Transiting through USA - help!!

[MountainSnow]

Help! Not an AIBU but quick practical advice needed

We are flying home later today transiting via the US and can’t seem to check in online or contact our airline

We all have ESTA visas - any additional steps required?

Proof of covid vaccination status required for 18+ (we have this on the NHS app) but not for under 18s (is anything required for under 18s at all?). Airline has not contacted us to request proof of vaccination. Am wondering if this is why we can’t check in.

Am wondering if I have missed anything …. we are heading to the airport early

Had the same situation travelling both to and from the US but transiting through a European city to and from the UK. Had the ESTAS the covid passes etc but no dice, it would not check in online either out or back. Tried the app, the main website. Had uploaded everything the airline asked for in advance, I think there was also a declaration to sign for entry into the US to say all info is correct.. This was last week.

Ended up checking in at the airport with absolutely no issues but I had spent hours convinced I had missed something.

Thank you so much. Am trying not to panic

We have not been asked to upload any Covid related information by our airline and can’t see there is anywhere we can do this online. So am wondering if it’s because they check this at the airport (though can’t see why the online check is even open if that’s the reason)

what airline is it - most do ask for the covid documentation before you can check in

Air New Zealand

We were a family travelling across two airlines and they both asked for it to be preloaded. Who are you flying with?

i have no clue about them, its likely you will just show the documentaion when you check in at the airport and it will be ok

Had this issue in the summer, both ways. Was told by airline it was because we had children with us.

www.airnewzealand.co.uk/travel-requirements-international

Have you followed this guide through OP?

We transited through the US (via Atlanta) just before Christmas and couldn’t check in online either. We flew United airlines. Downloaded the app which makes you upload passports and covid vaccine info etc, plus we had ESTAs, we checked in fine when we got to the airport and no issued transiting through (just took ages so make sure you have plenty of time!). Also check if you need to collect your bags and re-check them or if they get transferred straight over to the next flight, different airports in the US have different processes.

Thank you everyone. Super helpful.

I have followed the guide on the Air New Zealand webpage and also used their travel checker as well as the UK Gov website. I have also used the US health webpage checker to confirm Covid requirements.

I am wondering if the problem is one DC will need to enter the UK on a British passport but his ESTA is attached to his New Zealand passport (not logical but we could not get his British passport to upload to the US ESTA application page)

Another few hours until we can check in at airport but will update in case info is useful to others travelling

Thank you for tip re bags - unfortunately we do need to collect ours whilst in transit

For flights to the USA you have to check in in person. You can't do it online.
Don't worry.

Also if you are going to NZ the way they link your visa to passport has changed slightly which might be relevant if you have a returning resident visa that isn't in your current passport.