Kiwi Flyer

Depends on the situation. I'm sure we can all think of circumstances where a/c lands but is unable to fly back immediately due to onground incident, crew hours, weather, lack of fuel, etc. Is it likely? No (and certainly less risk than connecting between 2 unrelated flights), but that doesn't mean it can't happen.

I've flown a lot and had my share of odd things happen when least expected, as have many other FTers (ozstamps included I bet).

Beckles

And he deserves all the shouts he can get!

chanp

Great info and report. Good to know that you can just transit through.

MilesDependent

If you are stranded there without a visa....

You will be escorted by the Russian immigration authorities to a nearby hotel and you have to stay in the hotel room. Food etc is delivered by room service. When it comes time to catch your flight, the authorities will come to your room and escort you back to the airport.

I am not sure which hotel they use for DME airport. I know for SVO they use the Novotel, and there is a certain part of the hotel where these rooms are located, and the area is guarded to make sure no one does a runner.

From speaking to the staff at the Novotel, they have a steady flow of people every day in this situation. A lot of people travel via SVO on cheap fares, and end up mis-connecting due to a delay somewhere along the way.

There used to be some great reports on Trip Advisor for the Novotel Sheremetyevo from folks who'd had this happen to them. Report titles of "PRISONER IN MOSCOW" etc. But they seem to have all been removed. I know the owner of the hotel contacted me about a review I did of the hotel, so I think he probably also complained to Trip Advisor about the prison reviews, and somehow had them removed. The only reference to these reviews now is in review where I explained to these people what had happened.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...al_Russia.html

ozstamps

As even a roach infested shoe box costs $US300 a night in Moscow one night free, courtesy to Ruskis to sleep off the 10 hours flight sounds like a deal to me.

Why don't these things happen to me ... all I got was an hour or 2 of free booze in there Lufthansa Lounge!

I took this photo from the LH lounge just to remind myself I was indeed in Moscow. See the snow on outer grass. Man there was some snow around that place.

I am a bit of a risk taker by nature, and that has served me well for 30 years or traveling literally millions of miles on vacation in 120 or so countries.

Last year we smuggled ourselves by dug-out canoe across a huge river from Suriname in South America to French Guiana to have lunch (below) - having no Visa for there and none for the return to Suriname.

Glen

Teacherflyer

What a trip---quite jealous here.

dabolix

Really appreciated your post on Russia. I'm heading there this saturday, doing the same turnaround you did ie 2 hours in the airport then back on the plane. I'm also flying united. It seemed like you had no issue boarding.

However I've called united on the phone twice and each time they've told me after much checking that they won't let me on the plane without an entry visa. It seemed from your post that the gate agent was able to pull up the correct rules with no hassle? Did you find that information on the united website somewhere? What did you bring with you in terms of documentation? Any suggestions much appreciated, I want to make sure I have no issue boarding the plane.
Thanks
D

hairpeace

Can you also see Russia from your house?

Pat89339

Glen,

Thanks for your insightful report on a MR to DME. I hadn't considered doing the run because of the VISA costs, but now am considering it for the only free weekend I have in April. I had a european run on hold, but may switch to DME.

I too would be interested to know where you got the rules to print out.

Thanks!

Pat

UCBeau

Great read, thanks for posting. As Pat has stated, I'd also not considered it due to the cost of the visa but am now reconsidering it.

noirpepper

thanks oz! I am booked for the MR next week and sealing in 1K for the year. Has anyone other than Oz done the MR w/o the visa w/ US passport yet?

AMRivlin

On a map

ozstamps

I printed out the wording in both Russian and English to take with me, that state NO VISA is needed if you stay in the transit area - in case I need to show either UA (to let me on!) or the Russians!

38. Транзитная виза выдается иностранному гражданину в целях транзитного проезда через территорию Российской Федерации либо в целях эвакуации иностранного гражданина, прибывшего в Российскую Федерацию в порядке, не требующем получения визы (пассажирам круизных судов, гражданам стран, с которыми Российская Федерация имеет соглашения о безвизовом въезде, и пассажирам, совершающим безвизовый транзит до 24 часов). Транзитная виза выдается на срок до 10 дней.

http://www.center-migracia.ru/law/resolution_335.htm


не требующем получения визы (пассажирам круизных судов, гражданам стран, с которыми Российская Федерация имеет соглашения о безвизовом въезде, и пассажирам, совершающим безвизовый транзит до 24 часов = no visa needed for ....., passengers, who make the visa-free transit up to 24 hours)

About 24-hours visa-free transit:

в случае следования иностранца транзитом через территорию России на самолете международной авиалинии с пересадкой в аэропорту на ее территории (п. 2 ст. 31 Закона о въезде и выезде). В таком случае виза не потребуется, только если иностранный пассажир в соответствии с расписанием полетов покинет российский аэропорт в течение 24 часов с момента прибытия. При этом он вправе находиться только на территории аэропорта (в пунктах пересадки аэропорта, где обеспечивается режим, исключающий свободный выход транзитных пассажиров за его пределы). Вместо визы у иностранца должны быть надлежащим образом оформленные документы на право въезда в государство назначения, а также авиабилет с подтвержденной датой вылета из российского аэропорта, в котором осуществляется пересадка в течение 24 часов с момента прибытия в него;

http://osppruch.futown.ru/1-7.html

Works for passenger who is in compliance with the following facts:

- Connection flight - Passenger should leave transit zone in 24 hours

- Passenger should have the correct paperwork for the inbound flight and ticket


==========================

OK .. AFAIK here are the OFFICIAL rules!

Hope this assists others in future as these appear quite clear.

http://www.delta.com/planning_reserv...t_information/

This service is what all the airlines use FROM the USA to determine if you will be admitted or not to Russia with no Visa.


=================


/ 29MAR09 / 1906 UTC

National Australia (AU) (Same wording below applies to USA citizens)

Transit Russian Federation (RU)/Destination U.S.A. (US)

ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW


Russian Federation (RU)


TWOV (Transit Without Visa):
Visa required, except for Those continuing their journey
within 24 hours without leaving the airside (international)
transit area:

- if continuing by a domestic flight (also including Belarus)
or if the airport of arrival is different from the airport
of departure within the same Russian city (e.g. arriving at
Sheremetyevo-2 and departing from Sheremetyevo-1 airport in
Moscow) then a transit visa is required, as one is entering
territory of the Russian Federation.

Additional Information:

- Passengers are required to hold return/onward tickets and

documents required for the next destination.

- Valid visas in expired passports or other expired travel
documents are not accepted.

Warning:

- Non-compliance with entry or transit regulations may result
in fines for carrier For details, click here

FOR U.S.A. (US)

Passport required.
- Nationals of Australia may enter with passports valid for
period of intended stay.

Passport Exemptions:

- Holders of a valid on arrival Form I-512 ( Authorization for

Parole of an Alien into the United States").
- Holders of a Temporary or Emergency passports.

Visa required, except for Those entitled to travel under the

U.S. Visa Waiver Permanent Program (V.W.P.P.), travelling on
holiday, business or for transit purposes only, and stay does
not exceed 90 days (see V.W.P.P conditions below): [/

thegrailer

UA was charging $6 a pop this past weekend on my LAX/NRT flight. The crew stated the fees started a couple months ago

ajnz

ozstamps - thanks for the report, very entertaining read. I wish I had the time and flexibility to take advantage of some of these offers!

Yes, there was quite a thread in the UA forum about it when it was introduced. It was $6/drink on HKG-SIN two weeks ago as well.