Delta connection through Detroit

[ottawamom]

For anyone who has made a connection to Canada through Detroit. What is the minimum connection time you would try.

Airmiles just informed me that my flight from San Diego to Detroit has changed (45 min later). I had 1-1/2 hours when I booked the flight but now I have 45 min. We are connecting onto a Delta run regional jet to get home to Ottawa. The flight is on a Friday night late September so weather shouldn't be an issue.

We will be using carry-ons and can walk at a good clip (not run). If the flight is on time arriving we should be able to make the gate without difficultly.

If the San Diego leg is late arriving will they hold the regional flight for a few minutes? Any advice, personal experience. I assume if we miss the connection Delta will have to get us home somehow the next day, correct?

 

[alohamom]

I assume you are talking about Detroit Metro (DTW)? I think you might be pushing it at 45 mins. I have never had to connect to Canada through here but I have flown to and from this airport. It isnt as big as Pearson but not as small as Buffalo. The only problem I foresee if clearing Customs because I think you will need to do that if you are connecting here.

 

[ottawamom]

It's the flight home. We only have to make it to the gate. Clearing customs will be done when we land in Ottawa. (On our way down we have lots of time and we pre-clear in Ottawa). Yes it is DTW we are connecting through.

I called Delta and they say it's a legal connection (meaning they are willing to bet it can be done). I can change our San Diego to Detroit leg to a 7:00am departure instead of 11:40am but I don't really want to be up that early at the end of a vacation.

 

[starvenger]

Back when I was at Continental the unofficial policy was that if it was the last flight of the day they would try and hold the plane for connections as long as feasibly possible. (Make a joke about United here.)

I'm not sure what Delta's policy is, but with a 90 minute flight to Ottawa I can see them holding that last flight for you so long as we're not talking LaGuardia-level delays.

 

[ottawamom]

Thanks, that's good to know. The connection is a little puddle jumper. When I looked at the flight stats, the flight from San Diego to Detroit is rarely late(10 min maybe) so I'm hoping we will be OK.

 

[alohamom]

It's the flight home. We only have to make it to the gate. Clearing customs will be done when we land in Ottawa. (On our way down we have lots of time and we pre-clear in Ottawa). Yes it is DTW we are connecting through.

I called Delta and they say it's a legal connection (meaning they are willing to bet it can be done). I can change our San Diego to Detroit leg to a 7:00am departure instead of 11:40am but I don't really want to be up that early at the end of a vacation.

You should be fine then, the distance between gates isnt huge at DTW. I usually tell the attendants when I get on the plane that I am trying to make a tight connection and ask if I can exit first. You probably dont need to do this if it is a small plane but I would let them know anyway. Enjoy your time away!

 

[Daddio]

Are you arriving Detroit via Delta?

If you are, you are likely going to arrive in “A” terminal (gates 1 to 68) and depart in ”C” terminal which is connected by a long long underground tunnel. If your arrival is not delayed by much, and you can walk very fast, you should make the connection. You have a much better chance if you arrive in the middle of the terminal. Also, if you are fast walkers, avoid the tram and just high tail it utilizing the moving sidewalks. Delta closes boarding 10 to 20 minutes before scheduled departure so keep that in mind. The Delta app is your friend and keeps information on flight delays up to date quicker than any other major airline I have flown.

Of course, for total piece of mind, leave earlier and remove the stress completely. And don’t pack anything you’ll need for a few days in your checked luggage if you take the later flight.

~ David

 

[ottawamom]

Yes we are arriving on Delta and connecting to Delta. It's their connection so they should know we're coming, won't they? I mean if our flight is delayed by a few minutes. The flight we are connecting to is a regional jet so I'm hoping they would hold the flight for a few minutes if we were close to making it. Second flight is the last flight of the day to Ottawa and there isn't another until the next evening. I'm going to watch the flight stats as we go through the summer. Based on what has gone on in the past I think we'll be OK. Day of you never know though. It might be kind of exciting to live on the wild side (once). It's just the two of us travelling with carry-ons and no kids in tow.

I will definitely download the Delta app before we go.

 

[Daddio]

It's their connection so they should know we're coming, won't they? I mean if our flight is delayed by a few minutes.

Honestly, I don’t think they work that way. Each gate agent is responsible for getting the door closed on time. Each pilot is responsible for getting their plane pushed away from the gate on time. Delta brags about their on time record just about every time they pull away, so in the big scheme of things, I wouldn’t put a lot of faith in them holding the flight. I’m not trying to scare you or discourage you. I just want you to realize the possibility. A 45 minute connection wouldn’t work for me.

~ David

 

[ottawamom]

Thanks for the honest feedback. Will have to give this all some more thought but not till I'm back from Disney.