Transiting in GVA?
Feb 6, 2011 | 7:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,810
Transiting in GVA?
I'm a Canadian citizen. On Saturday I'm arriving at GVA on an AC flight from YUL, connecting to an LX flight to BCN. I've never transited through GVA before and I'm unclear on the procedures on the immigration front. Switzerland isn't part of the EU, so will I go through passport control at GVA? Or BCN? Or both?
The GVA web site isn't too clear on this front...
The GVA web site isn't too clear on this front...
Feb 7, 2011 | 9:53 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: GVA,OPO
Programs: BD the last decent FFP
Posts: 1,861
GVA is pretty small, it will be pretty smooth, so you'll clear passport control downstairs, as you'll arrive at the C gates, and you'll have to clear security to go upstairs as with everybody who is arriving from outside EU for departures to the A gates (Schengen), . If you're towards the front 10minutes I'd say are enough.
GBM
Feb 11, 2011 | 7:40 am
#4
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GVA
Programs: BA Bronze, LH FTL, KL/AF Ivory
Posts: 1,941
Actually the AC flight usually uses the island B gates (unless things have changed), but the process is the same. Get off the plane, down underground, through immigration (usually moves fairly quickly, but try and be one of the first off the plane), travellator back to main terminal, before hitting the luggage belts, turn left, through security and back up to the departure hall. I've never ever seen more than 1 or 2 people at transit security.
Feb 13, 2011 | 1:42 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,810
Actually the AC flight usually uses the island B gates (unless things have changed), but the process is the same. Get off the plane, down underground, through immigration (usually moves fairly quickly, but try and be one of the first off the plane), travellator back to main terminal, before hitting the luggage belts, turn left, through security and back up to the departure hall. I've never ever seen more than 1 or 2 people at transit security.
Did the flight yesterday and it was mostly as you describe, except that we boarded buses to the main terminal and I was connecting to a Swiss flight to BCA so I didn't claim any baggage.
Transit security was very light. Shoes stayed on and I suspect laptops could have stayed in my bag as well...