First time flying!! Need advice on layover!

[tinka-belle]

Airport published minimum connection time from Delta to Delta domestic flights at RDU is 25 minutes. That is minimum if everything goes as scheduled and there are no delays, comes from my airline reservation system airport information. If you are purchasing months before your travel there WILL be schedule changes

That said, I usually recommend two to three times the minimum layover. Schedules change (if shorter than the minimum time the airline will reschedule you), day of travel delays happen for weather and equipment. I need to use a real bathroom between flights and DH needs to walk a bit to stretch his legs. We don't like rushing to the next flight if it can be avoided.

 

[Kaytie]

Terminal 2 layout: http://www.rdu.com/maps-and-directions/inside-rdu/#terminal2

 

[Huff]

If your first flight is delayed is there another flight out of RDU later as a backup? Otherwise 51 minutes is fine at RDU keeping in mind that boarding begins before that. Delta uses gates all on one end of the terminal so very easy walking.

 

[betterbutter]

I fly in and out of RDU every month. It's a relatively small airport and you will have absolutely no problem with a 54 minute connection time. I don't know for sure, but I'd be surprised that unless you were coming off of one of the few international flights the handle that 30 minutes would be more than enough time there. Your gates will most likely be withing 200 feet of each other.

 

[Ensusieasm]

I have been stalking flights for weeks now and was getting pretty paranoid about not finding the one that fit our needs the best. If the flight left when we needed, the layover was super short or super long.

I think I've found the one! It was added overnight and perfect for us.... except there is a 51 minute layover at RDU. A friend of mine said that since both flights are Delta that we should be fine but I just need to hear it from multiple people before I book it. I'm so afraid we will miss our connection!

I only accept layovers less than 90 minutes on the way home from a vacation, because it would be less stressful for me not to have to worry about starting my vacation on time.

 

[betterbutter]

I only accept layovers less than 90 minutes on the way home from a vacation, because it would be less stressful for me not to have to worry about starting my vacation on time.

Unless you are talking about flying in the day of a cruise or mis-connecting to someplace like Kuala Lumpur, I'm not sure how getting to a vacation a couple hours behind schedule is such a big deal. If it's that over-planned, it doesn't sound like much of a vacation.

 

[AquamarineSteph]

Unless you are talking about flying in the day of a cruise or mis-connecting to someplace like Kuala Lumpur, I'm not sure how getting to a vacation a couple hours behind schedule is such a big deal. If it's that over-planned, it doesn't sound like much of a vacation.

It's not always a question of being over planned. Sometimes if the first flight is significantly delayed, then getting rebooked may entail being stuck in an airport for hours, possibly overnight. And that's not much fun on a vacation either.

I usually try to book a 90 minute layover, but in my recent experience the airlines change flights/times before my flight ever leaves and my safety cushion disappears.

 

[dreiwhit]

FWIW, keep in mind that there are fewer carriers with fewer flights than there were in the past, and most of the flights are full to capacity. For example, my local regional airport went from four carriers down to two after the recent mergers. Half of the available flight went with them, and the ones that are left are always full.

My worst experience was coming back from a business trip in Wichita Falls, Texas in 2009. Because I had to work a half day, there was only one flight out in the afternoon that connected at DFW with the last flight of the day from DFW to home.

I had about an hour layover planned in DFW. Less than I like, but arriving and departing from the same terminal would cut out the time spent riding the tram. However, the plane departing Wichita Falls was the same plane that had arrived shortly before I was to take it home. Boarding was delayed because there was a handicapped man in a wheel chair that needed to be deplaned with a scissors lift and no one could find the lift or someone to operate it. Needless to say, we left very late and I got to DFW about 20 minutes before my connecting flight left!

 

[kamik86]

My "ideal" layover is ~90 minutes, but I've accepted shorter layovers. I'd rather have a 51 minute layover than a 3 hour (or more) one. Delta has been good at automatically rebooking me if they know I'm not going to make the connection. I'm notified through the Delta app. I suggest downloading it on your phone.

I agree with this. 90 min is perfect since if your on time that gives more then enough time to use the bathroom and get a snack at a relax paced. If the flight is a bit late you still don't have to rush just may have to give up the snack and have the one I packed just in case.

I have done 50 min layovers though and they are doable. However if I'm flying on my own and not for work I won't do this if the flight is the last one of the day between those cities. (If I'm going for work and this happens work continues paying me for my travel, for my hotel room, etc so I care less then)