In order to get from one point of our planet to another, one often has to do a transplant in a particular country. Transit passengers are those who travel in this way. Flights with the need for transplantation have their advantages and disadvantages.
Definition of a concept
So, transit passenger is what? This term defines the circle of persons who make a visit to a particular country through third states. Such a stop is voluntary, as the passenger independently plans his flight to the destination. In particular, he must take into account the amount of time it takes to transplant.
You can travel with one or several airlines. Moreover, they may be part of one alliance.
About Transit Zones
Transit passengers are those that transfer in third countries on the way to their destination. Almost all major airports in the world have special areas for their stay. These are isolated spaces located beyond the border control points, where passengers are waiting for a flight to the country of destination.
Transit areas are always equipped with special signs and electronic displays with information about departing flights. Leaving them, as a rule, is not necessary. Usually the time spent in these areas is strictly regulated. Some transit areas of international airports have special lounges for passengers.
How to deal with luggage
Carriage of transit passengers involves the registration of the passenger and his baggage to the airport at which the transfer is planned. Thus, all preflight formalities must be repeated.
It often happens that baggage is checked in at the starting point of the trip immediately to the final point, that is, for two flights. However, at the transfer airport, you still need to receive it. This information should be clarified in advance with the employee at the reception.
About transit visas
Regulation of the stay of transit passengers is the competence of the immigration authorities of the state. When staying in a sterile area, passport control is not necessary. But if there is a need to leave it or change the terminal, you still have to go through that formality.
Do transit passengers need visas? It all depends on the country through which the trip to the destination. As a rule, if the passenger does not change the terminal and does not leave the transit zone, a visa is not required. Otherwise, it must first be drawn up at foreign consulates. Some countries allow entry permits directly upon arrival.
Transit visas are valid from a few hours to six months, there are also visas for one or two entries. But even during this time interval, the traveler has the right to leave the airport. At this time, you can stay at the hotel, attend various excursions, relax.
Pros and Cons of Traveling
A transit trip has a number of undeniable advantages:
- You can plan your trip yourself.
- The cost of a flight is much lower than for connecting flights, which are planned exclusively by airlines.
- If the passenger has a visa to stay in the country of transfer, he can temporarily leave the airport.
- Ease of issuing a return ticket.
But there are also disadvantages:
- Upon arrival at the transfer point, you must re-check in and check in your baggage in accordance with the rules of another airline.
- If you are late for a transfer flight, the responsibility lies not with the carrier, but with the passenger.
- Responsibility for the safety of baggage lies with the passenger.
- Customs and border controls will have to go through twice.
Recommendations for passengers
To make the flight as comfortable as possible, it is necessary to take into account several subtleties:
- The time interval of the transplant must be taken into account in advance. As a rule, the most comfortable interval is three to four hours. If the passenger is not sure that he will have time to go through all the pre-flight formalities, it is better to increase the interval.
- If it’s rather difficult to navigate in the new airport, it is advisable to download its diagram or interactive map and understand it first. This will save a lot of time. In an extreme case, you can always ask the airport employees where to go.
- The rules for transit passengers should be clarified in advance at the airline’s representative office.
- Since baggage will have to be received, you must immediately find the point of issue.
- Check-in should be done immediately upon arrival to save time.
- Flights can always be delayed and baggage lost. Weather can radically change plans. In case of force majeure, a clear action plan should be developed.
- If you need to leave the transit zone, but there is no visa to visit the country where the transfer is made, you should contact the airport employees. Check-in can be done online, and airport staff will help you with your luggage for another flight.
- Not all airports in the world are equipped with transit zones. Some of them work on a special schedule. This information should be known in advance. For example, in the USA, Canada and Australia, there are no transit zones.
- If one of the flights is operated by a low-cost airline, then most likely the passengers will arrive at the most remote terminal or the flight will be from another airport altogether.
So, a transit passenger is someone who travels with a transfer. Moreover, he is solely responsible for being late and checking in for the next flight. Transit travel has both advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the rules of transportation and visa requirements of countries in advance.