Flight with Layover - Not Changing Planes

[dthogue]

We have an United flight that has a 2 hour layover, but we don't have to change planes. Will we be allowed to get off the plane. The layover is in San Francisco if that makes a difference.

 

[Alexander]

My experience with this was with AirTran, and we were permitted to deplane. You need to keep your boarding pass with you and I wouldn't leave any carry-ons on the plane. Double check with your gate agent and the flight attendants for the policy and procedures. Be sure to ask the flight attendants as they are the ones who will likely be flying with you on both legs of your journey.

 

[Tara]

Just be aware that sometimes airlines need to change equipment unexpectedly, so that flight with a stop could turn into a true connection for which you have to change planes.

 

[figment_jii]

In my experience with United, yes, they will let you deplane for that long of a layover. As the PP said, I would take all of my carry-ons with me if I de-plane. You should also take your original boarding pass with you.

If in doubt ask the flight attendants when you land.

 

[DebbieB]

They usually tell you to put any carryons in the overhead so that the cleaners don't pick them up.

Don't be surprised if they make a "change of equipment" announcement and you have to go to another plane.

 

[snesguy]

We have an United flight that has a 2 hour layover, but we don't have to change planes. Will we be allowed to get off the plane. The layover is in San Francisco if that makes a difference.

Did United tell you that you were not changing planes? There are some intineraries that have the same flight number for two different segments but they change planes at the connecting airport.

If you do change planes in SFO be aware that United is now temporarily (for 18 months) operating out of two different domestic terminals while they redo their gates, terminal 3 (main united terminal) and terminal 1 (only select flights, mainly to/from some southern Cal cities and LAS, I think), and there is a bus bridge set up airside (post security) to transport passengers from one United terminal to the other. If you have to use the bus bridge you'll need to make sure you leave enough time to get from terminal to terminal. Oh, and they don't tell you that your flight is in another terminal, the only way you know is by the gate number on your boarding pass. You go to the gate and get on a bus to the other terminal. So if you do change planes don't mull around until the last minute because you think your gate is nearby based on the terminal map, you might get there and find you have a wait for a bus to go to the other terminal. The gate numbers for the bus bridges are fixed so you can tell by the gate numbers if you have those.

Edit:
Actually, I think they print on your boarding pass now if the bus gates apply to you.

 

[ncc1701]

If you are on time or close to it you 'll get off. However with the time needed to get off and board it will be around 1 hour in the terminal . They crew should tell you if you can stay on board or have to get off so they can clean the plane.
Our layover in Phoenix coming back from San Diego on USAir we had to get off so the plane could be cleaned. It had been an early morning flight from Philadelphia to SD and had a quick turn around in SD. We could keep bags in the overheads and got seated after 1st Class & Zone 1 but before Zone 2.

 

[dthogue]

Did United tell you that you were not changing planes? There are some intineraries that have the same flight number for two different segments but they change planes at the connecting airport.

If you do change planes in SFO be aware that United is now temporarily (for 18 months) operating out of two different domestic terminals while they redo their gates, terminal 3 (main united terminal) and terminal 1 (only select flights, mainly to/from some southern Cal cities and LAS, I think), and there is a bus bridge set up airside (post security) to transport passengers from one United terminal to the other. If you have to use the bus bridge you'll need to make sure you leave enough time to get from terminal to terminal. Oh, and they don't tell you that your flight is in another terminal, the only way you know is by the gate number on your boarding pass. You go to the gate and get on a bus to the other terminal. So if you do change planes don't mull around until the last minute because you think your gate is nearby based on the terminal map, you might get there and find you have a wait for a bus to go to the other terminal. The gate numbers for the bus bridges are fixed so you can tell by the gate numbers if you have those.

Edit:
Actually, I think they print on your boarding pass now if the bus gates apply to you.

Thank you for that very helpful information - I'm glad to know this ahead of time - I do not know for sure that we aren't changing planes - I just assumed we wouldn't since it is the same flight number. We will make sure to check with United.

 

[prncess674]

If you have the same flight number but a 2hour layover I would bet dollars to donuts that you are changing planes. Very few planes sit on the ground for two hours for a domestic connection.perhaps if you post your flights someone can give you better info.