How is international traval different (at the airport) than domestic travel?

Question

I am flying from L.A. to Atlanta to Italy soon. They say to arrive 3 hours early, but at which airport? Does my flight into Atalanta need a 3 hour window?

Answer 1

Didn't your travel agent tell you?   If your flight to Atlanta from LAX is domestic then the minimum check in time will be shorter than for International flights.

Once in Atlanta you will then have to transfer from the Domestic terminal to the International terminal.  Check your tickets and see who is the airline taking you from LAX to Atlanta and telephone them to find out the miniumum check in requirement.

International travel is different from domestic in a few ways.  

1. You need a passport

2. You need to go through Immigration & Customs

3. You are restricted in what you can carry as baggage

I advise you phone your agent or the airlines and find out well before you travel.

All the best

Answer 2

You will go through custom in Italy, not in the US. It's the Italians who want to check what your are bringing into the country.

Upon your return you will go through custom in the US, now the Americans would like to know what you bring back!!!

Unfortunately, the early arrival time applies to all flights.

Answer 3

Better call the airlines if you have doubts,but if you are leaving from LA you probably leave from LAX....and YES get there early! Once you land in ATL you"ll have time to connect to the flight to Italy.

Answer 4

You need to get to LAX about an hour and a half before your flight...flying from LAX (L.A.) to ATL (Atlanta) is just a domestic flight, no biggie. The only difference is is that at LAX you will have to check in inside (no curbside) and at the international check in. All they do there is give you your boarding pass for LAX - ATL and a flight information ticket (NOT A BOARDING PASS!) for your ATL - Italy flight. Here they will also check your baggage all the way through to Italy, so there is no need to pick them up on the way there (on the way back you will - US customs requires that you pick up your luggage before entering the county). Once you arrive in ATL you are given only the amount of time that the airline alotted you when you purchased your tickets which should be at least two hours...but it could be more. In ATL you will have to find your gate and once you get there check yourself in at the gate with a gate agent. Here they will give you your boarding pass for ATL - Italy. Once in Italy you will have to go through customs. Be sure you have your passport!

Answer 5

international travellers go through customs, domestic travellers don't.  You need 3 hours so they can clear all of the passengers and their luggage.  You will sit at the airport in LA for 3 hours, only boarding the plane in the last half hour, so take something to do...  it's pretty normal now.