??? about layovers

[jrnunzio3]

Hi all,

I haven't had this situation come up before and would like any advice before booking a trip.

I will be traveling with my husband. We have a flight that has a 2 hour layover, but we don't change planes. My question is, are we allowed to get off the plane, get something to eat, shop, etc., or do we have to remain on the plane.

Prior to 9/11, if I recall correctly, they would let us off the plane if it was a long layover. I am unsure of this post 9/11.

Any advise would be appreciated. I would like to book these flights this weekend.

Jr

 

[bicker]

It depends, but almost surely yes. In some cases, you will actually be required to deplane and reboard later. Sometimes, the flight may actually change from one aircraft to another. (It is very rare for an airline to leave an aircraft idle at the gate for two hours!)

 

[DebbieB]

They usually make an announcement after landing for continuing flights. They usually say to put anything you want kept onboard in the overhead (not on the floor or seats). They say to keep your boarding pass for reentry. They will usually announce people who are reboarding a continuing flight can preboard. As Bicker said, many times a flight they show as a stop but no change of plane ends up changing planes. They will announce there is an "equipment change" and the new gate #. I agree, 2 hours is a long time for a scheduled stop. Which airline?

 

[jrnunzio3]

They usually make an announcement after landing for continuing flights. They usually say to put anything you want kept onboard in the overhead (not on the floor or seats). They say to keep your boarding pass for reentry. They will usually announce people who are reboarding a continuing flight can preboard. As Bicker said, many times a flight they show as a stop but no change of plane ends up changing planes. They will announce there is an "equipment change" and the new gate #. I agree, 2 hours is a long time for a scheduled stop. Which airline?

Thank you for your replies. I thought that would be the case, but wasn't 100% sure. I think the airline was united (I have to go see if the price is still the same). It is a flight from Hartford to Charleston with a layover in Charlotte.

I usually only fly direct to either Atlanta or to Disney lately and haven't in the last 18 years of flying (to the caribbean and such) been told that I would be on a continuing flight and wouldn't have to change planes.

Thanks again for the info.

JR

 

[bicker]

United doesn't have a hub in Charlotte; US Airways does. I'm not sure how that would or wouldn't impact this, though....

 

[safetymom]

United does code shares with US Airways. It could be a US Airways plane.

 

[bicker]

Makes sense.

 

[rgf207]

It's most likely a usairways plane. But to answer your question, yes you will be allowed to Deplane. Put anything you dont want taken off the plane or thrown out in the overhead bins. Nothing should be left in the seat pocket or on the seat. Take your boarding pass and enjoy the Charlotte Airport. It's my absolute favorite airport. Great food and super comfortable rocking chairs to people watch

 

[bicker]

Yup, I just checked. United is definitely showing one (and only one) direct, one-stop flight, each way, between Hartford to Orlando via Charlotte, and indeed it is a code-share, "Operated by US Airways." US Airways is showing the same fare as United, so unless you have a specific reason to, you may be better off booking with US Airways directly, and cut-out the middle-man.

Hmmm... they're only showing a 70 minute lay-over outbound and a 60 minute lay-over homebound. Maybe they've changed the schedule since you last looked?

 

[jrnunzio3]

Yup, I just checked. United is definitely showing one (and only one) direct, one-stop flight, each way, between Hartford to Orlando via Charlotte, and indeed it is a code-share, "Operated by US Airways." US Airways is showing the same fare as United, so unless you have a specific reason to, you may be better off booking with US Airways directly, and cut-out the middle-man.

Hmmm... they're only showing a 70 minute lay-over outbound and a 60 minute lay-over homebound. Maybe they've changed the schedule since you last looked?

Sorry about the confusion. I was looking at a flight on Orbitz.com and it was through US Air, not United. I have been checking all airlines at least 3 times a day for the past 3 weeks, so they tend to all get jumbled up in my brain. I usually only fly Delta or if going to Caribbean, American Airlines. I have never flown any other airline.

Just to let you know, so you don't think that I am really nuts, this trip is from Hartford to Charleston, SC.

What I don't understand, is I just went onto Orbitz.com and the departure flight is fine, but the return flight has me coming into either Providence, RI or Albany, NY. Now how does that make sense?

Thank you for all of the replies. I am going to book this tomorrow, I want to wait just one more day to see if fares go down or not. The cheapest that I have found is $286.00 per person. Hopefully that fare will still be there tomorrow.

JR

 

[DebbieB]

I would book through usairways.com rather than orbitz.

 

[jrnunzio3]

I would book through usairways.com rather than orbitz.

I just booked through Cheaptickets.com I hope everything works out OK. I have never used them before, but their prices were over $60.00 cheaper than the airlines own website. I know, it is only $60.00 but, that is a nice meal out one night on our anniversary trip, so I took the chance. Wish me luck.

jr