What can I expect when I'm traveling by plane to another country?

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UXB

I haven't flown through London in years, but I do fly overseas often. If you will just be making connecting flights you usually don't have to go through immigration and customs. You may have a security inspection to go through before you go to your next gate. How long will you be in London? If you stop and use a hotel then you go through customs there too! Just passing through probably just another security check and you are not permitted to leave the airport until your flight.

You will have to go through customs in France. Same for the return to the US. Your liquids have to be in a separate plastic bag (carry on bag) which is explained in one of these TSA regulations.
http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/9-25_updated_passenger_guidance.shtm

Choose your seats ahead of time if you have not done that already. Otherwise when you get to the airport you get stuck with seats that most experienced travelers don't want. Sign up for the frequent flier program because this is a chance to get some good miles for future flights and perks (if you fly the same airline or with a partner.)

Some seats with emergency windows behind them and walls may not recline fully. Best seats usually go to frequent fliers with silver or gold cards, by the way. Some seats are near toilets that may stink or the light on light off may wake you up. Bring a blindfold so you can sleep. If you are in business class you may get one for free.

Get up often and stretch your legs, this helps prevent blood clots. Bring a throw-away book (yard sale, thrift shop book that you get cheap) and just donate it when you are done. Read, sleep, eat use the toilet - eventually the long flight is over!

Get to the airport at least 2 hours early. Double check that your bags are checked all the way through to Nice so you do not have to claim them (if it is the same airline it is easier, if not you will need to have the confirmation number of the connecting flight.)

Check the TSA rules for what you can take with you. Enjoy your time in Nice, I was there a long time ago when I was in the Navy.

OK

CameronQ

Firstly airports and air travel is demanding on the patience. Just know that even though it sometimes seems the ground staff at check in are not helping you, they are. You are one of thousands they will have to deal with on your day of travel, so be kind and patient and you will achieve more. Get there at least 3 hours ahead of departure time. Dallas is busy.

At check in, politely request an aisle seat if you'd like easy access to the restrooms. When there is a moment, just say, "If possible may I get an aisle seat as I will need to access the restrooms." They WILL do what they can to help.

Take extra snacks as the crew can be busy. These days, you can't carry a bottle of water on board usually, so don't try (all to do with tightening of security after 9/11). You can take an empty bottle though, to fill up on board.

Minimize carry-on luggage. Just some snacks, a pen and a book or two. Also good ear plugs make a big difference if you plan on resting. Oh, and deodorant, a toothbrush and small towel in a plastic bag so that if you have time during transit you can freshen up in a restroom. You'll be going for a whole day, so you'll feel much better.

One little trick I do when traveling on long flights is wear an old pair of undies and carry fresh ones in my hand luggage. When you get to London, go to the restroom and change and throw the old ones in the bin. A fresh singlet is also nice.

There are 3 international airports in London. Which one do you transit through? You should be able to have your bags checked all the way through. When you check in at Dallas, confirm it with the ticketing staff that your bags have been tagged all the way to Nice. London airports can be very busy. Are you changing airlines or going all the way through on the same plane? That makes a difference. If changing flights, don't dawdle. Always leave yourself plenty of time.

In London, you should be able to go through the transit channel. That means you won't need to clear Customs. They will let you know either at check in or on board. If the ground staff seem vague, it is not always clear to them either and it can even change from day to day. The cabin crew will also sometimes not know until just before you land. So don't be too concerned.

Airline staff have tight schedules and a thousand challenges every day so be nice and they will be nice too.

Have fun in Nice!

green_girl

In London, you may have to go through security again but for the most part it won't be a big deal. You won't have to claim your baggage until you get to France unless you change airlines, otherwise, the airport will take care of it for you. The airports are rather large so as soon as you get off the plane go to your next terminal and then you can relax a bit. If you can't find something, just ask someone that works there, most people are more than willing to help as long as you're polite to them. Don't worry, you can do this! I traveled alone for my first time from Chicago to Manchester and it was nerve-wrecking but you're so much more confident after you get there! Good luck and have a great time in France!

Texas

if you stay with the same airline yes you'll have to go through customs but you won't have to get your baggage. also just follow the signs and you should be fine. the flight from london to nice isn't that long so honestly it will be ok you have nothing to be afraid of.

averagebear

If London is your transit point, you will not be allowed to claim your baggage. Even if you beg the airline to let you touch your luggage in London, they will not let you. You won't see it, so make sure you have all your essentials with you. If you go to immigration instead of transit by mistake, they will simply redirect you once they find out you're not staying. Don't waste time there. You need to head to the trains if your flight to Nice departs from a different terminal.

Suzie

If you have booked through to Nice, your bags should be transferred automatically to your flight from London to Nice. When you arrive in London, just follow the directions for the In transit lounge and you won't go through customs.
It's easy honest. Good luck

Clarie

if its connecting flights you can sometimes get your bags checked in straight through to nice, so you don't have to do anything with them when you get to london!

â˜†Cleopatraâ˜†

Yup you gotta go through customs, pick up your baggage and check in again to the flight London - Nice, anyways call the airline to make sure about baggage !!! I had to pick up my baggage and go to customs, it could be different with the airline your are flying with !!!

Good Luck !!!

Not worries !!! If u wanna make sure just ask the flight attendant she will show you exactly what do u have to do, but is quite easy : ) just make sure you have enough time between flights because customs could be quite long sometimes... (((even if you are in the same airline, if you re flying internationally u have to go through customs)))

TheOne

If London is your connection stop, then you don't have to get your luggage, it will continue to your destination. You don't have to go through custom either because you are not allow to go outside of the international premises.

yess but the customs in the UK is no where near as anal as the US customs. No if you're on the same plane all the way to Nice, then you can claim it in Nice.

Tricia bee

don't know either as I have never travelled by an airplane.

ghost

I imagine you will fly from Dallas, to New York before going to Europe. I could be wrong, but that would be one long flight.

Hanna N

dont know never been there i would never travel alone

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