INTL to INTL Connection ATL
Jul 7, 2016, 7:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: ATL
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Posts: 92
INTL to INTL Connection ATL
I've had great success with an occasional "hidden city" itinerary and jumped on some great biz fares ex-Canada to JNB on KLM/DL recently. Was able to route my return trip through ATL where I live. Great.
As the trip approaches, I'm realizing that I'm gone a while and would be FAR easier to be able to check a bag, even on the return.
So there are two logistical questions -
1. Is it possible when connecting from an international flight in ATL to take my luggage through customs and simply exit the airport? I seem to recall connecting passengers being separated from ATL-bound pax. (this is assuming a domestic connection)
2. Will my checked luggage even have to go through US customs in ATL if my onward flight is to Canada? I understand that I'll go thru immigration, but would the checked bag (un)helpfully go directly on the international flight to YYZ?
I'm sure someone else has faced this before, but my search didn't turn up much.
As the trip approaches, I'm realizing that I'm gone a while and would be FAR easier to be able to check a bag, even on the return.
So there are two logistical questions -
1. Is it possible when connecting from an international flight in ATL to take my luggage through customs and simply exit the airport? I seem to recall connecting passengers being separated from ATL-bound pax. (this is assuming a domestic connection)
2. Will my checked luggage even have to go through US customs in ATL if my onward flight is to Canada? I understand that I'll go thru immigration, but would the checked bag (un)helpfully go directly on the international flight to YYZ?
I'm sure someone else has faced this before, but my search didn't turn up much.
Jul 7, 2016, 7:49 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
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I've had great success with an occasional "hidden city" itinerary and jumped on some great biz fares ex-Canada to JNB on KLM/DL recently. Was able to route my return trip through ATL where I live. Great.
As the trip approaches, I'm realizing that I'm gone a while and would be FAR easier to be able to check a bag, even on the return.
So there are two logistical questions -
1. Is it possible when connecting from an international flight in ATL to take my luggage through customs and simply exit the airport? I seem to recall connecting passengers being separated from ATL-bound pax. (this is assuming a domestic connection)
2. Will my checked luggage even have to go through US customs in ATL if my onward flight is to Canada? I understand that I'll go thru immigration, but would the checked bag (un)helpfully go directly on the international flight to YYZ?
I'm sure someone else has faced this before, but my search didn't turn up much.
As the trip approaches, I'm realizing that I'm gone a while and would be FAR easier to be able to check a bag, even on the return.
So there are two logistical questions -
1. Is it possible when connecting from an international flight in ATL to take my luggage through customs and simply exit the airport? I seem to recall connecting passengers being separated from ATL-bound pax. (this is assuming a domestic connection)
2. Will my checked luggage even have to go through US customs in ATL if my onward flight is to Canada? I understand that I'll go thru immigration, but would the checked bag (un)helpfully go directly on the international flight to YYZ?
I'm sure someone else has faced this before, but my search didn't turn up much.
Jul 7, 2016, 10:01 pm
#3
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Waiting patiently for the posts that say that this is, theft, fraud, unethical and illegal. . . . . . Yada, yada. . . . .
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Jul 8, 2016, 1:13 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Internet
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Posts: 714
You can ask for your bags to be short checked to Atlanta - say you need to change into a suit or whatever. Generally speaking, airlines will do this, although they will also warn you that re-checking the bags on time is your responsibility.
Hidden cities itineraries can go wrong though - note that there is no guarantee that you'll get to connect through Atlanta if there are irregular operations or a schedule change! You could easily be routed through another Delta hub (such as Detroit).
Hidden cities itineraries can go wrong though - note that there is no guarantee that you'll get to connect through Atlanta if there are irregular operations or a schedule change! You could easily be routed through another Delta hub (such as Detroit).
Jul 8, 2016, 2:21 am
#5
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You can ask for your bags to be short checked to Atlanta - say you need to change into a suit or whatever. Generally speaking, airlines will do this, although they will also warn you that re-checking the bags on time is your responsibility.
Hidden cities itineraries can go wrong though - note that there is no guarantee that you'll get to connect through Atlanta if there are irregular operations or a schedule change! You could easily be routed through another Delta hub (such as Detroit).
Hidden cities itineraries can go wrong though - note that there is no guarantee that you'll get to connect through Atlanta if there are irregular operations or a schedule change! You could easily be routed through another Delta hub (such as Detroit).
Jul 8, 2016, 3:26 am
#6
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You can ask for your bags to be short checked to Atlanta - say you need to change into a suit or whatever. Generally speaking, airlines will do this, although they will also warn you that re-checking the bags on time is your responsibility.
Hidden cities itineraries can go wrong though - note that there is no guarantee that you'll get to connect through Atlanta if there are irregular operations or a schedule change! You could easily be routed through another Delta hub (such as Detroit).
Hidden cities itineraries can go wrong though - note that there is no guarantee that you'll get to connect through Atlanta if there are irregular operations or a schedule change! You could easily be routed through another Delta hub (such as Detroit).
Jul 8, 2016, 5:50 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: Delta
Posts: 87
I've always been offered the option to purple tag my bags through ATL when doing international transfers. If you buy duty free you have to collect your bags on arrival at ATL so you can repack your liquid purchases; if you don't you lose them at security.
You then either hand them back to the folk manning the conveyor belts after customs or just walk out of the exit with them.
You then either hand them back to the folk manning the conveyor belts after customs or just walk out of the exit with them.
Jul 8, 2016, 6:00 am
#8
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I've always been offered the option to purple tag my bags through ATL when doing international transfers. If you buy duty free you have to collect your bags on arrival at ATL so you can repack your liquid purchases; if you don't you lose them at security.
You then either hand them back to the folk manning the conveyor belts after customs or just walk out of the exit with them.
You then either hand them back to the folk manning the conveyor belts after customs or just walk out of the exit with them.
Jul 8, 2016, 7:45 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
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Unless things have changed recently, INTL - INTL at ATL involves claiming the luggage, going through customs, and dropping off the luggage at the baggage re-check just as if you were connecting to a domestic flight.
In over 25 flights connecting INTL-INTL in the US during the past 5 years, the only place where I have been able to skip the baggage claim was MIA when arriving on a BA flight and connecting to an AA international flight, and this was only once. Other than that, standard procedure, be it in ATL, JFK, MIA, CLT, or PHL, has always been to claim the luggage and go through customs.
In over 25 flights connecting INTL-INTL in the US during the past 5 years, the only place where I have been able to skip the baggage claim was MIA when arriving on a BA flight and connecting to an AA international flight, and this was only once. Other than that, standard procedure, be it in ATL, JFK, MIA, CLT, or PHL, has always been to claim the luggage and go through customs.
Jul 8, 2016, 7:50 am
#10
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From http://www.atlanta-airport.com/inter...ger/types.html
3. International inbound connecting at Hartsfield-Jackson for International travel: These passengers are arriving in Atlanta from a city outside the United States to connect on an international flight for travel outside the United States.
Passengers arriving at gates on Concourse F will process through immigration and customs at the Concourse F Federal Inspection Station (FIS).
Passengers arriving at gates on Concourse E will process through immigration and customs at the Concourse E FIS.
After the immigration inspection, passengers pick up their checked baggage.
After the customs inspection, passengers’ checked baggage is rechecked and transferred to international connecting flights.
Passengers are required to pass through a security checkpoint.
To reach a connecting flight, passengers will follow signs to the Airport’s people mover system, The Plane Train, which connects the international concourses (E and F) to all other concourses and the domestic terminal.
Passengers arriving at gates on Concourse F will process through immigration and customs at the Concourse F Federal Inspection Station (FIS).
Passengers arriving at gates on Concourse E will process through immigration and customs at the Concourse E FIS.
After the immigration inspection, passengers pick up their checked baggage.
After the customs inspection, passengers’ checked baggage is rechecked and transferred to international connecting flights.
Passengers are required to pass through a security checkpoint.
To reach a connecting flight, passengers will follow signs to the Airport’s people mover system, The Plane Train, which connects the international concourses (E and F) to all other concourses and the domestic terminal.
Jul 8, 2016, 8:43 am
#11
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I know it's not from the ATL webpage, but here's the FAQ for DTW passengers that shows this is indeed a thing. DTW INTL-INTL Connections
Last edited by flyerCO; Jul 8, 2016 at 8:59 am
Jul 8, 2016, 8:56 am
#12
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Could you please then clarify what needs to be done during check-in to ensure my bags are sent to the final destination without being delivered to the carousel?
Jul 8, 2016, 9:18 am
#13
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If this is in fact the case, something must be wrong with my reservations then. As I said, in the last year alone I've connected INTL-INTL at MIA, JFK, and ATL, being JFK the most frequent one (7 times in the last 12 months), the rest only a few times. Last INTL-INTL connection was 3 weeks ago, and I had to drag my luggage through customs, turn in the customs form, and immediately recheck the bag.
Could you please then clarify what needs to be done during check-in to ensure my bags are sent to the final destination without being delivered to the carousel?
Could you please then clarify what needs to be done during check-in to ensure my bags are sent to the final destination without being delivered to the carousel?
Jul 8, 2016, 9:24 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
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I am aware of DTW and DFW (for some flights). I have yet another INTL-INTL connection, Delta-Delta in ATL twice next month so I will report back. It will be amazing if I don't have to claim my luggage!
Jul 8, 2016, 9:32 am
#15
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You can ask for your bags to be short checked to Atlanta - say you need to change into a suit or whatever. Generally speaking, airlines will do this, although they will also warn you that re-checking the bags on time is your responsibility.
Hidden cities itineraries can go wrong though - note that there is no guarantee that you'll get to connect through Atlanta if there are irregular operations or a schedule change! You could easily be routed through another Delta hub (such as Detroit).
Hidden cities itineraries can go wrong though - note that there is no guarantee that you'll get to connect through Atlanta if there are irregular operations or a schedule change! You could easily be routed through another Delta hub (such as Detroit).