Changing planes/going through customs in Minneapolis - 1 hour enough time?

[DisMJ]

Looking at flights through Delta and there is one stop in Minneapolis. Is 1 hour enough time to go through customs and catch the next flight to MCO or should I be looking at something with a longer layover?

Thanks!

 

[SteveMouse]

You probably want a longer layover- Customs could take quite a while.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I would guess no. I'd never take a connection that short if I had to go through Customs.

 

[sam_gordon]

Just to clarify... if you go through customs, then no, an hour isn't enough time. If you don't need customs and are just connecting through Minneapolis, you should be fine.

 

[Yellowjj]

Which Country/Airport are you departing from?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I assume you are coming from outside the United States? If so, one hour is not nearly enough time to clear customs and immigration. To be safe, budget at least 2 hours.

Unless you are coming from Canada and preclear there, then an hour would be fine.

 

[Starwind]

One hour to clear customs is not enough. I always budget 2-3+ hours for a connection when clearing customs is part of the connection. Often the airline won't let one book a shorter connection anyway.

Where you are flying from makes a difference for determining US connections. Some international airports have US Customs at them to preclear travellers. There are several in Canada. There are a few others in other countries. If flying from one of those, you will clear US Customs at your originating airport, then when the plane lands in the US it is treated as a domestic flight and you do not clear US Customs again. In that case, a our hour connection may be ok, though some people (myself included) prefer longer to be on the safe side.

 

[DisMJ]

Ahhh, thanks. I am coming from Canada, so assumed that I would have to clear customs in Minneapolis and get our luggage and make a connecting flight, which seems dicey esp if there is any type of flight delay. It has been so long since I've gone anywhere, that I have forgotten all the ins and outs. I would not be leaving from an international airport. Thanks again!

 

[minnie mum]

Ahhh, thanks. I am coming from Canada, so assumed that I would have to clear customs in Minneapolis and get our luggage and make a connecting flight, which seems dicey esp if there is any type of flight delay. It has been so long since I've gone anywhere, that I have forgotten all the ins and outs. I would not be leaving from an international airport. Thanks again!

Which airport are you leaving from? If it is in Canada, and your flight lands in Minneapolis, then the airport you are departing from is, by definition, an international airport. The question is whether you will have US Customs preclearance at your airport. Many Canadian airports have this. If yours does, then you will not have to clear Customs when you land in Minneapolis, and the hour will be ample time to make your connection.

 

[Yellowjj]

DisMJ if you are coming from one of the smaller airports like Regina or Saskatoon, you will have to clear customs in Minneapolis. Not to worry however. If Delta sold you the ticket as is, 1 hour should be enough times to clear customs as Minneapolis doesn't have that much international flights to begin with.

You are also protected if you do miss your connection. Delta will simply re-book you on the next flight to Orlando.

 

[DisMJ]

Ok thanks everyone! We are coming from Regina... so would have to go through customs in Minneapolis. I'm thinking I will look for something with a bit of a longer layover so that I'm not more stressed out than I likely already will be! ;-)

 

[dis_guy]

Ok thanks everyone! We are coming from Regina... so would have to go through customs in Minneapolis. I'm thinking I will look for something with a bit of a longer layover so that I'm not more stressed out than I likely already will be! ;-)

Probably best if you can get something more comfortable for you.

We usually pre-clear in Edmonton but on some flights like the United 11:55 PM one connecting in Houston, customs is not open and we have to clear at IAH. The first couple of times the 2 h something layover was fine but on our last one there were 3 large jets coming in from S. America at the same time as us. So there we sat in line with at least 300 people ahead of us so I had plenty of time to watch everyone with Global Entry blow by us and head off to their next gate.

We now have NEXUS which includes Global Entry and don't ever give much thought about clearing customs in either direction. It's $50 CAD for 5 years so it's reasonable. I think it's worth it even if we only use it once a year. I'd have gladly paid $50 to get out of that long line at IAH!

Happy travels!