rcad

Hey everyone,

I am trying to book two separate tickets for a friend from DXB to CDG with Turkish Airlines (Lands in Terminal 1) and CDG to YYC with WestJet (Departs from Terminal 2E). I know that if you have checked bags that it is not possible to transfer to your next flight without clearing customs, but is it possible without checked bags? My friend has a Canadian permanent residency so they can transit through CDG but cannot get out of the airport. Any help/advice on this would be great.

Thanks in advance

Goldorak

Hello and welcome to Flyertalk
First, 2 remarks, TK doesn't fly DXB-CDG unless you meant that your friend will connect in IST and do DXB-IST-CDG. You ask about customs, but customs should be the least of your problem. I believe your question is about immigration and not customs (which are 2 different things). I understand your friend has a (non-Canadian) citizenship requiring a Schengen visa if coming to France so you intend to have them staying airside in CDG.
if all of this is correct, I strongly discourage you to book this as separate tickets. Indeed your friend will likely be denied boarding in DXB by the 1st airline because for them, he/she is flying to CDG as final destination in their dossier and he/she will not have the proper visa to enter France. I understand there will be a separate ticket to YYC, but there is a significant risk that the airline will not consider it and they can have a high fine by French authorities to have sent someone without the proper credentials.
You need to book this trip as a single ticket. AF and Westjet have a code-share agreement so you can easily booked under one ticket DXB-CDG-YYC, 1st flight being on AF metal and 2nd flight on Westjet. Another advantage is that it will be an intra-2E connection.
I hope this helps.

rcad

I apologize for the confusion. That is indeed what I meant. Ah, that makes sense. I was wondering that since I was planning to buy standby tickets for them since confirmed tickets are off the roof right now and booking them on the same itinerary was not possible (due to travel companion restrictions for different airlines). I will continue looking for other options in that case. Thanks for your help

TWA884

Since your friend cannot enter France, flying on a standby ticket is a recipe for disaster; flights between North America and Europe are extremely full and your friend's chances of getting on flying on a buddy pass or an industry discount ticket - which have a low boarding priority - are rather poor.

rcad

The flight from Paris to Canada on our intended date was surprisingly empty. Fortunately, being an airline employee, I had access to precise flight loads for the flight to Canada, and my friend, as my travel companion, enjoyed the same priority as me. I had full confidence that even in a worst-case scenario, I could have utilized my confirmed ticket vouchers and travel bank credits to secure their spot if things got too tight. Nevertheless, I agree. Cancellations can happen and Goldorak's response was something I was scared off to begin with, so my friend decided to get a confirmed ticket. Its a shame I could have the second leg covered but couldn't get both legs on the same booking with limited partner deals for companions, but that's the way she goes. Thank you both for your insights.

kerouac2

I just did BKK-CDG on a jump seat and it cooled me down from long standby flights. Until next time.