How do I go about connecting flights with different airlines?
I'm planning my trip via Skyscanner and some options given are those of connecting flights but with different airlines. If my trip is confirmed, I'm most likely to book via a travel agent where I can pay the full amount even with separate tickets issued.
Now, how do I go about the process of transferring flights? Do I have to go through immigration in the country I'm transiting at, and check-in again to the airline company of the second leg of the flight?
I understand the risks of being delayed on the first leg of the flight/etc. Any ideas what is the minimum transit time I should have to minimise such risks?
Just treat them as two different flights and give yourself enough time to retrieve your bags and change terminals
It depends on several things.
You may not actually be on a separate airline, but a "Codeshare" which Is where two airlines are partners and even though you are on two separate airlines they are considered the same itinerary.
But it does appear you are on an International Flight and regardless of if you are on the same or separate airlines the process to go through Immigration is the same. So there's really no difference in the transfer or immigration requirements in this case. This is really dependent on the country.
However, if you are not on a Codeshare, and your first flight is late causing you to miss your second flight then neither airline is required to provide you with any compensation and you may end up having to purchase a totally new ticket for the 2nd flight. Where if you were on a Codeshare and their delay caused you to miss the flight, they would be still required to get you on the next available flight.
But in general if you are flying internationally and need to go through immigration you should try to allow at least 4 hours between flights. If you are on separate airlines I would suggest at least 6-8 to cover situations where the first flight may get delayed.
If you actually provided the Countries and airlines involved you could get a more specific answer.
There are about 300 Airlines and about 45,000 Airports. The exact procedure for every possible connection you can dream up is not Identical every where for every possible connection.
Do I have to go through immigration in the country I'm transiting at. Sometimes YES and sometimes you can avoid this if you can stay in the Airport's International Transfer Zone.
EVERY AIRPORT does not have one.
I understand the risks of being delayed on the first leg of the flight/etc
Any ideas what is the minimum transit time I should have to minimise such risks?
Shall we all guess which one out of thousands of Airports you are changing at?
SCHEDULED arrival is not the minute you are getting off plane. NO ONE can guess if your next flight is at the next gate beside where you arrive or the opposite end of the terminal or maybe a separate terminal building.
Your time from one flight to the next could be a low 15 minutes or an hour or two of just walking and inter terminal transfer. Terminal.to terminal and maybe a second security screening,
NO ONE can predict if you must have a Passport/Customs inspection or how long the line might be the minute your flights passengers arrive at the check point. The wait can be a short 10-30 minutes or hours and hours.Depending what other flights arrive a few minutes before yours.
If you want a better answer than specify your planned Airport to change planes and the Airlines you are using.
A plane on a long flight can be easily an hour late to arrive for many reasons. Your flight might be early on time or late. You might be first passenger or last passenger off the plane
For planing purposes it is reasonable to plan on you getting off about 30 minutes after Scheduled arrival. Boarding for next flight stops about 10-15 minutes before departure.
Add in the time just to walk from one flight to the next. No one can guess how fast you can move it.
If all things work out for you a 2 hour window works for many. In a very large place 4-6 hours may be what is required.
If you really want help specify your Airport of interest to change planes, the Airlines you are using, the country you depart, the country you change and the country of final destination.
YOUR CITIZENSHIP can also determine how long the process may take. At some Airports.
That you miss your connection because of long lines does not mean second Airline must give you a ticket for a later flight, pay for a hotel or for meals while you wait.
Warning. YOU DO NOT get some priority next flight out. It is next available seat the wait might be a few hours or days.
Storms happen that disrupt schedules at many places. It happens and can't really be planned for. ONLY YOU can decide if it is worth the risk for the cheap fare and things go your way or pay a little more and not have stress the entire first flight hoping you make the next one.
Only you can give a value of being at final destination near on time or a day or two later. Should you not make the connection.
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