I'm making a short hop into Seattle on Horizon, and then taking a long flight to London on British Airways, but I'm not sure how best to book the flights.

As far as I can tell, the only way to book them is separately with the airlines, so no through ticket like I would have been handed by my travel agent back in the, um, 80s when I last flew internationally! (Or am I missing something?)

The problem is, I don't know exactly what I will be doing at the airport. Will it just be a matter of getting from one gate to enother, or will I need to go through security again?

My BA flight leaves at 6:40 PM on a Sunday, and the potential connecting flights arrive at 4:30 and 2:10. What do you guys think? Please tell me I don't need to be at the gate for four hours!

Hi C,

From whence is your original departure?

We fly out of Seatac Internationally occasionally and it is just a matter of checking in, going through security and going to the gate. No special security checks on this end of the line. When you come back you will have to go through customs at your first US stop and that can take some time.

I would take the flight arriving at 2:10. I've been on more than one delayed Horizon flight, and what are you going to do if you miss the BA flight? Actually I'd probably take a flight the night before, and stay at a Sea-Tac airport hotel.

You'll have to pick up your luggage after going through Horizon, go to check in again at BA and drop off your luggage, and then go through security again.

What city are you flying from?

(I'm thinking it's perhaps possible to get the agents in your first city to check your luggage all the way through to London. But you'll still have to go through check-in for BA if you can't check in online for BA, and then you'll have to go through security. I am very doubtful that even without luggage and with online check-in and with somehow checking your luggage through that you'll be able to get from the Horizon flight to the BA flight without going through security.)

I would take the earlier flight. As above, Alaska/Horizon can easily be 1-hour late and often are.

I am assuming you will collect luggage at SeaTac and re-check it with BA? And BA likely wants a 3-hour check in for international anyways, right?

As far as a few hours to spare, if you turn out to have that much time... SeaTac has recently had a fantastic renovation and there are loads of great shops, bars, restaurants, artwork, etc.

Wow, you guys are fast! Thanks so much for your advice. I will be leaving from Eugene, OR. I won't have any checked baggage--I have decided to just mail everything a few weeks in advance to avoid as much hassel as possible at the airports.

In the past I have never flown with anything besides carry on, but BA carry on limits are very restrictive, and with the liquids thing... Better to just forget about it!

You all seem to be unanimous that the 4:30 arrival at SEA is not a good idea, which is good to know. BA has online check in, but I think you still have to be at the gate an hour before departure to board.

Anyone else want to weigh in on this (or change your answer)? Should I go even earlier?

Even with online check-in, it still doesn't work 100% of the time (sometimes because of random security checks, and sometimes for other unknown reasons). So I would choose an itinerary where you didn't rely on online checkin working.

If you enter this as a multi-city itinerary, you could buy it as such from Orbitz or Travelocity or some such agency. The protection offered by doing so is a bit unclear, based on various reports here, but it would be more than you would get buying the tickets separately.

You're going to mail your stuff to the UK? Are you moving there? Do you realise how much that could cost?

Airline baggage weight restrictions and liquids restrictions are getting stricter - but they're really not that difficult to work with. I fly internationally at least once a month, if not more often, and it's really not a problem.

Book the earlier flight. (Or fly in the day before and go shopping at the Premium Outlet Malls near Seattle.)

You might be able to book the trip online all in one American Airlines' website, if you select the advance search function and the option that allows you to search for flights with all carriers. Specify one or fewer connections. If you do this, the combination of the Horizon Air flight and the BA flight should pop up (might not be the best price though so compare it with what you get on two separate bookings).

Even if you have to do separate bookings, there's a chance that on check-in, Horizon will check your luggage through to London because Alaska/Horizon have a partnership with BA (even though Alaska/Horizon isn't part of Oneworld).

corinaim:
I also live in Eugene and take the same BA flight that leaves at 6:40 PM every year. I always choose to catch the Horizon flight that leaves at 1:00 because it give me another chance to make the connection on the 3:30 should the 1:00 flight be cancelled. Believe me, it has happened. I figure the day is pretty much shot, so whats a couple more hours waiting at SEA. I then check in at BA, get my boarding pass, amble over to south terminal, and get something to eat. No stress! Horizon will let you check your bag here in Eugene through to London, so take a good book and have fun in Europe. I will be following you in three weeks.

If you are determined to ship your stuff, I would allow more than a couple weeks.

Why not just take a small suitcase and check it thru? It's not complicated.

Unless, as above, you're moving permantly to the UK and have a load of stuff.

I really want to encourage you to consider taking your suitcase with you!

You might also consider entering your destination into a search engine like kayak.com. It will give you "multiple airline" itineraries. Set it to limit yourself to one-stop or less.

Wow, you guys have been so helpful! Thank you. I think it will cost about $100 each way to mail my stuff. My boyfriend lives in England and I mail him large packages all the time because it is so much cheaper for him to buy things here, even with shipping.

My mobility is really restricted because I have injuries in both legs and feet, so it wouldn't be practical for me to stay overnight in Seattle by myself. (Unfortunately will also have to skip the mall!) That's also a large part of the reason for mailing my stuff--I just can't handle the additional hassel on top of making such a long journey when I can't get around on my own. This way I will know before I leave that my stuff is waiting for me.

The idea of booking the flight on AA is very interesting. I didn't know it was possible, and would cost the same. I am not sure what the impact would be, though (frequent flyer miles, ticket flexibility, etc), and I think i may be better off taking my chances with the separate bookings.

I can't believe my luck in finding someone from Eugene who has flown this exact route! I could search the net all day and not find the information you can tell me in one short paragraph.

So, rambleral, how far is it from the Horizon gate to the BA one? I will be getting a wheelchair assist, which means they will wheel me from the Horizon arrival gate at SeaTac to the departure one for BA, and dump me there. I'll have to stay put until we board.

How long would you guess that distance will take? Will I be going through any security checks, or do I just do it the once in Eugene? I'm not still considering the later flight, I'm just trying to picture how much time I'll need to kill, since I won't be able to wander around or get food (unless its very close! i.e. less than a block).

Also, is the Horizon plane large enough for me to take a small carry on, or is it the kind with just one seat on either side of the aisle?

Thanks again, everyone!

With any luck you'll also be in a terminal to get a neck and shoulder massage! My favorite part about Sea Tac.

corinaim:

South terminal is not that far from C terminal, maybe 300 yards, but you must use the under-ground tram to get there. With assistance, it should not take more than 30 minutes.

You don't have to go through security again if you use the tram at the far north end of C terminal. That tram will take you to the south end of the main terminal from which you will trasfer to the south terminal tram. I am sure your wheel chair Aide will know the drill.

Once you get to the BA gate you will have to wait untill 3:30 or so before a BA agent arrives so that you can check in. I always have left the secure area in the main terminal to check in at the main BA desk to get my boarding pass. I believe though that you can accomplish the same thing by going directly to the south terminal BA gate.

As for the food access, there are several restaurants and rest rooms near the BA gate.

corinaim:

South terminal is not that far from C terminal, maybe 300 yards, but you must use the under-ground tram to get there. With assistance, it should not take more than 30 minutes.

You don't have to go through security again if you use the tram at the far north end of C terminal. That tram will take you to the south end of the main terminal from which you will transfer to the south terminal tram. I am sure your wheel chair Aide will know the drill.

Once you get to the BA gate you will have to wait until 3:30 or so before a BA agent arrives so that you can check in. I always have left the secure area in the main terminal to check in at the main BA desk to get my boarding pass. I believe though that you can accomplish the same thing by going directly to the south terminal BA gate.

As for the food access, there are several restaurants and rest rooms near the BA gate.

corinaim:

Sorry, I forgot the airplane question.
Horizon uses the Dash 8 on this flight which seats 4 across with pretty good comfort. There are fairly roomy over-head bins so that you can stow your carry-on.
Horizon is very good about assisting people with various challenges so, my recommendation is to make your reservations, relax, and get ready to go to London.

Thanks for sharing your details; now I understand why shipping ahead works better for you.

Those Horizon planes are pretty roomy actually (2 seats on each side) but they are NOISY. I fly them Seattle/Eugene to visit my family sometimes.

I've also flown BA out of SeaTac on many occasions... but never these two flights together! Sorry, wish I could help more.

Oops, didn't finish my comment. I was thinking next time I'd remember to bring along some kind of simple earplugs for the Horizon flight. They are also very nice and give you free beer or wine!

Hi guys,

Just want to give you a final BIG thank you for all your advice and help! I am really looking forward to my trip now. I hope you have a great time in the UK rambleral, and anyone else who has upcoming travel plans!