Change of Departure Time of Special Chartered Flight – April 11 at 11:30 p.m.
This message is to inform all U.S. Citizens who intend to depart Laos on the special chartered flight organized by the U.S. Department of State that the estimated departure time of the flight has changed. It is now expected to depart at 11:30 p.m. tomorrow, April 11. It will transit Darwin, Australia and Honolulu, HI before arriving in San Francisco, CA at approximately 12:00 noon on April 12.
U.S. Citizens who have received a message confirming they have a seat on the flight should arrive at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane at 9:00 p.m. for boarding. Passengers arriving prior to 9:00 p.m. will not be allowed to enter the airport.
Please note this scheduling change and plan accordingly.
U.S. Citizens who have received a message confirming they have a seat on the flight and intend to board the plane as planned do not need to reply to this email. If you have decided not to take the special chartered flight, please respond to this email informing the U.S. Embassy accordingly. That way, we can make your seat available to another U.S. Citizen in need.
You can find answers to frequently asked questions about the special chartered flight here.
If you have not received an email confirming you have a seat on this flight, the Embassy cannot guarantee you will be able to board the plane.
What if I’ve Been Confirmed to Take the Charter from Luang Prabang?
The Embassy has accordingly adjusted the departure time of the Luang Prabang-Vientiane charter; it will now depart at 3:00 p.m.
U.S. Citizens who have received a message confirming they have a seat on the Luang Prabang-Vientiane charter should plan to arrive at Luang Prabang Airport at 1:30 p.m. for boarding.
Please note this scheduling change and plan accordingly.
Recipients of this email who intend to board the plane as planned do not need to reply to this email. If you have decided not to take the Luang Prabang-Vientiane charter and the special chartered flight from Vientiane, please respond to this email informing the U.S. Embassy accordingly. That way, we can make your seat available to another U.S. Citizen in need.
If you have not received an email confirming you have a seat on this flight, the Embassy cannot guarantee you will be able to board the plane.
Important Information for Non-U.S. Citizen Passengers
The Australian Ministry of Home Affairs has informed the Embassy that some non-U.S. Citizens must complete an application for an Australian transit visa in order to transit Australia. This requirement applies to Lao nationals who are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States and those who hold valid U.S. Visas.
Some non-U.S. Citizens will not be permitted to transit Australia if you do not complete the online application for an Australian transit visa. You can find more information on the website of the Australian Ministry of Home Affairs.
Applications for a transit visa can be completed and submitted online. The application can be found at: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/transit-771. The application is free.
After completing the application, you will be provided a confirmation number. Please provide the confirmation number to laosevac@state.gov, and the Embassy will forward it to the Australian Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure you are able to board the aircraft.
