Our travel tip for a punctual departure
Set out relaxed and unstressed on holiday – and make sure you take off on time! Allow plenty of time for: travelling to the airport, checking in and the important – and therefore extensive – security checks on the way to your departure gate. For flights from Frankfurt you must allow up to 45 mins. from check-in to the departure gate.
Duty to declare cash carried when entering or leaving the European Union (EU)
Since 15 June 2007, you must now complete a written declaration if you are crossing the EU's external frontiers and carrying 10,000.00 Euro (USD 13,387.00) or more in cash.
In the Federal Republic of Germany, the cash must be declared in writing to the customs office responsible for the border crossing where you enter or leave the EU. Declaration forms are available at the customs offices.
Visit the Bundesministerium für Finanzen/Zoll website for details.
EU hand luggage regulations
The EU hand luggage ruling applies for all flights departing from airports in the European Union, from Egypt, Great Britain, Mauritius, Mombasa, from the Seychelles and Switzerland, irrespective of the destination and the airline's country of establishment.
Since the 6th November, 2006 on all flights originating in or flying via the EU the amount of liquids that can be taken into the aircraft cabin has been reduced. This includes all German inland and inner European flights.
Liquid and jelly-like products, such as care and cosmetics articles, may be carried in the hand luggage if they meet the following regulations:
- Containers may contain liquids or similar products up to a maximum of 100 ml /3.4 oz (valid is the total volume printed on the label/packaging)
- All single containers must be carried in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag (e.g. so-called “zipper-bags”) and the plastic bag should not exceed a capacity of 1 litre /33.8 oz
- Each person is allowed only one plastic bag
- The plastic bag must be shown separately at the security check
We recommend that passengers purchase these plastic bags early and place the liquids they wish to take into the aircraft cabin at home.
Medication and special foodstuffs (e.g. baby food) which are needed onboard may be carried separately. Any such articles must also be presented at the security check.
Items or bags that do not comply with these stipulations may not be taken on board. A similar regulation is already in force on flights to and transfers via the USA since 29 September 2006. This allows 90 ml /3 oz per container. Currently, passengers departing from German airports to the USA are allowed to carry 100 ml /3.4 oz.
Duty Free articles (like beverages or cosmetics) obtained in the security restricted area of an EU-airport or on board an EU-airline can be taken through the security check if the liquid is packed in a bag that is both tamper proof and displays a satisfactory proof of purchase on that day.
Condor had no influence on these legal stipulations and asks passengers to bear them in mind before preparing for a trip and to reduce the amount of hand luggage to the minimum.
Frequently asked questions you will find here: FAQ
Flyer New security rules for hand luggage
As at: 13.03.2007
Latest safety measures for flights to/from USA and Canada
Additional rules apply concerning hand luggage on flights from/to or via the USA and Canada.
We regret the inconveniences these legal requirements may cause our passengers. Condor advises its passengers to take only the essential items as hand luggage and to arrive at the airport in plenty of time for check-in. As these rules may change at any time and with little notice, please check this website again just before you embark on your journey to establish the latest conditions.
The following rules currently apply:
According to the official authorities, passengers may now take limited amounts of wax or gel-like substances on board with them again. Containers such as bottles or cans of up to 90 ml /3 oz each are permitted. These containers must be kept in a transparent plastic bag with a maximum capacity of one liter / 33.8 oz. Each passenger may only take one such bag on board, which may be sealed during the security check and must not be opened again until the passenger is in the safety area or on board.
Liquids such as drinks and cosmetics that are purchased after passing through the security check (duty free shop) may be taken on board.
The following items may also be taken:Prescription-only medicine (we advise you take a copy of the prescription with you) and baby foods even in large quantities that are required on the flight. Electronic appliances such as mobile phones, digital cameras, MP3 players and laptops may also be carried as hand luggage.
Please bear this in mind when making your plans.
As at: 12.10.2006
New travel documentation ruling for children and infants
If you are intending to fly on holiday with your children after June 26, 2012, you should check your identification documents well before departure. From this date onward, every child, irrespective of age, will need their own travel document. Inclusion in parents' passports will then no longer be accepted.
The ruling also applies to the citizens of other EU countries. In this case, the applicable cutoff date is set by each mother country, and could be prior to June 26. The date set by Austria, for example, is June 15, 2012.
Remember to apply for identification documents well before your departure.
More information can be found on the relevant German State Department website.
Entry regulations for the USA and Canada - passports
New entry regulations
All travelers have to have their own machine-readable passport.
German nationals will need the burgundy-colored European passport.
Note than starting from June 26 2012, children - as well as infants - will need their own passport. Inclusion in parents' passports will no longer be acceptable for those entering the USA.
Travelers entering the United States will have their biometric data taken (digital fingerprint and photograph).
As of October 26, 2006, travelers have needed an "e-passport" with an integrated computer chip that can store biographical information from the personal data page, a digital photograph and other biographical information.
Exceptions:
- A valid passport with a machine-readable zone was issued prior to October 26, 2005
- A valid passport containing a digital photograph was issued between October 26, 2005, and October 25, 2006.
Please note that transit passengers have to comply with the same (strict) rules that U.S. visitors do. That includes, for example, passengers on return flights from Whitehorse with a stopover in Anchorage and Fairbanks.
These rules also apply to all passengers who have booked a combined Canada / U.S. trip and whose return flight originates in the U.S.
Even children (2 to 12 years) and infants (up to 2 years) will require machine-readable identification in these cases.
Last updated: 30.04.12
Providing the holiday address for U.S. travellers during check-in
The following information about your holiday destination must already be supplied at Check-in by non-US citizens traveling to the US:
Street name and number
City
State
ZIP code (post code)
To prevent increased waiting times for our guests, we request you to have the information ready at Check-in and to put more effort into being on time at the airport prior to departure. To provide this information, you can print out the following form. The form can be completed at home or with the assistance of your travel agent. The completed form must be provided during check-in. Please note: If you have booked a motor home, simply provide the address of the first hotel where you are staying, or the motor home owner's address (listed on the voucher).
Last revised: March 7, 2006
Download U.S. vacation address form (PDF approx. 97 KB)
Further information on "Data protection information for flights to the USA"
More information: The Canadian authorities also expect airlines to provide personal data.Please note that these requirements also apply to U.S. transit passengers.
Entry conditions for the USA - recording Secure Flight data
Since November 2009, passengers to the USA have been security checked by the TSA (Transportation Security Administration). Airlines are obliged to send the required information to the TSA three days before departure for checking, and to check the security administration's results. Condor will send the information, encrypted to the highest security standards, to the American TSA. Your details will not be used further.
All Condor flights to the USA are affected: when entering or leaving the USA, stopping over in the USA, and on some flights over the USA (this ruling applies from 23.01.12 for the following overflight destinations: from/to Cancun, Havana, Varadero, Holguin and Toronto). It is irrelevant whether you booked your Condor flight via condor.com, through a stationary travel agency, an Internet travel agency or as part of an all-inclusive arrangement with a tour operator.
You will be asked for your Secure Flight details when you make your booking through condor.com (title/gender, first name, last name, date of birth, Redress Number* if available), and they will automatically be passed on to the authorities in the USA. There is then no requirement for them to be recorded separately in the USA data form at condor.com.
If you did not provide this information when you made your booking, please do so as quickly as possible, and ideally directly after making your booking. Please have your travel and ID documents ready.
The collection of your data for the "Secure Flight" program is valid for your booked Condor flight, including all legs operated by associate airlines. To enter your data into the USA data form, only state the Condor leg.
This information must be provided in full for all flights booked at this time no later than 75 hours before your planned departure so it can be passed on to the TSA. It is not possible to provide this information after this time using the online form. In this exceptional case, please speak to the check-in staff directly. We regret that without this information, we must refuse transportation.
It may be that TSA is unable to complete its safety checks successfully if any questions remain concerning passenger details. In this event, they will be resolved at check-in.
Please note that a boarding pass will not be issued if the TSA is unable to successfully complete its safety check, and you will not be able to travel on your flight to the USA.
You will find the online form (USA data form) to enter your Secure Flight data here:
*If you have already had a security check by the USA security authority and received a negative result (e.g. based on a mistake in names) and you sought redress, you will have been given a Redress Number.
Please note the following advice that Condor is obliged to indicate by the TSA:
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires you to provide your full name, date of birth, and gender for the purpose of watch list screening, under the authority of 49 U.S.C. section 114, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 and 49 C.F.R parts 1540 and 1560. You may also provide your Redress Number, if available. Failure to provide your full name, date of birth, and gender may result in denial of transport or denial of authority to enter the boarding area. TSA may share information you provide with law enforcement or intelligence agencies or others under its published system of records notice. For more on TSA privacy policies, or to review the system of records notice and the privacy impact assessment, please see the TSA Web site at www.tsa.gov.
Rev.: 20.05.2011
Entry conditions for the USA - Electronic travel application ESTA
From 12 January 2009, all nationals from countries in the visa waiver programme must obtain an online travel permit in plenty of time before commencing their travels. Every traveller from a visa waiver country must apply for the travel permit in line with ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) no less than 72 hours before departure at: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. The US authorities cannot guarantee that they will be able to process applications submitted later than this in time. Please note that you will not be able to travel if your ESTA application contains incorrect or incomplete information.
On 8.9.2010, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) introduced a charge for travellers from Visa Waiver countries for completion of the ESTA application. Credit card payment (MasterCard, VISA, American Express or Discover Card) is the only form of payment accepted in the ESTA application process. Additional payments for two-year ESTA visas granted before September 8, 2010 will not be required. However, please note that if you apply for a new passport during the two-year period of validity of a current ESTA application, you will need to apply and pay for a new form.
We advise you only to use the official link given at the top.
The status of your ESTA registration will be checked at check-in. Please note that we are only permitted to accept passengers with the status "ESTA OK" and to whom the information in the ESTA system applies for check-in. We regret that passengers with a status other than "ESTA OK" are not able to travel.
Please note, however, that successful ESTA registration does not guarantee that you will be permitted to enter the USA. The decision whether or not you will be allowed to enter will, as before, be made by the American immigration department at the destination airport.
Passengers who receive the status "ESTA NOT OK" on registration are asked to contact the US Embassy or a US Consulate. If you receive the status "ESTA PENDING", this means your travel permit is still being processed. Please return to the website within 72 hours and click on the right-hand side of the table with the green background. You will need your application number, your passport number and your date of birth to check the status of your application.
If you have successfully registered for ESTA and have received the status "ESTA OK", this will remain valid for 2 years. If you make multiple trips to the USA within a period of 2 years, then ESTA registration is only required for your first visit. Your ESTA registration cannot be extended. Once the two years have lapsed, you will have to make a new ESTA application.
If you have dual citizenship, enter the passport number and name of the issuing country (not the country of residence). If you have more than one passport (even if these are from a single country), you will need to fill out a separate ESTA application for each passport with which you intend to travel to the US. Because the entry and exit formalities will soon be completely electronic, we urgently recommend that you use the same passport for both entering and departing the country!
Countries in the visa waiver program:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Island, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
WARNING! Nationals of a visa waiver country will require ESTA registration if they stop over in the USA en-route to their destination.
Example:
Passenger: Spanish
Condor flight (one way):
Whitehorse (Canada) – Fairbanks (USA) – Frankfurt (Germany)
Rev.: 17.02.2010
Cuban Tourist Cards/Departure Tax
The cost of the Tourist Entry Card to Cuba is not included in our ticket prices. The Entry Card can be obtained at the Condor Ticket Desk for 25.00 € (USD 33.00).
Please note that you have to pay a departure tax while in Cuba.
Entry regulations for Cuba – health insurance cover
All those traveling to Cuba will be obliged to provide proof of health insurance cover valid for Cuba for the intended duration of stay with effect from May 1, 2010 onward. Here, it is important that the insurance policy in question contains an agreement regarding the provision of cover with the Cuban insurance company "Asistur". The ancillary policies issued by your insurance company should be in Spanish if possible.
Travelers who fail to provide proof of sufficient insurance cover upon arrival in Cuba may conclude a policy with a Cuban insurance company (for approx. 2-3 CUC per day of stay, depending on insurance coverage) at the airport.
Flights across Schengen borders
Condor is obligated, upon instruction by the German police, to convey certain passenger data for flights from countries that are not signatories of the Schengen Agreement.
Information on the EU Black List
Protecting European skies against unsafe airlines
On March 23, 2006, the European Commission adopted the first EU list of airlines which are banned in the European Union. This black list of unsafe airlines will now be published on the Commission's website. The black list has been compiled on the basis of national contributions and after an in-depth analysis with Member State experts. The list consists of companies which face a complete ban or operational restrictions. From now on the principle will apply that companies banned in one Member State are banned in the whole EU.
EU Regulation 996/2010
The form stipulated by EU Regulation 996/2010 allows you to provide the contact details of relatives who should be advised of your presence on board an aircraft in case of need. You can hand in the completed form to our employees when checking in or at the gate. The data will be stored at the destination airport until you land, and subsequently destroyed.
