Customs at FLL/BWI on southwest
Jul 27, 2017, 9:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 28
Customs at FLL/BWI on southwest
Flying from Punta Cana on Southwest back into the US. Have two options:
Option #1 : PUJ to FLL, 90 minute layover. FLL to ALB
Option #2 : PUJ to BWI, 2.5 hour layover. BWI to ALB
Option #1 is $50 cheaper. But is there enough time (90 minutes at FLL) to clear customs and get bags and get onto next flight? Has anyone else tried this before?
Option #1 : PUJ to FLL, 90 minute layover. FLL to ALB
Option #2 : PUJ to BWI, 2.5 hour layover. BWI to ALB
Option #1 is $50 cheaper. But is there enough time (90 minutes at FLL) to clear customs and get bags and get onto next flight? Has anyone else tried this before?
Jul 28, 2017, 10:07 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ/MGA
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Posts: 7,607
I connected in FLL from SDQ years ago when AA offered a super deal out of there and it was pretty easy. Might have been before Spirit saturated the airport though.
TSA wait time web site might offer a clue.
TSA wait time web site might offer a clue.
Aug 1, 2017, 9:57 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 616
Flying from Punta Cana on Southwest back into the US. Have two options:
Option #1 : PUJ to FLL, 90 minute layover. FLL to ALB
Option #2 : PUJ to BWI, 2.5 hour layover. BWI to ALB
Option #1 is $50 cheaper. But is there enough time (90 minutes at FLL) to clear customs and get bags and get onto next flight? Has anyone else tried this before?
Option #1 : PUJ to FLL, 90 minute layover. FLL to ALB
Option #2 : PUJ to BWI, 2.5 hour layover. BWI to ALB
Option #1 is $50 cheaper. But is there enough time (90 minutes at FLL) to clear customs and get bags and get onto next flight? Has anyone else tried this before?
Aug 1, 2017, 10:16 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2017
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Posts: 49
Just flew Southwest Airlines international GCM/FLL/PHX/SLC a week ago with 105 minutes between between flights. Cleared customs at FLL easily and still had time to grab something to eat.
Aug 1, 2017, 11:13 am
#5
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Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Flying from Punta Cana on Southwest back into the US. Have two options:
Option #1 : PUJ to FLL, 90 minute layover. FLL to ALB
Option #2 : PUJ to BWI, 2.5 hour layover. BWI to ALB
Option #1 is $50 cheaper. But is there enough time (90 minutes at FLL) to clear customs and get bags and get onto next flight? Has anyone else tried this before?
Option #1 : PUJ to FLL, 90 minute layover. FLL to ALB
Option #2 : PUJ to BWI, 2.5 hour layover. BWI to ALB
Option #1 is $50 cheaper. But is there enough time (90 minutes at FLL) to clear customs and get bags and get onto next flight? Has anyone else tried this before?
Aug 6, 2017, 5:31 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 28
when you landed in FLL, you have to clear customs but do you have to get your bags onto the next flight? or does southwest do that for you?
Aug 6, 2017, 6:52 am
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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Posts: 50,262
If WN is selling the connection, it is at or above MCT and the risk of a misconnect falls on WN, e.g. you will be rebooked.
But, checking PUJ-ALB for all days next week, I can't find a PUJ-ALB ticket on WN connecting at ALB (all kinds of other connections). Are you considering two tickets with no connection?
But, checking PUJ-ALB for all days next week, I can't find a PUJ-ALB ticket on WN connecting at ALB (all kinds of other connections). Are you considering two tickets with no connection?
Sep 25, 2017, 6:19 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 799
BWI MCT Int-Dom
Related question: 100 minute connection in BWI between Wow Air arriving from REK and Southwest flying to MSY.
2 tickets (though I could book through Kiwi.com which "guarantees" the connection - FWIW).
Connection is last flight of the day to MSY; should I gamble this? (Other option is to fly Norwegian from LGW to DEN with 4 hour lay over in DEN; real premium economy (travel time 5 hours longer and $ 400 more expensive); then DEN-MSY on Southwest.
2 tickets (though I could book through Kiwi.com which "guarantees" the connection - FWIW).
Connection is last flight of the day to MSY; should I gamble this? (Other option is to fly Norwegian from LGW to DEN with 4 hour lay over in DEN; real premium economy (travel time 5 hours longer and $ 400 more expensive); then DEN-MSY on Southwest.
Sep 25, 2017, 9:32 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
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Posts: 9,467
Related question: 100 minute connection in BWI between Wow Air arriving from REK and Southwest flying to MSY.
2 tickets (though I could book through Kiwi.com which "guarantees" the connection - FWIW).
Connection is last flight of the day to MSY; should I gamble this? (Other option is to fly Norwegian from LGW to DEN with 4 hour lay over in DEN; real premium economy (travel time 5 hours longer and $ 400 more expensive); then DEN-MSY on Southwest.
2 tickets (though I could book through Kiwi.com which "guarantees" the connection - FWIW).
Connection is last flight of the day to MSY; should I gamble this? (Other option is to fly Norwegian from LGW to DEN with 4 hour lay over in DEN; real premium economy (travel time 5 hours longer and $ 400 more expensive); then DEN-MSY on Southwest.
Not sure that helps much....
Sep 25, 2017, 10:36 am
#10
Join Date: May 2002
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Posts: 3,305
Related question: 100 minute connection in BWI between Wow Air arriving from REK and Southwest flying to MSY.
2 tickets (though I could book through Kiwi.com which "guarantees" the connection - FWIW).
Connection is last flight of the day to MSY; should I gamble this? (Other option is to fly Norwegian from LGW to DEN with 4 hour lay over in DEN; real premium economy (travel time 5 hours longer and $ 400 more expensive); then DEN-MSY on Southwest.
2 tickets (though I could book through Kiwi.com which "guarantees" the connection - FWIW).
Connection is last flight of the day to MSY; should I gamble this? (Other option is to fly Norwegian from LGW to DEN with 4 hour lay over in DEN; real premium economy (travel time 5 hours longer and $ 400 more expensive); then DEN-MSY on Southwest.
Sep 25, 2017, 2:05 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Paradise
Posts: 1,617
Related question: 100 minute connection in BWI between Wow Air arriving from REK and Southwest flying to MSY.
2 tickets (though I could book through Kiwi.com which "guarantees" the connection - FWIW).
Connection is last flight of the day to MSY; should I gamble this? (Other option is to fly Norwegian from LGW to DEN with 4 hour lay over in DEN; real premium economy (travel time 5 hours longer and $ 400 more expensive); then DEN-MSY on Southwest.
2 tickets (though I could book through Kiwi.com which "guarantees" the connection - FWIW).
Connection is last flight of the day to MSY; should I gamble this? (Other option is to fly Norwegian from LGW to DEN with 4 hour lay over in DEN; real premium economy (travel time 5 hours longer and $ 400 more expensive); then DEN-MSY on Southwest.
Other than that, the connection is certainly doable, although I personally wouldn't use such a short same day I-D connection.
Sep 25, 2017, 4:50 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlanta but Washington DC will always be home.
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I wouldn't risk it. You'll come into E on Wow, and almost all of SOuthwest's last flights are from A or B. You'll clear customs at E, have to walk to A to check bags and clear security (Southwest only does domestic check-in at that hour at the A-B entrance) and then walk to your gates.
This all is assuming that Wow is on time (it often isn't) and that you don't happen to arrive at the same time as BA or Condor. It doesn't happen often, but when it does Immigration is hosed. Hosed.
I'd take the real economy+ and decent connection even if it is $400. If $$$ make the decision, do BWI and stay at the Red Roof Inn +. It's clean and comfortable, newly renovated - wouldn't stay there for a week but its absolutely fine for 1 night. Rates from $50-80.
This all is assuming that Wow is on time (it often isn't) and that you don't happen to arrive at the same time as BA or Condor. It doesn't happen often, but when it does Immigration is hosed. Hosed.
I'd take the real economy+ and decent connection even if it is $400. If $$$ make the decision, do BWI and stay at the Red Roof Inn +. It's clean and comfortable, newly renovated - wouldn't stay there for a week but its absolutely fine for 1 night. Rates from $50-80.
Sep 25, 2017, 5:06 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2004
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I agree with all posters.
Connecting between airlines isn't as much of a problem. Connecting ON TO an int'l airline leaving from a different terminal, with once a day service is a misconnect waiting to happen.
Not to mention no luggage interlining, and the fact that WOW often will not print a boarding pass at online checkin in favor of "see airport checkin agent" page.
WOW offers no rebooking for missed flights, and I'm sure their fares at t-24 hours are atrocious.
Connecting between airlines isn't as much of a problem. Connecting ON TO an int'l airline leaving from a different terminal, with once a day service is a misconnect waiting to happen.
Not to mention no luggage interlining, and the fact that WOW often will not print a boarding pass at online checkin in favor of "see airport checkin agent" page.
WOW offers no rebooking for missed flights, and I'm sure their fares at t-24 hours are atrocious.
Sep 25, 2017, 5:44 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
I think the question posed is connecting ONTO WN at BWI from WOW.
But definitely, a once a day service from REK is going to wait until its good and ready before leaving. I like the idea carrying on bags, the cheap Red Roof as insurance & getting WN's flat tire help for the next day if money is a factor and time isn't.
But definitely, a once a day service from REK is going to wait until its good and ready before leaving. I like the idea carrying on bags, the cheap Red Roof as insurance & getting WN's flat tire help for the next day if money is a factor and time isn't.
Last edited by joshua362; Sep 26, 2017 at 6:46 am
Sep 25, 2017, 6:19 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Northern New Jersey
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The WOW flight will come into pier E where you will clear Customs/Immigration. Your WN flight will depart from A or B (possibly C, but not likely). BWI is my home airport, but I have only cleared there once. It worked well, but I wasn't there during prime time. Your walk between gates will be between 15 and 25 mins.
Not sure that helps much....
Not sure that helps much....
I would recommend staying overnight in BWI. If everything goes well, you can make a night out of it (Inner Harbor, Fells Point, ect...). Should things not go as planned, You will have plenty of time to recover.