A couple of thoughts:

You say "carry-ons". In my experience european flights are very strict with carry-ons and allow 1 carry-on - up to 19" including wheels and handle, and one personal item (normal size purse or computer bag). Nobody allows multiple carry-ons.

I have transferred multiple times airside at several major european airports (although not Rome) and even going from one flight to another airside you must go through security again before boarding the second flight. And yes, the airlines have always had a place to check in airside - although I would try to check in online and get ongoing boarding pass before you leave home if possible.

Julia: Thanks again. I'm feeling more positive overall that I can stay in the international transit area if I choose to.

Andre: I checked with Aeroflot and they won't check bags through. But I'm not planning on checking bags now anyway. It is an emergency, really, and this looks like the most feasible option as of now. It's good to know that the plan looks at least "technically feasible". Thanks, overall. Your inputs have made me fully aware of what I'm getting into. Here goes nothing.

nytraveler: Sorry about the plural. I meant just the one carry-on bag. I'll stick to the dimensions and go a bit more heavy on it hoping they won't check it. Even if they do, I'll have hope they're more considerate that I'm not checking in any bags when I have the option for 2 checked-in of 23 kgs each. Thanks for your inputs.

It's the size you need to be careful of. I've seen several tourists have to gate check carry-on - In Zurich, Frankfurt and Heathrow - when their bags were too big - not heavy. The bag was a perfectly legal size in the US - but not for european flights - have seen them measure bags, including wheels and handle and the approved size is super tiny.

Having this happen would mean you either have to abandon the luggage or find a way to get groundside and back without a visa.

There is also a weight limit of 10kgs. That isn't very much, you would have to pack very light.
If they do weight it I wouldn't count on them caring at all that you didn't check bags. Good luck.

nytraveler: Thanks again for your inputs. I will have to watch the size for sure.

Lynnaustin: Thanks for chipping in. It's quite a shameful figure, the 10 Kgs, but that's what it'll have to be.

All,

I just found out that Aerolineas has a transit desk at Gate G4 in Terminal 3 (which is also where my flight from Delhi will land into).

Since it is likely that international transit passengers go through a security check before moving onwards, will I be allowed to go through security with only an e-ticket? Aerolineas doesn't have web check-in :-(.

Thanks again,
Ram.

If I understand correctly you will have e-ticket and passport but no boarding pass. Why don't you just get your boarding pass at the transit desk when you land?
You need to call Aerolineas and talk to them.

Sorry, I cut off too soon.
My concern for you is that you shouldn't be taking comments from this forum as complete facts. You need to discuss your situation with Aerolineas to make sure that you have all the documentation that you need. "Because Fodor's forum said so" will not impress any immigration official.
Talk to a supervisor at Aerolineas and be very specific. I would also email them and lay it all out.

Ram, your e-ticket should be sufficient to get you through to the Aerolineas transit desk if you are required to pass through a security check beforehand. As Lynn points out, do be certain you have the necessary documentaion as required by Aerolineas for entering Argentina.

Can't you show your printed voucher/receipt from Aerolinas Argentina with your e-ticket number printed on it in place of a boarding pass to get you through security?

I always have a printed itin. from an airline or Expedia, Orbitz, etc. when I am traveling on an e-ticket.

Thin

Lynn: I fully understand what you're trying to say and I've been contacting Aerolineas. I continue to do so but I face 2 problems - 1.) They're not replying to my e-mails, 2.) I called, but they only speak Spanish/Italian. I've still tried communicating but not much luck yet. What I could get from them so far is that they have a transit desk at Terminal 3, Gate G4. I will be flying into the same Terminal but my concern is that I might have to go through security check before I can reach that Gate after landing.

Julia: That's precisely what I'm hoping for that if I have the e-ticket (I will also have the e-ticket and boarding pass of the plane I landed from), and the Argentina visa, the security check should allow me through. I will surely check again as to what exact documents Aerolineas requires. That's on their website itself so no problem there.

Thin: Fingers crossed. That's what I plan to do currently. For once, I hope I have no stories to tell :D.

I am interested in how this worked out for you? I am in a similiar situation in Buenos Aires where I have to make a connecting flight but if I passthrough immigration to pick up luggage and check in with connecting airline I need to pay a $100 recip. fee.
However I can travel without checked luggage so will not have to pick up my bags. The question is if can board my plane and or get my boarding pass while in the transit/passenger only area.

Heldur,

As of now what I've gathered is that one can stick around in the transit area as long as you have only carry-on with you. And, you can get a boarding pass from either a transit desk or the departure gate of the specific airline. You might have to pass through a security check between getting off your first plane and making your way to the place where you get the boarding pass (either the transit desk or the gate). The assumption is that the security check guys will allow you through with an e-ticket instead of a boarding pass.

All the info I have is specific to the FCO (Rome) airport. I think the best bet for you is to check with the airlines of your second flight and ask them specific questions. Also, do confirm that Argentina doesn't require a transit visa for you in case you stick around in the transit area. You can get that info at this link: http://www.skyteam.com/about/travelhelp/travelinfo.html

I guess whichever one of us does the trip first can come back here and write in about what happened.

Good luck!

Regards,
Ram.

hi . to all

i wondered if i can get out from the transit visa in that airport . i have flight from algeria to turkey and one stop in rome

any one have something or some experiance about this airport . because i never fly before

sorry ramsy if i take your subject to ask my question . but i didnt know where i should ask

thank you all of you

Ramsey123,
Please share your experience. I'm in a similar situation with two separate tickets with the connection in FCO. How did it all work out for you?

This 6 year old thread was Ramsey123's only post. I doubt he/she is still here.