What to do during a long transplant. Long-term connection at Istanbul airport: we use it profitably

Most travelers find the transfer an excruciatingly boring delay. However, it may be different! Try to think of connecting as an added travel bonus that will allow you to get out and explore an unfamiliar world, even if it's just within the airport. A transplant can be a positive experience that will give you the opportunity to meet new people and see things that are unfamiliar to you. Perhaps the time between flights will be a productive part of your business trip or extending your vacation. It is likely that you will never be thrilled with transplants, however there are many ways to make them more bearable.

Steps

Preparing for the upcoming transplant

Explore the transfer airport. If you are booking a flight with a connection, prepare in advance by reviewing the information on the airport website. Find out if there are restaurants, shops or other places to pass the time. At some airports (usually at large cities) there are theaters, museums, gyms and even playgrounds for children.

• If the site has a map, print it out and mark the places you want to see.

1. Explore your luggage storage options. While on the airport website, see if there is a luggage storage service there for the duration of the transfer. Many airports provide this option, and it is very convenient because you do not have to go everywhere with your suitcases, especially if you leave the airport to see a couple of local attractions.

   • Usually this service is not free. However, it will most likely be worth it. It all depends on how long the transplant lasts and what you plan to do during it.

2. Join the airline's VIP club. At major airports, most airlines have VIP lounges or lounges where you can enjoy a relaxing, luxurious environment with food and drink. VIP clubs also provide services to those who need an “office away from the office”. For example, reliable Wi-Fi access and comfortable seats with a table where you can put your laptop and work materials.

   Take in carry-on luggage what you need during the transplant. If you plan to do some work, bring your laptop and other essentials. Pack jogging shorts and a jersey if there is a gym at the airport. Add a couple of small toiletries so you can freshen up before boarding your next flight. The ability to wash and brush your teeth during an extended transplant can have a huge impact on how you feel.

   Parse email, do your homework, or work to do. Grab a laptop and take advantage of free wireless internet access, if available at the airport (most often available). Finally, you can clean up all the letters you intend to send and make final edits for an upcoming important presentation.

   • If you're in school, start writing your essay for next week, or try reading a couple of chapters from your Home Reading List.

3. Make a to-do list when you arrive at your destination. It doesn't matter if you're on a business trip, vacation, or anywhere else, chances are there are tons of things to do when you arrive. Make a list while you wait so you don't waste a second later!

   • List all errands and other essentials, but make sure to set aside some time for sightseeing or even just relaxing.

4. Find out if you can change your flight. At the connecting airport, check with your airline representative to see if you can change your flight. You may be able to transfer to an earlier or later flight for free, subject to availability. If you are not limited in time and really want to explore the city or area where the connection is taking place, consider giving up your seat and taking a later flight.

   • This is not always possible, but if there is a chance, take it!

Spending time

1. Take something to read. If you are expecting a transplant, please bring a book or magazine with you. If you have nothing to read, browse the assortment of shops at the airport and buy something there. Choose what grabs your attention. Immersed in reading, you will not notice how quickly time flies by! Keep several options handy so you can switch from one to the other if you want.

   • For example, buy your favorite magazine to take your mind off a serious romance. If you change reading from time to time, you will not get bored, because even the most exciting thriller can get tired.

2. Sleep. A short nap is a great way to pass the time, especially during an overnight transfer. Even a quick, 20-30 minute nap will help you to cheer up. If you are not traveling alone, ask your companions to watch your belongings while you sleep. If you are driving on your own, be careful as thefts do occur at airports.

   • Some airports have equipped sleeping areas with comfortable seating so you don't have to worry about the safety of your belongings.
   • If you are very tired and there is a long connection ahead, check the prices for the airport hotel room. Some airports even have rooms that you can rent for a few hours.

3. Take a walk. If you have a transfer between two long flights, take a walk around the airport and restore blood circulation in your legs. Many airports have exhibits or exhibitions available to passengers. Alternatively, you can explore shop windows or local posters, watch airplanes, or simply familiarize yourself with the area and find a way to your next flight. If you can, go outside and get some fresh air.

   Eat, drink, or snack. Many airports have restaurants and bistros, even within the control zone. Food will energize you. In addition, it tastes better on the ground than on board. During the trip, the body loses moisture very quickly, so buy a bottle or two of your favorite drink.

4. Observe those around you. At the airport, you have a unique opportunity to observe people from all over the world representing a wide variety of cultures. Sit in a crowded area and see what other travelers are up to. You will no doubt see a couple of exotic characters that you would never have met under other circumstances.

   • Try not to look at people too openly and do not make your business obvious. This can make the person feel awkward or even suspicious.
   • If you spot someone interesting, go up and get to know him if you find it appropriate. With a good conversation, the time will fly by.

If you are flying overnight with one of the listed airlines, be sure to contact and find out how to get your free hotel.

Transfer airport: Ataturk, Istanbul (IST)

Conditions:

• (not necessary)
• only international flights
• docking at night at least 10 (economy) or 7 (business) hours
• only for round trip flights

How to book: You need to write to the mail [email protected] indicating the booking code and ticket number.

UPD... In June 2017, an additional program appeared for departures from Russia: when flying to North. and Yuzh. America, Asia and Far East with a transfer more than 20 hours, they give a free hotel. Regardless of whether there are flights in this interval or not!

Here full list directions for which the stopover is available: America (USA, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Panama, Cuba, Venezuela), Asia - Far East, Africa, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Portugal, Greece, Lebanon, United United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Malta, Israel, Prague, Vienna, Belgrade, Baku, Bucharest, Jordan, Croatia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria, Hungary.

Economy class passengers are provided free accommodation in a 4-star hotel with breakfast for 1 night in the Sultanahmet area. Business class passengers are provided free accommodation in a 5-star hotel with breakfast for 2 nights in the Taksim area.

Astana and Almaty - Air Astana

Transfer airport: Astana International Airport "Nursultan Nazarbayev", International Airport "Almaty"

Conditions: when docking for at least 10 hours; the class of the hotel depends on the class of the purchased ticket. As part of Stopover Holidays, for a nominal $ 1 fee, you will be taken to your hotel with breakfast included. And brought back to the airport. You can extend your stay for $ 65.

• ... These conditions are valid for at least 10 hours of docking. Information at the office. site.

Casablanca - Royal Air Maroc

Transfer airport: Mohammed V Airport, Casablanca (CMN)

Conditions: transfer at night for at least 8 hours (if the transfer is from 4 to 8 hours, then you will be fed and taken to the lounge)

How to book: Go to the Transit Desk in the arrivals hall.

It is recommended to arrive at Casablanca airport strongly in advance. 3-4 hours before departure. Reviews on Google Maps often write that this is the worst airport ever.

Doha - Qatar Airways

Transfer airport: Hamad International Airport, Doha (DOH)

Conditions:

• there is no other departure to the destination earlier in the schedule
• transit in Doha from 8 to 24 hours
• you are not flying from / to Abu Dhabi (AUH), Bahrain (BAH), Dubai (DWC or DXB), Kuwait (KWI), Muscat (MCT), Ras Al Khaimah (RKT) or Sharjah (SHJ)
• Not all booking classes can be received by the hotel. Call the airline.

Dubai - Emirates

Transfer airport: Dubai (DXB)

Conditions:

• both flights in one itinerary receipt
• there is no other departure to the destination earlier in the schedule
• connecting at least 8 (economy) or 6 (business) hours. No more than 24 hours.
• the reservation must be made on the website at least 24 hours before the flight

Addis Ababa - Ethopian Air

Transfer airport: Bole, Addis Ababa (ADD)

Conditions: docking from 8 to 24 hours.

Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver - Air Canada

Transfer airport: Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), Vancouver (YVR)

Conditions:

• only available for booking classes Latitude, Premium Economy and Business
• for Tango and Flex classes there are offers with discounts from $ 49.
• docking from 6 hours.

Guangzhou - China Southern

Transfer airport: Guangzhou (CAN)

Conditions:

• codeshare flights are suitable
• connecting 8 hours or more (6+ for routes to Australia, New Zealand and London); docking with overnight stay 8-48 hours.
• may not be available for promo tickets. Please check after purchasing your tickets with the airline.

Beijing, Chengdu, Dalian, Hangzhou, Shanghai - Air China

Transfer airports: Beijing (PEK), Chengdu (CTU), Dalian (DLC), Hangzhou (HGH), Shanghai (SHA or PVG)

Conditions:

• Ticket number must start with â € œ999â €
• Code-share flights and miles are not eligible.

Xiamen - Xiamen Air

Transfer airports: Xiamen (XMN)

Conditions: Provided by the hotel for transfers more than 6 hours (even during the day). Even if there is another flight in the schedule earlier

Colombo - Sri Lankan Airlines

Transfer airports: Colombo (CMB)

• Transfer from 8 to 24 hours
• A ticket (excluding fees and taxes) cost more than $ 180 (one way) or $ 360 (both)
• there is no other departure to the destination earlier in the schedule

It was not possible to find information on the site, but the Flyer Talk forum members have used it more than once.

Possible / conditions: Colombo, Bangkok, Dhaka, Seoul, Lisbon, Osaka, Tokyo, Kunming, Xi'an, Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Singapore

• Osaka, Tokyo - Japan Airlines. The airline does not provide hotels, but the website states that "at its discretion, JAL may take over accommodation."

In the case of scheduled overnight connection on through services, JAL may, at its discretion, bear hotel charges. (JAL.com)

• Bangkok - Thai Airways. For passengers flying from Australia to Europe via Bangkok only. ...
• Biman airlines provides a hotel in Dhaka when flying from Thailand to Nepal.
• On the websites of Korean airlines Korean air and Asiana airlines not find information about the conditions. But according to reviews on the Internet, the hotel is provided. Here is a blogger's report on getting a hotel with Asiana. Forum Flyer Talk about Korean Air.
• Abu Dhabi - Etihad Airways. On the airline's website, you can find offers with big discounts on hotels.
• Singapore - Singapore Airlines. There are transfer packages that include hotel and transfer. You can see it on the website. On the Flyer Talk forum, you can find evidence that sometimes the airline provides the hotel for free.
• Helsinki - FinnAir. There are packages for long and short stopovers.
• Reykjavik - IcelandAir. The company offers a stopover up to 7 days. More details on the website

It is always better to travel with comfort, hardly anyone will argue with that. And sometimes comfort is possible where many do not even know about it.
Those who travel a lot, especially over long distances, often face the inevitability of a long transfer when they have to spend the whole day or night at the airport. But some airports and airlines offer their customers a free hotel during transit and even breakfast!
There are few such companies, and there are also certain conditions for the provision of the service, but if they do offer, then why not use the service.

I will warn you right away: keep in mind that almost all airlines provide free hotel services when connecting only if both flights are in the same itinerary, i.e. as part of a bundled ticket, not two purchased separately.
So, the most interesting hubs for traveling from Russia:

Turkish Airlines
Airport transfer and: Ataturk (IST), Istanbul

Turkish Airlines offers business class passengers for transfers over 7 hours and economy class passengers (over 10 hours) free accommodation, transfers and meals in Istanbul. The offer applies only to international flights, and on condition that the duration of the connection is determined by the schedule (it is impossible to fly out earlier).
If desired, instead of accommodation, you can choose a free city tour (when connecting 6-24 hours).

Reservation: go to the "Hotel Desk" after customs.

Emirates
Transfer airport: Dubai (DXB)

If the route involves a long stopover in Dubai when flying with Emirates, the airline provides free hotel accommodation, meals, transfers and visa processing.
The service is available for first class and business class passengers with a forced connection 6-24 hours and economy class passengers with a connection 8-24 hours.
Dubai Connect may be offered on other occasions as well. Additional rules may apply depending on the date of booking, the fare, the selected flight from the departure point and the first available flight from the connecting point.

Reservation: Requires pre-registration no later than 24 hours before the flight to Dubai, the service is subject to availability.

Qatar Airways
Transfer airport: Hamad (DOH), Doha

For transit passengers with a long-term connection in international airport Hamad (Doha) Qatar Airways provides hotel accommodation, registration entry visa, organization of transfer and meals.
This service is provided only if there is a forced connection (there are no other Qatar Airways flights with a connection less than 8 hours) and if the transit time at the airport is from 8 to 24 hours. Not available if the departure or arrival is from the following cities: Abu Dhabi (AUH), Bahrain (BAH), Dubai (DXB), Dubai (DWC), Kuwait (KWI), Muscat (MCT), Ras Al Khaimu ( RKT) and Sharjah (SHJ).

Reservation: either at least 72 hours before departure, or directly at the airport.

Air China
Transfer airports: Beijing (PEK), Chengdu (CTU), Dalian (DLC), Hangzhou (HGH), Shanghai (SHA or PVG)

Air China provides passengers with a 24-hour night transfer, a 24-hour shuttle to the hotel, breakfast and comfortable rooms. The offer applies to both international and domestic flights, and is valid at five airports.
This offer is not valid for the following categories of tickets and passengers:
- tickets, the initial numbers of which are not 999
- combined flights
- tickets for unaccompanied children
- tickets purchased in exchange for miles
- passengers with a free ticket

Reservation: on the website or at the airport; Passengers on overnight flights who have booked an Air China transit hotel in Beijing can find the Air China Transit Counter at Gate B on the 2nd floor of the terminal.

China Southern
Transfer airport: Guangzhou (CAN)

Now, passengers on China Southern flights connecting to Guangzhou are offered free overnight stays at a variety of hotels, including five-star hotels.
The benefit applies to passengers traveling on China Southern flights or codeshare (codeshare) flights.
Docking time:
- connecting without overnight stay 8 hours or more (6 or more hours for routes Australia, New Zealand, London);
- docking with an overnight stay 8 - 48 hours.
Free accommodation is not available in the case of large discounted economy class tickets, airline tickets purchased using miles, and free staff tickets.

Reservation: On the official website (6 months and up to 24 hours before arrival in Guangzhou) or at the airport transit counter.

Royal air maroc
Transfer airport: Mohammed V Airport (CMN), Casablanca

If you are traveling to Africa, North America, Brazil and Cape Verde with its own Royal Air Maroc flights with a stopover in Casablanca for more than 8 hours, the airline provides hotel accommodation for a maximum of one night. A free shuttle service runs from the airport to the hotel. If the transplant is 4-8 hours, you will be taken to the lounge and fed.
The hotel is provided only if there is no earlier departure to the destination.

Reservation: early booking hotel is not possible, in order to receive a voucher for accommodation, you must contact the Services d'hebergement / Accomodation desk, presenting a printout e-ticket, which indicates the route to follow.

If you have chosen an indirect flight, then this means that you will have to fly with a transfer. For those who are still afraid of transplants or do not know everything about them, I will try to put it on the shelves.

If you are flying with a transfer, then you are moving from city A to city B, while landing in a completely different city, which is on the way to point B. At the same time, you get off the plane, go to the airport, and then board another plane. Naturally, the total flight time for a transfer flight increases. But the ticket, as a rule, becomes cheaper.

And it is simply impossible to get to some places in this world without a transfer. Therefore, if you are going to fly by air at all, you should know as much as possible about transfers in advance.

"Transfer" can also be called "Docking" or "Transfer" (rarely "Transit"). In addition, at every airport in the world there will be an inscription in English, according to which it will be possible to understand where to go to get a transfer, and not accidentally leave the airport - look for the inscriptions "Transfer" or "Flight Transfers" or "Flight Connections" or "Connecting Flights" (or rarely - "Transit").

Once again about the terminology.

A transfer is a change of side during a flight from one point to another using 2 or more flight arms.

What is flight shoulder?

The flight leg is the part of the route that is carried out without landing the aircraft. Accordingly, if your ticket has only 1 shoulder, it is a direct flight. If 2 or more, then you are flying with a transfer (after all, the plane sits down and leaves the plane).

Important points of transplants:

1. Transfer within the same terminal of one airport.

Everything is simple here. For example, you arrive at Sheremetyevo Airport (Terminal F) and depart from Sheremetyevo (Terminal F). In this case, everything will be easy and simple. After exiting the plane, you will need to follow the "Transfer" signs and the like.

These signs will take you either to the general departure hall or to a special area for transit passengers. There you will need to find a scoreboard / screen that shows the departure times of flights, flight numbers and boarding gates. Then you go to the desired exit (you found the exit number on the scoreboard / screen) and wait for boarding the flight.

Such a transplant takes the least time.

Whether the transfer takes place at the same airport / terminal, you must find out either when buying an air ticket, or find it in the form of the air ticket issued to you. If the departure terminal is not indicated in the ticket, during the day before departure, you will need to go to the website of the airport where the transfer is carried out and look at the arrivals and departures board (or enter the flight number). It is necessary to check, of course, both flights. Because you have to make sure that the arrival of one flight and the departure of another flight take place in the same terminal.

If your transfer takes place in a small town / airport, then most likely there is only 1 terminal at this airport. Such airports are, for example, in Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn.

* small and cozy Tallinn airport

But there are also pitfalls here. There are small airports without a transit zone. For example, the same Tallinn airport.

This means that if you fly from Russia via Tallinn to visa-free country, you still need a Schengen visa, since right after leaving the plane you will have to go through customs control.

This is neither good nor bad. Simply, if you do not have a visa of a transit country, when buying an air ticket, you need to check at which airport the transfer takes place and whether there is a transit zone there. Such information for any airport is easy to find on the Internet.

2. There are transfers at different terminals and even at different airports

The situation is more complicated if you find out that different values ​​are indicated in the ticket by the airport or the arrival and departure terminal, in the city of your transfer.

Let's take for the first example the Moscow Sheremetyevo airport:

In Moscow Sheremetyevo, you can arrive, for example, at Terminal F, and fly out from Terminal D. There seem to be different terminals, but by going to the airport website and looking at the official airport map, you will immediately understand that there will be no problems. In this case, the terminals, although different, are located in one place, are one group of buildings and are interconnected. Therefore, in this case, you just have to spend some time to walk from one terminal to another. And, most likely, you will have to go through the security service again.

But if you arrive, for example, at Terminal C, and depart from Terminal D, then everything becomes more complicated. As you can see from the diagram, the terminals are located on different sides of the take-off field, which means that you will need to somehow get from one terminal to another. And it won't be just an easy walk.

I want to note right away that there are many airports in the world where you have to get from one terminal to another by public transport or taxi.

In the case of Sheremetyevo Airport, a bus runs from Terminal C to Terminal F every half an hour. It goes for 10-20 minutes. That is, you need to plan for at least 2 hours of time for such a transfer.

At some airports, such as Frankfurt am Main, a mini-train runs between terminals on the monorail. In any case, different terminals mean that, firstly, you need to find out how to get from one terminal to another (this information can be easily found on the airport website or in various forums), and secondly, that your transfer should last at least couple of hours.

But that's not all.

Things are even more fun if your transfer involves changing the airport.

For example, again, it is easy to take the Moscow aviation hub, which contains as many as 3 major airports. And all are located on different sides of Moscow. If you are arriving at Vnukovo and your next flight is from Domodedovo, then the time of your transfer should be at least 4 hours. In general, this will not create any additional problems for you. Only time consuming. If you are a citizen of Russia.

But again, if you are a citizen of Russia, and your transfer at different airports will take place in another country. Then this is a good reason to check the visa regulations of a given country.

Let's imagine that you are flying from Moscow to Rio de Janeiro with a transfer in Frankfurt. If the transfer takes place within this airport, then you do not need any visas.

Now let's imagine that you wanted to save money and found chip flights in Rio with a transfer in Madrid, and suddenly it turned out that you are arriving at the airport "Girona - Costa Brava", located 90 kilometers from Barcelona, ​​and flying to Rio from the airport "El Prat Barcelona". This means not only that you have to cover about 100 km for a change (which, by the way, is very easy to do, in just 2 hours with one bus change), but also that you have to get a Schengen visa for such a change. And this can both neutralize your savings and complicate travel due to the need to obtain a visa.

Routes from one airport to another by public transport are easily found by Google:

If you already have a visa, then there are no problems.

By the way, about the airport "El Prat Barcelona".

Even if you have a transfer only within this airport, but in different terminals ... you still have to get a visa, since the terminals of this airport are located on opposite sides of the takeoff field (almost like in Sheremetyevo) and are connected by a free bus message. And this means that you have to leave the airport, which means to set foot on Spanish soil, which is the territory of the Schengen agreement :) So you need a Schengen visa again.

It is possible that in these examples everything seems complicated. And yet, everything is much simpler. I am looking at different examples. In your situation, you will only need to check one ticket. Preferably before buying :) And if you are satisfied with the terms of the transfer, buy a ticket. Or choose another ticket.

If a difficult transfer is found in an already purchased ticket, we just look at what needs to be done for such a transfer, we find on the Internet how to get from one point to another, and voila! :) Everything is easier than it seems. And in any case, such situations are always easy to solve. Although it requires additional body movements, I do not deny :)

But independent travel initially requires your body movements :) That's why it turns out cheaper and more interesting!

In addition, transferring at different airports is not always difficult and difficult.

After all, such a transplant can be the beginning of a good or. In the same example about Girona and Barcelona - for some it will be an exhausting transfer, while for others it may be 2 additional beautiful Spanish cities on the way to Brazil. It all depends on your tastes and wishes.

3.Boarding pass

Almost always, at the check-in counter at the very first airport of departure, you will be immediately checked in until the end of the route and given boarding passes for all flights.

You may not be checked in for onward flights if your connection lasts longer than 24 hours. If a child flies with you without a seat, you may also not be registered for further flights. If you bought two separate tickets, if the transfer takes place at different terminals or different airports, you can also be checked in only for the first flight.

That does not prevent you from going through the online check-in on your own for each flight separately. If this cannot be done, then there is no problem in this. Just go to the check-in counter at the airport of departure after transferring and check in as usual! That's all :)

Yes, it's that simple.

By the way, some low-cost airlines do not sell connecting tickets even for their own flights. That is, they can only sell 2 separate tickets. This, for example, is done by the WizzAir company, which flies from Moscow to Hungary. And they also do not provide transit halls. That is, with their tickets, in any case, you need to go through the border, present a Schengen visa and check in again for the second flight at the check-in counter. Even if you are flying through Budapest to visa-free Georgia.

If you are flying with a non-budget company and with a transfer within the same terminal or at a small airport, and you are still registered only for the first flight, then at the transfer, go to any airport employee, to the information desk or to the counter of transit / transfer passengers - and there you will be issued a boarding pass.

Everything is simple here.

4. Transfer time.

Even if you are not going to organize yourself or, you still need to be careful about the transplant time.
Considering the above, your transfer may sometimes require collecting your baggage and dropping it again, or moving from one terminal to another. In this case, you may not have enough time if the transfer lasts only 30 minutes or even an hour and a half. And if the transfer involves changing the airport, then, as I already wrote, the transfer can take several hours.

But even if you don’t need to pick up anything, and you don’t need to change the terminal or airport, you may still be in for surprises :)

For example, at Dubai International Airport (DXB) I walked about an hour from one exit to the other :))) That was very unexpected. I could not even imagine that the airport could be SO gigantic. It's good that I had a transplant for several hours! It turned out that on the way there there was simply no luck with the exit of the arriving plane and the exit of the departing plane. They ended up at different ends of a huge airport, built in the form of a long-lasting sausage :)

This airport looks like this:

On the way back, the transfer was only 45 minutes. And I thought that everything was lost :) In the end, on the way back, we were not even taken out of the plane! We just sat and waited 45 minutes for the plane to refuel and bring additional passengers to it. Apparently, the airline knew that we would not have time to change the board during the transfer :) In general, look carefully also at the size of airports when choosing long transfers.

In Tallinn, for example, I managed to change seats in half an hour, taking into account passport control :)

5. It happens in different ways. Delays and delays.

However, in the same Tallinn I had a transfer in 20 minutes. And I didn't have time :)

But my ticket was sold for both flight legs of the same airline - in that case, Estonian Air. And both flight arms were sold as a single ticket. This means that the airline is responsible for my transfer, and if I do not have time, then according to the law, they ... have to come up with something to solve the current situation :) I was checked in for the next flight in the same direction, which departed 2 hours later , and issued a food voucher with a face value of 10 euros.

There are different coupons, for example:

Photo sources: vm.ru and ru-travel.lj.ru

If I flew in the evening, and the next flight was only in the morning, then I would be provided with a hotel. Such are the rules in the European Union.

If you have a short connection in non-EU countries and you fear you might not be in time, then before (or after) look for something like "[Country] flight delay rules". All countries in the world should have regulations describing the behavior of airlines in such cases.

In general, if one company sold you a single ticket with a short stopover, and you did not manage to change during this time, then you should be transferred to the next flight and this is considered as a flight delay due to the fault of the airline.

If you bought two separate tickets, then you are responsible for the transfer yourself. This means that if you do not have time, you will buy a new ticket at your own expense.

If you bought one ticket, and at the same time, two flight legs are operated by different airlines, then there are already discrepancies here.

How to understand if the airline is responsible for the transfer or all the risks are on you?

This is the most hidden information on the Internet, but I'll tell you especially for you. In fact, everything is simple:

The airline under whose code the ticket was issued is responsible. If the codes are different, then the responsibility is on you.

Airlines can be completely different, but at the same time they can be in the same aviation alliance and there can be a special codeshare agreement between them. This means that they can fly on different flights under the code of the airline that sold the ticket (even if in fact the flight is operated by another airline).

For example, I found a copy of a real ticket on the Internet. Here's an example of such a ticket:

As many as three airlines are participating! FlyBe, FinnAir, Bangkok Airways - as many as 2 transfers in each direction.

But pay attention to the Flight column - it says "AY ****" everywhere. "AY" is the airline code. In this example, FinnAir is responsible for all connections and flights.

If the codes were different, then the responsibility would already lie with the passenger. For example, the first flight would have the code SU2401, and the next one would have AY2502, then the connection between these flights would be your concern.

6. Other

At the very beginning, I wrote: "... so you don't accidentally leave the airport." So, if you accidentally went not for a transfer, but left the airport, then you should not despair.

Firstly, if you cannot leave the airport for visa reasons, then you will not be released :) In this case, you will be politely prompted where you need to go to get a transfer.

If you have a visa and you can get out ... and at the same time you got out, but did not want to ... then you can always and easily go back with a ticket or boarding pass. You just need to go through security control again.

7. Transfers with visas.

It is far from everywhere that you can make a transplant without thinking about anything.

For example, in Australia, USA or Canada, in order to make a transfer even at airports with a transit zone, you still need to get a visa! Yes, they even have a special transit visa for these cases. And for such a visa, you also need to collect documents and spend money on its registration.

Take into account such nuances and always check if you need to get a transit visa in the country of transplantation.

On the other hand, in some countries where you need to get a visa, you can make not only visa-free transit at the airport (as in the EU countries with airports that have a transit zone), but you can even get the right to free visa-free transit within 2-3 days!

Such rules of visa-free 2- or 3-day transit are, for example, in many major cities in China and Singapore. Thus, flying through them to a third country, you can visit new places for yourself completely free of charge and without problems. But in such cases, it is the transit somewhere further that is taken into account. If the ticket is round-trip, for example, Moscow-Singapore-Moscow, then you will not be allowed in without a visa.

About transfer luggage I'll tell you separately. And even so there is already too much information for one article :)

If you have questions, objections or additions, I will be glad to see them in the comments. Your comments will be especially helpful if I have made a mistake somewhere. Yes, I'm not perfect :)

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Not to miss my next travel articles - Press

Although a flight with a transfer is less comfortable than a direct one, a ticket for it is always cheaper. If waiting for a few hours in the waiting room is not a problem for you, it is better to settle for such a comparative inconvenience as transferring at the airport, however, the money saved can then be spent on buying souvenirs or visiting a couple of additional attractions. We will tell you how the flight with a stopover takes place, as well as give some useful recommendations.

The essence of the air transfer is simple: from the starting point you fly to the transit point, and after a while (it can range from a couple of hours to several days) you go directly to your destination. Moreover, it is interesting that geographically, the transfer point may not be located at all on the way between points A and B, but somewhere off to the side. Also, be careful when booking: the cheapest routes, as a rule, include up to several changes.

Flight with a stopover - more cheap way get to your destination

It is better to skip a route that takes less than an hour to connect, especially at large airports with multiple terminals. Firstly, air travel largely depends on a host of third-party factors: weather, wind direction and speed, the work of dispatchers in the end, and so on. Departure delays are not uncommon, so you may simply miss your second flight, and airlines, as a rule, are similar cases(since they are considered as occurred through the fault of the passenger) the money for the ticket is not refunded. Secondly, if the airport consists of several terminals, you may not have time to get to the desired gate, especially if it is located in another building. The optimal time for a safe transplant is 2.5-3 hours.

Please read your flight information carefully. Do not assume that plane-to-plane transfers always take place at the same airport. Situations often occur, mostly in Europe and Asia, when you arrive at one air harbor, and the second plane takes off from another. It is noteworthy that such transfers usually take more time, but the road does not take into account possible traffic jams or the time it takes to wait. public transport... In addition, in this case, you will have to collect your baggage yourself and drop it back at another airport.

Note! you need to have time to re-register on new flight and check in your luggage a maximum of 40 minutes before the flight departure time.

If long transplant falls at night, think in advance where you will spend your waiting hours. Not at every airport, namely at transit zone, there are hotels for passengers, especially if the terminal is small. Chances are, after spending the whole night in a chair in the waiting room, you will never again want to fly with a stopover in your life, much less with this one. If a change is unavoidable, take care of your visa in advance so that you can leave the airport and spend the night in a hotel or hostel.

In order not to have to spend the night in the waiting room, take care of the visa in advance

Check in advance if you need a transit visa, how to get it, how much it costs. It is much better to have a good time than wandering aimlessly around the airport or surfing the Internet via airport Wi-Fi. If time permits, go on a guided tour or just take a walk around the city.

How to get into the city if you are flying with a transfer?

Many passengers are concerned about the following question: "Is it possible to leave the airport when transferring?" Of course, no one can oppress your rights. And if you worry about a transit visa in advance (in those countries for which you need to open it in advance), you can easily get to know the city.

In order not to be in an offensive situation, start preparing for the flight in advance. Do the following:

• Check if you need a transit visa in the country where you are going to transfer.
• Study the airport map and city map, make a route. For example: first you will pick up your luggage at this place (if provided), then leave it in the storage room here, affix a visa here(in those countries where it does not need to be opened in advance), go to the bus stop here and then explore these sights and return to such and such time back to the airport.

If you have a long transfer, use this opportunity to get to know the city

In countries such as Turkey or Egypt, there are no problems with obtaining a transit visa. You just need to go to the required window with the sign "Visa", pay according to the tariff and give your passport to be stamped.

Note! If you have a transplant (and in some cases there are more than one) in Canada, the United States or the Schengen countries, a transit visa must be issued in advance at the embassy of the country where you will have a transplant.