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I just booked my first flight heading out of the country (going solo), and I have a couple questions about the steps I need to take to calm my nerves. I’ve flown two previous times, and I have no issues or fears with flying itself. It’s just that build up to it. I’m just at a complete loss for how things work when going out of the country.

I'll number my questions so it's easier to answer.

  1. At what point to I go through customs/show my passport? My flight is PIT (Pittsburgh) to IAD (Washington, DC - Dulles International). Then I change planes, and continue from IAD to LHR.

  2. Do I have to pick up my bags when I change planes (it’s United Airlines the whole time) and go through the process again?

  3. After arriving at LHR I'll be catching a bus that departs from the Central Bus Station at 11:10am. My flight is scheduled to arrive at 10:20am. Did I leave myself enough time?

JoErNanO
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Sean Q
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1 Answers1

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1a) You will show your passport at airline checkin, so they know you (probably) have the right to enter the UK. As a US citizen, you don't need a visa.

1b) You will not go through US customs or CBP when leaving the US.

1c) You will show your passport to the UK border control in LHR.

2) If you're ticketed on United the whole time, your bags will almost certainly be "checked through". You'll drop them off in PIT and pick them up at LHR.

3) 50 minutes to deplane, go through immigration, pick up your bags, go through customs, and catch a bus in LHR is probably not enough time. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of ways to leave LHR and go wherever you want to go.

Couple more tips for international plane travel:

  • Bring a pen with you. You'll need it on the plane for filling out your landing card.
  • Have your accommodation information (address/contact info) and return itinerary available for UKVI immigration if they request to see it.
Greg Hewgill
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