Indirect via Detroit

[wilma-bride]

Finally booked August flights at the weekend, with Delta (Air France codeshare flights) through lastminute.com

I have to say the whole thing has made me very nervous but I was so desperate to get back to WDW this summer that I was willing to take the risk.

Anyhow, the outbound flight is indirect via Detroit with a 1 hr 55 minute layover.

Having only previously flown indirect via Dublin, I am trying to get my head around exactly what we will need to do when we land in Detroit. Do we have to collect our luggage? And then clear immigration? Do we need to check in for our onward lfight or will we be checked in all the way through? Will it be clearly signposted where we need to go after we have cleared immigration?

If anybody has flown indirect via Detroit and could give me some indication of what we need to do, I would be grateful.

Also, I am worried that just under 2 hours might not be enough and our onward flight to Orlando is the last one of the day. Presumably, if the worst happened and we missed it, it would just be a case of transferring to the first available flight the next day and getting a hotel for the night? Would there be additional charges for that?

 

[chmurf]

Having only previously flown indirect via Dublin, I am trying to get my head around exactly what we will need to do when we land in Detroit. Do we have to collect our luggage? And then clear immigration? Do we need to check in for our onward lfight or will we be checked in all the way through? Will it be clearly signposted where we need to go after we have cleared immigration?

it's very straightforward once you get there

first thing first. You check in online for your entire outbound itinerary (same inbound)
so only one online check in for both flights, at 24 (or 30) hrs before your first flight

you'll be able to print both boarding passes.

your luggage will be tagged to MCO BUT you'll need to collect them at DTW

process is simple
- get off plane
- clear immigration
- collect bags at baggage claim
- clear customs
- follow "connecting flights" signage and drop bags off at the connecting flights counter just outside of customs (do not follow the exit signs, do not go back to check in counters. The bagage drop off is right outside of customs, don't hesitate to ask)
- clear TSA security and get to your next terminal/gate.
- board next plane
- chill out
- arrive domestically at MCO, go straight to the automated transportation system, and collect bags at the baggage claim one level up from DME/rental cars counters

Also, I am worried that just under 2 hours might not be enough and our onward flight to Orlando is the last one of the day. Presumably, if the worst happened and we missed it, it would just be a case of transferring to the first available flight the next day and getting a hotel for the night? Would there be additional charges for that?

worst case scenario you have to spend the night at the airport
your airline is supposed to give you vouchers for meals and accomodation, but it's hit or miss once you're there. (having a right does not mean that you will get what you're entitled to ... that's what complaint's are made for IYSWIM)

you could also be rebooked on another carrier flight, but if it came to that, your luggage would probably not follow, and you'd have to wait a couple of days for them, so pack whatever is necessary for a couple of days in your hand luggage.

 

[wilma-bride]

Thank you chmurf, very helpful info. We are direct on the return flight so no issues there. Hopefully it will all go swimmingly

 

[stephensmum]

We went man-Paris-Detroit-orl and were delayed in Paris, missing our connection.
We cleared customs & could see our cases on the carousel, we collected them and went to a desk nearby to be put on next flight then joined a lengthy queue to get through security. I think we were supposed to just go through then sort the next flight but not sure. Because they sell the flights with that layover, it is they duty to provide an alternative of next flight which I presume would include an hotel if the next one is the following day. It only took us 3/4 hr from customs to gate, so I think you will have plenty of time.

 

[wilma-bride]

Thank you Sharon, so sad we will not get to meet up this year.

 

[stephensmum]

I know, we had a great time meeting up at RPR, hopefully we will meet again.

 

[canadiankim]

Detroit (DTW) is a nice sized airport and not very difficult to navigate. We use it all the time for flights to MCO as we live about 3 hours away in Canada. Your just under 2 hours should be more than enough to get you through immigration and clear customers. There is a monorail system that takes you from one end of the terminal to the other and Delta has lots of flights that go to MCO during the day so hopefully worse case scenario will be that you have to wait a bit longer at DTW to get a connecting flight to MCO. You could also speak to the ground staff when you land about timings and they may shuttle you between areas for a speedier turnaround.

 

[bex7583]

good to hear you have booked again