Transit time for port of entry for USA
Mar 3, 2016 | 10:10 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 161
Transit time for port of entry for USA
Hi,
After considering Emirates, Etihad and Qatar, which are having almost same price and same duration, I am opting for Etihad.
My mother and mother-in-law will be flying from Delhi to Los Angeles. Being Arthritis patient, I am thinking of booking Ramp Wheelchair (WCHR). They can walk but can not walk fast and difficult to climb on stairs. They will have 1:55 Hrs for changing planes and do port of Entry. It would be their first time international flight. I have few questions, if I can be helped -
1- Will 1 hour 55 minutes enough time for changing planes and complete port of entry formalities, specially when they have wheel chair assistance ?
2- Does Etihad entertain well with wheelchair passengers ?
3- Both of them can not speak English. Usually how does CBP officer interact with such people ? Should I give them a letter ? They will be coming for 3 months on visitor visa ?
4- My mothers is having only First name on her passport and her visa is having "FNU, Name". While booking ticket, should I book with only First name (not sure, if those field will accept blank last name" or it should be same same "FNU, Name" ?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
After considering Emirates, Etihad and Qatar, which are having almost same price and same duration, I am opting for Etihad.
My mother and mother-in-law will be flying from Delhi to Los Angeles. Being Arthritis patient, I am thinking of booking Ramp Wheelchair (WCHR). They can walk but can not walk fast and difficult to climb on stairs. They will have 1:55 Hrs for changing planes and do port of Entry. It would be their first time international flight. I have few questions, if I can be helped -
1- Will 1 hour 55 minutes enough time for changing planes and complete port of entry formalities, specially when they have wheel chair assistance ?
2- Does Etihad entertain well with wheelchair passengers ?
3- Both of them can not speak English. Usually how does CBP officer interact with such people ? Should I give them a letter ? They will be coming for 3 months on visitor visa ?
4- My mothers is having only First name on her passport and her visa is having "FNU, Name". While booking ticket, should I book with only First name (not sure, if those field will accept blank last name" or it should be same same "FNU, Name" ?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Mar 3, 2016 | 10:50 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 161
Delhi (4:35 AM) to Abu Dhabi (6:55 AM) = 3hr 50minutes duration
1hr 55minutes Layover
Abu Dhabi (8:50 AM) to Los Angeles (14:35 AM) = 16hr 45minutes duration
Both flights are from Etihad Airlines only, on one PNR, but planes to be changed at Abu Dhabi.
1hr 55minutes Layover
Abu Dhabi (8:50 AM) to Los Angeles (14:35 AM) = 16hr 45minutes duration
Both flights are from Etihad Airlines only, on one PNR, but planes to be changed at Abu Dhabi.
Mar 3, 2016 | 11:41 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,592
OK. I mis read as connecting at LAX and not DEL-AUH-LAX
If sold as 1 PNR it is Etihad's problem if they misconnect.
But more time to connect would be better, given their mobility issues.
I would contact the airline before booking
If sold as 1 PNR it is Etihad's problem if they misconnect.
But more time to connect would be better, given their mobility issues.
I would contact the airline before booking
Mar 4, 2016 | 1:05 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 161
Now my bigger confusion is name of my mother on her passport.
My mother's passport does not have surname, it is having Madhu as first name. Her US visitor visa have first name as FNU and surname as Madhu.
I called Etihad Airlines and they ask to put Madhu as first name and LNU as surname, while booking ticket. This is opposite to, what I see in her visa. Will it not conflict with visa ? Etihad says that they are not aware of visa thing, you need to check with them, if it will conflict or not.
My mother's passport does not have surname, it is having Madhu as first name. Her US visitor visa have first name as FNU and surname as Madhu.
I called Etihad Airlines and they ask to put Madhu as first name and LNU as surname, while booking ticket. This is opposite to, what I see in her visa. Will it not conflict with visa ? Etihad says that they are not aware of visa thing, you need to check with them, if it will conflict or not.
Mar 4, 2016 | 12:04 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: DL, UA, AA
Posts: 82
From what I know, Name on your ticket should match both the visa and passport. I would book it as fname as FNU and lname as Madhu (matching Visa).
Regarding connecting time, 2 hrs should be touch and go, however passengers with wheelchair are expedited and PoE formalities are pretty brisk at AUH. they could be different for first time US travellers too.
Good luck
Regarding connecting time, 2 hrs should be touch and go, however passengers with wheelchair are expedited and PoE formalities are pretty brisk at AUH. they could be different for first time US travellers too.
Good luck