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TSA & REAL ID
From May 7, 2025, every adult flying within the US must show a REAL ID-compliant driver's licence or a federally accepted ID such as a US passport. Standard licences without the gold star will not be accepted at TSA.
EDITORIAL · PRE-DEPARTURE
Before you get on the plane.
Four short briefings on the parts of travel that go wrong most often.
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ESTA & visas
Visa Waiver Program travellers must apply for ESTA online at least 72 hours before US arrival. The authorisation is valid for two years or until the underlying passport expires. ESTA is not a visa — admission is decided at the port of entry.
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Layover survival
International connections at LHR, CDG, FRA and AMS require a minimum 90 minutes for same-terminal transfers, 120 minutes between terminals. US arrivals add CBP clearance — allow 180 minutes for an onward domestic flight.
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Jet-lag tips
Eastbound is harder than westbound. Two days before departure, shift your sleep schedule one hour toward destination time. On arrival, get 20 minutes of morning daylight and avoid napping until local 21:00.