Transfering on transatlantic UK > US

If we take a flight that starts from here and has a stop over in Newark before landing in LA, where do we go through immigration? Newark, or LAX? How long does it take, what happens?

Do the airlines provide infant seats or do I need to lug a car seat on board?

I can't answer all your questions but I can tell you that you will go through immigration at Newark. What's always happened with me is I get off the plane and I have to collect my luggage (even though I continue on with the same airline). I go through immigration, then through customs. You then return your bags and head on to the next gate. I am sure how long it takes will depend on the airport and time of day. Last time it took me about 30 minutes to get through immigration and customs.

So if we have a 2 hour connection gap, will that cover going through the controls? Did you have to collect your luggage going back this way when you connected?

I would think it would be enough time if it's not insanely busy. Maybe some others who have done it more than me will know.

I fly in close to home in the UK so I don't know about connecting flights here. The one time I flew into Heathrow and had a connecting flight I got denied entry so I can't tell you for sure but when I got detained they told me they would be getting my bags off of the connecting flight for me so it seemed as though they had already put them on the plane and I wouldn't have had to deal with them. But, can't say for sure.

I'll be calling the airline in the morning. Just looking at which way to go home. If I can avoid going to Dublin (3 hour bus ride) and an 11 hour non stop with a 5 year old and a baby, and fly from the local airport with a connecting flight, and it will be easier and more comfortable, that's what I hope to do. Just weighing the pros and cons.

I dont know, maybe I should just bite the bullet and do the Dublin thing again. The flight out of Belfast is tempting, but that would be 7 hours + 2 in airport + 5 to LA.....+ immigration/customs....

sorry, sort of thinking out loud here...

If you buy a thru ticket with the same airline whatever happens with the flights the airline is responsible for you.
Don't let them tell you otherwise.

Baby seats you have to provide your self..but if the baby is small enuf you can request a sky cot and the seat (yours) to go with it..it is like a baby bassinet....

They are very handy if the baby is less than a year old....

Well, I got cold feet and decided to go with what I know. So it's a schelp down to Dublin on the bus, staying overnight at a friend's, then to Dublin airport for the 11+ hour flight with the two kids. At least this way, we clear immigration in Dublin, and don't have to transfer baggage half-way there, and the travel time, even if it's cooped up, is shorter. So the hassle of the transfer outweighed the hassle of getting to Dublin and back.

How I'm gonna handle a baby and 5 year old on the plane is going to be another matter.

On the plus side, yay! We're going home for a visit this year! Yay!

Tips for traveling with baby + kid will help, although as it's closer to travel time I'll probably start a new thread.

Thanks you guys for the input, it helped me sort out which way to fly. 

I think you made the right choice. I have hated the times I chose the cheaper of option of having to transfer. Once I get off a plane I want my journey to be over!

Helena

Thanks - I think so too; I'm glad I slept on it. Although the idea of being able to fly out of Belfast, oh, so tempting!!! Roll on the day they have direct Belfast > LAX flights!!

if your child is over 2 you need to take a car seat with you if your child is under 2 they have a chair to put your child in bit like the bouncey seats when they are really small it gets strapped to a table the babys love them mine slept the whole way but you need to ask for it most of the time.