Safe (International) Layover Time in SFO?
 

I was looking at the "non-stop" flight from Puerto Vallarta Mexico to Seattle offered by Alaska. Turns out the "non-stop" flight has one stop in San Francisco, and you are required to clear customs during that stop. The layover is 1 hr 40 m. I generally prefer about a 2 hr layover for international flights. Can anyone comment on how efficient SFO customs is? Is 1h 40m *generally* enough time to clear customs in SFO?

Is this a direct flight with a stop in San Francisco where you don't leave the plane, or you know for sure you'll have to change the planes? If you thought it's non-stop, maybe it's a direct flight?

That was my question. If it's direct (a stop but no change of planes) you should be OK even with customs.

Sorry, somehow that 1 hr 40' layover escaped my brain, and it's not Monday. I have no excuses :)

On Alaska's website it say "change planes in San Francisco" and there are no non-stop or direct flights.

I think I'm getting really confused because Alaska's website shows it as one-stop but without connection info and Expedia's website does show a "real" non-stop.

The former (on Alaska's website) has a confirmed stop in San Francisco and you HAVE to deplane to go through Customs (I confirmed with Alaska). Very odd!

SFO's customs are generally pretty fast and I'm home within a half hour of landing. But that assumes your first flight is on time (never a healthy assumption). In my experience, connections are usually missed because the first flight is delayed.

Hi beanweb, I have gotten through immigration and customs in no time at all and other times it has taken for ever. The same has been true when I would pick up incoming family or friends. It depends on how many international flights arrive at SFO at the same time. And of course you will have to get to the Alaska terminal at the Domestic terminal. Not much help I know but I would be uncomfortable with the time they have allowed you unless there is another Alaska Seattle flight say within a couple of hours later. There probably isn't but I don't know. What did Alaska have to say when you talked with them? Best regards.

Whenever you are arriving in the US from overseas, whether it's the same flight # or a different flight, you HAVE to deplane and go thru customs in the first port of entry in the US.

The question you need to ask Alaska is this a change of plane or not. If it is not a change of plane - if the same plane is going on to Seattle, then you;re fine. HOWEVER since SFO has a different terminal for int'l and domestic, I would doubt it's the same plane.

SFO ALSO has more landing delays than a lot of airports so if it's foggy or they have closed a runway, your incoming flight from PV may be delayed.

I also find that it's Agriculture and not customs/immigration that causes the holdup. California is VERY strict about fruits, meats etc so that dept can take a while if they think you have brought in any food items.

Thanks for all the opinions. Alaska obviously thinks it's a legal connection, and you definitely do have to deplane and go through customs/agriculture.

I asked the same question in a mass email at work and generally folks said the connection time was long enough. However, one person did not make the connection (customs line long and even though Alaska knew she had arrived on the flight in SFO and was to continue to SEA, they did not hold the plane for her). So for $170 more, I decided to book a "real" non-stop flight on the same route.