European Entry/Exit System (EES) - experiences as BA passengers | master thread
Feb 27, 2026 | 10:26 am
#466
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Glasgow
Programs: OWE
Posts: 450
Landed in BER this afternoon.
EES machines being used.
Different design to those I saw in LUX, had a little trouble taking my finger prints, but aside from that fine.
Then into immigration hall, queue wasn’t too bad, with 3 desks for all passports and 1 for EU passports open beside the e-gates.
Looks like some people skipped the EES Machines as they had pictures and prints taken at the desk, but when I arrived it was a quick passport check, couple of questions then stamp and on my way.
Overall couldn’t have been more than 20 minutes.
EES machines being used.
Different design to those I saw in LUX, had a little trouble taking my finger prints, but aside from that fine.
Then into immigration hall, queue wasn’t too bad, with 3 desks for all passports and 1 for EU passports open beside the e-gates.
Looks like some people skipped the EES Machines as they had pictures and prints taken at the desk, but when I arrived it was a quick passport check, couple of questions then stamp and on my way.
Overall couldn’t have been more than 20 minutes.
Feb 27, 2026 | 11:11 am
#467
FlyerTalk Posting Legend and Ambassador: The British Airways Club
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, HH Diamond
Posts: 48,307
People who had used the machines also had duplication of prints and photos taken at the desk. I have had the same At BER, and also had the same at DUS a few weeks ago. I am sure someone will come along and concoct some reason why this makes sense, but it really doesnt.
Feb 27, 2026 | 12:25 pm
#468
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Berlin
Programs: BAC Gold, Marriott LTP, QR Plat
Posts: 1,255
seriously, DO NOT ask for a reason why Berlin bureaucrats do anything!! (We just ordered/bought a new city tram 2 years ago and after careful testing and evaluation, noticed a day before general introduction, that it is to heavy for some routes over subway tunnels... and may I remind you of our endless saga with the "new" BER airport? I am born here and I just accept it is a failed city)
Last edited by nilsfr69; Mar 1, 2026 at 4:06 pm
Mar 1, 2026 | 2:32 pm
#469
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: England
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 716
Landed in MUC on 26/2/26 my first visit to Europe since the rules changed. Straight to kiosk , no request to register biometrics , when I queried , I was told no not required. Passport stamped -through in less than a minute.
Exit took about 30 minutes on 1/3/26 as not enough police/border guards for the number of passengers. Again just a check and a stamp.
Exit took about 30 minutes on 1/3/26 as not enough police/border guards for the number of passengers. Again just a check and a stamp.
Last edited by Yetak; Mar 1, 2026 at 3:01 pm
Mar 3, 2026 | 7:39 am
#470
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Glasgow
Programs: OWE
Posts: 450
Flew home from BER yesterday.
Didn't realise that we had a "private" passport control so ended up leaving the lounge a lot earlier than needed to make sure we didn't get caught up.
No EES machine, was just the usual passport review by the border guard, and no pictures or fingerprints taken.
Didn't realise that we had a "private" passport control so ended up leaving the lounge a lot earlier than needed to make sure we didn't get caught up.
No EES machine, was just the usual passport review by the border guard, and no pictures or fingerprints taken.
Mar 3, 2026 | 8:33 am
#472
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAC GfL; TK Elite; FB Platinum; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 7,774
BRU very quiet this morning both in and out from what I could see, though I was transitting. The transit route was closed but they opened it for me, would probably have been quicker to go landside and back
Mar 3, 2026 | 8:44 am
#473
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester
Programs: BA Gold, VS Gold
Posts: 321
Mar 3, 2026 | 11:53 am
#474
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: BAEC (Silver(for a few more hours)) , Accor (Gold) , IHG , Nectar
Posts: 1,157
Mar 3, 2026 | 12:19 pm
#475
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAC GfL; TK Elite; FB Platinum; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 7,774
Mar 3, 2026 | 2:04 pm
#476
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: BA Executive Club, Bronze
Posts: 452
Zurich at midday today. Kiosks available but ignored and went straight to the immigration booths were there was no queue. Fingerprints taken and through in 2 minutes. Quickest I've been through Zurich in a while.
Mar 4, 2026 | 1:41 am
#477
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Berlin
Programs: BAC Gold, Marriott LTP, QR Plat
Posts: 1,255
Flew home from BER yesterday.
Didn't realise that we had a "private" passport control so ended up leaving the lounge a lot earlier than needed to make sure we didn't get caught up.
No EES machine, was just the usual passport review by the border guard, and no pictures or fingerprints taken.
Didn't realise that we had a "private" passport control so ended up leaving the lounge a lot earlier than needed to make sure we didn't get caught up.
No EES machine, was just the usual passport review by the border guard, and no pictures or fingerprints taken.
Mar 4, 2026 | 2:04 am
#478
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Glasgow
Programs: OWE
Posts: 450
Mar 4, 2026 | 3:33 am
#479
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,429
As many smaller airports have their lounges in the Schengen part only (so non-Schengen passengers have to go to the passport check after the lounge) some even have their lounges landside so you need to go through security too after the lounge. It seems to be getting even more difficult how to decide how early to get to the gate.
If you miss your flight does it come down to the airline to rebook you, or is it considered your responsibility however long the lines may be?
If you miss your flight does it come down to the airline to rebook you, or is it considered your responsibility however long the lines may be?
Mar 4, 2026 | 5:09 am
#480
Moderator: Iberia Club, Airport Lounges and Ambassador: The British Airways Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 70,892
BA's general view seems to be that if 148 people made the flight, and two did not, then the responsibility for this is not on the airline. But at some of the problematic places have just rebooked people to the next service, particularly if the numbers involved suggest an airport issue.