Question about Connecting Flight (Codeshare)
 

Hi

First of all, I apologize in advance if this is in the wrong forum. There's so many categories that I seem to have gotten a bit lost sifting through it all :o

My question is regarding a summer flight to Japan. I will traveling from San Antonio to Chicago, then Chicago to Narita and Narita to Osaka Itami. I'm booking this itinerary thru All Nippon Airways (ANA). The first segment, san antonio to Chicago, is operated by United so I know I have to check in with United (there's no ANA counter anyway). Arriving in chicago, I'm not sure if I'd have to exit and check in thru ANA, since I don't think they're in the same terminal. Would I have to re-enter security, etc? I think I have 1 hr 45 min to connect.

Thanks

On a multi-segment itinerary on a single ticket, check in with the airline operating the first segment. They should issue boarding passes for all segments, so that when you arrive at ORD, you can go directly to the gate for your next segment to NRT. Of course, the main risk here is that your flight to ORD will be late, causing you to miss your connection.

On your return trip, be aware that on your first landing in the US, you will have to:

1. Do US immigration.
2. Collect checked baggage.
3. Do US customs.
4. Re-check checked baggage if you have additional flight segments.
5. Go through security screening to get to the gate for your next flight segment, if any. (Some poorly designed airports have no way to exit the airport if it is your final destination without going through the screened area.)

While you shouldn't have to check in again I'm pretty sure that ANA operates from the International terminal at ORD meaning you would leave security, take the train over and re-clear. The 1:45 connection time should be enough, but not a lot of time to mess around.

Thanks a lot guys.
They're a codeshare, but I recall my b/f had to check in, but I believe it was for JAL.
Should I miss the 10am flight to Tokyo, there is a 12pm one but it is United Airlines. Would I be put on that as stand by?
I've traveled to Japan numerous times, so I'm aware of the return flight, immigration, etc. But codeshares - never done that here in the USA!

I have flown several trips with code shared segments. It can be pretty confusing sometimes (read my blog post on challenges with Code-shares). In your case, as UA and ANA are partners, you should have no problem at all.

Make sure though, that you have the UA and ANA confirmation codes. There will be two. If you go to the UA website and look on your 'My Itineraries' page, it should show both. The reason for this is that should need to talk to ANA, they will see your ANA confirmation code only in their system.