We crazy peas have connected to many flights with layovers in other countries.  Our layover in Oslo had a little unexpected extra step, but I guess it makes sense in hindsight.

When we left Copenhagen, we were very careful to verify that the luggage tags we had listed KKN (Kirkenes) as the final destination.  However, cabin crew instructed us to go get our baggage and re-enter security before we could connect to go to Kirkenes.  After I thought about it a little while, it sort of makes sense since Norway is not part of the EU, that we would need to “clear” customs, then re-check our bags for our domestic flight within Norway.  It was just a tad unexpected, but thankfully we had extra time on our layover.

On every departure of our trip we used the self check-in and baggage drop.  I don’t know how long the self tagging of baggage has been going on but it seems pretty convenient.  There are far more check-in kiosks now than before at LAX, and it looks to be the same internationally as well.  At LAX, we tagged our own bags and put them on a conveyor where the staff scanned the tag.  In Copenhagen (CPH), there was actually a hand scanner that we used to scan our own bags, there was still a guy there to tag the bags “heavy” (it was still within the noted limit).  I like the new self check and bag drop, it feels like it’s faster overall.

Baggage check in for domestic transfer

Oslo airport is probably the most thorough security check I’ve seen in a while, they actually and me take out my camera from my backpack.  In other airports, it seemed OK to just take out my laptop and iPad.  At least the lines were not long and they were efficient.  It felt like everyone was hurrying around the airport so maybe it wasn’t just us that had extra connection steps.

One thing we should’ve gotten was another passport stamp upon entry to the country, but there was no passport control line so we just went from baggage claim right through customs.  Beta really likes her stamps to keep track of where she’s been.  One of these days we’ll fill up our passport before needing to get it renewed!

A couple of observations about OSL airport, it’s clean, not too huge, compared to Copenhagen.  The people here must be really healthy, we were the only ones on the moving walkway!

Two Lazy Peas

The wifi, free is very good, and worked right away without ads or complicated steps.

We decided to get a little bit of food for later.  Kirkenes is pretty small so we don’t expect to be able to find food late at night.  We stopped at a place called “Upper Crust”.

Upper Crust

Sandwiches and Champagne

Our gate was pretty far down the main terminal, indeed it looked a newer annex that we had to go down some stairs to get to.  There were buses around to take people to their planes across the tarmac.

Terminal extension annex at Copenhagen Airport

The final bit excitement on our connection was when we scanned our boarding passes and a little receipt with new seat assignments popped out.  We were worried we wouldn’t be seated together (I work hard to check-in in advance to make sure we do)!  Luckily, the seats were together, though further in the back of the plane.  As they were about to close the cabin doors, we moved over to a row behind us that was completely empty, so it worked out!