Layover time

[maxiesmom]

My sister is trying to choose between 2 flights to Orlando. One has a 37 minute layover in Detroit, one has a 2 hour, 37 minute layover. Which would you choose? She will be traveling with her husband and 3 kids, ages 15, 11, and 6. Is 37 minutes not long enough to change planes? She is worried that the longer layover would be a nightmare of fussing children. TIA

 

[bicker]

Ack that is a very tough choice. Theoretically, the airline won't let you book a connection that is not possible to make, but they're playing the odds, counting on no delays, and figuring a typical traveler, which is probably not a six year old child. Major airlines generally won't hold your connection, even if you're late because of them, because it would disrupt other traveler's connections and travel plans too much.

Is there no way you can find another alternative?

 

[DebbieB]

Are they both Northwest flights with a regular jet (not a regional)? The Northwest terminal in Detroit is very easy to navigate. They have a tram that runs the length of the concourse, with stops at both ends and in the middle. If that's the case, I would go for the short one.

http://www.nwa.com/travel/trave/airports/DTW.shtml

 

[Tina]

Honestly, I think 37 minutes is cutting it rather close with children. The 2nd leg will likely be boarding by the time you reach the gate, without evening considering potty breaks. If your first flight is delayed, making the 2nd leg could be pretty stressful. What time of year is the flight? Could weather (snow) be a factor? Holiday time?

 

[safetymom]

I would take the longer layover. 37 minutes is cutting it awful close. The longer one will give you time to stretch your legs, get a snack and not have to run to make your plane.

 

[bethbuchall]

I have a similar question...I booked a non-stop flight on USAir from BUF to MCO. They switched the flight down to one with a connection in Charlotte. The flight arrives in Charlotte at 10:23 am and connecting flight departs at 11:10 am. This is in August. Do you think that is enough time? I never would have booked it with that tight of a connection, but is it something to make an issue of, since they changed it? Dh and I are flying with ds 15, dd 12, and ds 7.

Thanks!
Beth

 

[bicker]

47 minutes is more than enough time to connect through Charlotte.

 

[tms295]

I also have a 35 min layover in Charlotte... with 5 adults and 2 children (3 yrs & 7 mths) I was worried about having enough time to connect flights (because they will be in different terminals) The Charlotte Airport Staff has reassured me that it should only take about 10-15 mins to go to opposite ends of the airport. So I will be just crossing my fingers that our inbound flight is NOT Delayed.

 

[DonnaL]

At some airports 35 to 45 minutes is plenty of time to make a connection.......of course, assuming no delays on the first flight. I would be very careful, however, if using a regional carrier and connecting with another flight, since a lot of times you're dealing with different terminals and may have a problem. About three years ago (my grandson was 2 1/2 at the time) we had a connection with Delta in Atlanta (probably one of the worst airports to make a connection IMO). We had a little over an hour (I think it was about 70 minutes) and THOUGHT it was enough time. It was a nightmare. We did make our connecting flight, but, barely. We had a stroller with us (thank goodness because it made our mad dash through the airport easier than trying to carry a 2 1/2 yr old and a carseat which we attached to the back of the stroller for the run. However, because we barely made the flight, the gate attendants were not real considerate when gatechecking and storing our stroller and it ended up an absolute mess (this was a $300 plus stroller) the frame completely bent and broken. I did file a damage claim, but, that took us another hour or so when we got to MCO and then we ended up with no stroller for our stay and had to rent at the parks anyway. It took Delta almost four months to finally pay the damage claim and that was after three or four phone calls on my part.

 

[safetymom]

You only have about 20 mins to make the flight since they usually close the door 10 mins before departure.

Yes you can make it but you will have to hustle from one end to the other. No time to stop for anything.

 

[bjscheel]

On our way home last year we had short layovers but it turned out that we were getting off and on the same plane at the same gate each time! We had that plane 3 times and just had to step off and wait for a little bit, then get back on. This was Delta.

We have 40-45 minute layovers on our trips down and back in December and I have no idea what it will be like (American in Dallas/Ft. Worth). Plus we will want to try to grab some food sometime.

 

[jimmiej]

You should be able to see how far apart the gates are by pulling up the Detroit airport site. If they're close... Also, how close are they sitting to the front of the plane?

We had a small window in Detroit (Northwest) last summer with my mom, who gets around slowly. DebbieB is right. It's very easy to get around on the tram. We made it with time to spare. Even had time to go to the bathroom.

Bottom line, with small children, I guess I'd take the longer layover, though.

 

[pezpam]

After a couple of missed connections, I try my hardest not to have connection times under an hour. For some airports, that's not really necessary, but a delay here or there can make a difference.

I'd take the longer layover and budget a little money to have a meal, sit-down if possible to kill as much time as possible. A lot depends on the kids' personalities, but the older two really should be able to handle it easily with books or games. The younger one may need to take a walk around with one parent or be entertained, but it'd still eliminate the stress of wondering about making the connection......

 

[WeLoveThePoly]

OK, you all have me thinking about our flight down to Orlando on Delta. It's me, DH and DD (she'll be 9).

Departs Indianapolis @ 6:31am
Arrives Cincinnati @ 7:25am

55 minute layover

Departs Cincinnati @ 8:20am
Arrives Orlando @ 10:25am

Is 55 minutes cutting things close? I've never been to the Cincinnati airport before. Is it a large airport?

Thanks,
Debbie

 

[DonnaL]

We've been thru Cincinnati a few times on Delta. I seem to remember having to take a bus across the tarmac after getting off the plane. I remember freezing as we got on the bus. This was only three years ago so it's not really that long ago. I remember the terminal being really cramped and small for the first leg of our trip, which was a Delta Express, I believe. I know both flights were not from the same terminal and I definitely remember being on a shuttle bus taking us from a satellite area to the main terminal. It didn't take all that long, but, I couldn't really see too much because it was at night. I think 55 minutes might be just enough time especially since you don't have any real little ones with you.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

OK, you all have me thinking about our flight down to Orlando on Delta. It's me, DH and DD (she'll be 9).

Departs Indianapolis @ 6:31am
Arrives Cincinnati @ 7:25am

55 minute layover

Departs Cincinnati @ 8:20am
Arrives Orlando @ 10:25am

Is 55 minutes cutting things close? I've never been to the Cincinnati airport before. Is it a large airport?

Thanks,
Debbie

Im actually in California and we came through Cinci to get here. If your inbound flight is operated by Delta Connection, then you need to take a shuttle bus from the regional terminal to the main terminal. This takes between 10-15 mins depending on load size and other factors. The airport is fairly large. When you enter the main terminal, you might have to take a train to access the "A" side or "B" side of the terminal. If you don't stop, 55 mins should be good...

 

[WeLoveThePoly]

Thanks for the information.

Yes, our inbound flight is operated by a Delta Connection Carrier (Chautauqua Airlines). Sounds like we'll be OK with 55 minutes .... we'll just need to keep a spring in our step!

[And I just checked the fare for our flights - it's up to $633/person. We paid $178/person when we bought the tickets back in December. Yikes!]

Debbie

 

[Hopefully]

I travel a lot for work and I never take a connection under 1 hour. I have learned the hard way!!! I would rather wait a few extra minutes than endure the stress that a (frequent) delay can cause in a tight connection situation.
I would not take the 37 minute connection.