photojojo

An opportunity popped up to attend an ice driving school near KTT so I jumped on it. ... Then I found out how hard it is to get to the arctic circle. LOL. Oops.

In order to max my BIS miles on DL, it looks like the best route would be CVG-JFK-AMS-HEL getting in around 1015, and then recheck on Finnair for the HEL-KTT flight. There is an 1125 flight that would be idea in order to make sure I catch the bus with the rest of the group. The last time I was in HEL was just before 9/11 so I have no idea how long it would take to get my bag and get back through security. Is it doable or should I come out the day before and enjoy an afternoon in Helsinki in the middle of February.?

cistavoda

With checked bags, no way.

HotelWhiskey

With checked bags you can forget that. I flew AY with checked bags from HEL on 30.7. and it took me 2,5 hours to get from the check in queue to the gate

photojojo

Yikes! Where is the bottleneck? At the ticket counter or security? Would only packing a carry-on be better?

Am I correct to assume AY is like most American carriers and I'm allowed a laptop satchel along with my roller?

ffay005

It doesn't usually take 2.5 hours. Right now, my usual experience is that once you've cleared all inspections and reach the baggage claim, the bags are already there or will appear in less than five minutes. However, 70 min on two separate tickets and with current health inspections will only work with a lot of good luck. Have that plane 15 min delayed and/or a stand arrival, and you're out of luck even with a carry-on only. Sorry.

HBO only would have you arrive in the transit hall, with only a health inspection before you can go straight to your KTT gate (if you have a BP). I still wouldn't risk it. The health aunties can be slow and there could be long queues.

mpkz

2.5 hours is not normal (took me <10 minutes today in the middle of the day though that was with priority check-in and no line at security) but if you are unlucky and come to the airport at a busy time, you may end up waiting a lot at both check in but especially security. Check-in is less problematic since the check-in machines are rarely the bottleneck and the automatic bag drop usually works well, but there can be lines there too.

Arrival can also vary a bit since passengers arriving from AMS will have to undergo a health documents check which can have lines.

Finnair officially allows 1 piece of hand luggage + 1 personal item, though if your flight is an ATR and your hand luggage is the same size that I often see on american flights you may have to check it.

Anyway, a bit above 1h is risky even in normal times, so with the additional health documents check I would probably just arrive earlier to be safe..

WilcoRoger

What MIGHT work, is flying DL until AMS only and fly AY AMS-HEL-KTT - this way your bags are checked through and you just need to pass the health aunties airside.

Still, you have the same questions in AMS, but maybe there's a longer layover or something

mxracer95

Arctic Circle Raceway is one of my bucket list items. Enjoy!!!

Courmisch

The safest option would be to get everything on a single booking. Some HEL-KTT flights are available from AF.

photojojo

I looked in to that (DL can get me to AMS, CDG, MUC pretty easily) but the fare (Delta 0ne) was ~50% higher and so was the AMS-HEL-KTT. MUC/CDG-HEL-KTT were all several hours with a connection.

Courmisch I didn't see that option anywhere, but I'll do a deep dive this week to see if I can find it.