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luvsterriers
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04 Feb 2013, 2:59 pm

I have a question. I haven't flown internationally in a long time. I wonder about the customs airport wait times. Here's the thing. This is the flight schedule. I'm using United Airlines

Seoul Incheon leaves at 5:10PM
Arrives at San Francisco at 11:25AM

I have only 1 hour 25 min to get to my connecting flight which leaves at 12:50PM and arrives at Washington Dulles at 9:01PM.


Is 1 hour 25 min ok? I don't know if SFO customs is hectic. I'm a US Citizen, and I know customs at the US airports do have a US citizen and non citizen line. I will check my two luggage. The only carry on I will have is my handbag.


Another question. Has anyone used ANA airlines?


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Esther
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04 Feb 2013, 7:36 pm

I think you should be fine with an hour, 25 mins. I don't think San Francisco is that big of an airport. Granted, I've only flown into it, never as a layover.

Are you clearing US immigration while still in Seoul? Everytime I've flown back to the U.S. and had a layover somewhere, I still had to physically hand over my luggage to the connecting airline. Get luggage off belt, turn in customs form to DoHS, hand off luggage to airport people and hope they also make it on your connecting flight.

And no, have never used ANA.

Have a safe trip!



Yuzu
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04 Feb 2013, 11:38 pm

I don't know if 1 hour 25 min is enough time between flights because I've never had a layover at San Francisco airport.

But like Esther said, first you would have to clear US immigration and then you'd have to collect your luggage at the baggage carousel and go through customs.
Usually there would be a luggege re-check point right after customs.
THEN, I'm pretty sure you would have to go through a security check point again to get to your next flight.
The airline website should have more information.

I've used ANA before but only their domestic flights.

Have a nice trip.



jk1
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05 Feb 2013, 1:00 am

I think if you bought the flight ticket arranged in that way by the airline company, then they would have thought about the immigration/customs/transfer time and so it should be fine.

But if you bought the ticket separately, then it sounds a bit risky. When I had the same situation (not in the US), I didn't even need an hour for transfer. If you can, I suggest you change one of the flights just to be safe though I think it's most likely OK as it is.

My sister used ANA last year and the aircraft type for that flight was a very new one. She said it was fantastic. I remember her saying that the toilet was very modern and different. There were other things she said, but I cannot remember.

Have a safe trip!



Yuzu
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05 Feb 2013, 1:44 am

jk1 wrote:
My sister used ANA last year and the aircraft type for that flight was a very new one. She said it was fantastic. I remember her saying that the toilet was very modern and different. There were other things she said, but I cannot remember.


Ah, it must've been Boeing 787 dreamliner. They supposed to have very cool interior features like, instead of window shades, passengers can adjust five levels of visibility of each window to their liking.
Too bad they have been grounded since the emergency landing in Japan last month.



Rascal77s
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05 Feb 2013, 2:31 am

SFO is a hub for United so you're not going to come into a terminal in the middle of nowhere. As long as you don't have to go through security you'll be ok. I hope you're not a smoker because you won't have time to go outside. I've flown ANA but it's been a long time. From what I remember it was just a no frills airline. Their luggage policy pissed me off but it may be different now.

Man that is a long assed flight you're on. I used to fly to DPS, HKG, SIN, BKK and HND. The only thing that made those flights tolerable was bringing my own sandwiches from Little Luca outside of SFO and free all you can drink alcohol in 1st class. :lol:



luvsterriers
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05 Feb 2013, 8:58 am

Dad is 1K United member and has flown overseas many times the past 10 or so years and he said 1 hr 25 min should be fine. I'm checking my bags at Seoul Incheon so I thought that the bags will go all the way to Dulles then I would pick them up there. But it would only go to San Fran? So once I land in San Fran I show the immigration agent at the airport my US Passport and he or she will stamp it? Then pick up my checked bags, go to customs and give the agent my customs form that I filled out on plane? Then take the checked luggage to agent and he or she puts it someplace to next flight to Dulles? Then I would walk to my next connecting flight to Dulles? I'm using United the entire way from Seoul to San Fran, then San Fran to Dulles. I'm only using ANA from Dulles to Tokyo, then United Tokyo to Seoul. I heard about this global entry but not entirely sure what that is. I also read that Heathrow has a customs/immigration line for first class or business passengers.


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