Connecting Flights

[jimlouisesophie]

Flying from Nanaimo, British Columbia to Vancouver, BC to LAX....Connecting time at YVR is 1 hr 16 minutes but have to go thru US Customs there (already went thru security)   Is this enough connecting time?

[Arizona Wildcat]

3 minutes ago, jimlouisesophie said:

Flying from Nanaimo, British Columbia to Vancouver, BC to LAX....Connecting time at YVR is 1 hr 16 minutes but have to go thru US Customs there (already went thru security)   Is this enough connecting time?

Absolutely not.  Have breezed through customs, but waited in long lines at other times.  You need to be at the gate 30 minutes before your US bound flight departs.

Way too many things can happen.

Nanaimo has lots of weather issues depending on the time of the year.  If different airlines a bag pickup, transfer, and recheck takes 2 hours.  Same airline 90 minutes.

[Sea Hag]

8 minutes ago, jimlouisesophie said:

Flying from Nanaimo, British Columbia to Vancouver, BC to LAX....Connecting time at YVR is 1 hr 16 minutes but have to go thru US Customs there (already went thru security)   Is this enough connecting time?

I would suggest asking that question here: Cruise Air - Cruise Critic Community

[Sn0cruiser]

We flew into YVR for connecting flight to LA from a Canadian airport and had to wait in a very long line to go through security again at a US security/passport check area before even getting to US customs.  That connecting time may be « legal » from the airlines perspective but is not enough time.

[Arizona Wildcat]

Our friends from Lantzville said that the good news is that neither you or your luggage are likely to make the connection.   He was laughing.  Said flight to YVR often late.

[karatemom2]

We have experienced some pretty long lines at YVR immigration, both coming and going. The time frame you mention would be tight even in a situation where you weren’t clearing immigration. I would look for a longer connection. 

[Mud_Shark]

What time do you arrive in Vancouver?  If it is 8-10am, I think you will be slow getting through customs and to your gate.  If it is a red-eye departure and you arrive 8-10pm, you might do better.

[lx200gps]

1 hour ago, jimlouisesophie said:

Flying from Nanaimo, British Columbia to Vancouver, BC to LAX....Connecting time at YVR is 1 hr 16 minutes but have to go thru US Customs there (already went thru security)   Is this enough connecting time?

First question is whether or not the "official" booking actually allows that connection. If the airline says it's OK, then theoretically/technically it is possible. Second question, are you sure you won't have to go back through security again? Probably not, but you are going transborder. Third question, do you have both NEXUS AND airline or credit card priority security access?  Having both of these can often massively help avoid the long lines. We always seem to breeze through checkin, security and US entry here in Canada with these perqs.  Our last half-dozen flights, we've gone from check-in to sitting in the lounge in as little as 15 minutes, though that is heavily dependent on time of day of course. NEXUS is tremendous.  Without them, I wouldn't ever consider a short connection like that. One thing in your favor, assuming it's Air Canada, is that AC will often station staff in the security and US areas calling out the connecting flights and escorting connecting passengers to a shorter line so they can make the connection.

[memoak]

This would be too short a time for me. You never know how crowded immigration will be

[jimlouisesophie]

Agree..will get a later flight..thx 4 the replies//

[em-sk]

On 3/9/2024 at 2:26 PM, jimlouisesophie said:

Agree..will get a later flight..thx 4 the replies//

 

Assuming your on Air Canada (Jazz) or WestJet (Encore) into Vancouver.  If so, then you don't go into the same line as passengers who started their trip in Vancouver.   There is a special area for connecting passengers that is significantly shorter and faster than those passengers who are starting their trip in Vancouver.

 

Bad news, is you will do security part again.  The only difference I have ever noticed, if for the US flight they want you to take your shoes off.

 

I am based in Victoria and regularly do this.  I can usually do the connection in under hour.  However it is very tight and there is no room of delay.

 

If you are coming into Vancouver on a different airline (e.g. Pacific Coastal), you will arrive at the south terminal and need to grab a shuttle to the main terminal.  If that is the case, then you will need the hour and likely a bit more time.

 

[jimlouisesophie]

8 hours ago, em-sk said:

 

Assuming your on Air Canada (Jazz) or WestJet (Encore) into Vancouver.  If so, then you don't go into the same line as passengers who started their trip in Vancouver.   There is a special area for connecting passengers that is significantly shorter and faster than those passengers who are starting their trip in Vancouver.

 

Bad news, is you will do security part again.  The only difference I have ever noticed, if for the US flight they want you to take your shoes off.

 

I am based in Victoria and regularly do this.  I can usually do the connection in under hour.  However it is very tight and there is no room of delay.

 

If you are coming into Vancouver on a different airline (e.g. Pacific Coastal), you will arrive at the south terminal and need to grab a shuttle to the main terminal.  If that is the case, then you will need the hour and likely a bit more time.

 

Thx 4 the reply..Very comprehensive and helpful...will probably take the 6 am flight with AC to Vancouver and then take a lay over of 4 hours... We are arriving in LAX 2 days ahead of our cruise, so have lots of time.