Lois Larson
When travelling with a connecting flight, the check-in process will depend on several factors, including the country and airport of transit, the duration of the layover, and whether the flights are booked separately or together. In some cases, travellers may be able to remain in the international transit area of the airport and obtain their boarding pass for the connecting flight from a transfer desk or at the gate. However, in other cases, travellers may be required to exit the transit area, go through immigration and customs, and re-check their baggage before proceeding to the next flight. It is important for travellers to be aware of the specific requirements and restrictions of their transit airport to ensure a smooth journey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Transit passengers | Passengers who use other airports for less than 24 hours to get to their destination |
| Transit flights | Can be made through the same airline or different airlines |
| Check-in process for transit flights with different airlines | Necessary to check the baggage policy of the airline |
| Checked baggage for transit flights with different airlines | Check-in and baggage delivery are the responsibility of the transit passengers |
| Boarding pass for connecting flights | May be obtained at the connecting airport from a "transfer desk" |
| Self-transfer without leaving the international transit area | Possible if not checking in bags |
| Self-transfer in the US | Not possible; passengers must clear immigration and customs and collect and recheck their bags |
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What You'll Learn
Transit passengers and visas
The visa requirements for transit passengers vary depending on the country and the traveller's nationality. Here is some information on transit visas for specific countries:
United States
The United States requires almost all travellers transiting through its airports to hold a valid visa, even if they are not leaving the airport. Nationals of countries not under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) need a visa. However, citizens of VWP countries can transit for less than 90 days under ESTA. If you already have a valid visitor (B) visa, you may be able to use it to transit the US. Citizens of participating countries may be able to transit under the Visa Waiver Program. Additionally, a foreign citizen whose primary purpose for the layover is not just transit, such as visiting friends or sightseeing, requires a visitor (B) visa.
Canada
Canada has a strict transit visa policy for most nationalities. Travellers passing through Canadian airports without a valid Canadian visa require a transit visa. However, citizens from visa-exempt countries and participants in the China Transit Program are exempt.
United Kingdom
The UK requires a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) for certain nationalities transiting through its airports, such as travellers from India, Pakistan, and Nigeria. However, there are exemptions for those holding a valid visa for the US, Canada, Australia, or the Schengen Area. Non-visa nationals may not need a transit visa but must meet specific conditions. Under the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, previously visa-free non-visa nationals will need an ETA for landside transit. A Direct Airside Transit Visa is applicable if you are catching an onward flight on the same day and from the same UK airport, and you do not need to go through border control. This visa lasts for up to 24 hours.
Schengen Area
Countries in the Schengen Area often require a transit visa for travellers from non-Schengen countries, such as Afghanistan, Eritrea, Ghana, and Iraq. Exemptions are given to those holding a valid visa or residence permit for Schengen countries or specific non-Schengen nations like the US or Canada.
Australia
Australia requires a transit visa unless you qualify for an exemption. Exemptions include layovers of less than eight hours, provided you remain in the airport.
In general, it is important to note that transit visas allow travellers to pass through a country en route to a third destination, with a short duration of stay, typically within the airport premises. The need for a transit visa depends on factors such as nationality, the airport, and the country transited. It is recommended to check the specific requirements of your transit country before travelling.
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Checking in baggage
In some cases, if you have a long layover, you may be able to exit the airport, meet your family, and check in additional bags. However, this will require additional time and you will need to ensure you meet all the document requirements for entering the country of your layover. It is important to check with your airline to understand their specific policies regarding checking in baggage during a layover.
Additionally, it's worth noting that if you are travelling with multiple airlines, you may need to check in for each leg of your journey separately and may have to exchange your boarding pass at the gate. This can occur when your initial flight is operated by one airline, and your connecting flight is operated by another carrier. It is always a good idea to clarify these details with the respective airlines beforehand to ensure a smooth travel experience.
When checking in baggage during a layover, it is important to consider the time required for the process. Ensure that your layover duration is sufficient to allow for checking in additional bags, clearing immigration, and making it to your connecting flight on time. Each airport may have different processes and time requirements, so it is advisable to research or inquire about these specifics beforehand.
Lastly, it is crucial to be mindful of any visa requirements and customs regulations when entering a country during a layover. Some countries, like the USA, require clearing immigration, customs, and rechecking baggage, even for transit passengers. Understanding the specific requirements of your layover destination will help ensure a seamless travel experience and avoid any unexpected delays or issues.
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Boarding passes
Obtaining a boarding pass for a connecting flight at a transit airport is possible but not always. If you do not already have a boarding pass for your next flight, you can obtain one from the transit check-in counter of the airline you will continue your travel with. However, the ability to obtain a boarding pass may depend on the connection time between flights, the presence of the airline at the transit airport, and airline-specific rules. Some airlines may not issue a boarding pass if the second flight is too far ahead, often more than six hours away.
It is recommended to determine if online check-in is possible for your second flight and to take advantage of this option if available. Many airlines allow passengers to obtain digital boarding passes through their websites or mobile apps, which can be downloaded to a mobile wallet or screenshot for easy access. However, it is important to check beforehand if your departing and connecting airports accept mobile boarding passes.
If you prefer to obtain your boarding pass at the airport, you can usually do so through the check-in counter or self-service kiosks. Present your ID, passport, and booking number at the check-in counter to obtain a printed boarding pass. Alternatively, you can print your own boarding pass at the airline's self-service kiosk.
For international flights, it is important to have your passport available during the check-in process, as some airlines may require passport verification even if you have a digital boarding pass. Additionally, passengers are typically required to collect their baggage at the arrival point of the transit airport and proceed to the domestic baggage drop counter before continuing to the boarding gate.
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Immigration and customs
When it comes to immigration and customs, the procedures and requirements can vary depending on the country and airport. Here are some important points to consider:
Immigration Checks
Immigration checks are typically required when entering a new country, and this applies to transit passengers as well. In some cases, you may need to obtain a transit visa or provide proof of onward travel to ensure that your purpose for entering the country is indeed for transit. For example, when transiting through the United States, all passengers, regardless of their connection type, must clear immigration at their first point of entry unless they are flying from an airport with a US Preclearance facility, such as Abu Dhabi, Dublin, Nassau, or Toronto.
Customs Declarations
Customs declarations are often part of the immigration process, and a primary "passport counter" officer may ask about your customs declaration during your initial inspection. Depending on your responses, they may decide to send you for secondary inspection after baggage claim to address any customs concerns.
Baggage Claim and Transfer
The process for baggage claim and transfer during transit can vary. In some cases, you may need to collect your checked baggage at each arrival city, especially if you have separate e-tickets for different segments of your journey. However, some airlines may allow you to check your baggage through to your final destination, and you can then collect your bags from the designated carousel in the destination city.
Visa Requirements
If you are transiting through a country that requires a visa, you may need to obtain a specific type of transit visa. For example, a foreign citizen transiting through the United States to join a vessel engaged in foreign trade may need a crewmember D-3 visa. On the other hand, a foreign citizen transiting through the United States to the United Nations Headquarters District would require a diplomatic transit (C-2) visa.
It is important to check the specific requirements for the country you are transiting through, as visa rules can vary. Additionally, some countries may offer visa waiver programs or special visa categories for certain individuals, such as employees of designated international organizations.
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Interline baggage agreements
Historically, when checking in at the airline counter, the attendant would ask if passengers wanted their bags checked through to their final destination. However, some low-cost airlines, like Southwest, did not have interline agreements, which meant that passengers had to pick up their luggage at each connecting airport and re-check their bags. Now, major airlines like American, United, and Delta will only check bags through to the connection, where passengers must reclaim and re-check them, even if the second ticket is booked with an airline that is part of the same airline alliance.
Interline agreements can attract more passengers by providing easy connectivity to destinations not served by the original airline. For example, Emirates has signed multiple interline agreements with local carriers to maximise bookings. Additionally, foreign airlines can reach more domestic destinations through these agreements. For instance, Delta and Virgin Atlantic have a joint venture that allows for a massive transatlantic presence and an extensive network in Europe and America.
However, there are some downsides to interline agreements. Passengers cannot collect frequent flyer miles for the whole trip, and there may be variances in luggage allowances and flight timings. Interline agreements also do not affect a government's customs recheck policy, so there is often little advantage to interlining across a customs check.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you need to check in for each leg of your journey. If you booked all flights together, you should automatically be checked in for the second flight. If not, you may need to check in yourself for each flight.
This depends on the country and the airline. In some cases, you may need to collect and recheck your bags, especially if there is no interline baggage agreement between the airlines. If you are travelling with carry-on luggage only, you may not need to exit the transit area.
This depends on the country. Some countries, such as the USA, require you to clear immigration and customs, so you will need the proper authorisation to enter. Check the visa requirements for your transit country.
When you check in for your first flight, you should receive a boarding pass for the second flight. If not, you may need to get it at the transfer desk or gate of the connecting airport.
Yes, but be aware of the time and potential delays. If you have a long layover and the correct visa, you may be able to leave the airport and return in time for your next flight.
