Which concourse at AMS
May 12, 2016, 8:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Rockport TX
Posts: 21
Which concourse at AMS
We are connecting at AMS Saturday morning, from Houston to Copenhagen. These are United tickets, but the last leg from AMS to CPH is on SAS (with separate locator numbers, for some reason). I've hunted around to find out about transfer processes, with only some success, because our connection time is short. Which concourse will the United arriving flight use? I gather SAS flies out on concourse C. And for transfer, will there be a security line as well as passport control?
May 12, 2016, 9:15 am
#2
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
IIRC, United use the G pier, and SAS, as you noted, the C pier.
It's a simple enough transfer - you walk along G pier, through the departures lounge, along a travelator, through another departures lounge, then you reach the Schengen border, where you clear both immigration and security. You can then walk to C pier.
This is, however, quite a long walk. How short is short? I've made non-Schengen-to-Schengen connections (from D to C pier) of 45 minutes in the past, but wouldn't fancy getting to G pier in that time...
It's a simple enough transfer - you walk along G pier, through the departures lounge, along a travelator, through another departures lounge, then you reach the Schengen border, where you clear both immigration and security. You can then walk to C pier.
This is, however, quite a long walk. How short is short? I've made non-Schengen-to-Schengen connections (from D to C pier) of 45 minutes in the past, but wouldn't fancy getting to G pier in that time...
May 12, 2016, 10:08 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,405
After the security, transit passenger join the non-Schengen departure level. Going to concourse B/C (Schengen departures) meant going through immigration, which is located where it used to be. The main difference is, that you pass security before joining the departure level.
It should be the same for all non-schengen concourses ( https://insideflyer.nl/schiphol-central-security/ )
If everything is on one ticket, I wouldn't worry too much. If it doesn't work out, it's going to be their problem*
*Unless of course, you deliberately miss the flight by wasting time on shopping, eating, etc...
May 12, 2016, 10:43 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Rockport TX
Posts: 21
Where would the passport/immigration be? Exiting the arriving plane's concourse? Mostly I want to know, Will it be obvious where to go? Any English signs?
Thanks for the info. I've read about the new procedures but really don't have it clear in my mind.
No plans to shop!! Or eat!
Thanks for the info. I've read about the new procedures but really don't have it clear in my mind.
No plans to shop!! Or eat!
May 12, 2016, 11:24 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,405
On the departure level, separating Schengen from Non-Schengen.
Yes. Yes. We're talking about the 5th largest airport in Europe (in terms of passenger volume) not an airstrip in central Africa. 
There are lots of signs in English and Dutch. They usually indicate an approximate walking distance (in minutes). And there is plenty of staff that can point you in the right direction. The chances of getting lost are extremely limited.
Flights from the US should (at least theoretically) not be subjected to security and passenger will deboard directly onto the departure level.
There are lots of signs in English and Dutch. They usually indicate an approximate walking distance (in minutes). And there is plenty of staff that can point you in the right direction. The chances of getting lost are extremely limited. Flights from the US should (at least theoretically) not be subjected to security and passenger will deboard directly onto the departure level.
May 12, 2016, 3:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 7,560
- anywhere in Schengen
- anywhere in the EU
- the USA
This all changed last June.
May 13, 2016, 1:14 am
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 68,928
You should have no problem as far as the walk is concerned.
May 13, 2016, 1:44 am
#10
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
I looked at Google Maps, and the walk from halfway down G pier to halfway down C pier is about 0.8 miles, so around a 15-minute walk (with travelators to help you on one section).
May 13, 2016, 2:05 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,405
He's probably more concerned about queues at immigration. On occasions I've waited 20 or 30 minutes in line (that was however before they introduced central security and everybody got checked right after immigration). The fast track for short connections (the flights qualifying for it, are displayed at the entry to it) should however be a lot quicker.
In Februar the wait was ~5 minutes (in both direction, but at different times of the day).
In Februar the wait was ~5 minutes (in both direction, but at different times of the day).
May 13, 2016, 8:29 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
If you are late because of queues in immigration/security, the airline is not responsible.
They are still likely to book you on the next flight, but will not be responsible for any meals/hotels/expanses or give you any compensation under EC261.