A question about connecting flights

[JoeCathyAngelina]

Our flight reservations were just changed on Delta from a non-stop Tampa to Boston, to a 1 stop 31 minute layover in Detriot before the connecting flight to Boston.
There are no non-stops available on Delta from Tampa to Boston and the flight that they put us on is the closest to the non-stop that they cancelled.
I don't know anything about connecting flights and changing planes.
Does 31 minutes sound like enough time to change planes to a connecting flight in Detroit or anywhere?
Is it common to have a connecting flight with a 31 minute layover?
Does the Airline make flight delays to allow the planes to cover any landing/boarding delays?
Good Luck All,
Joe

 

[GOOFY26]

DETROIT is a big airport it would depend where your gates are. I don't think you would have enough time--might take awhile to get of your first plane conserding all the carry on luggage please bring on now. It would be close.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Yes it is common for 30 minute layovers.
They do not like to do delays because if I plane is sitting at its gate past their departure time, the airline is charge a fee. That is why they begin boarding the plane well in advance of the actual departure time.
If I were you I would make sure to get a seat at the front of the plane so that you are one of the first ones off.

 

[backyardponder]

I'd call Delta and see what they can do for you. I think they have non-stops from Orlando.

31 minutes at Detroit should be ok for a connection. I wouldn't, however, accept a connection late in the day in case a flight is late and they can't re-book you the same day.

 

[seashoreCM]

Are there anyh other flights on their schedule you can live with? If so, hand pick some and telephone to request a change. There should be no charge when you tell them that the connection time is too short for comfort.

 

[JoeCathyAngelina]

I'd call Delta and see what they can do for you. I think they have non-stops from Orlando.

31 minutes at Detroit should be ok for a connection. I wouldn't, however, accept a connection late in the day in case a flight is late and they can't re-book you the same day.

I called Delta and I've been checking Delta's flight schedule 2 or 3 times a day for any better flights.
We will be landing at Detroit-Wayne County, MI (DTW) McNamara Terminal and leaving from the same, Detroit-Wayne County, MI (DTW)
McNamara Terminal; The gates aren't available.
Does that sound like 31 minutes will be enough time for landing in an Airbus A320 seats 13a,b and c at 5:14pm connecting to a DC 9-50 for a 5:45pm flight?
Good Luck All,
Joe

 

[DebbieB]

Are they both full size planes? If one is full size and one an RJ, there is a decent walk down through a tunnel. Do you have kids? Although I think DTW is a good airport to connect through (I did last Monday), I personally would not be comfortable with 31 minutes by myself, let alone with a family.

 

[backyardponder]

Both of those are full size. The A320 is a lot larger than the DC9, but you are sitting towards the front of the plane.

The gates are not assigned until the day of the flight and can change. You can get an idea on the gates being used by looking at arrival and departure information for the current day's flights.