Figuring out Flights

[mrsbourffada 3]

Hello everyone,

My husband and I have been doing some research on the best flights from Morocco to Seattle, or Spokane Washington. I discovered that it is significantly less expensive to fly him to Paris on Air Maroc and then to Seattle via another airline. He is worried that they will not let him fly to Paris and then connect on a different airline. I think this sounds ridiculous, but as an American citizen, there are many countries that I am privy to visa waiver programs. Can anyone tell me if it will be a problem to purchase a ticket to Paris and then a ticket on a separate airline to Seattle?

Thanks!

[Tygrys 143]

He needs to check if Moroccans need a visa (or transit visa) for France (EU).

He can find out by calling any of a few French consulates in Morocco.

[reese1 68]

Here is a link for a list of countries Moroccan citizens can travel to without a visa. Not sure if they will let him travel even if only to change planes without one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Moroccan_citizens

Edited December 7, 2012 by reese1

[Cathi 5,610]

My husband is from Jordan and he traveled through Rome, Italy a few months ago and changed airlines, a transit visa was not required. Not sure if this helps,

[Enigma11561 336]

Here is a link for a list of countries Moroccan citizens can travel to without a visa. Not sure if they will let him travel even if only to change planes without one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Moroccan_citizens

Based upon this list, it looks like he will need some type of visa to transit France. One issue I see often is that passengers may need to exit into the terminal ( that now being French soil) in order to get the connecting flight. Basically leaving the customs area and then re-entering. If he were able to remain in the customs area that may not be a problem visa wise. But its chancy.

[zeroka 7]

Based upon this list, it looks like he will need some type of visa to transit France. One issue I see often is that passengers may need to exit into the terminal ( that now being French soil) in order to get the connecting flight. Basically leaving the customs area and then re-entering. If he were able to remain in the customs area that may not be a problem visa wise. But its chancy.

getting a separate flight means that you are not staying in the transit zone.

you will need to leave, pick up your luggage, go to the check in desk and get your new boarding pass for your second flight and re-check your luggage.

yes he will need a visa. if this is a one time flight , stop overcomplicating it and get him a decent flight with good connection, not 5 tickets and 10 stops...

[Shoot Em Straight 385]

I am not understanding the answers that say your husband will need a visa or leaving a transit zone????

With our situation we landed at CDG airport PARIS walked to our connecting flight through security and caught our next flight.

He only held a Moroccan passport and our second set of tickets to Atlanta.

[mrsbourffada 3]

That's what I thought. Once in Paris, he would fly straight to Seattle. It would just be on a different airline than Royal Air Maroc. Which, I'm fairly certain happens regularly. He wouldn't be leaving the airport. Just transferring flights at CDG.

I am not understanding the answers that say your husband will need a visa or leaving a transit zone????

With our situation we landed at CDG airport PARIS walked to our connecting flight through security and caught our next flight.

He only held a Moroccan passport and our second set of tickets to Atlanta.

[mrsbourffada 3]

It would be two tickets and one stop. A stop in Paris or Spain is fairly standard when flying to or out of Morocco. It would be no different if I went through a single airline. Thank you for your exaggerated comment however unappreciated it might be.

Any time I have flown through Paris I never had to go get my baggage and check it in again. I did have to go through security again and show them my boarding pass and passport. He will be holding a Moroccan visa with his American visa stamp in it, and tickets to the United States. We will contact the French embassy in Morocco to clear everything up as someone suggested.

getting a separate flight means that you are not staying in the transit zone.

you will need to leave, pick up your luggage, go to the check in desk and get your new boarding pass for your second flight and re-check your luggage.

yes he will need a visa. if this is a one time flight , stop overcomplicating it and get him a decent flight with good connection, not 5 tickets and 10 stops...

[mrsbourffada 3]

Thanks for the responses everyone. We will be contacting the French embassy in Morocco to get more information on this. When I was at a long layover in Paris, I did meet a group of friends who were flying home to Morocco from somewhere. They made remarks that they would love to get out and explore if it wasn't for visa restrictions. I think that we might be okay as long as he is only in CDG.

[kzielu 1,147]

Thanks for the responses everyone. We will be contacting the French embassy in Morocco to get more information on this. When I was at a long layover in Paris, I did meet a group of friends who were flying home to Morocco from somewhere. They made remarks that they would love to get out and explore if it wasn't for visa restrictions. I think that we might be okay as long as he is only in CDG.

Well - he needs a visa to EU. Flying in from Marocco and transferring to US, he will have to enter Schengen zone - especially that he will need to do another check in at CDG for his flight to US. Another problem with two separate tickets is if his 1st flight gets delayed and he misses his 2nd one, likely he will have to buy another ticket...

Edited December 7, 2012 by kzielu

[MIBEN 83]

If its necessary to do separate flights fly Royal Air Maroc from Morocco to any stateside port of entry then grab a connecting flight to your destination (give yourself enough time in between at least 6 hours) I did this with my hubby into NYC then had a two day layover (no additional cost) enjoyed the city and I was not worried if he was held over in immigration upon his entry. It would cost $2200 to get him home on a straight flight but no guarantee if he would get through immigration and catch the next flight, therefore; I got two separate flights, two nights in the city and a broadway show all for the same price and no hassle with visas overseas....

Good Luck,

[Tygrys 143]

It would be two tickets and one stop. A stop in Paris or Spain is fairly standard when flying to or out of Morocco. It would be no different if I went through a single airline. Thank you for your exaggerated comment however unappreciated it might be.

Any time I have flown through Paris I never had to go get my baggage and check it in again. I did have to go through security again and show them my boarding pass and passport. He will be holding a Moroccan visa with his American visa stamp in it, and tickets to the United States. We will contact the French embassy in Morocco to clear everything up as someone suggested.

If it is 2 separate tickets then most likely he will have to get his luggage at CDG, exit the secure zone and check-in with the second airline. For this, he will need French visa.

If it is 2 flight segments (even with different airlines) on 1 ticket, then they will check his luggage in Morocco all the way to SEA. He will stay in the secure zone at CDG and for this no visa should be required.

Edited December 7, 2012 by Tygrys

[zeroka 7]

If it is 2 separate tickets then most likely he will have to get his luggage at CDG, exit the secure zone and check-in with the second airline. For this, he will need French visa.

If it is 2 flight segments (even with different airlines) on 1 ticket, then they will check his luggage in Morocco all the way to SEA. He will stay in the secure zone at CDG and for this no visa should be required.

correct. buying one single ticket with different airline operators was not the question of hers though.

it was option 1. buying 2 separate tickets. the answer just reconfirmed me.

[Happytobe 164]

Hello everyone,

My husband and I have been doing some research on the best flights from Morocco to Seattle, or Spokane Washington. I discovered that it is significantly less expensive to fly him to Paris on Air Maroc and then to Seattle via another airline. He is worried that they will not let him fly to Paris and then connect on a different airline. I think this sounds ridiculous, but as an American citizen, there are many countries that I am privy to visa waiver programs. Can anyone tell me if it will be a problem to purchase a ticket to Paris and then a ticket on a separate airline to Seattle?

Thanks!

Hi! This link may be useful: http://visacentral.com/index.php?login=45773&sgid=sm&utm_campaign=delta&utm_medium=visaandpsp&utm_source=visa

Just choose the applicable information, and it does the rest. I hope it helps! I used it to make sure I don't need anything going through CDG to and from Morocco next week.

* I just tried it and it is requesting a state of residence. So I guess it won't be that useful..... sorry

Edited December 8, 2012 by Happytobe