AA 1 hour between landing and conneting flight

SwanVT2

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Jun 19, 2010
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We land at 1:37 from Burlington VT at Philadelphia. Then we need to board beginning at 1:53 for a 2:28 departure. How will we get to our connecting gate? I'm stressed about this small window of time. Thank you!
 
We land at 1:37 from Burlington VT at Philadelphia. Then we need to board beginning at 1:53 for a 2:28 departure. How will we get to our connecting gate? I'm stressed about this small window of time. Thank you!
Looking at the Philadelphia terminal map, (https://www.discoverphl.com/media/1399172/philadelphia_airport_map.pdf), it appears AA uses terminal A East. It has 13 gates. Unless you have something that will slow you down while moving, you should have plenty of time.

Also, if boarding starts at 1:53, that will probably be the pre-boards. It will probably be after 2 before you're allowed to board.
 
There is absolutely no way that AA only uses 13 gates at Philadelphia which is a hub for them.

That map is very outdated.

It will be impossible to determine exactly what gates you will be at but I am guessing Burlington, VT will be by American Eagle so you can see where they go and then see how far they are away from the American mainline gates — assuming you’re connecting to mainline.
 

Where you need more time is if you are going to or from F terminal. That’s for small planes. Looking at flights today, that is the case. F to B. You can hop on a bus to save time.

648958

When is your trip? American always makes changes.
 
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An hour should be plenty of time to get to your next gate. Airlines usually have all of their gates in the same terminal unless they are going international.
 
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There is absolutely no way that AA only uses 13 gates at Philadelphia which is a hub for them.

That map is very outdated.

It will be impossible to determine exactly what gates you will be at but I am guessing Burlington, VT will be by American Eagle so you can see where they go and then see how far they are away from the American mainline gates — assuming you’re connecting to mainline.
Apologies for the bad info. That's what I get for trusting the internet.
 
I don't fly out of there, but do they typically schedule connections to go through different terminals? I have had to connect in a lot of different airlines and have yet had to change terminals, especially on such a short layover.

Yes, I went from B to F a couple years ago because my second flight was a regional jet (50 seat). F is their small jet terminal. I hopped on the bus rather than walk all the way. Can’t remember how much time I had.
 
I don't fly out of there, but do they typically schedule connections to go through different terminals? I have had to connect in a lot of different airlines and have yet had to change terminals, especially on such a short layover.
Yes, I almost always fly American Airlines, and I have to change terminals most of the time.
 
Many large airports have the commuter type planes in a separate terminal since the jetways are smaller. There looks like a shuttle bus that connects to the other terminals, so you should be able to use that to make your connection in the other terminal with plenty of time.
 
I don't fly out of there, but do they typically schedule connections to go through different terminals? I have had to connect in a lot of different airlines and have yet had to change terminals, especially on such a short layover.

Airlines don't "schedule connections". It just two flights that someone is taking (it's not like everyone on both planes is doing the same connection (or even any connection)). There are rules about the minimum connection time (MCT) between the two flights, but that's it.
 
Airlines don't "schedule connections". It just two flights that someone is taking (it's not like everyone on both planes is doing the same connection (or even any connection)). There are rules about the minimum connection time (MCT) between the two flights, but that's it.

Well, the airlines know their flights and what gates that they use at each airport. I fly SWA and their gates have always been in the same terminal. They very much can program their system to not put together two flights with such a short connection time if they feel like the passenger won't be able to make it to the connection. It's all programming.
 
Well, the airlines know their flights and what gates that they use at each airport. I fly SWA and their gates have always been in the same terminal. They very much can program their system to not put together two flights with such a short connection time if they feel like the passenger won't be able to make it to the connection. It's all programming.
I believe there's a "minimum connection time" that varies by airport. I think Atlanta's is 35 minutes. However, if someone is "mobile deficient" (sorry, can't think of another word), they'd be slower than "normal". This could be anything from needing a wheelchair, a walker, a stroller, etc or just moves slow. If your (general) flight has been changed so that you don't think you have enough time to make your connection, contact your airline and let them know. They should be able to put you on a different itinerary that will work. HINT: Look at the schedule before calling and find something that works for you that you can suggest.

If you knowingly booked a tight connection, unless something has changed since you've booked, that's on you. Just my opinion of course.
 
Well in all fairness, at least from my experience, the majority of itineraries that AA presents have short connections. If the connection is too tight then stop selling it! They have changed me so many times with 50 minute connections, a week after booking, saying the connection doesn't work. Then why list so many of them to begin with?
 
Philadelphia sucks, but mostly the ticketing and security area. You should be okay. If AA let you book it, it's considered a "legal connection" and they won't leave without you, barring extraordinary circumstances.
 
Just because a connection is allowed doesn't mean they won't leave without you. They will absolutely leave without you. That's why unaccompanied minors are not allowed to book on the last flight of the day. In order for the flight to be "on time" then the parking brake must be released. The parking brake only gets released when the door is closed. The door is going to close on time.
 
Well, the airlines know their flights and what gates that they use at each airport. I fly SWA and their gates have always been in the same terminal. They very much can program their system to not put together two flights with such a short connection time if they feel like the passenger won't be able to make it to the connection. It's all programming.
SW also only has one type of plane. You can't use a jet bridge designed for a 737 or A321 for a CRJ200 which is what many flights to smaller airports are on. I had a connection at MSP in October that took me 27 minutes to walk, and I've run a 5k in 27 minutes.
As long as your first flight is on time you'll be fine. MCT at PHL is 40 minutes. This is of course with the understanding you don't have any mobility issues.
 














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