softrally From Canada, joined Mar 2012, 71 posts, RR: 0 Posted (11 months 2 weeks 1 day ago) and read 2914 times:
Hello,
I am flying UA867/UA893 on the 24th of this month. The only problem is that if a 1.5 hr stopover will be enough to get off, get through customs, and get on my other flight. UA867 is YYZ-SFO terminal 3. UA893 is SFO terminal 3-ICN. This is my first time connecting a flight in the United States, as my parents absolutely HATE connecting flights and always put me on direct flights (I'm only 14). The only times I have made a connection at an airport is at AMS and YYZ. My question is: where do I have to go to clear customs? Will the 1.5hr stopover be enough for everything? I would really appreciate some help. Thanks
Yflyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2007, 841 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (11 months 2 weeks 1 day ago) and read 2901 times:
If I understand correctly your routing is YYZ-SFO-ICN? In that case you will actually pre-clear US customs at YYZ and your flight to SFO will be treated just like a domestic flight. All you'll have to do at SFO is get off the plane, find the gate for UA893, and wait until it's time to board. 1.5 hours is more than enough time. You'd probably even have time to grab a bite to eat or walk around the terminal if you so desired.
Are you traveling to ICN one-way, or is this a round trip? If so then you would have to would have to go through US customs on the way back (assuming you're doing the same routing in reverse) when you arrive in SFO from ICN.
softrally From Canada, joined Mar 2012, 71 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (11 months 2 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 2892 times:
Quoting Yflyer (Reply 1): Are you traveling to ICN one-way, or is this a round trip? If so then you would have to would have to go through US customs on the way back (assuming you're doing the same routing in reverse) when you arrive in SFO from ICN.
Whoa, then that's going to be one heck of a transfer. My way back is a little bit different. I fly ICN-SFO-IAD-YYZ. My transfer time at SFO is 1.5 hours, and my transfer at IAD is 45 mins. If I have to clear customs at SFO, it might be a little tough! Will I have to retrieve my bags and check-in for my next flight, or will my bags be cleared all the way to YYZ from ICN? Thanks
It's a bit tight, but if your plane from ICN has no delays, it should be OK. I've transited through SFO a few times Asia-SFO-East Coast and customs has always been a breeze. Nearly as efficient as SIN!
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HT From Germany, joined May 2005, 6473 posts, RR: 27 Reply 4, posted (11 months 2 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 2845 times:
Quoting Yflyer (Reply 1): I fly ICN-SFO-IAD-YYZ. (..) ! Will I have to retrieve my bags and check-in for my next flight, or will my bags be cleared all the way to YYZ from ICN?
Bags must be picked up at SFO in any case (i.e. regardless of the bag tags) after having gone through immigration, then pass customs.
Afterwards you should be able to drop your bags onto a belt provided if they already have their bag tags for YYZ. If not you need to see an agent.
New security check is required to enter departures area, as you had been in contact with previously checked bags and thus could have picked up any objects from the bag.
Bag transfer at IAD will be performed automatically.
-HT
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Cubsrule From United States of America, joined May 2004, 21245 posts, RR: 19 Reply 5, posted (11 months 2 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 2825 times:
Quoting softrally (Reply 2): Will I have to retrieve my bags and check-in for my next flight, or will my bags be cleared all the way to YYZ from ICN? Thanks
You'll retrieve bags, carry them through customs, and drop them off. Not a whole lot different than doing ICN-YVR-YYZ, IIRC.
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Roseflyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 8754 posts, RR: 52 Reply 6, posted (11 months 2 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 2761 times:
1.5 hours for YYZ-SFO-ICN is not hard at all. You don't go through customs or immigration in SFO. You arrive terminal 3 and leave from the international terminal. There's a walkway between the two, so no need to even go through security.
From YYZ you will be in the air before any risk of flow control being issued into SFO, so 1.5 hours is plenty.
Quoting softrally (Reply 2):
Whoa, then that's going to be one heck of a transfer. My way back is a little bit different. I fly ICN-SFO-IAD-YYZ. My transfer time at SFO is 1.5 hours, and my transfer at IAD is 45 mins. If I have to clear customs at SFO, it might be a little tough! Will I have to retrieve my bags and check-in for my next flight, or will my bags be cleared all the way to YYZ from ICN? Thanks
ICN-SFO-IAD-YYZ is a bit harder. UA is almost early on its international arrivals as they are generous with their flight times. You do have to go through customs and immigration in SFO. You then can put your bag back on the belt and then see it at baggage claim in YYZ.
90 minute international to domestic connections are normal in SFO and the banks of departures are timed to make it work. Keep moving, as customs, immigration and security do take time, but it is absolutely manageable. If you end up missing your flight, they can just put you on the 4pm nonstop SFO-YYZ flight or one of the Air Canada flights or via ORD/IAH/DEN. UA is a huge airline and SFO-YYZ is star alliance hub to hub, so there are plenty of options.
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