Ok. This is a basic and to some stupid question but it is my first time to travel outside of the USA. We are booked on American Airlines to fly LAX to CHicago and then Chicago to Dublin. When we leave LAX do we go to the regular terminal for domestic flights or do we go to the INTERNATIONAL terminal?? So do we get to the airport 2 hours early or 3?? Help appreciated... getting thru on phone to live person is a LONG WAIT ...

Your AA flight to Chicago is domestic (though you will need to show your passport at check in since you will get boarding passes for the Chicago-Dublin leg)

Since one never knows what the security lines will be like at LAX - sometimes short, sometimes very long - I personally always get there plenty early . . .

I actually have the same question too - we are leaving tomorrow and our flight goes from Minneapolis to Chicago - then Chicago to Shannon.

Do you check your baggage in at MSP and then just make your connection in Chicago - or do I have to get my luggage in Chicago and recheck it for Shannon? Both the flights are on American Airlines. I am really confused! I am also a little worried about our connection time if we do have to recheck our luggage - we land in Chicago at 4pm and our flight leaves for Shannon at 6:30pm. Anyone know?

Yes - you check your bags through.

2.5 hours is fine - UNLESS there are massive weather delays in the East/Northeast (which can have a ripple effect through the whole system). But not much you can do about that.

We fly from Des Moines to Chicago to Dublin tomorrow on American. No need to recheck bags or go to the International terminal in Chicago. The return trip is a different story. From what I can remember, we arrive at the International terminal, pick up our bags, go through customs, put our bags on a luggage belt right outside of customs, take a tram to the domestic terminal and go through security again, but can by pass the ticket counter. We fly out of Shannon.

I bet we are on the same flight tomorrow from Chicago - it is the american flight at 6:30 pm landing in Dublin first then off to Shannon...can't wait to leave!

mn:

Glad you figured out the board here. I hope you have a great trip. LAX to Shannon will be a long day/night of flying. Since you are coming from the west coast, please be careful in dealing with jet lag. Shannon to Kilkenny can be a long drive when you are very tired, and you very likely will be.

Have a great trip.

Bill

We are flying in June to Dublin took me 6 phone calls to find out WHEN I could check in to an International flight. everytime I got a differnt answer from AA, Answers I got were: 4 Hours, Anytime the day of Flight, 2hours, 3 hours so I guess you have to call it. I was told however once you check in at first terminal you are checked all the way to Ireland.

We fly to Shannon tomorrow as well..LAX to Atlanta then on to Shannon on DElta..can't wait!!
Shadow

Hey mn..we ARE on the same flight. Get lots of sleep tonight!

bluesmusic -

I know I am planning on getting lots of zzz's tonight & of course, maybe a Tylenol PM (or two or three)for the plane ride tomorrow!