Easiest US entry route at the moment?

[bernardblack]

I am hoping to go to the US in a couple of months and have a handful of options with award space. Can anyone with recent experience give an opinion on the relative ease of CBP processing from these options? (Australian citizen, Australian passport, ESTA for ~2wk leisure stay)

SFO afternoon, nonstop from SYD
DFW lunchtime, nonstop from SYD
YVR Preclear evening, nonstop from SYD
DFW afternoon, from NAN
[below may open by the time]
LAX afternoon, nonstop from SYD/BNE
LAX morning, nonstop from MEL/SYD

I assume the NAN stop is the least ideal, but it's the best use of QF points at old rates unless I can get on QF/AA metal closer to the time. SYD-DFW nonstop is a day later than anything else, which I would less prefer.

 

[Montien]

YVR preclearance is objectively the easiest route. You clear US Customs in Vancouver before boarding your flight. You arrive in the US as a domestic passenger. No lines, no bags to re-check, and you can walk straight from the gate to the street or your next connection.

If there is an issue with your ESTA, it’s better to resolve it in Canada than after a 14-hour flight.

Regardless of which airport you choose (except YVR where you use the kiosks), download the MPC App. As an Australian on an ESTA who has visited the US at least once before, you can use the MPC lane at SFO, DFW, and LAX.

 

[RooFlyer]

Have a look here, but Montien above is correct

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - CBP Airport Wait Times (AWT)

CBP Airport Wait Times

awt.cbp.gov

 

[bernardblack]

My passport is new since my last US visit, and my ESTA would have expired in any event (3.5 years). Can I use MPC if I _ever_ entered the US before, or does it have to be on the same ESTA?

 

[Quickstatus]

Can I use MPC if I _ever_ entered the US before, or does it have to be on the same ESTA?

You can use the MPC so long as you previously entered the US with a previous ESTA.
The MPC does not replace the ESTA so you will still need a valid ESTA.

The other "easiest" CBP for entry to the US is DUB for the same reasons as US preclearance at a Canadian Border.

 

[chitown_boy]

You can use the MPC so long as you previously entered the US with a previous ESTA.
The MPC does replace the ESTA so you will still need a valid ESTA.

The other "easiest" CBP for entry to the US is DUB for the same reasons as US preclearance at a Canadian Border.

Can confirm - DUB was also my easiest 'entry' and by far the nicest CBP agent I ever got was in DUB who held my up to give me NYC restaurant recommendations (I've also done CAN pre-clear and just about all the main USA CBP entries)

 

[Mattg]

Another vote for YVR, of the options given.

 

[Pele]

I will also be going to USA for the first time in a few weeks. I am struggling to grasp the concept of them not having an airside section in their aiports.
This is what im doing- flying SYD- LAX on Qantas, lands at 1430 in LAX. Then on a seperate ticket flying LAX- YVR at about 1700. So when i get off the first flight i need to clear immigration (hand luggage only) at which point i will walk out on the arrivals level, then go up an escalator to departures to check in and also go back through immigration and security again before going to the lounge and onto the flight.

Is my understanding of the process correct? Is 2h30m reasonable for this proposed itinerary on seperate tickets going from J to Y?
Thanks.

 

[flyingfan]

I will also be going to USA for the first time in a few weeks. I am struggling to grasp the concept of them not having an airside section in their aiports.
This is what im doing- flying SYD- LAX on Qantas, lands at 1430 in LAX. Then on a seperate ticket flying LAX- YVR at about 1700. So when i get off the first flight i need to clear immigration (hand luggage only) at which point i will walk out on the arrivals level, then go up an escalator to departures to check in and also go back through immigration and security again before going to the lounge and onto the flight.

Is my understanding of the process correct? Is 2h30m reasonable for this proposed itinerary on seperate tickets going from J to Y?
Thanks.

Check this thread

K

Thread 'Los Angeles (LAX) Transit Questions & Tips'

Nov 4, 2022

We are transiting through Lax later this month , We are going on a United Airlines flight from Phoenix to LAX and then onto to Brisbane flying QANTAS --all on a QANTAS ticket. Will we have to retrieve our Luggage in LAX and walk it from terminal 7 to the International terminal via terminals 6-4 or is there a better way please ?
Will we be inside security all the way or will we have to re-enter security at the International ? Any advice on best way is welcome , thanks .

• Kevvie
• flight delays
• Replies: 125
• Forum: Stopover, Transit & Airport Tips

 

[trooper]

I will also be going to USA for the first time in a few weeks. I am struggling to grasp the concept of them not having an airside section in their aiports.
This is what im doing- flying SYD- LAX on Qantas, lands at 1430 in LAX. Then on a seperate ticket flying LAX- YVR at about 1700. So when i get off the first flight i need to clear immigration (hand luggage only) at which point i will walk out on the arrivals level, then go up an escalator to departures to check in and also go back through immigration and security again before going to the lounge and onto the flight.

Is my understanding of the process correct? Is 2h30m reasonable for this proposed itinerary on seperate tickets going from J to Y?
Thanks.

Several US airports DO have airside transit. The simple fact is though that most were built WITHOUT it. 2:30 might be fine. And it might not. HLO will help. Make sure you use the Mobile Passport Control App!

 

[muppet]

Several US airports DO have airside transit. The simple fact is though that most were built WITHOUT it. 2:30 might be fine. And it might not. HLO will help. Make sure you use the Mobile Passport Control App!

Which airports have airside transit for international connection?

I know at DFW depending on your ticket your bags might get transferred, but as a human you still have to go through immigration control and then back through security.

 

[Pele]

Several US airports DO have airside transit. The simple fact is though that most were built WITHOUT it. 2:30 might be fine. And it might not. HLO will help. Make sure you use the Mobile Passport Control App!

Was reading up on the Mobile Passport Control app and it seems if it is either of a new esta or your first trip to USA then you are ineligible. That would be me.

 

[SYD]

Was reading up on the Mobile Passport Control app and it seems if it is either of a new esta or your first trip to USA then you are ineligible. That would be me.

But many have used it in a similar scenario to you. Give it a try!

Anyway, so long as your inbound lands on time, 2 1/2 hrs should be doable. If you can get your onward boarding pass before landing at LAX, you ought to be able to go though the transfer security checkpoint (after immigration and baggage claim, customs).

 

[HMcM]

Was reading up on the Mobile Passport Control app and it seems if it is either of a new esta or your first trip to USA then you are ineligible. That would be me.

I went to the US earlier this year in January. Second time in the US, new passport, new ESTA. I used MPC and there was no issue with the app. When I got to the airport (DFW) there was a bit of confusion but those of us on the work trip that used MPC went right to the front of the line while those that didn't ended up standing behind 300+ other people.

YMMV but definitely worth a try.

 

[dajop]

I went to the US earlier this year in January. Second time in the US, new passport, new ESTA. I used MPC and there was no issue with the app. When I got to the airport (DFW) there was a bit of confusion but those of us on the work trip that used MPC went right to the front of the line while those that didn't ended up standing behind 300+ other people.

YMMV but definitely worth a try.

Conversely if the arrival immigration queues are empty, just go to whichever queue is the closest (MPC or standard). We did MPC queue on arriving in JFK earlier this year and just go directed to the normal queue. Instead of about 5-10 people ahead of us by the time we walked to MPC queue and were directed back to the normal queue there were 40-50 people ahead of us. (although to be fair we were sent to the start of the snake queue, so the 40-50 people were spread across 6 or so individual lines, at least we didn't get sent to the back of the snake). Just what I signed up for the MPC for. Not. Lesson learnt. About 2-3 mins later people using the MPC queue were directed to special lanes.

 

[leadman]

Hard to believe, but landed ORD three weeks ago, stepped off CX, picked up luggage, and was out the door waiting for the hotel shuttle in 21 minutes! And even had time to talk to the officer about rare earth metals when she asked what I was doing in the States!

 

[Cynicor]

Several US airports DO have airside transit. The simple fact is though that most were built WITHOUT it. 2:30 might be fine. And it might not. HLO will help. Make sure you use the Mobile Passport Control App!

News to me if we are talking international. Which ones?

 

[dajop]

News to me if we are talking international. Which ones?

Maybe this pilot is what was being referred to? Still need to clear immigration, but not security, and no need to collect luggage.

https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/08/27/one-stop-security-pilot-program-aims-simplify-international-travel

Transatlantic Revolution: How TSA's 'One Stop Security' Is Slicing Connection Times In Half

American Airlines says it has reduced connection times for passengers flying from London by over 50%.

simpleflying.com