Are technical stopovers not allowed in the United States?

Are technical stopovers not allowed in the United States? - Abraham Lincoln Statue

I read on CNN (mirror):

When an airplane stops over in the US, all passengers must alight the aircraft and proceed through US Customs and Border Protection before they're allowed to advance on with the next leg of their journey.

Am I correct to infer that technical stopovers are not allowed in the United States?



Best Answer

Not really an answer, but just a vague data point. I do remember doing a fueling stop in Bangor, Maine on the way from Frankfurt to LA. As far as I remember, we were sequestered in the terminal and not allowed to get out. That was a problem, since they only had vending machines and no way to make change, which was really annoying. However, that was a LONG time ago (when fuel stops were actually still a thing) and I may recollection may not be entirely correct.




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Can I do a stop over in US?

Yes, even if your final destination is not the United States and you're stopping at an airport in the U.S. for just an hour or two, you will still need to get an ESTA authorisation. You may not even be able to board your flight if you do not have a valid ESTA, as your airline will request this before your departure.

Can I transit through the United States?

A US Transit Visa is a permit to to enter the US and stay for a layover. Afterward, when your planned flight or ship leaves for your next destination, you will have to leave the US. The US government issues C1 visas for USA for immediate and continuous transit through the country.

What is a technical stopover in flights?

technical stop (plural technical stops) (aviation) A stop most commonly used to refuel the aircraft, to make unexpected essential repairs or to respond to some emergency need to land the aircraft. No traffic is unloaded or loaded during a technical stop.

What is technical stopover layover?

A Layover is an intermediate break in an itinerary that involves a technical stop (refueling, clearing customs, etc.) or a connection. It can occur on a Direct flight or a non-direct flight.



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