kiwitripper64
Active Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2008
- Posts
- 544
- Qantas
- Platinum
We are going to transit in Heathrow in August on a QF ticket. We arrive on QF1 and depart on Iberia a few hours later to MAD. We are not planning on entering the UK, so I don't think we need to pass UK border control.
We are trying to find out if we actually need an ETA before we leave. And that's where it becomes frustrating.
The QF website is confusing as always. This morning I found a page that said I need an ETA to transit through Heathrow..
I cant find that page now but QF the travel document page
has the following for the UK
I find this ambiguous. We are going to MAD via LHR. I rang QF desk and had someone who had no idea. She said she would check and came back with the advice that its probably good o get the ETA because Qantas said I needed it. I pointed out that there was a discrepancy between QF and the UK govt advice ( see below) She said, Qantas says I need and ETA so go and get one.
The UK govt Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK
state that
you’re transiting through a UK airport and you will not pass through border control - check with your airline if you are not sure
I wasnt sure and was less sure after checking with the airline.
I then tried IATA. They say
TRANSIT❮United Kingdom❮LHR
Normal Importance
Visa Requirements
Nationals or New Zealand can transit airside through Manchester (MAN) or London Heathrow (LHR) without the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) on the same calendar day.
At this point I thought I would email qantas. Surely someone could sit, read the email and get back with a considered opinion.
Email reply 1 said I need an ETA to travel to London, completey ignoring the TRANSIT question.
Email reply 2 said my ETA depends on passport nationality, not residency of Aus /NZ.
No reply yet to the third email
This would be amusing but I dont want to pay for an ETA if I don't need it. BUT I don't want to be denied boarding if I do. The final piece of the absurd is that it appears the UK govt did require ETA for transit at one time in the past.
Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated
We are trying to find out if we actually need an ETA before we leave. And that's where it becomes frustrating.
The QF website is confusing as always. This morning I found a page that said I need an ETA to transit through Heathrow..
I cant find that page now but QF the travel document page
has the following for the UK
United Kingdom visa requirements
The United Kingdom is progressively introducing an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) that must be purchased before departure for all travel to or via the United Kingdom, unless you're required to apply for a visa.I find this ambiguous. We are going to MAD via LHR. I rang QF desk and had someone who had no idea. She said she would check and came back with the advice that its probably good o get the ETA because Qantas said I needed it. I pointed out that there was a discrepancy between QF and the UK govt advice ( see below) She said, Qantas says I need and ETA so go and get one.
The UK govt Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK
state that
When you do not need an ETA
You do not need an ETA to travel to the UK if:you’re transiting through a UK airport and you will not pass through border control - check with your airline if you are not sure
I wasnt sure and was less sure after checking with the airline.
I then tried IATA. They say
TRANSIT❮United Kingdom❮LHR
Normal Importance
Visa Requirements
Nationals or New Zealand can transit airside through Manchester (MAN) or London Heathrow (LHR) without the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) on the same calendar day.
At this point I thought I would email qantas. Surely someone could sit, read the email and get back with a considered opinion.
Email reply 1 said I need an ETA to travel to London, completey ignoring the TRANSIT question.
Email reply 2 said my ETA depends on passport nationality, not residency of Aus /NZ.
No reply yet to the third email
This would be amusing but I dont want to pay for an ETA if I don't need it. BUT I don't want to be denied boarding if I do. The final piece of the absurd is that it appears the UK govt did require ETA for transit at one time in the past.
Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated