30 minute plane change in Balt. with SW

[travelloverontario]

Hi...we have a plane change with Southwest in Baltimore (Buffalo to Orlando). We arrive in Baltimore at 9:30 am and the next plane leaves at 10:00 am.

CAN WE MAKE IT?????

How far away are the terminals/gates?? Can they change the luggage over that quickly??

Make me feel better please!!

 

[katallo]

The SWA terminal at BWI is great. If everything goes as scheduled you should not have a problem. SW has their own area at the airport and the gates are very easy to navigate. Have a great trip!

 

[Ted in Halifax]

as said above BWI is great ... no issue ... ive done a 30 minute there with time to spare.

 

[Jestocost]

Note, however, that there's a decent chance you won't get to your next gate in time to board with the A group if you have those boarding numbers. IF your plane is on time AND IF you are near the front of the plane so you can get off quickly AND IF you don't have a gate-checked stroller AND IF your connecting gate is close, then you MIGHT make it to your connecting flight before they start boarding. Don't think of making a restroom stop in any case.

The good news is that SWA is better than most airlines about holding outgoing flights if they know that there are connecting passengers coming in.

 

[MHSweb79]

Baltimore is beautiful - the SW gates are all lined up in a nice, sunny row next to each other. The only issue you may have is if the first leg is late for any reason, but they usually build in an extra few minutes. We've also had our connecting flight wait for a couple of minutes when they knew we'd landed and would be heading right over.

Of all SW's connecting airports, Baltimore has to be the easiest!

 

[CarrieR]

You should have no problem.

Additionally, if for some reason you do miss that connection... there are bound to be a number of other flights from BWI to MCO that day that you can get on, without a problem.

 

[travelloverontario]

Well thank you all for your responses. You have definitely made me feel better!!

I'm going in with the thought that none of us(4) will be able to sit together on the second leg...so if it happens...it's a bonus!!

There are other flights from Balt. to Orlando, but the first one out is over 2 hours later, and is a much longer flight with a plane change/stop (I can't remember which)...sooo...I'm keeping my fingers crosses that we catch the one we have scheduled.

Thanks again for the information on the ease of the Balt. airport!!!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I fly SWA almost exclusively and the majority of the time we arrive at our destination early. With a normal flight (no major delays taking off), you should have no problem making your connection.

 

[baileybelle]

A little off topic: We'll be flying Airtran into BWI, but have a 2 hour layover. No problem. Going home we have a 59 min layover. We are at the front of the plane with carry-ons only. No problem right?

 

[Ted in Halifax]

baileybelle:

Carryons are the only issue there .. you are going to pwm right? they will stow, what you cant get in the overhead/seat. Carryons are getting crazy

 

[MrMarv]

Even if your connecting flight takes off late or has to be held because your first flight arrives late, the chances are very good that you'll still arrive in Orlando on time.

All of the airlines have been padding their flight schedules for the past couple of years, even with fewer aircraft in the skies, and SWA is no exception.

I agree 100% about SWA's terminal at BWI; 30 minutes is sufficient.

 

[travelloverontario]

Yeah...so glad to hear this.

This is my first time with SW and at the Balt. airport. Thank you for your knowledge!!

 

[baileybelle]

Ted in Halifax: Yes, we're flying PWM-BWI-MCO and MCO-BWI-PWM using the small ones(20 inch) carry-ons. We usually fly non-stop. This time there aren't any non-stops with Airtran in or out of PWM on our days. Bummer!! We have used carry-ons before and haven't had a problem.

 

[poohbear2]

Note, however, that there's a decent chance you won't get to your next gate in time to board with the A group if you have those boarding numbers. IF your plane is on time AND IF you are near the front of the plane so you can get off quickly AND IF you don't have a gate-checked stroller AND IF your connecting gate is close, then you MIGHT make it to your connecting flight before they start boarding. Don't think of making a restroom stop in any case.

The good news is that SWA is better than most airlines about holding outgoing flights if they know that there are connecting passengers coming in.

This is my situation come April. I paid for pre-seating. Now I wonder if I wasted $30.00.

 

[Jestocost]

This is my situation come April. I paid for pre-seating. Now I wonder if I wasted $30.00.

Actually, you paid to be checked in 36 hours in advance of your first scheduled departure. That will help you on your first flight for sure and likely will get you low boarding numbers for your second flight. The latter may or may not be of any value, as you note.