Hazard

I am close to booking a flight to Italy using Northwest's service out of Bradley to Amsterdam. I wondered if anyone has flown this flight, and had any feedback.

Also, can anyone tell me what to expect on arrival at Schipol. Will I have to go through security or immigration before catching my connecting KLM flight to Venice? One option has a 75 minute connection. Is that doable?

Hazard

AAFrequentFlyer

Immigration and security in AMS, customs in VCE. You will not see your checked in luggage until your final destination.

travelgourmet

75 minutes at Schiphol is definitely doable. You will not believe what an easy airport it is to navigate and how efficient it is. And I have never seen much in the way of delays on my flights, nor on the boards when I look. The only caveat is that some of the distances between gates can be pretty long but I think that, coming from the US, I think you should land at the D piers which are the closest to the Schengen gates, so your walk won't be too bad.

The procedure is pretty simple, just walk off the plane and follow the signs to the Schengen departures. You will go through passport control, but I have never had to wait more than 2-3 minutes and I connect through Schiphol a fair amount. You will then have to go through security, but again the time is very minimal. No collection of bags and rechecking like in the US, which is why I never connect through the US if I can avoid it.

All in all, you could probably get from gate to gate in under 30 minutes, leaving you plenty of time to get some food and/or coffee. There is a Starbucks on your left maybe 100 yards after you clear passport control/security. Also in this area will be a food court; just up the escalators in the courtyard area. Nothing great, but better than the food KLM will serve you on the way to Vienna. Also, on the other side of Starbucks, there is a cafeteria-style place.

On the way back, you go through passport control, but clear security at the gate, including an individualized interview with a security officer. Bear this in mind, as it means they call for boarding pretty early. Even still, 75 minutes will be very doable, though you won't have a lot of time to get food or shop - maybe 30 minutes or so. Don't go right when they call for boarding, as the boarding lounges can be crowded, but don't wait too long, unless you want to hear your name over the loudspeaker.

As for the flight itself, I haven't done it, but have heard some feedback. In coach, it is a 757, which is a downer for some, but to make weight, they took out seats, so you get an extra 2-3" over the norm, which is a big plus. Poor entertainment options, however, so bring something to keep you occupied. You will get fed and booze is free. If you are sitting in the front, I have heard that the product doesn't measure up to the normal Northwest business product (which I find quite good). If Bradley were my home airport, I wouldn't hesitate to take this flight.

janewb

travelgourmet,
What do you mean by the Schengen gates and departures?

I'll be making the BDL-AMS-Paris trip later this year. All my international flights in the past have been direct so I want to make sure I know where to go and what to do.

Thanks

travelgourmet

The Schengen gates are the gates that serve those countries that are part of the Schengen treaty - most of the EU, including France. They separate these gates on one side of a passport control checkpoint.

Just follow the signs and you will be fine. There are plenty of boards that will show you your gate.

LoveItaly

Here is the website for the Amsterdam Schipol Airport. At the upper right you can select the English language version. I hope this will be of some help to those that are arriving at Schipol for the first time. It is a very user friendly airport, or at least that has been my experiences.

http://www.schiphol.nl/