US Customs pre-clearance coming to UK?

[LiquidSunshine]

I haven't come across anything (yet) about this on DIS, but I thought this would interest a few folk on here.

Dept. of Homeland Security has announced on Friday that 9 more countries, including the UK, are possibly to get pre-clearance.

Bit of a shame Gatwick isn't on the list, but we would consider making the trip to Manchester next year. We are are already strongly considering direct flights from Dublin with Aer Lingus.

"WASHINGTON, May 29 (Reuters) - The Department of Homeland Security said on Friday it is considering expanding airline preclearance operations to 10 new foreign airports in nine countries, most of them in Europe.

The department said it was entering negotiations to add preclearance programs in Belgium, the Dominican Republic, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom, where Heathrow and Manchester airports are on the list.

Pre-clearance allows U.S. customs officers stationed in other countries to decide if travelers and their baggage can be permitted into the United States. That alleviates the crush of people attempting to clear customs after arrival.

"Preclearance is a win-win for the traveling public. It provides aviation and homeland security, and it reduces wait times upon arrival at the busiest U.S. airports," Homeland Secretary Jeh Johnson said in a statement.

Airlines for America, the industry trade organization for U.S. airlines, applauded the move.

"U.S. airlines drive $1.5 trillion in economic activity, and by improving the passenger experience for visitors or those returning to the United States, while improving security, we can build on that," said A4A President & CEO Nick Calio."

 

[Elise79]

It's been in the table for a while so I am not expecting anything to happen in a hurry lol

MAN I can see it working as they can use one terminal for all US departures but Heathrow won't unless they put it in multiple terminals.

 

[norhel]

I did see it in the Norwegian media a couple of days back.
For Norway, the time frame is apparently a couple of years.
Anyway, I think the pre clearance is a just positive, as those airports I've been to when arriving to the US, has had long immigration queues.
Just hoping it dosen't take too many years.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Ireland has had this for many years and @LiquidSunshine its not just AER LINGUS but all airlines flying from Dublin direct to America. Currently the following airlines fly from Dublin to various cities in America

• American Airlines
• Continental Airlines
• US Airways
• Delta

All of these airlines get the US Customs pre-clearance. The pre-clearance is on a separate floor at the normal boarding gates area. At the normal boarding gates area there is a big sign, pointing down the stairs to the USA pre-clearance. USA bound passengers get a boarding call to go to the pre-clearance area about 2 hours before their flight. It is exactly like going through customs when you land in America. You line up, go to the window, the USA Homelands Security person asks you the same questions, fingerprints you and then stamps your passport. You then go through another bag security check, where you have to put your hand luggage through scanners and walk through another scanner. Once done, thats it you are technically in America, even though you are physically still in Ireland. When you land in America, you just walk off the plane and go to baggage collection, the same as you would if you were on a domestic internal flight.

 

[LiquidSunshine]

Thanks @BadPinkTink I am aware Dublin has had the pre-clearance for a number of years. Our preference is Aer Lingus.

 

[Kath2003]

Also the same if you connect through major Canadian cities.

 

[scoobydooby]

This would be great they can't bring it to Manchester fast enough for me!

 

[1andrea]

Hopefully it will be very soon :0)

 

[saintrob]

What an advantage this would be at Manchester!

 

[wayneg]

Is it every Aer Lingus flight to the US for Dublin now? 2 years ago we flew to MCO in the August which had pre clearance but then in the Oct flew to Boston which didn't use the pre clearance system. In 2013 it depended on which city you were flying to.
This August its Dublin to NYC with AA so hope that's covered.

 

[saintrob]

I've only flown Aer Lingus Dublin to MCO so I'm not sure about other USA cities. New York would be a bonus as customs can be huge on arrival.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

what a relief that would be - would make Manchester far preferable to Gatwick

 

[wayneg]

I've only flown Aer Lingus Dublin to MCO so I'm not sure about other USA cities. New York would be a bonus as customs can be huge on arrival.

We fly out of the same terminal we arrive in at JFK, have 2hr:39mins connection and sat in row 1 business class so hope we have enough time even if we have to do immigration. If we can do pre clearance then we might get a little time in the lounge

 

[PudseyChancer]

This would be fantastic if it was introduced at Manchester!

 

[Woodview]

All flights to USA from Shannon & Dublin have Pre Clearance .

 

[mickeyforpresident]

This would be completely amazing for Manchester!!!!!!!

 

[saintrob]

We fly out of the same terminal we arrive in at JFK, have 2hr:39mins connection and sat in row 1 business class so hope we have enough time even if we have to do immigration. If we can do pre clearance then we might get a little time in the lounge

We did Aer Lingus business class to MCO last summer and managed the lounge in Dublin which was great. We didn't have time for the lounge at MCO on the way back so dropped in at Dublin again before our transfer back to Manchester. Aer Lingus business was fabulous - enjoy!!

 

[gavvy]

While I would love this to happen... somehow I can't see it being allowed in UK. Putting USA INS officers in British airports will get the Daily mail readers spitting over their cornflakes in the morning!

I was lucky I got to register for Global Entry a few years ago so I don't have to queue for immigration, but even so clearing it this end would be so much better.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

It's long overdue, I think we are treated pretty shoddily on arrival to the USA. After such a long flight nobody wants to be queuing for an hour or so and it's hardly the best start to your holiday.