Flight connection in Boston - Icelandair to US Airways

Joyce,
You may have to retrieve your luggage in Boston to go through US customs, then take it to US Airways.

Thanks! That's what I thought (but was hoping not!). Do you think I could still make the connection? I hate to pay for a hotel in Boston. They are so expensive which means all my airline savings will go to one night's hotel. Live and learn!

Unlike Schengen, where your luggage is checked through to your final destination and goes through customs there, in the United States, you go through customs at the first airport where you arrive. I've gone through customs in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Chicago on my way to Denver.

Whether your luggage is checked through to Pittsburgh or not, you will have to wait to collect it in Boston, from the carousel inside customs, go through customs with it, then put it back on the carousel if it is checked through.

Another argument for packing light enough to be able to use a carryon bag.

There are some more experienced travellers than I (like Lee) who could answer your landing-to-departure question.

If Joyce's flight from Europe is on time to Boston, is 80 minutes enough time to go through US Customs & catch the US Airways flight?

Thanks, Lee and Colette! Now that I know I have to go through customs with all my luggage in Boston, I can plan the rest of my trip home. I really appreciate your help.

A couple of other concerns.

It sounds like this is an unprotected connection. In other words the poster has booked on flight from Munich to Boston and now needs to buy another ticket home to Pittsburgh.

In that case should your flight to Boston be late all USAir has to do is shrug... they are NOT under any obligation to get you home They might be nice and let you move to a flight the next day or they might say "sorry you have to buy a whole new ticket" My rule of thumb on "unprotected" is to allow a 4 hour connection in case the airline is late....And also to understand I may be stuck!

Thanks, Carol! Since there is no later flight, I will play it safe and stay the night in Boston and leave for Pittsburgh the following morning. I wasn't sure how much time I would need between flights but know I would be worried the whole trip back if I booked the 8:30 flight - not worth it! I truly appreciate all the valuable advice I've received in this forum. It is such a help to those of us who haven't traveled internationally much ... yet!