Connecting flight experiences?

[fizz13]

I am still keeping my eyes open for august flights as it is taking us a while to get our money together and flights with a stop via new york/atlanta are coming out at very good prices. My question is, how long is advisable to get through the airport and to another flight? Some of the stops are only an hour between flights and i was worried as we are international passengers. Any advice or experiences to share?

 

[Minniespal]

Our next trip we depart Glasgow at 6.30 a.m. arrive Gatwick 7.30 and depart for Orlando at 10.30. We should have plenty of time for breakfast and also a browse round the duty free shop

 

[carolfoy]

a ticket that's booked automatically as a 'through' ticket will allow you enough time to connect according to how big the airport is/how far the next gate is etc so you shouldn't have any problem, the ticket is also then honoured should the first flight be drastically delayed. (this is not the case when booked as two seperate fares)

 

[fizz13]

Thanks for that carol, very reassuring to know

 

[Minniespal]

a ticket that's booked automatically as a 'through' ticket will allow you enough time to connect according to how big the airport is/how far the next gate is etc so you shouldn't have any problem, the ticket is also then honoured should the first flight be drastically delayed. (this is not the case when booked as two seperate fares)

I didn't know that

 

[pampat]

Not always true, unfortunately. Last year, my bro was booked on a 'through' ticket via Atlanta. The airline/TA gave him an hour to change. Of course this is not enough! You have to go through immigration, collect bags, go through customs, recheck bags and maybe move to another terminal and get to the gate. He missed his connecting flight, unsurprisingly! We always allow ourselves at least 2 hours.

Pam

 

[Giddy Kipper]

We flew with American airlines in 2005 (Oct half-term) connecting in Chicago, booked through Expedia. Our flight was delayed by over 3 hours, but because over 100 passengers were making the connecting flight to Orlando on the flight , they held the flight up at Chicago...We had a team of Chicago airport workers ushering us through the airport. Overall even with the delay we would fly with them again....Might have been that chicago pizza they served to us... YUM

 

[wayneg]

a ticket that's booked automatically as a 'through' ticket will allow you enough time to connect according to how big the airport is/how far the next gate is etc so you shouldn't have any problem, the ticket is also then honoured should the first flight be drastically delayed. (this is not the case when booked as two seperate fares)

Also not true with us. We booked Continental Man-Newark-MCO with just over 2 hours in Newark. Got a phone call from Expedia to say they had cancelled our connecting flight so changed us to an earlier one with 50 mins in Newark, I had done this route before and took us about 90 mins (both times Xmas and very busy and also had 70 year old Mother in law with us) I rang told Expedia it was not enough time and she insisted they would not have given us this flight if it was not possible. I knew there was another flight leaving us 3 hours in the airport so I got it changed to that. She actually tried telling me that was fully booked but I checked for availability while we were talking.

 

[carolfoy]

ah, the fun of Expedia, opodo, etc they book you two seperate flights to make a much cheaper fare rather than give you a more expensive class of ticket that IS classed as a through fare and that will be honoured. This has been the trouble with flight companies and aitrlines who have gone bust and aren't bonded, leaving the customer with NO protection.
Its Always worth checking your booking classes on indirect routes to amke sure you're protected, but people are so eager to save a few quid they don't think about it.

 

[TinkTatoo]

We were booked on a Delta through flight at Christmas with a 1 hour 5 minute connection and the day before we flew Delta cancelled our connection flight as they have an international transfer requirement of 1 hour 20 minutes and we were under that time. They put us on the next flight which was at 8pm in the evening and by the time we got to the hotel it was 4am on our body clocks .

We've done the connection with Continental in 1 hour 30 minutes but coming from Dublin we would have already cleared immigration there.

 

[highlander447]

continental via Newark is good as its all in the one hub, but 90 mins is prob the least time I'd risk

 

[Steve and Sarah]

We went from Manchester on US Airways connecting in Phili on Christmas Day a couple of years ago.

Was fine and in some ways quite pleasant to do the immigration stuff there rather than in MCO.

Each to their own but we would not discount it.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

I would leave AT LEAST 2 hours for a connection in the US (where your first flight originates from outside the US). As others have said, you will need this time for clearing immigration, reclaiming luggage, clearing customs (although that rarely takes much time), rechecking your luggage (hopefully your airline has a transfer desk just the other side of customs) and getting to your departure gate (sometimes in another terminal...). I wouldn't like a connection of under 2 hours, 3 hours can be better (allows for any upsets and allows for a rest and a drink/bit to eat in between flights...).

A "through ticket" (i.e. your connecting your flights on the same itinerary) WILL protect you to a certain extent - if you miss your onward flight, they WILL put you on the next available flight. BUT you have to be aware that may not be until the next day (i.e. your connecting flight was the last of the day or any later flights that day were sold out...). Also, if your connection is tight, there is a high chance that your checked luggage may not make the connection even if you do... so could take a day or two to catch up with you. The longer your connection, the more likely your luggage will get to your destination when you do

Obviously those are pesimistic views, but things to be aware of...

You don't need as long a connection when exiting the US (since you don't have to clear customs/immigration between flights... and you probably aren't as worried about your checked luggage either). But I would still leave about and hour and a half or so (depending on where you are connecting and any changes of terminal required...).

We have used international/domestic connections quite a lot (most often on seperate tickets - so we haven't been protected) with few problems... but it is good idea to know the risks involved.

Boo

 

[Merylj]

We`ve booked quite a few connecting flights in the past, always giving ourselves at least 2 hours - but as others have said the airlines do move the flight times and it is a hassle.
We`ve missed a connecting flight in the past and just got a seat on the next flight (very stressful). Twice our connecting flight has been delayed, but I suppose the good news is we have got there in the end!
It`s like childbirth you forget the pain.

 

[fizz13]

Thankyou everybody, I now know NOT to book the connecting flights with the 55min window So would I be right in thinking that to get an official connecting flight I am going to be better booking direct with the airline? In this case it is most likely to be Delta, and their website price is coming out the same as Airline Network etc except for £5 here and there?

 

[castanea1985]

You need at least 2 hours.. then it can be tight!!
Quite often if you are booked onto the same carrier, ie.. Delta to Delta, they will hold the flight, if there is a trend for delays... but even if you catch the flight, the luggage often doesn't!!
We try and get direct flights as much as possible! Am too old to be running round JFK like a looney!!!

 

[heaven2006]

Hello everyone

I really need help with the chose of my connecting flights on our way home. We have 2 choices:

One flight departing at 2:35 PM arrive at 4:55 PM
Another flight departing at 4:40 PM arrive at 6:59 PM

Both flights arrive to Philadelphia. My flight to Portugal depart at 8:20 PM. Do you think that 81 min is not enough to catch a connection? I only done one connection once but both flights were delayed so we had not any problems. What do we have to do in Philadelphia? (related to immigration, baggage, etc..) Also, i think i'll have to change termminals from C to A. (i'm not sure)

 

[carolfoy]

I would try and get at least 90 minutes to change in Philadelphia airport, its quite a large airport and you have to queue up to get your exit form in your passport (you know the part of the green i-94 form you hang on to) which can take quite a while. apart from that it was quite an easy airport to navigate (and some really good art displays if I remember rightly!)

 

[castanea1985]

Heaven,
I'd go with the first one. You've got approx three and half hours for that. I know its quite a long time if everything is on schedule, but if you risk the the later one, it's pushing it, if you are late.
My mum was connecting at Philly a couple of weeks ago. The uk flight was an hour late, she just made her connecting flight, but her luggage didnt. Her return flight (into Philly) was early, so she was fine for her uk flight, but you just never know.. i'd rather aire on the side of caution and not have the hastle.
Good luck
Tracy

 

[Andy B]

Most people are saying you have to collect your luggage pass customs etc. but I am sure when we have done this our luggage was 'checked through' to destination and we did not have to collect and re check it in. Best to confirm with airline. And yes best also to book direct with airline for a connecting flight journey not two individual flights.