Will I have enough time...?

Hi,

I'm travelling to Vegas and San Francisco in June. I wanted to use my FC miles for UC seats for my partner and I but couldn't get them to Vegas so we are flying in to San Francisco and then will have to get an internal flight.

I am quite keen to try Virgin America but their flight goes at 15.45 (This is based on schedules for the week before as they aren't taking bookings for the following week yet but I am assuming they will be at the same times) and my inbound flight is scheduled to arrive at 13.50. Virgin America have another flight at 19.15 but I don't really want to hang around that long if I can help it!

I would be grateful if anyone who travels the LHR to SFO route would be able to advise me if 1 hour 55 mins is likely to leave me enough time to get off one flight, get through immigration and baggage and get checked in on time for the next flight.

Thanks!!
[:)]

I've taken that flight and it was fine, had plenty of time. I flew LHR to SFO with Virgin Atlantic then took the 15.45 to Vegas.

I was at the front of the bus in Upper though so got through immigration et al very quickly, leaving me an close to 2 hours to kill waiting for the other plane... which I spent in the Clubhouse.

Thanks for that mediamonkey.

That's what I hoped someone would say! Hopefully immigration will be quietish! Are you allowed in the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse then?

If you're flying Upper you should be fine.... I honestly just blagged it. Upon getting the suitcase and re-checking in for Virgin America, just ask where the clubhouse is, it's before security and up on a lift.

I just showed my UC boarding card and explained I'd just come in on UC from LHR, and am flying with Virgin America to Vegas and want to just refresh, mention that the Cabin Crew on board said it was fine and you shouldn't have a problem.. especially if it's the lovely Claire. I had time for a bite to eat, a check of the emails and appletini and a shower before heading down for the Virgin America flight.

Sounds good. I'll be tryng that then.

Cheers

Just had a thought....

A couple of years ago I travelled to Miami to join a cruise. Two people in our party were stopped by immigration and questioned as they had been to Egypt[:?]

I have stamps for last year's trips to Egypt and Dubai in my passport. Does anyone know if that would be likely to warrant a few questions? I'm sure there are thousands of people who have been to these places but my concern is that if it does (and it takes a while) then I may be late for my connecting flight to LAS.

Thanks in advance.

Steven

[honey lamb]

I have flown into SFO with stamps from Dubai in my passport and it hasn't been a problem

Honestly, if you are downstairs in UC, you'll be off the plane in 5 minutes (usually at SFO they open the front port door for UC, open it first, and you are out very fast), and should have time for a chat with security before going on to the Vegas flight. Virgin America also flies from the international terminal, which adds to the speed of turnover. And if you find yourself in a tight spot, you will find that US airlines are usually very understanding when it comes to rebooking you on later flights.

In fact, they are usually very understanding about rebooking you on earlier flights, too. You'd likely get away with booking the later LAS flight, turning up early and getting on the earlier flight standby.

Originally posted by stevenj36
Just had a thought....

A couple of years ago I travelled to Miami to join a cruise. Two people in our party were stopped by immigration and questioned as they had been to Egypt[:?]

I have stamps for last year's trips to Egypt and Dubai in my passport. Does anyone know if that would be likely to warrant a few questions? I'm sure there are thousands of people who have been to these places but my concern is that if it does (and it takes a while) then I may be late for my connecting flight to LAS.

Thanks in advance.

Steven

I got grilled about a Dubai stamp in my paasport going through Atlanta ... Nothing more than a 'Why were you there!' If memory serves me correct it was fairly soon after 911

You should be fine.

Thanks for the prompt responses folks.

The idea of a grilling by US immigration is a bit scary[:0]. I was considering getting new passports but perhaps that would be something of an over reaction!!

Cheers

Steven

Originally posted by stevenj36
Thanks for the prompt responses folks.

The idea of a grilling by US immigration is a bit scary[:0]. I was considering getting new passports but perhaps that would be something of an over reaction!!

Cheers

Steven

We got grilled last year but the US immigration official was more concerned as to why I had a Dubai Stamp and MR DL and Dragonbaby didn't,and why Dragonbaby had an Egyptian stamp and Mr DL and I didn't. Once legitimate explanations were given he was happy to see us on our merry way.

Originally posted by stevenj36
Just had a thought....

A couple of years ago I travelled to Miami to join a cruise. Two people in our party were stopped by immigration and questioned as they had been to Egypt[:?]

I have stamps for last year's trips to Egypt and Dubai in my passport. Does anyone know if that would be likely to warrant a few questions? I'm sure there are thousands of people who have been to these places but my concern is that if it does (and it takes a while) then I may be late for my connecting flight to LAS.

Thanks in advance.

Steven

Just to echo other people, I had no problems/questions asked when going through immigration at JFK last summer when I had visited Dubai the month before.

Jonathan

Thanks everyone. You've put my mind at rest.

S