First time flying questions

Your bags will go all the way to Helsinki if you booked it as one flight and it's on one airline or cooperating airlines. When you check in Green Bay and get all boarding passes you don't have to check again. They will want to see your passport in Chicago, probably in Manchester, too; it depends on the configuration of the airport and because UK is non-Schengen country you will go through passport control in Helsinki and also through customs which in Schengen countries is just formality.

Thank you so much for the help!
So just to be clear, I'll only have to check in the once? It's booked through a travel agency, but all the tickets say it'll be British Airways, if that makes a difference.
Again, thank you for the help! This is my first flight and it all feels so overwhelming and confusing, and no matter how many Google searches are done, I can't quite seem to get one straight answer on everything.
This has definitely made me feel much better about everything!

First flight ? Exciting!!!
Get your hands on Rick Steves' book "Europe Through the Back Door" (public library should have copies -- not necessary to have the most recent version) which will explain lots of useful things like getting and using foreign currency, packing, passports, taking trains and buses and taxis ...

This web page explains what you do at Manchester for an international to international transfer

http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/at-the-airport/airport-transfers/

Make sure your 3-1-1 bag is easily accessible for security checkpoints.

You may be able to check in online 24 hours before your flight. You may be able to print out your boarding pass at home. Check it to see if you have TSA pre-check. There may be a separate line at security, and you won't have to remove shoes, electronics (must be fully charged and shut off), belts, etc.

A few thoughts on your questions.....

When you check-in at Green Bay, they may be able to provide you with the boarding passes for all your flights. If not they should be able to provide the first few boarding passes.

I don't know what airport conditions are like in Green Bay, but in Chicago you may find that security is busier and will take more time. Try to be prepared by....

• having all metallic items out of your pockets.
• having your 3-1-1 bag and laptop (if you're bringing one) easily accesible (laptops often have to be placed in a separate tray).
• be prepared to take off your shoes and/or belt if necessary.

As it appears you'll be checking at least one piece of luggage, be sure that you have some essentials in your carry-on bag such as medications, a few toiletries (toothbrush, etc.) and possibly a change of underwear and socks. Valuables should always be placed in your carry-on.

As someone else mentioned, it would be a good idea to read Europe Through The Back Door prior to your trip, as that has a lot of good information on "how" to travel in Europe.

Have you given any thought to obtaining cash in Europe, credit cards, etc.? ATM's are usually the best way to get local cash and I find that it's prudent to carry two ATM cards, in case of problems with one of them. At least one credit card is also a good idea.

If you'll be traveling with any electronic gadgets, you'll need to address the issue of whether these are configured for use on 220 VAC electrical systems. At the least you'll need Plug Adaptors specific to the countries you'll be visiting.

"I'm not sure, will my bags go all the way to Helsinki?"

That's difficult to say without having more information on the flights you booked. For example.....

• Did you book these onlline or through a travel agent? As it's your first flight abroad, I would have recommended using a travel agent.
• Did you book each segment separately?
• Which airlines are you using? That will determine if you'll be using code share flights.

Finally, Passport Control.....

You won't have to deal with "Customs" as you'll likely not be importing anything into the country that you have to declare. You may or may not have to go through U.K. Passport Control when you arrive in Manchester. My memory is bit vague on this point but as I recall, if you have to exit the "airside" part of the terminal (ie: past security) to get to the gate for your connecting flight, you may have to go through Passport control. You may have to go through security again prior to boarding your flight to Helsinki. You will have to go through Passport control when you arrive in Helsinki, since this will be your first point of entry into the Schengen area. Your Passport will be stamped on arrival there and again on leaving. Are you returning home from Helsinki?

Just to note: OP said she booked through a travel agency and all tickets are British Air.

You are about to have an adventure. Check with the airline for recommendations for how early to be at the airport for check in. Read the carryon and checked baggage requirements for each airline very carfully. Your checked luggage will most likely make it with you. Pack as if you might have to do without it for a day or two. Don't be embarrassed to let anyone workingfor the airline know it's your first flight or to ask them very basic questions.

Prepare for security by having empty pockets, large electronics charged and handy, all of your liquids in a easy to unpack quart ziplock bag, easy to remove shoes.

Bring ear buds to use for inflight entertainment. Have a credit card ready to pay for food and drinks on shorter flights. Inflatable pillows are nice extras. Dress in layers as sleeping on planes can be cold and waiting to takeoff can be warm. Try to sleep and eat on destination time as soon as possible. Bring something to do and snacks (buy post security or bring non liquids).

Thanks everyone for the help!
It's an insanely long flight, with layovers and everything somewhere around 28 hours.
Also I'm staying 3 months so unfortunately I'll definitely need my bags. It was all booked once and as far as I know is just one solid entity.
As for contacting the agency, it's a nightmare. As it is one of my last flights were canceled and they keep blaming the airlines and the airlines blame the agency. Luckily it's close enough to home I can take a bus back.
All the answers have definitely made me feel more confident about this.

Kira, you say "3 months" -- hope you know about the Schengen zone limit of 90 days. Actually, hope your travel agent knew about it when booking your tickets.
Will you be living in one place in Finland, or travelling around ? Makes a difference in the amount of clothes you need to pack. Also, the dates you will be there (spanning seasons ?)

I do know about the 90 days, yes! 3 months is just an easy round up to say.
I'll be staying in one place from December 27th (so in a few hours) to March 21st.
I don't have too much packed, but it's still more than can fit in a backpack, believe me, I tried!

Kira, make notes on what you use (from your pack), perhaps you can pare down for the next trip. I travel for three months (Schengen and non-Schengen, about 95 days) each summer, I take a 20" rolling carryon and a daybag.

If you will be staying in the same place for 3 months then checking bags makes a lot of sense and can make those two transfers easier for you because you won't be hassling with luggage too. Most checked baggage gets where it is supposed to go when it is supposed to be there. Pack all valuables, medications, spare eyeglasses, and a change of clothes in your carryon and check the rest.

I still haven't gotten an answer from them about what they'll do to fix it.
Lesson learned for sure on this one. Next time definitely won't be booked through them!
I'm trying to see it all as a learning opportunity to make next time better.

kira,

"Lesson learned for sure on this one. Next time definitely won't be booked through them!"

There are sometimes benefits to booking through a travel agent, as I found out this year after an unexpected calamity. I always book overseas flights with a travel agent. The method I use is to research all the flight options on the airline websites to find the combination that best suits me in terms of cost and "agony" (flight duration, etc.). Once I've decided on a solution, I ask the travel agent to book the flights. While that involves a small fee ($50?), that was worth every penny this year!

Enjoy your three months in Finland!! My daughter spent a school year (August to June) in northern Finland, near Oulu, and saw some amazing Northern lights around New Year. And each day of your visit will get longer and brighter.

Just a warning. British Airways does not fly out of Green Bay. You have a codeshare flight--probably with American Airlines to O'Hare. Check with your travel agent for the details. Be sure you know the American Airlines flight number for the first leg of your trip. And make sure you have plenty of time for the transfer at O'Hare. Also, your flight between Chicago and Manchester may also be a codeshare flight on American rather than British Airways--always double check the flight information.