30 minute layover at DCA?

[Sammy]

Hey everyone:

One of my flight choices for our return from WDW includes a layover at DCA (US Airways), but it's only a 30 minute. This seems like a mighty short time to try and make a connecting flight! I've never been to DCA so no idea if this is reasonable. Should I even be considering this one?

 

[KingSpeedy]

National Airport is about as small an airport as you'll find in a big city. US airways is split between Terminals B and C, but it's not exactly a long walk between them, and there aren't any trams or buses to worry about. If the flights are on time, you should be fine (though I'd be worried about your bags). If there's another itinerary that gives you more time, I'd go with that to allow for any delays.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

As noted, DCA is a small airport, so as long as your flight arrives on time, you should make it, although your connecting flight may be boarding by the time you get to the gate. Thirty minutes is plenty of time for your bag to be transferred. Personally, I would prefer an hour, just in case of delays.

 

[jke2013]

As long as you don't land at gate 35A, you should be OK with a 30 minute layover. 35A is for regional planes. They park on the tarmac and have buses that pick up travelers and take them to the gate. Depending on how many regional planes have landed, it can take a little bit of time to get off the plane on the bus and to the terminal. All of the other gates are fine and 30 minutes shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Sammy]

Thanks for the replies! 30 minutes is just too close for comfort for me. If we leave MCO even 10 minutes late, it could mess up the connection. I'll keep looking for other flight options. Thanks!

 

[seashoreCM]

If you fly regularly on business you will often book those tight connections because you spend so much of your life on planes and in airports,and most of the time it works okay and your trip is quicker overall.

But for a once in a lifetime or once a year vacation, you want things to go smoothly and will want to allow more time for connections.