citizen. Unless you fall under one of the other handful of exceptions for entry to the US (which sounds very unlikely in your case) then currently when the airline transmits your advanced passenger information to the US authorities your ESTA will be cancelled. That means, of course, that you won’t be able to even get on the plane in London.
You don’t say when you’re travelling, but if it’s within the next few weeks then I’m afraid the chance of the restrictions being lifted is extremely low.
If you have an ESTA then you’re not a US citizen. Unless you fall under one of the other handful of exceptions for entry to the US (which sounds very unlikely in your case) then currently when the airline transmits your advanced passenger information to the US authorities your ESTA will be cancelled. That means, of course, that you won’t be able to even get on the plane in London.
You don’t say when you’re travelling, but if it’s within the next few weeks then I’m afraid the chance of the restrictions being lifted is extremely low.
Jun 5, 2020, 12:55 am
#4
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Optimus12, welcome to Flyertalk.
If you have an ESTA then you’re not a US citizen. Unless you fall under one of the other handful of exceptions for entry to the US (which sounds very unlikely in your case) then currently when the airline transmits your advanced passenger information to the US authorities your ESTA will be cancelled. That means, of course, that you won’t be able to even get on the plane in London.
You don’t say when you’re travelling, but if it’s within the next few weeks then I’m afraid the chance of the restrictions being lifted is extremely low.
If you have an ESTA then you’re not a US citizen. Unless you fall under one of the other handful of exceptions for entry to the US (which sounds very unlikely in your case) then currently when the airline transmits your advanced passenger information to the US authorities your ESTA will be cancelled. That means, of course, that you won’t be able to even get on the plane in London.
You don’t say when you’re travelling, but if it’s within the next few weeks then I’m afraid the chance of the restrictions being lifted is extremely low.
Jun 5, 2020, 1:09 am
#5
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Posts: 1,765
This. Have a look at the US CBP website. There you will see printed in big letters that an attempt to travel on an ESTA will result in it being cancelled, meaning you’ll be denied boarding. I believe there are a few BA flights to Caribbean destinations; take one of those and arrange from there. Is Antigua open to non-residents?
Antigua and Barbuda
Published 01.06.2020
Passengers arriving in Antigua and Barbuda:
- are subject to medical screening; and
- must wear a mask; and
- present a completed health declaration form.
Jun 5, 2020, 7:32 am
#7
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Jun 5, 2020, 7:34 am
#8
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Yes Antigua is now open to all international travelers. I see that BA is resuming flights in July. Thank you for the info!
What a great community. The airline couldn't answer my question but all of you did. Thank you everyone for the insight and taking the time to provide an answer.
What a great community. The airline couldn't answer my question but all of you did. Thank you everyone for the insight and taking the time to provide an answer.
Last edited by NewbieRunner; Jun 5, 2020 at 9:26 am Reason: Merge consecutive posts by same member
Jun 5, 2020, 9:53 am
#9
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If you have US citizenship why are you flying on an ESTA?
Jun 5, 2020, 9:57 am
#10
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Jun 6, 2020, 2:48 am
#11
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As said by others, there is no way you can fly there via the US by June 19 (it is extremely unlikely that USA will allow European citizens by then). So you should try either to fly direct from UK to a Carribean island allowing UK pax as transit pax and make a same-day connection to Antigua. Alternatively you can make a connection in AMS or CDG to go to SXM and connect to Antigua (but not sure it is served in June and what are the possible restrictions for transiting in SXM). But it's better in the current times to limit the number of connections because of all the restrictions and the high risk of flight cancellations.
Jun 6, 2020, 5:16 pm
#12
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Anecdotal reports from travel forums BA cancelled July flights to Antigua. Seems odd with so few desirable beach destinations open right now, that airlines are cancelling flights, rather than trying to capitalize on those few destinations that are trying to reopen soonest.
Jun 6, 2020, 10:53 pm
#13
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Anecdotal reports from travel forums BA cancelled July flights to Antigua. Seems odd with so few desirable beach destinations open right now, that airlines are cancelling flights, rather than trying to capitalize on those few destinations that are trying to reopen soonest.