AAAAH!! No more direct Wesjet Flights Calgary to John Wayne!?!

[WDWBOB1]

Noticed on the Westjet site they've done away with direct flights from Calgary to Santa Ana (Disneyland). Now you change planes in Vancouver. If anyone has taken this new route, how does customs/immigrations work? When you depart from Calgary, do you have to physically get your luggage when you land in Vancouver and get processed or is it all taken care of in Calgary?
PS- Sure hope Westjet sees the error of their ways and bring back the direct flights...

 

[Toulouse]

You'd have to collect your luggage in Vancouver and walk it through the US preclearance customs in Vancouver.

You always pre-clear US customs at the LAST Canadian airport that provides pre-clearance (in this case Vancouver). You'd just be a regular domestic Canadian passenger between Calgary and Vancouver, it doesn't matter that you are continuing on to the US in those terms.

If your last Canadian city did NOT have pre-clearance (ie somewhere like Regina) you would clear when you land in the US and THAT is where you'd collect your luggage and walk it through US customs.

When you pre-clear US customs in Canada, you are considered arriving as a "domestic" passenger when you land in the USA.

 

[WDWBOB1]

Thank you for the clarification Toulouse! Sure hope they bring back those direct flights!

 

[monkey30]

I did this trip in december. it was not hard, and did not have to collect my bags in Vancouver, they have a special security area where they scan your ticket and ask if that bag is yours on a screen, made it way easier! I was through in about 15 mins!

Coming back was a bit harder, we had to clear customs in Vancouver which was a distance away for a walk collect bags, go through Canadian customs, (which is now by computer) and then continue on by dropping bags at check in and back through security.

 

[ABCanada]

If you are not tied to Westjet I would fly one of the US airlines, both the flying and connect times will be less. Having to clear customs increases the minimum layover time required so clearing at your departure or arrival airport is always preferable.

While the SNA & LGB (my favourite, there is no shuttle or bus to Disney but the cab fare is not too bad) are a much more pleasant experience, you could always brave LAX. I suspect that the time added with a connection, even with a US airline, will more than offset any saving in time travelling from the airport in LA.

 

[sherilaine]

Westjet did this end of January I believe and from what I was told have no intention of bringing back the direct route - they instead now have 2 direct flights to LAX per day rather than 1.

I can't imagine connecting in Vancouver to avoid flying to LAX - whatever time you save driving from SNA to DLR vs. LAX is long since lost in your connection. In fact I checked before we booked and a 3 hour direct flight turns into a 5 or 7 hour connecting one and it's more expensive. If you take the evening flight you are nor driving in heavy traffic and would be at DLR in 40 minutes!

Why don't you just fly to LAX?

 

[WDWBOB1]

Excellent suggestions everyone! I haven't totally ruled out flying into LAX, it's just not my first choice. I hear the drive to Disneyland can be quite challenging, but there's a lot to be said for the direct flight. I should mention I'm actually planning this trip for my daughter who lives in Fernie, BC. I'm also looking at having her drive down to Kalispel, Montana and fly from there. The flight wouldn't be direct but once you drive through the border, there are no longer any custom/immigration issues. Decisions, decisions...

 

[sherilaine]

Excellent suggestions everyone! I haven't totally ruled out flying into LAX, it's just not my first choice. I hear the drive to Disneyland can be quite challenging, but there's a lot to be said for the direct flight. I should mention I'm actually planning this trip for my daughter who lives in Fernie, BC. I'm also looking at having her drive down to Kalispel, Montana and fly from there. The flight wouldn't be direct but once you drive through the border, there are no longer any custom/immigration issues. Decisions, decisions...

Just my opinion but I'd much rather drive from LAX to DLR than all the way from Fernie to Kalispel (we have done the drive down there before and the drive from LAX). But then she'd have to drive to Calgary which is further, so you have a good point!! So I guess is 6 and one half dozen. But if she does choose to fly into LAX it is not bad - if she has ever driven on a freeway before she'd be fine! Also, if you book a flight that arrives when it's not rush hour would make all the difference.