Direct flight?

[JV&LB 0]

Hi all, my fiancee told me she read in the package given to her at consulate she read something that advised against buying a plane ticket with stops. I have been shopping and found an affordable fare that originates in Ecuador and stops in Panama for connection to NYC. Is this stop going to be a problem? Any advise? Thanks.

[bobnleth 2]

It shouldn't be a problem if she either stays on board the plane or in the secure area for international transfers. You will be okay.

It shouldn't be a problem if she either stays on board the plane or in the secure area for international transfers. You will be okay.

[Indy90 21]

Hi all, my fiancee told me she read in the package given to her at consulate she read something that advised against buying a plane ticket with stops. I have been shopping and found an affordable fare that originates in Ecuador and stops in Panama for connection to NYC. Is this stop going to be a problem? Any advise? Thanks.

Really shouldn't be a problem. Many people here have made stops, and there are quite a few countries that do not even have direct flights to the US. The only thing that I would make sure is that Panama lets Ecuadorian citizens transit without a visa. For example, citizens of many developing nations have to get a visa to the US even if they are just have a layover on their way to a third country. The airline should be able to answer any questions that you might have.

BTW, I decided to take a look at plane tickets and it looks like they have really gone up. Last year, I am pretty sure that you could get buy a ticket for around $500 from NYC on Kayak, but right now it is about $700 from NYC and a bit more from Quito, unless you are finding better deals.

[katie & sifa 25]

I'm not sure why they would advise that. My (now) husband had to fly from Nairobi to Zurich to Chicago to Dallas and he didn't have any problems...I second what Indy90 said though. Be sure to check about Direct Airside Transit Visas. You can find out if she needs one here.

[TBoneTX 45,088]

My mother-in-law (Ecu citizen) didn't need a visa to change planes in Panama, no man. Just be sure to stay inside the airport between flights, si man.

[GeoffinVA 2]

Tell your fiancee to follow the signs that say TRANSFER and not the ones that say ARRIVAL. She should do just fine.

[JV&LB 0]

Thank you so much everyone! As always VJ members come through with answers.

[Pedro Thiago 2]

I agree with the others. That does seem strange that they would advise against stops, there probably aren't too many countries from Ecuador to the U.S. that would require transit visas for Ecuadorian citizens anyway, but it wouldn't hurt to check. Also, there are many countries in Asia, Africa etc. that have no imagineable direct flights to the U.S.