Flight Query, Dublin to Seattle, transferring flights via Canada

FrCrilly

Hi All,

I’m planning a trip to Seattle later this year and could use some help in relation to flights.

I’m worried about missing connection flights due to delays and then having to pay an excessive airfare to get to my destination. To help minimise this scenario, my emphasis is to get onto the other continent on the first flight (for both getting there and coming back). I’m also trying to pick flights that will mean spending as little time as possible in a plane (eg taking curvature of the earth into account).

I’m thinking of flying out Globespan Dublin to Vancouver (Canada) and then Vancouver to Seattle with some local airline. Coming back I’m thinking of Seattle to London Heathrow (with either BA or Northwest) and then back to Dublin (with BA or some other internal airline).

I have 2 queries:

1. Does anyone know if there are any emigration issues with a connection flight via Canada. (ie would I have to go through emigration twice or are they virtually the one country in terms of emigration checks).

2. In this age of point to point flying, is there any advantage in being loyal to a full service airline in terms of getting to your destination in the event of a missed connection? (eg If I was to fly BA Dublin to London and then BA London to Seattle, but the Dublin to London flight was delayed for hours causing me to miss the connection, would a full service airline like BA have some form of backup to get me to Seattle without an excessive airfare?)

Any help with the above queries would be greatly appreciated. Thanks In Advance for all responses.

dogmatix

1. I'm almost 100% certain you would have to go through immigration twice - Canada and US.

2. I would remain loyal to a single airline for this trip - if you booked dublin to seattle all the way with with BA, then they would have to ensure you got to seattle, even if the dub-london leg was delayed so that you missed your onward flight. Same coming back too.

Our man in Havana

If you fly to the USA via a Canadian airport you go thru US Immigration at the canadian airports just like you would in Dublin/Shannon.

See here:

Option 1:
Allows passengers to bypass Canada Customs and Immigration.

1. Follow U.S.A. Connections signs to the escalators and stairs going down to a single baggage carousel. An airline coordinator stationed there will ensure that you have the correct documentation to enter into the In-Transit Pre-Clearance Facility.
2. Retrieve your baggage from the carousel and go through U.S. Customs and Immigration. Any additional passenger check-in requirements occur here.
3. Once through U.S. Customs, drop off your baggage and enter the U.S.A. security checkpoint to your designated departure gate.

So no need to go thru Canadian Customs and Immigration.

In answer to your second question, yes British Airways would look after you fully and will rebook you without extra charge granted they may send you via Los Angeles but you would get to your destination.

BuffyBot

Definitely use the full-service option (and certainly not FlyGlobeSpan!). If it's all booked on the one ticket, then yes they will look after you if something happens (delayed flights etc)

Sundy

BuffyBot wrote: »

Definitely use the full-service option (and certainly not FlyGlobeSpan!). If it's all booked on the one ticket, then yes they will look after you if something happens (delayed flights etc)

Supposedly there under new management and will be much improved this year.

dogmatix wrote: »

1. I'm almost 100% certain you would have to go through immigration twice - Canada and US.

Yes through Canadian immigration/customs first and then collect your bags.
Then check in for your american flight and go through US immigration which can be horribly busy or not bad at all. (missed a flight because of it :mad: )

To be honest your making things very complicated going through canada. Going through the US would surely be much cheaper

Our man in Havana

Yes through Canadian immigration/customs first and then collect your bags.

No need if you go thru Vancouver. See post #3 above.