Connection at PHL
 

Hey guys,

So, my first time flying will be in April (I'm almost 22 years old and I haven't flown before, hard to believe, eh?) So I'm nervous but I have a couple questions.

What can I expect? Any suggestions for first time adult flyers? I bought the ticket on expedia.ca (it's an e-ticket).

I will have one checked back (clothes mostly) and one carry on (laptop)

I fly from Halifax (YHZ) at 7 am to PHL, I arrive there at 8:30 am. I fly out again to LAX at 10 am. So a total layover of 90 minutes.

Do I have to pick up my checked bag then go through security/customs again when I land in PHL? Or what?

Is my layover even enough time?

Thanks guys, I'm nervous but also very excited.

It appears that there is a US Customs preclearance facility at YHZ. If you clear customs/immigration there, then you are considered a domestic passenger and you can check your bag through to LAX. You will not have to reclaim it and re-check it at PHL.

90 minutes should be plenty of time for this connection, provided your YHZ-PHL flight is reasonably on time. As soon as you arrive at PHL, look for the nearest set of TV screens showing departing flights. Look for your PHL-LAX flight and go to that terminal/gate.

You don't say which airline you are flying, but I presume it is US. If that is the case, then you may arrive at Terminal F (this is where the regional jets usually end up). Your PHL-LAX flight will leave from Terminal B/C. Take the free inter-terminal shuttle bus; this will allow you to get from F to B/C without having to go through security again in PHL.

Thanks so much :) I was a bit worried about customs/security, now I'm not at all.

I will be flying US Airways for the whole flight.

I believe the flight from Halifax to Phila is a regional jet operated by Republic Airways. In that case it is likely to come into the main terminal - B/C gates - and you will not likely need to take the inter-terminal shuttle. Just check the TV screen for the gate for your outbound flight.

+1 and welcome to FT, bnosam. Have a great first flight.

Bobette

I'm sure you will enjoy your first flights (although nothing like it was when I took my first flight many years ago!).

Here is a handy guide to PHL courtesy of the folks over at the US forum:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-ai...a-airport.html

In general, PHL is a pretty easy airport for transfers (as long as things are running on time) and has some decent shopping and food options.

Enjoy! :)

Thanks guys. This helped me a lot. Now one more question:
Should I buy travel health insurance?

That's a tough one and I think only you can do the risk analysis. If you end up in the ER/hospital in the US, you are going to be paying a LOT of money for it, but then again, what are the chances, and are you able to pay out of pocket in any case? I know a lot of people coming from the UK buy it as a regular thing. Best to ask a Canadian crowd, not people from the US, because our insurance works very differently than yours.