how much time is needed to make a connecting flight

[pixiechick]

I have only flown non-stop in the past. I am shopping for airfare for the week before Easter. One of the flights has a plane change in Charlotte (USAir). There is 56 minutes between the first flight's arrival and the departure time of the connecting flight. Would we make the connecting flight?

Also, when is the best time to book for that time frame, again the week before Easter...
Thanks!

 

[Lainy67]

I have flown a lot of different airlines with plane changes. 56 minutes is cutting it close. They start boarding 30 minutes before a flight, and supposedly stop 10 minutes before scheduled takeoff and close the door. So if you arrive 20 minutes late, you could be in trouble.

That being said, the smallest difference I have had was 46 minutes, and I made it. However, I RAN the entire way. If I am scheduling I try to get 1 1/2 hours, give or take 15 minutes.

 

[DVC-Don]

I agree, anything less than 1 hour is looking for trouble. I too try for at least 1 1/2 hour.

 

[drusba]

At Charlotte, 56 minutes should be enough as it is not a large airport (I have done switches there easily with only 40 minute lags); risk is that your inbound flight could be delayed. Make Easter flights as far in advance as possible.

 

[pixiechick]

Thanks everyone! I've gotten spoiled with the non-stop flights!

I played around on USAir's site and I think I can swap an earlier flight for the first leg of the trip. That would give me about 1 1/2 hours. It costs a little more, but my sanity is probably worth it!

Thanks again!

 

[travelcoupons]

I just had a 41 minute connection at MSP on my last flight. We had a baby along so I was a little worried, but we made it with ease...we got a little lucky because our inbound flight was EARLY!! We were the last ones to dis-embark from the plane and walked to the next gate and got to sit & relax for a half hour before they started boarding. Had there been any delays (which are common), I would have been running or missed the flight.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I like to allow between 1.5 and 2 hours between connections. Though, that doesn't always happen (I had one connection in Cincinnati that was about 40 minutes between arrival and next departure - we made and sat there for a good 20 minutes [this was a couple years ago, and they didn't board the plane until around 20 minutes prior - and we were in the first boarding segment, and even got off ontime!])

These days, definetly nothing under 1 hour. There are just too many times that flights will be delayed.

 

[CarolA]

I fly quite a lot and 99% of my connections are under an hour and I have missed one lately (and that was my fault!) The only time I really worry about time is when I am flying internationally since if you miss the flight to Paris it might be 24 hours before the next one!

I have had two weather delays in the last month, but in both cases my connecting flight was delayed also and I was able to get on the plane (granted we were hours late, but I had a seat!)

I think that 56 minutes is fine.

 

[grover]

hmmm-I have our flights booked for November, just check our online itenirary and they have changed our connecting flight, we originally had one hour between flights and now we only have 40 mins. This will be at the Atlanta airport on a thursday at lunchtime,delta airlines. Should I be worried? We have never been to Atlanta before so we are not familiar with the airport. What happens if we miss our connecting flight because our flight out of msp is delayed? Will they just put us on the next flight?
Grover in Winnipeg

 

[travelcoupons]

grover....i flew from MSP throught ATL to Daytona Beach two years ago. Delta was horrendously late out of MSP and we got to Atlanta 2 hours late!!! I was sure I had missed my flight as I only had a 1 hr. connection...but checked to monitor and it was due to leave at any minute...i ran through the terminal (big terminal in ATL) and got to the gate and the door to the plane was closed. Believe it or not, they opened the door & let me on (everyone gave me dirty looks.) Then we ended up sitting on THAT plane for another hour as they had mechanical problems. Ended up 3 1/2 hours late to our destination.

Delta runs flights out of ATL to orlando about every hour, so even if you miss one...you shouldn't have to wait long to catch the next one.

 

[grover]

My flight out of msp leaves around 7 am so I am hoping that there won't be any delays getting out of there. Hope the weather is fine. I think as the day progresses you have a more of a chance of having a delay-that's what I heard anyways! So hopefully can avoid that by leaving early.
Thanks
Grover

 

[drusba]

As for Atlanta, 40 minutes is cutting it close. That is a huge airport purposefully designed to be a nightmare for anyone trying to connect flights -- if your flight is at a different concourse it can take a long time to get to the second flight's gate. If you miss your connection they will try to get you on next flight but it is not guaranteed.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Doesn't each airline keep all its flights in the same general area? Have one "lounge" with those desk areas where boarding calls are announced and such? (Obviously, I don't fly much!)

Lori

 

[drusba]

Each airline having its gates usually in one concourse is very often true at many airports. Unfortunately, at Atlanta it ain't true (part of the "nightmare" scenario for that airport). For example, Delta flies out of at least three different concourses.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Can anyone tell me what to expect at Charlotte and LaGuardia? I have about 1.5 hours at LaGuardia on our return, and less than an hour at Charlotte. Should I be getting out the running shoes?

Lori

 

[sammi]

When making a connection do you have to wait for your luggage to come through and then check in at the new airline counter or does the first airline make sure your luggage is put on the next flight? Sorry for my ignorance but we've always flown straight through but are seriously thinking flying with SW (which we might end up on a connecting flight) next March.

Thanks!

 

[peg2001]

There are no guarantees due to potential delays, but I always try to get a layover of around 1 hour for plane changes. 56 minutes in Charlotte is fine. If you miss your connection due to a delay, they will put you on the next available flight. . .if their flights are all overbooked and they can't tell you for sure which flight they will put you on, ask them to put you on a competing airline.

I am envious of everyone who gets to fly non-stop flights! I ALWAYS have to take a connection. You do not have to claim your luggage until you get to your ultimate destination. The airline will transfer checked luggage.

Peg

 

[sammi]

Thanks Peg!

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

My thanks as well.

The "local" airport used to offer two (one morning, one evening) non-stop flights to Orlando, but dropped them during post-September cutbacks. I hope they will reinstate those flights - I have never flown non-stop, and was looking forward to the experience.

Lori

 

[KarenB]

We had only 40 minutes to change planes in Pittsburgh last month. Our second half of the flight left at 9:05pm and due to storms, we were still in the air at 8:45pm!!!!

We made it though, but we ran like we were on the Amazing Race!!!! The woman taking the boarding passes said, "Oh, you must be the ______ family!! We are waiting for you!" We made it and so did our lugggage. How did she know who we were?

We decided in December, we will take the flight with the 3 hour layover instead! Never know what winter weather can bring!

Karen