Transfer in from international to domestic
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: CPH
Programs: SK, A3, QR
Posts: 220
Transfer in from international to domestic
Hope someone knowledgeable about SFO logistics can help here:
Me and the missus are booked on a Swiss flight ZRH-SFO in J, scheduled arrival 4.20 PM.
I want to catch a Virgin flight to LAX on the same day. I wonder if we would be able to make the 5.55 pm departure or we should aim for the 6.50 pm departure instead. We will only be travelling with hand luggage, but will of course have to clear customs.
Any advice much appreciated. Thanks!
Me and the missus are booked on a Swiss flight ZRH-SFO in J, scheduled arrival 4.20 PM.
I want to catch a Virgin flight to LAX on the same day. I wonder if we would be able to make the 5.55 pm departure or we should aim for the 6.50 pm departure instead. We will only be travelling with hand luggage, but will of course have to clear customs.
Any advice much appreciated. Thanks!
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
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Posts: 5,336
Same ticket? US citizens or Global Entry? The 5:55pm is 10 minutes below the minimum connection, and if no to both you're leave yourself pretty short. If all goes well- ontime or early arrival, make it to the immigration line first and not much of a line from any other flights, check in online for the VX flight, it's quite doable. Biggest issue would lines clearing immigration if you don't have Global Entry. I'd book the 6:50 and not stress it.
#4
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Booking separate tickets which are below the MCT is a poor idea. While you are certainly free to do so because you are not connecting, the risk is 100% on you.
Even the 6:50, while well within the MCT, is a risk because any significant delay means that you will no show.
Even the 6:50, while well within the MCT, is a risk because any significant delay means that you will no show.
#5
Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt GP Platinum
Posts: 468
Once you clear immigration, you'll need to retrieve your bags then clear customs. You'll need to take the airtrain to Terminal 2 (maybe 10 minutes), check your bag (if any), go through T2 security. Without TSA pre-check, you'll want to allot 30 minutes to go through security.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2012
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Once you clear immigration, you'll need to retrieve your bags then clear customs. You'll need to take the airtrain to Terminal 2 (maybe 10 minutes), check your bag (if any), go through T2 security. Without TSA pre-check, you'll want to allot 30 minutes to go through security.
#7
Join Date: Feb 2014
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Besides, what time you make up in the airport will be canceled by sitting in LAX traffic,