Logistics flights etc....

[brommieinkorea]

In 2024, I made a trip to Japan. Flew Japan Airlines straight from San Francisco. In the planning process I became aware that I could've gone via Europe/ England etc. The idea of adding to the trip with a stop in the UK occurred. Would there be any tricky visa requirements or other special hazards involved if one were to fly via London Hethrow from the USA to the orient ?⁹

 

[Alex321]

If you are just transferring at Heathrow, then no. International transfers at Heathrow never leave airside, nor go through UK customs.

If you actually want to stop in the UK, then you will need a tourist visa unless you are a citizen of a country which has visa-free agreements wit the UK.

 

[Brandane]

In 2024, I made a trip to Japan. Flew Japan Airlines straight from San Francisco. In the planning process I became aware that I could've gone via Europe/ England etc. The idea of adding to the trip with a stop in the UK occurred. Would there be any tricky visa requirements or other special hazards involved if one were to fly via London Hethrow from the USA to the orient ?⁹

You could, but why would you?
You could go via Australia, Africa, or probably just about anywhere else if you choose to do so. It might cost a lot more and take longer, but it's still an option.
As for Heathrow, it must be 20 years since I had to endure that experience. There are good reasons why I have avoided it. I know it was a long time ago, but from what I hear, if anything it has only got worse in the interim period.
If you must visit UK (again, why would you?), or Europe, I wouldn't have thought that trying to incorporate it into a trip to Japan from USA is the best plan, but it's not me who's putting the idea forward. Your cash, your time, only you can decide.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Why would you?

It is the same flight time to London as Tokyo but the wrong way

 

[brommieinkorea]

One flies off of the East Coast of the US heading toward the UK, not SFO. I believe the website said Boston, but it had a short layover in Amsterdam. Amsterdam sounds interesting, but for a 3 hour layover I might not even have access to the bike, so what's the point. So, basically no red tape, but a stop in merry old England might not be that great eh ?

 

[Alex321]

One flies off of the East Coast of the US heading toward the UK, not SFO. I believe the website said Boston, but it had a short layover in Amsterdam. Amsterdam sounds interesting, but for a 3 hour layover I might not even have access to the bike, so what's the point. So, basically no red tape, but a stop in merry old England might not be that great eh ?

You wouldn't see anything of Amsterdam in a 3 hour layover. Schipol airport is HUGE - you usually need at least an hour, preferably an hour and a half to be sure of making a transfer.

I did do one in 40 minutes once, but my luggage didn't, and I had arrived at the gate with only a minute or two spare after really rushing.

 

[brommieinkorea]

You wouldn't see anything of Amsterdam in a 3 hour layover. Schipol airport is HUGE - you usually need at least an hour, preferably an hour and a half to be sure of making a transfer.

I did do one in 40 minutes once, but my luggage didn't, and I had arrived at the gate with only a minute or two spare after really rushing.

Yep, good information to have. Thanks.

 

[figbat]

And again, if you are simply transferring through an airport you won’t be able to leave it for a look around unless you clear immigration, which may require a visa or other paperwork. You would then have to go through immigration again to get back in, which is not always a quick exercise in European hub airports.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

One flies off of the East Coast of the US heading toward the UK, not SFO

So you are not based on west coast then?

 

[brommieinkorea]

Closer to the East Coast, but Midwest (1000km from the east coast)