Wasn’t sure where to post. Flying back to the US. Amsterdam then 3 hour layover in Seattle. Then on to LA. I assume we will go through immigration in Seattle, does that mean we also pick up our bags in Seattle then recheck for final leg. How does it work on a return to the US with a domestic layover? All one ticket. Thanks!
I’ve only flown direct in the past.
That means you have to pick your bags up and recheck them on the way to LAX. All international flights into USA go through immigration and customs the first port of entry into the USA. There are a few exceptions like Dublin, Ireland, Canada, United Arab Emirates and some Caribbean states.
You collect your luggage in Seattle after passport control, walk through customs "Nothing to declare" door. Then you drop them on the transfer belt, assuming they have been tagged to LA. Then head to your departure gate and relax.
Yes, you will go through customs in Seattle. A word of warning, the escalator that goes to the international arrivals hall is really long and really tall. I always get dizzy going up it. You will pick up your luggage before you go through customs here, then you will recheck your bag.
Thank you! Does it mean in Amsterdam they only tag luggage to Seattle? (or will it still say final destination as LAX on the tag?)
Our most recent trip was not only direct but in Dublin! Now that’s the way to go! With US passport control/immigration in Dublin! ☘️
You get your luggage tagged to LA, unless you instruct them otherwise. It does not matter where it is tagged too as ALL the luggage will be taken off the plane in Seattle and sent to baggage claim. If it is tagged to Seattle, you will have to stand in line at check-in and recheck it to LA. If it is tagged to LA, then you just drop it on the transfer belt after you exit customs.
It is really very simple here. With the new international terminal. At SeaTac, you go up that looooong escalator (the walkway actually goes over a taxiway so is high enough for planes to fit under). You arrive at baggage claim and pick up your bag before you proceed to passport control and customs. Then you drop your bag on the belt as marked for further transport to LAX. That is all the “re-check” involved.
One ticket or two?
The replies above (seem to) assume a single ticket.
Yes on one ticket! Thank you all for the clarification.
The escalator sounds like an adventure!
Also, download the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app from the TSA. Set it up before you go (create profiles for each person in your group, put in passport numbers, take photos of each person, etc.). Just as you land and get a cellular or wifi connection, start a new questionnaire, answer the questions, and submit your form. I did this while riding on the giant escalator mentioned above (don't recommend...it's dizzying!) There is a separate line for MPC, at the time I went through it was shorter than Global Entry line (your milage may vary).
Just after immigration is the recheck area for connecting travelers. Your bags should be tagged to LAX, so it's just a matter of handing it to the friendly folks there. I had a carry on bag only but stopped at recheck area because my bag was too big for my onward flight.
Thanks CL for the reminder. I downloaded the app a while back but haven’t input info. I’m not coordinated enough for that escalator and data input at the same time!
It’s easy peasy especially if you download the Mobile Passport App….just follow the signs which are hard to miss. And there will be airport personnel there asking if you have a connecting flight and putting your bags onto the belt for your connection to LA. The hardest part was going up the long escalator. The grandkids thought it was great.
Exactly what does the Mobile Passport app do? Frankly I can't figure the thing out. I have Global Entry, so maybe that explains my confusion as to what benefits it offers.
If you have global entry you don’t need the app. It’s free whereas global entry isn’t and can be a hassle to obtain.
