Denver Airport Question

[LynnTH]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but I know lots of people frequent this board.

I booked our airfare last night from Minneapolis to Orlando for next March during spring break. I had FF Miles to use for United so got all the tickets free (yeah). United does not go direct to Orlando so we have a stop at the Denver Airport. But, we only have 45 minutes from the time we land until the next plane takes off. This seems like it is cutting it too close for me. Can anyone tell me about the Denver Airport and if this is doable. I know our Airport is huge. (When I booked these I was talking to an agent - he did not tell me that the time between planes was this short or I would have booked a different flight).

I am already stressing over this and wondering if I call them if they would change it for me (probably not though).

 

[LindaR]

The thing that would really worry me is that March is a great time for bad snowstorms/weird weather still.

You cannot control or predict the weather but giving yourself a reasonable amount of time in a big airport to make your connection would go a long way to ensuring you reach your destination!

I would certainly TRY to call now and make changes!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

If both flights are United, you will be fine because all United Flights are on Concourse B and you can easily get across to the different gates in 15 minutes. Like the PP, the thing I would be worried about it the weather because March is one of our snowiest months but you can't predict the weather so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[LynnTH]

If both flights are United, you will be fine because all United Flights are on Concourse B and you can easily get across to the different gates in 15 minutes. Like the PP, the thing I would be worried about it the weather because March is one of our snowiest months but you can't predict the weather so I wouldn't worry about it.

Yes, They are both United. I know in our Airport (we usally fly Delta/Northwest) the flights can be way across the other side of the airport. So, good to hear that they are all on the same concourse. I know weather can be iffy in March but I also know they extend the times on the flights and usually land sooner than what is states. Thanks.

 

[bettymae1121]

Just in case, I recommend having United's toll free reservation number handy while you travel. If a delay or cancellation happens while you're traveling, you can call them rather than wait in possibly huge lines to speak to someone in person. If you wait in a long line to re-book, the best alternative flights could be full by the time you speak to an agent. By calling you can secure the best flight option immediately. If it's a major weather event, you could have to wait on hold for a while, so I also recommend getting in line while holding, if you get someone on the phone you can always step out of line, but if the line moves quickly you may get to the counter before the call center picks up.

So have that number programed into your cell and have your United confirmation number at hand, it could make a huge difference if there is a problem.

ETA: I'm a travel agent, btw. I advise my clients to do this if they can't reach my office (if we are closed for the day, for instance).

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The times that airlines use in their schedules are Gate times. So departure is the time they expect to be able to close the door and arrival is the time they expect the airplane to be parked and the door opened.

And if you go to United's web site, on the home page near the top left of the page is a "Flight Status" button. You can plug in flight numbers and it will give you (at least for the current day) the gate numbers at each airport that the flight uses. That can give you an idea of how close the gates will be.

 

[goofy!]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but I know lots of people frequent this board.

I booked our airfare last night from Minneapolis to Orlando for next March during spring break. I had FF Miles to use for United so got all the tickets free (yeah). United does not go direct to Orlando so we have a stop at the Denver Airport. But, we only have 45 minutes from the time we land until the next plane takes off. This seems like it is cutting it too close for me. Can anyone tell me about the Denver Airport and if this is doable. I know our Airport is huge. (When I booked these I was talking to an agent - he did not tell me that the time between planes was this short or I would have booked a different flight).

I am already stressing over this and wondering if I call them if they would change it for me (probably not though).

I would be very comfortable with a 45 minute layover at DIA with a United flight, even in March. As a previous poster said all the United gates are in concourse B with people movers down the center to speed you even faster from one gate to another.

If we have one of our snowstorms, everybody is going to be scrambling, so whether you have a 45 minute layover or a 3 hour layover, you could face some problems.

 

[LynnTH]

Thanks Everyone. I feel better now. I did call United to see about changing flights and she said we should be just fine in our connection and that our luggage is actually shipped direct to Orlando, so that helps.