45 minute layover in BWI

[jack'smom]

Thinking about changing my Southwest flight into Florida to the night before...that would leave us with a 45 minute layover in BWI. We will have our 3 kids (ages 2, 5, 8) with us. If we buy EBCI so we can sit near the front on the first flight, will that get us enough time to board so that we can sit 3/2 together? Is this cutting it too close?

 

[ParrotBill]

It's tight... if they start boarding with intent to close the doors 10 minutes prior to departure, they will be well along in boarding the second flight by the time you get there. But with small kids I am sure someone will help you out to stay close.

 

[PlutoPony]

Will you have to install/uninstall carseat(s)?
That will add time on both ends

 

[jack'smom]

Will you have to install/uninstall carseat(s)?
That will add time on both ends

I'm not sure what we'll do with the two year old yet. We probably would install her car seat, but my husband thinks she'll be fine with just the lap belt. As soon as we park at the gate, I can undo her seat and we can just grab it and go. We'll probably check the stroller so that we don't have to wait for it to come out at the gate.

 

[keishashadow]

Thinking about changing my Southwest flight into Florida to the night before...that would leave us with a 45 minute layover in BWI. We will have our 3 kids (ages 2, 5, 8) with us. If we buy EBCI so we can sit near the front on the first flight, will that get us enough time to board so that we can sit 3/2 together? Is this cutting it too close?

I'd be concerned with the initial leg of the flight being delayed even if it was an early am departure. If there is bad weather/equipment issue somewhere the day things can easily get stacked up.

Is this the last flight out of the day? if so, with kids along I wouldn't book it even though BWI is a dream to navigate when flying SWA (unless taking an international flight when u have to walk the entire concourse).

 

[emilymad]

Are you sure you have to actually change planes? Sometimes Southwest has flights that stop but then continue on to your destination.

 

[jack'smom]

Are you sure you have to actually change planes? Sometimes Southwest has flights that stop but then continue on to your destination.

Yes. It says 1 stop. Change planes in BWI.

 

[jack'smom]

I'd be concerned with the initial leg of the flight being delayed even if it was an early am departure. If there is bad weather/equipment issue somewhere the day things can easily get stacked up.

Is this the last flight out of the day? if so, with kids along I wouldn't book it even though BWI is a dream to navigate when flying SWA (unless taking an international flight when u have to walk the entire concourse).

It is the last flight of the day out of BWI.

 

[keishashadow]

It is the last flight of the day out of BWI.

have you checked to see the flight record as to historical delays?

several options, one is flightstats

 

[DLgal]

You should be aware that Southwest at BWI uses both terminals A and B. If your second flight is in a different terminal from where your first flight lands, you will need a good 10 min to get to the next gate. Terminal B is VERY long.

 

[Cold71]

I think you'll be fine with 45 min to spare. It's not like you're going to have to go back through security or anything. On top of that BWI is a Southwest hub so all of there flights typically leave out of one section of the airport. When you get off the plane you should be fairly close to your other gate. I live 10 minutes from BWI and I fly Southwest to Disney every time. You'll be good.

 

[jack'smom]

have you checked to see the flight record as to historical delays?

several options, one is flightstats

When I check the flight number, it's not coming up as the right route. So I'm not quite sure about the on-time performance

According to Southwest, the first flight has an 83% on time arrival rate with an average of 10 minutes delay. The second flight (which is the one we have a 45 minute layover for) has a 40% on time arrival rate with an average delay of 40 minutes.

 

[jack'smom]

If we had A boarding passes for our BWI departure and they are already boarding past us when we arrive, can we get on right away or do we have to wait till they finish with that group?
I'm thinking that if the flight is on time, it takes 10 minutes to deplane and 15 minutes to get to our next gate, that still leaves 20 minutes to board and they won't be done with boarding 20 minutes ahead of departure.

Also, the flight still has cheap wanna get away fares available (this is for 2.5 weeks from now). Does this mean that the flight is pretty wide open?

 

[Cold71]

If we had A boarding passes for our BWI departure and they are already boarding past us when we arrive, can we get on right away or do we have to wait till they finish with that group?
I'm thinking that if the flight is on time, it takes 10 minutes to deplane and 15 minutes to get to our next gate, that still leaves 20 minutes to board and they won't be done with boarding 20 minutes ahead of departure.

Also, the flight still has cheap wanna get away fares available (this is for 2.5 weeks from now). Does this mean that the flight is pretty wide open?

I'd agree with both of these. I have a flight in October to MCO that sold out over a month ago.

 

[nkereina]

My only concern would be that the plane you are getting on already has a lot of passengers on it as a stopover, that don't need to change planes. I've seen this before on a Southwest layover, and typically these people will all move to the front and/or with family members before the new group boards. I don't know if there's any way to know ahead of time how many people on board will just be stopping there and continuing on the same plane as you.

 

[Sadie22]

I definitely think that is cutting it too close. If the first plane is delayed you will miss that later flight. DS has had a lot of problems with things like that. Weather delays, mechanical problems, and so on cause the delays, and then connecting flights are affected.

 

[Lewisc]

It's a legal connection. Southwest doesn't let you book connections which you have no shot of making. BUT

I don't think you should book it. Sounds like you'll have a car seat. That means you won't be one of the first to leave the plane. A low BP won't help you if your first flight is delayed and most of the passengers have already boarded. It's conceivable Southwest is holding your second flight. The plane could literally push back as soon as you're seated. The FA might take the time to get a passenger to move so one adult can sit next to the 2 year old but that's not even guaranteed. I'm sure a passenger would move so an adult could sit next to a 2 year old, but it could have to wait until after the plane takes off.

I'd only book the flight if you can accept the possibility that the rest of your family might wind up with middle seats scattered through the plane.

IF you book it you should immediately look at the board and check the status of the second flight. If your flight has internet you might even be able to check status before you land. If it's running close you might have one adult jog to the second gate.

I'd also ask the GA at your first airport to check bookings on your second flight. I'd be concerned if the flight was sold out but not as concerned if there were a reasonable number of available seats.

 

[jack'smom]

Thank you everyone for your advice and experience.

I'm pretty sure I decided to keep our original flight instead of changing it to the night before. As much as I really would love an extra few hours at the beach, I don't think it is worth the stress.

 

[mrsdrake625]

I guess I'm the dissenting opinion - At BWI I wouldn't worry, it's fairly compact. I think you will be fine. A lot of our flights connect through there, and we fly southwest. Yes, they can use both terminals but they are not that long. The longer of the two has a people mover if you're really concerned, but I think 45 mins is fine, and I'm a somewhat anxious traveler. Four out of five times the gates are across the hall or right next to each other but maybe we are lucky. You can look up the arrival/departure gates on BWI's website just to be prepared.

As for the first flight being delayed, try sitting near the front and just communicate with the employees. Last time I was at BWI on a layover, I saw two different groups of people with late connecting flights sprint to the counter. They were taken care of and with a smile - one of the things we love about SW. They have no change fees so if you miss the second flight, they should e able to put you on another, no problem.

Wanna get away fares aren't necessarily uncrowded flights, just FYI. And family boarding is after B group, I think - you'll have a good chance of getting A if you are willing to pull up the check in page five minutes early and just keep hitting refresh. Works for us

Good luck whatever your decision!

 

[jayhawk74]

You should be aware that Southwest at BWI uses both terminals A and B.

Southwest is also using the gates at the end of the C terminal. You still stay inside security just it is a longer walk.

If we had A boarding passes for our BWI departure and they are already boarding past us when we arrive, can we get on right away or do we have to wait till they finish with that group?

If your boarding position has already boarded you get to go in front of anyone currently boarding, you don't have to wait for that group to finish.