Question about flying through Amsterdam
 

This is my first post on this website. I have booked an airline ticket to fly on NorthWest Airlines from Memphis to Edinburgh in March. This trip is composed of two flights, the overnight one from Memphis to Amsterdam and another from amsterdam to Edinburgh. Since I have never flown through Amsterdam, I have a couple of questions listed below.

1. Will my luggage go right through to Edinburgh or will I have to pick it up in Amsterdam?
2. Do I have to clear customs/passport control in Amsterdam or Edinburgh?
3. Is there any advantage for me to carry both my US and UK passports and will the UK passport save me anytime in Amsterdam?

I only have 2 hours to catch the flight from Amsterdam to Edinburgh and am worrying that this might no be enough time.

Can anyone please give me there exeperiences of Amsterdams Schipol airport.

Thanks

Re: Question about flying through Amsterdam
 

For an international connection through Amsterdam, you won't go through immigration or collect your luggage until you arrive in Edinburgh. The two hours will be spent drinking over priced coffee and standing in lines waiting for your connecting flight. You'll stay on the air side of security, and won't be "in" Amsterdam.

You should be carrying both US and UK passports if you have them. You use the UK passport to enter the UK, but always use the US passport to re-enter the US. Obviously the UK passport will save you time when you arrive in the UK, since you won't stand in the foreign immigration line.

Re: Question about flying through Amsterdam
 

Thanks for the information. That is good news that I can stay air-side so as to avoid customs/immigration. Can't wait for my trip to see family in March.

Re: Question about flying through Amsterdam
 

As someone who flys to Birmingham via Schipol, Schipol is my favouritest airport.

1. Yup you luggage will go right through you won't see it again till Edinburgh. 2hrs is usually enough for the luggage to fly in the same plane as you. My flight to Brum is 2hrs from arrival and so 2hrs is plenty of time for them to get the luggage out and onto your next plane. Only once has it ever had to follow me because of a delay in luggage xfer

2. Schipol is just one huge terminal so no you won't clear immigration there you'll only need passports in Scotland.

2hrs should be more than enough, usually flights from the US arrive earlier than scheduled (jet stream and all that), disembarkation is straight forward and it'll just be a case of wandering from one wing of the terminal to another. It's built like a spoke so there's a bit of a walk from the US flights to the local flights but comfortably in 2 hours especially as the only queue you will encounter will be to board your Edinburgh flight

Re: Question about flying through Amsterdam
 

Yep, Schiphol is great, now my route of choice. Flew threw in November, Portland Oregon to Bristol UK with just over 90 minutes layover in Amsterdam. Stay on airside, no picking up luggage. As has been mentioned, flights tend towards arriving earlier because of tail winds going that way.
Much better than going through Heathrow.

Re: Question about flying through Amsterdam
 

Yep. Bear in mind one thing. The distance between gates can be quite a long walk. 2 hours though, you should be fine.

Re: Question about flying through Amsterdam
 

Thanks for all your replies.

When booking my flights, there was a choice between going via JFK or Heathrow. JFK, in my opinion, is not a good airport to use in winter and Heathrow is way too busy and congested.

I have started counting the days to my trip, 92 days away. It has been two years since my last trip to Scotland. This trip is a delayed Xmas vacation for me.

I am lucky to live only about 4 hours drive from Memphis. Memphis is a NorthWest hub which is linked up with KLM and now Delta.

Re: Question about flying through Amsterdam
 

I once did a similar flight, Montreal to LHR via Schipol. It was a frequent-flier ticket on KLM... I had only about an hour layover in each direction, but the baggage transfer worked out fine.

In fact, on the way back, my flight from LHR to Amsterdam was running an hour late. So, I arrived at Amsterdam after the departure time for my onward flight to Montreal - but KLM held the flight for me, and transferred my baggage with no problems.

Pleasant, easy to navigate airport with plenty of eating/drinking opportunities -- there is also a small unit of the Rijksmuseum in the airport, and a casino - if you have time to kill!

Re: Question about flying through Amsterdam
 

I just checked the Schipol airport terminal map and flight info. It appears that both the incoming NWA flight from Memphis gets into Hall 2 and the outgoing KLM flight to Edinburgh also leaves Hall 2.

The map shows the arrival lounge downstairs and departures upstairs. Since the flights will be in Hall 2 I guess it won't be a long walk.

Does anyone know if it is a long walk between arrivals and departures in Hall 2?

Re: Question about flying through Amsterdam
 

I am not familiar with the term "Hall 2" as it applies to Schipol.

The checkin and baggage claim areas at Schipol are divided into "Departures 1 - 3" and "Arrivals 1 - 3" respectively, but since you will be in transit that is not relevant to you.

Airside there are a number of distinct concourses designated by letter. Gates are named by a combination of this letter and a number - eg B10, G27 etc.

Sorry, that question doesn't make sense because there is no "Hall 2".

If the gates are reasonably close to each other then it shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes or so - worst case at Schipol is still probably only about 20 minutes so you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Re: Question about flying through Amsterdam
 

Make sure and buy some stroopwafels!

Re: Question about flying through Amsterdam
 

I'm not sure about the Hall 1.2 thing maybe it is Schengen-Non Schengen which will not concern you.
You will remain on the same level and probably arrive in pier E the Edinburgh flight will depart from pier D but the gate can vary the pier is Y shaped and normally it is the left leg of the Y but may be the right or the downstairs gates to be bussed to the plane check the boards they are huge. you will not have to worry about customs, immigration or baggage in Schipol.

Don't walk the wrong way and it can be done easily in 20-30mins.

Re: Question about flying through Amsterdam
 

You'll probably end up having 10 minutes walking and 2 hours' waiting, and there simply must be somewhere at the airport where you can have a cheeky toke! Simply stride in to any coffee bar at the airport, wink at the barkeep and ask to see their 'menu' - this'll help pass the time and will also help to make the flight crew on the final leg more attractive (and not to mention funny) :)

Re: Question about flying through Amsterdam
 

As Schiphol is my "home" airport I think I can clarify this.

Schiphol is built in two layers: layer 1 is the arrivals section. This is where the luggage will arrive (if your travel will end there) and where you go through customs and border control.
Layer 2 is the so called "departure" section. This section has the check-in counters, passport checks and the tax-free shopping area's. The planes leave form there and will also arrive there. Your plane will arrive at a gate in "departures 2" (there are 4 departure area's, all within the same terminal) and will also leave again from a gate at departures 2 (as you checked). When leaving the plane, you will be able to walk through the departure lounge which consist of departures 2 - 4, departure 1 is Schengen and will need a passport check.

Within the departures 2, you will find plenty of shopping and places to relax, get a drink or something to eat. If you are a frequent flyer and you qualify, you will also be able to go into one of the many airline lounges.

As you can see, there is no need to go from arrivals to departures, even though you arrive, you will just stay in departures (we like to make things complicated :) )