Layover on flight back home!

[mykds36]

This will be a nail biter. The only flight available that gives us time to get off the ship and to the airport departs at 6:25 p.m.(Yeah I know, plenty of time right!) There is a layover in Minneapolis but it's only 38 minutes. I don't know of any other options. Is anyone familiar with that airport? Is this really doable? At least it's traveling home and not to the cruise.

I was also wondering if anyone has reserved a room at the Hyatt for day use? How much was it and did you find it convenient to have?

Thanks!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

This will be a nail biter. The only flight available that gives us time to get off the ship and to the airport departs at 6:25 p.m.(Yeah I know, plenty of time right!) There is a layover in Minneapolis but it's only 38 minutes. I don't know of any other options. Is anyone familiar with that airport? Is this really doable? At least it's traveling home and not to the cruise.

I was also wondering if anyone has reserved a room at the Hyatt for day use? How much was it and did you find it convenient to have?

Thanks!

Was this in the available flights display, when you booked it? Is it the same airline on both segments of the trip? Check with the airline on whose flight you're originating, as ask if it's a legal connection time.

As for the Hyatt, we booked a day room a few years ago when it was $89.00. We got to rest, eat and shower before our flights. Very nice!

 

[Jey12]

Not sure who you're flying but if you're flying Delta it's not doable at all. Last year we had a connection in Memphis for 70 minutes. Left MCO on time, and still arrived 30 minutes late. They would not hold the connecting flight, even though 15 people were trying to make the connection and the plane actually pulled out 5 minutes early. It was a huge mess and we had to wait 3 hours to take another flight into Minneapolis to catch yet another flight home. We were told no way our baggage made the original connecting flight, yet they magically did. It was a whole mess and I'd pay double to not fly with them again.

From what I remember of the Minneapolis airport that short of a connecting time is going to be very stressful and more than likely you will not make your flight. Being as late in the day as the flight leaves MCO chances are good you may be stuck in Minneapolis for the night. Hopefully you can find some other options.

 

[Lauren0505]

I live in Minneapolis and there are two terminals here. If it is Terminal 2 (Humphrey Terminal) then it is very do-able. This is a very small airport with only one concourse and as long as your flight isn't delayed it shouldn't be a problem.
If it is Terminal 1 (Lindburgh Terminal) I wouldn't chance it. This is a very large spread out airport with 5 different concourses. Delta flies out of all of them. I think other airlines are only out of one or two concourses. That would be a good question to ask the airline if it is someone other than Delta to help you make up your mind.
Good luck!

 

[kissimeekathy]

I live in Minneapolis and there are two terminals here. If it is Terminal 2 (Humphrey Terminal) then it is very do-able. This is a very small airport with only one concourse and as long as your flight isn't delayed it shouldn't be a problem.
If it is Terminal 1 (Lindburgh Terminal) I wouldn't chance it. This is a very large spread out airport with 5 different concourses. Delta flies out of all of them. I think other airlines are only out of one or two concourses. That would be a good question to ask the airline if it is someone other than Delta to help you make up your mind.
Good luck!

I live in MSP as well and fly for work frequently as well to Orlando a few times a year and to the east coast to see family. I almost fly exclusively Delta and most my Orlando flights are from Concourse G. Where are you flying home to?

 

[phinz]

MSP is a *huge* airport. 38 minutes may be very, very tight depending on your concourse and gate, and may not even be possible.

If it's anything like my last flight through MSP, your bags will get a more leisurely connection than you do. Mine got to hang out in MSP 2 hours longer than I did. I had to wait in the SEA airport for an extra 2 hours just so I could get my luggage, even though they had 2.5 hours on my layover to get them on the correct plane.

 

[Bree]

I personally wouldn't do it unless the connecting flight is the same exact plane where I didn't have to get off.

I always book flights that have layovers of at least an hour if they aren't the same plane. You could possibly make the flight if everything is perfect, but don't expect your luggage to get to your destination with you.

 

[mykds36]

The returning flights were either to early or one at 10:30 a.m. but I didn't think that would give us enough time to get off the ship, to the airport and to our plane. The other options were in the evening. Unless I wanted to spend an extra $200+ per ticket we could have gone through SLC and had a longer layover. I am trying to keep my costs down too. I will call Delta and see what they say. Not sure why going to SLC would be more expensive than going to MSP?!

If the cruise goes as well as I hope, I might boycott the return home all together!

I spoke with Delta and they informed me the layover is legal (????) and since the flight isn't until December they may have changes in flight time and will send me an e-mail to let me know.

 

[s3rndpt]

You *may* be okay. We flew Delta through Minneapolis to San Diego 3 weeks ago with a layover of 50 minutes, and made it with about 15 minutes to spare before boarding. I had upgraded us to Economy Comfort so we could get off the plane first, and we had to move fast, as we had to go from Gate C5 to G21 (Terminal 1). While it doesn't look so far on the maps since it's all the same Terminal, it was a hike. The moving walkways were a help, but it still took us a good 20-25 minutes of fast walking. I was having a panic attack the entire time because our flight from Richmond to Minneapolis left 20 minutes late to begin with, and even though we still made it to Minneapolis on time, it was stressful. I'll never cut it that close again when I book. If you can change flights at all to a longer layover, even if it's several hours, I'd try it.