Layover - Is this enough time?

[andrea4896]

Sorry if this is a ridiculous question, I have only ever flown on direct flights in the past so I have no experience with layovers.

I am considering taking a flight with a 1h1m layover at JFK (arrive 8:28am from BUF & leave 9:29am to MCO). We have 2 small children (3 & 6) who will likely decide they need to use the bathroom. Will this be enough time or do you think we would we be cutting it too close? Also, would we have to retrieve our bags and re-check them or will the airline just send them to our final destination?

Thank you!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If your flight arrives at JFK on time, you'll be fine. Your bags will be checked through to MCO.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

With a short layover I would try to sit at the front of the plane that is going to JFK. that way you will get off pretty quick and it would leave you enough time to get to the next gate and take a potty break.

 

[ktate82]

I flew by myself with a 7 & 6 year old and had a 45 min layover at Chicago. We each had a backpack and had one rolling carry on. As soon as we were able, we were off the plane, walked down away from where our gate was, used a family bathroom, and then headed straight to our other gate (across the airport...or at least felt like it). We made it just as they started boarding. Our flight was on time though so if had not been, we would have been in trouble. We were flying United. It's doable as long as everything is on time and you can stay focused and timely.

 

[SeanTomorrow]

A couple more tips, from someone who's done too many connecting flights:

1) Avoid gate-checking anything on your first flight (strollers, bags). You'll usually have to wait for it, eating up 10 mins of your transit time.

2) On your first flight you can do a little recon. Ask the flight attendant what gate you're landing at, and you should know your departure gate for your second flight. Then, look in the back of the in flight magazine for a terminal map to plan out your route

3) If you have to choose, get to the next plane before using the bathroom. You can always use the bathrooms as people are finding their seats.

You should be fine, but hopefully these help if you find yourself squeezed for time!

 

[nemodeb]

Keep in mind that the times given are landing and take-off times. Figure a few minutes after landing to get to the gate, several minutes to deplane. Also, they begin boarding at, what, 20-30 minutes before take-off, so figure you may only have about 30 minutes actual time to get from gate to gate and do bathroom stops.

Even with just the two of us (DH & I), I find an hour to be a bit close for my liking. But we usually like to grab a snack too. We haven't been to JFK, so I don't know the layout, how close gates are, etc. I usually like to have at least an hour and a half, to allow for flight delays, last minute gate changes, bathroom break, etc. Makes for a less rushed, easier time.

But if an hour is your best choice or only option, you can make it work. PPs have given good suggestions. And yes, your bags should be checked through.

 

[maxiesmom]

Sorry if this is a ridiculous question, I have only ever flown on direct flights in the past so I have no experience with layovers.

I am considering taking a flight with a 1h1m layover at JFK (arrive 8:28am from BUF & leave 9:29am to MCO). We have 2 small children (3 & 6) who will likely decide they need to use the bathroom. Will this be enough time or do you think we would we be cutting it too close? Also, would we have to retrieve our bags and re-check them or will the airline just send them to our final destination?

Thank you!

You need to make it to your next gate before using the bathroom. Or use the bathroom on the first airplane.

Also, get seats as close as you can to the front of your first flight. Depending on how large a plane it is, if you are near the back it could take almost half an hour to deplane.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Keep in mind that the times given are landing and take-off times. Figure a few minutes after landing to get to the gate, several minutes to deplane. Also, they begin boarding at, what, 20-30 minutes before take-off, so figure you may only have about 30 minutes actual time to get from gate to gate and do bathroom stops.

Actually, departure time is the time the plane leaves the gate, not actual take-off time.

OP, as I already posted, you have plenty of time if your first flight arrives on time.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

.....
Also, get seats as close as you can to the front of your first flight. Depending on how large a plane it is, if you are near the back it could take almost half an hour to deplane.

That would be one big plane! I fly a lot and I have never experienced a flight where it took 30 minutes for everyone to disembark once the plane arrives at the gate. If you're talking about 30 minutes once the plane lands to actually getting off the plane, then that does happen; the plane could be waiting for an open gate, waiting for ground crew, etc.

 

[maxiesmom]

That would be one big plane! I fly a lot and I have never experienced a flight where it took 30 minutes for everyone to disembark once the plane arrives at the gate. If you're talking about 30 minutes once the plane lands to actually getting off the plane, then that does happen; the plane could be waiting for an open gate, waiting for ground crew, etc.

I've had it take longer than that before. We were in the back of a plane, one that has the separate boarding area for first class and one for coach. We were in the second segment back. We must have had the slowest people on the face of the earth on that plane, because it was almost 40 minutes before we were off. It was nuts!

 

[anonymousegirl]

I also factor time of year into the equation. If flying in winter, I typically feel more comfortable with a longer layover since delays/cancellations are much more common due to weather.

I also consider the carrier--is it a small regional connecting to the larger carrier, i.e., United Express to United? Those regional flights get changed a lot.
Also, do they have a habit of changing schedules (like Delta)?

For example, I avoid flying in or out of San Francisco in the mornings as the airport is often affected by heavy fog that creates a cascade of delayed flights.
I avoid the east coast connections in summer because of thunderstorms, and Denver/Salt Lake City/Chicago in winter due to the possibilities of storms/snow delays.

 

[bumbershoot]

I also factor time of year into the equation. If flying in winter, I typically feel more comfortable with a longer layover since delays/cancellations are much more common due to weather.

Definitely.


I no longer feel comfortable with anything less than 1.5 hours, and preferably 2 hours or more. Especially airports with tricky weather (last flight connected in SFO, to the last flight of the day to Seattle, and the people on the plain were just plain mean about letting those of us *whose flights were already boarding* off ahead of them) or in areas with difficult weather (NY in winter).


But I do highly recommend plan on a bathroom trip shortly before descent starts, if at all possible (not always possible due to turbulence). That way you can try to prevent the in-airport bathroom breaks.

With kids that young, though, I wouldn't attempt a one hour layover. It's just not going to be fun even if everything is on time. Remember, they'll be boarding your second flight about 30 minutes before the time listed as departure.

 

[littlejimmy]

op, you will be fine. relax, and enjoy yourself

 

[rdevine10]

We had a 39 min layover in Atlanta (huge huge airport) in Dec. Traveling with 2 kids and DH. We had to go to another terminal and the kids used the bathroom and we made it to the gate with 5 min before last call- we were however the LAST people to get on the plane. It was incredibly stressful to me. I much prefer a 1 hour layover or more.