We're flying Gdansk to DFW with a 40 minute (!) connection at Helsinki Airport. We've done this before -- and made our flight -- but not since HEL has implemented the new EES machines. We're booked through on the same ticket, but after reading about EES experiences in other European airports, I'm not feeling great about making our connection.
Any personal experiences to share? Or advice in general?
Thanks in advance!
My advice is not to panic. Many airports are simply abandoning the EES machines and processing by hand when demand overwhelms capacity. If the machines are working, it is quick. If they aren’t working they will have an alternative.
Ask yourself what is the worst that could happen? In this case getting home a day later.
Thanks Carol! Not panicking at all, just looking for anyone who's been through HEL recently. I'm also reading about faster lines for folks who have a short connection -- not sure if that applies in this case. We can and have spent extra nights when airlines have problems, but not due to immigration lines. Sometimes hearing from others who have direct experience with the new situation at a particular airport can help inform our backup decisions whilst in the moment!
Yes, I understand. The challenge here is that one person’s EES experience at a specific airport simply can’t be generalized. Same airport, same day and people are having vastly different experiences and timings.
Edited to add- I’m flying through Helsinki next month and am also hopeful it will be a quick process.
Carol Now Retiree, can you report back how your experience was in Helsinki? We have a 90 minute connection in September and I wasn’t even thinking about EES until I saw an article today about long lines and airlines asking for them to suspend the program for the summer.
Agree with Carol now Retired from everything I have read. It is still shaking out everywhere.
BUT I was in Helsinki recently - but came in and out of Schengen zone at Copenhagen airport. Pretty good going in (I had gotten off my flight early) but very difficult leaving. BUT they came through the mass of folks and pulled you out if your flight was going to be boarding soon - so it all worked!
I can report back about my experience at Helsinki now. It was great. This is my new favorite airport to transit in Europe.
Arrival. Passport control took a little longer as the officer in Rome had not scanned my passport to show that I was leaving in April. A few minutes conversation with officer in Helsinki was required. It still was a total of about 10 minutes. They were not using separate machines but did the finger printing etc at the passport officer booth. I asked why I needed to do it all again since I had already registered in Rome in April. They told me that EES is being so unevenly implemented across Europe that for now they are requiring every time.
Departure: I had a long layover, but knew that I only had 45 minutes in September so I decided to time how long the process was gate to gate. The entire process, walking to the passport control, standing in line for a few minutes, processing, and then walking to the next gate took just a little over 20 minutes.
You won't have the tremendous lines that are sometimes referred to in other airports. The airport itself is clean, modern, and pleasant.
Thank you Marnam and Carol! I won’t worry too much then. Sounds like it should be ok :D
We are going back to Helsinki in November for the global series, so I’m glad to hear that it’s a great airport!
While I have not done EES there, I have been through Helsinki airport many times.
I have always found it to be efficient and easy to use.
Helsinki was one of the first European airport to allow travelers to keep everything in their bag while gong through security. The scanning was done by computers. Although, when it started, it seemed about half the bags were dinged for further inspection.
I'm planning on visiting next month when I get my papers is approved, following thread. Happy to get more info
