USA Flight Questions

bombidol

Right folks, some of you know already im heady to the states for a week soon but its my first big trip and im doing it alone so im nervous. I have a few questions if anyone can help.


Dublin > Philly > Detroit Detroit > Philly > Dublin

Its says on my ticket slip that i must reconfirm my flights 72 hours before takeoff. WTF? is buying the ticket not enough, i bought my tickets through gohop.ie. so do i have to ring them of the actual airline. ALSO part of my journey is on an internal flight, do i have to confirm this too??

Because i have an internal flight on my journey, whats the story with my luggage. Do i have to collect my luggage in philly then check it again for the internal flight or will this all be looked after for me, so when i check my luggage in Dublin i wont see it again till Detroit?

thanks for any help.

gar

gandalf

Firstly if you check any airline ticket you get these days it actualy says that you have to check 72 hours before the flight. TBH I never have but it wouldn't hurt to do so.

As regards your luggage you normally can ask to have it checked thru to your final destination althou they may ask you to reclaim it and go thru customs in the US from a security point of view. I'd recommend ringing the airline involved to check the current policy.

Gandalf.

Bluehair

Hi Bombidol,

Reconfirming your flight is really just a precaution in case of cancellations/resceduling etc.. etc.. by the airline.

It's always the airline you call to reconfirm and while you're on the line see if they can pre-assign your seat for you too (I presume you're flying US Airways new route).

Baggage will be 'Tagged' through to Detroit but WILL come off automatically in Philly for US customs clearance (don't confuse this with US Immigration clearance done in Dublin.. a different thing altogether).

You MUST collect your bag as normal and clear US Customs in Philly. Don't haul it though the airport again though as there will be a 'Transfer Baggage' area right outside customs where you can leave the bag with US Airways again and they'll transfer it to your next flight.

You will more than likely have been given your boarding pass for the Philly to Detroit flight while you checked in in Dublin and if thats the case just find your new gate and chill until the flight is ready for boarding.

If they can't give you the 'onwards' boarding card for the domestic flight in Dublin then make sure you get it at the 'Transfer Area' after US Customs in Philly.

Btw on the way back to Ireland it's way more simple since they can check the bags all the way through for you this time you won't see them at all in Philly (just for the way home though cause when you hit Dublin again you'll clear Irish Customs and Immigration all in Dublin Airport).

Any other questions I'd be happy to help

bombidol

thanks gent. looks complex tell me its simple when im there! please lol .

dougal

The only thing I can think of to add to Bluehairs excellent reply is that you may need to change terminals in Philly to get your internal flight. Usually there is an international terminal and a domestic terminal. Just check the Departure screens for your flight to Detroit and then follow the signs to the Correct terminal.
Usually all flights for a particular airline will be in one terminal except international ones.
This may require going outside to get a shuttle bus, I haven't been in the airport in Philly so I can't be sure.
Don't worry though everything is well signposted in the airports there and if you ask anyone they will be more than helpful.

Checkout the FAQ and Airline information on the website

Bluehair

Originally posted by bombidol
thanks gent. looks complex tell me its simple when im there! please lol .

It's really not complex at all but it can all be a little daunting your first time through

Dougal is right that you may have to switch terminals in Philly (not too sure haven't been there myself either) but Philly is US Airways biggest hub (ie they are the largest carrier there) so it should be signposted pretty well.

Honestly it's easy as pie

Only other tips I can give are arrive in LOADS of time (I'm talking 3+ hours before your flight) and if you have any concerns on the day just grab a member of staff and ask!

Have a ball traveling is great fun and gets pretty addictive after a while