Almost embarrasing noobie question
Mar 23, 2010 | 5:10 pm
#1
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Almost embarrasing noobie question
Hello, I'm planning my first international flight. I've heard you need to arrive at the airport 3 hours before your flight to check in and go thru security. I am not taking a direct flight. Do I need to plan to have at least 3 hours on my layover, or do I go thru the necessary steps for international travel before the first leg of my flight? Thanks in advance!
Mar 23, 2010 | 5:15 pm
#2
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You mean you are first flying a domestic flight and then connecting to an international flight?
If thats the case, just follow the domestic timeframe for checking in.
There is no need for a 3 hour layover as well.
The 3 hours is really unnecessary anyway, even if departing on an international flight.
If thats the case, just follow the domestic timeframe for checking in.
There is no need for a 3 hour layover as well.
The 3 hours is really unnecessary anyway, even if departing on an international flight.
Mar 23, 2010 | 5:15 pm
#3
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Welcome to posting on FlyerTalk, fd76180. To have the best answer to your Q., the community will need to know where you're connecting and the airline(s) involved. If, for example, your connection is in the U.S. and to the same airline, then 45 minutes to an hour should be ample. If your connection is overseas and to another airline, you may definitely need more time, including for customs/immigration checks.
Mar 23, 2010 | 5:21 pm
#5
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Welcome to posting on FlyerTalk, fd76180. To have the best answer to your Q., the community will need to know where you're connecting and the airline(s) involved. If, for example, your connection is in the U.S. and to the same airline, then 45 minutes to an hour should be ample. If your connection is overseas and to another airline, you may definitely need more time, including for customs/immigration checks.
I'm flying UA from DFW to ORD to FRA.
Mar 23, 2010 | 5:26 pm
#6
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In that case, when you check in at DFW, you should receive boarding passes for both of your flights and any bags should be checked through from DFW to FRA.
When you arrive at ORD, you should just need the basic domestic connecting time to go from the arrival gate of your DFW flight to the departure gate of your flight to FRA. If you have further Qs. about this process, post that and I can move the thread to our United forum for further discussion.
When you arrive at ORD, you should just need the basic domestic connecting time to go from the arrival gate of your DFW flight to the departure gate of your flight to FRA. If you have further Qs. about this process, post that and I can move the thread to our United forum for further discussion.
Mar 23, 2010 | 7:01 pm
#7
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While your question has been answered, one hint that may help. Sign up for flight paging from United if you are carrying a phone that can get text messages. Once the plane touches down in Chicago you will get two pages while you are heading towards the gate. One will tell you you are arriving and which gate that is at, the other should tell you which gate your departing flight is from. You can check the airport map in the back of seatback magazine to get an idea as to where you have to go.
Always check the monitors to confirm, but just knowing if you turn right or left when you get off the plane really helps.
Always check the monitors to confirm, but just knowing if you turn right or left when you get off the plane really helps.
Mar 23, 2010 | 9:07 pm
#8
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While your question has been answered, one hint that may help. Sign up for flight paging from United if you are carrying a phone that can get text messages. Once the plane touches down in Chicago you will get two pages while you are heading towards the gate. One will tell you you are arriving and which gate that is at, the other should tell you which gate your departing flight is from. You can check the airport map in the back of seatback magazine to get an idea as to where you have to go.
Always check the monitors to confirm, but just knowing if you turn right or left when you get off the plane really helps.
Always check the monitors to confirm, but just knowing if you turn right or left when you get off the plane really helps.
Mar 23, 2010 | 10:17 pm
#9
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You need a 3 hour layover in ORD because your DFW->ORD flight has a significant chance of being up to 2 hours late. That's just the nature of ORD. Missing an overseas flight may mean being stranded until the next day, since there are not that many overseas flights to any given destination.
Choose shoes and carry-on baggage so that you can run to your connecting gate if necessary.
On the return, if you connect in the US, be sure to book a long enough layover for US immigration and customs, which you will do at the first airport you land at in the US.
Choose shoes and carry-on baggage so that you can run to your connecting gate if necessary.
On the return, if you connect in the US, be sure to book a long enough layover for US immigration and customs, which you will do at the first airport you land at in the US.
Mar 24, 2010 | 1:31 pm
#10
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Hello, I'm planning my first international flight. I've heard you need to arrive at the airport 3 hours before your flight to check in and go thru security. I am not taking a direct flight. Do I need to plan to have at least 3 hours on my layover, or do I go thru the necessary steps for international travel before the first leg of my flight? Thanks in advance!
A general rule of thumb is to give yourself more time than you need.
There are factors that can hurt you time wise, many of which you cannot anticipate..car breakdowns, traffic problems, trains, parking, and issues with security at the airport.
3 hours is usually fine for international flight, but give yourself 4. If you are too early and have to kill the time, fine..get a drink, a bite to eat. Better to have too much time than too little.
I avoid connections as much as possible, but 3 hours should give you enough of a window in case your first flight is delayed. Is the connection also international? Same airline or different?
Mar 24, 2010 | 5:18 pm
#11
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Won't the OP need to get to the airpoprt a little earlier than fellow passengers who are just going to ORD and/or connecting to other US-bound flights in ORD, because a human has to check his/her passport?
We fly out of MCI so flights to Europe always involve at least one connection. At least with AA, we haven't been able to check in on-line the night before and, when using a kiosk at the airport, we've had to wait for an employee to verify that we have valid passports. The last 2 times we've flown Business and I've just used the Business Class line, so it may change and it may vary by airline.
I agree, though, that getting to DFW 3 hours early isn't necessary.
We fly out of MCI so flights to Europe always involve at least one connection. At least with AA, we haven't been able to check in on-line the night before and, when using a kiosk at the airport, we've had to wait for an employee to verify that we have valid passports. The last 2 times we've flown Business and I've just used the Business Class line, so it may change and it may vary by airline.
I agree, though, that getting to DFW 3 hours early isn't necessary.
Mar 24, 2010 | 5:22 pm
#12
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Won't the OP need to get to the airpoprt a little earlier than fellow passengers who are just going to ORD and/or connecting to other US-bound flights in ORD, because a human has to check his/her passport?
We fly out of MCI so flights to Europe always involve at least one connection. At least with AA, we haven't been able to check in on-line the night before and, when using a kiosk at the airport, we've had to wait for an employee to verify that we have valid passports. The last 2 times we've flown Business and I've just used the Business Class line, so it may change and it may vary by airline.
I agree, though, that getting to DFW 3 hours early isn't necessary.
We fly out of MCI so flights to Europe always involve at least one connection. At least with AA, we haven't been able to check in on-line the night before and, when using a kiosk at the airport, we've had to wait for an employee to verify that we have valid passports. The last 2 times we've flown Business and I've just used the Business Class line, so it may change and it may vary by airline.
I agree, though, that getting to DFW 3 hours early isn't necessary.
use the chicken kiosks and swipe the passport, or,
use the check-in counters
This does not add any more time than would to a domestic flight with luggage.
I'd say 90 mins is probably fine. 60 would probably be ok, but pushing it if the OP doesn't have elite status.
Mar 24, 2010 | 6:05 pm
#13
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You need a 3 hour layover in ORD because your DFW->ORD flight has a significant chance of being up to 2 hours late. That's just the nature of ORD. Missing an overseas flight may mean being stranded until the next day, since there are not that many overseas flights to any given destination.
Choose shoes and carry-on baggage so that you can run to your connecting gate if necessary.
On the return, if you connect in the US, be sure to book a long enough layover for US immigration and customs, which you will do at the first airport you land at in the US.
Choose shoes and carry-on baggage so that you can run to your connecting gate if necessary.
On the return, if you connect in the US, be sure to book a long enough layover for US immigration and customs, which you will do at the first airport you land at in the US.
The DFW to ORD flight should be just fine. It's the flight leaving from ORD that I'd be worried about. If anything I think one hour layover in ORD is enough, especially since his flight going there is most likely a morning flight so there won't be a back log.
Ideally, he'd also only have minimal carry-on baggage (or none) so that he can run. Maybe that's what you meant.
For the return it is important to have at least 1.5 hours if not 2. The lines can get very long for immigration. Then you will have to pick up the luggage and then go through customs. After customs you will have to re-check the luggage to your next destination. All of that takes time.
Till
Mar 24, 2010 | 6:12 pm
#14
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For an inexperienced flier, more time is better than less. Like someone else posted already: if you're early, have a drink or a bite to eat. With multiple flights (I am sure) available from DFW-ORD, taking an earlier flight also provides a cushion if the flight is cancelled, as another possible connecting flight will be available in the event a rebooking is needed.
I am an experienced flier and when I connect - especially through a major airport like ORD - I book the extra time. Of course, as an experienced flier with the right credentials, I also have a lounge available for killing time.
I am an experienced flier and when I connect - especially through a major airport like ORD - I book the extra time. Of course, as an experienced flier with the right credentials, I also have a lounge available for killing time.
Mar 24, 2010 | 10:14 pm
#15
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Im not so sure if I understand this advice.
The DFW to ORD flight should be just fine. It's the flight leaving from ORD that I'd be worried about. If anything I think one hour layover in ORD is enough, especially since his flight going there is most likely a morning flight so there won't be a back log.
The DFW to ORD flight should be just fine. It's the flight leaving from ORD that I'd be worried about. If anything I think one hour layover in ORD is enough, especially since his flight going there is most likely a morning flight so there won't be a back log.
Last edited by tjl; Mar 24, 2010 at 10:20 pm