Layover times?

[southlakejr]

So DH and I are flying from the San Francisco area to get to WDW. What I would like to do is a red eye on a Friday night and get in mid day or earlier on Saturday. Because of time changes and a long flight, it's the only way for us to arrive early enough to actually get any use out of the day, and I hate the thought of flying all day just to get there to have a late dinner and crash.

With that said, how much of a layover is enough? We're looking to fly with JetBlue, and it seems like our options are either 45 minutes or over three hours. I don't enjoy the thought of spending 3 and a half hours in the airport in the middle of the night, but I'm not sure that 39 minutes is long enough to make sure everything gets where it is supposed to go. Thoughts?

What happens if our luggage doesn't make it on time- will ME handle that when it gets in or...?

 

[Sandi]

I think we'd have to know at what airport your layover would take place. Different airports have different recommendations and passenger experiences. I don't know where JetBlue flies. You said it was you and your DH; are you both completely ambulatory? (Little kids also slow things down, but I think you're in the clear there.)

 

[ktate82]

I have flown with two kids (by myself and with DBF) and had a 45 min layover a few times. It was get our stuff together, get off the plane, go to the bathroom, and go straight to the next gate (which I double check as we are getting off the plane....apps are great!). We usually get there right as boarding is starting. We have done this at Chicago O'Hare, Charlotte NC, Atlanta GA, and Huston TX. I don't know where you are connecting, but I would go for the 45 min layover vs spending that long in the airport.

 

[sam_gordon]

I agree knowing the airport would make a HUGE difference. BUT, if the time wasn't possible, the airline wouldn't list it as an option. Unless the price is drastically different, I'd take the 39 minute layover (even at some place like Atlanta). Here's my thought process... if I don't make the flight (and I'm not talking about dilly dallying), the airline is still responsible for getting me to my destination. If my bags don't make the flight, the airline is still responsible for getting them to me.

 

[southlakejr]

We are flying from SFO, Oakland, or San Jose, with a layover in either JFK or Boston (most likely JFK) at 6 AM or so on a Saturday. We're both active, ambulatory, kid free, etc. so getting around isn't an issue. If we go that route, I think we will be more deliberate with what we pack in our carry on (thinking enough to last us at least a day)

I guess the worst that will happen is that we would miss our connection, and be put on the next flight out (three hour layover) or that we would get the first flight and our luggage would follow later. Would ME bring late bags to the resort for us?

 

[DebbieB]

We are flying from SFO, Oakland, or San Jose, with a layover in either JFK or Boston (most likely JFK) at 6 AM or so on a Saturday. We're both active, ambulatory, kid free, etc. so getting around isn't an issue. If we go that route, I think we will be more deliberate with what we pack in our carry on (thinking enough to last us at least a day)

I guess the worst that will happen is that we would miss our connection, and be put on the next flight out (three hour layover) or that we would get the first flight and our luggage would follow later. Would ME bring late bags to the resort for us?

DME just pulls all the yellow tagged bags from behind the scenes in baggage claim no matter what flight they were on. They don't look for your specific bag so there's no "late bags".

 

[seashoreCM]

I would pass up the 45 minute layover, especially with kids.

It's very stressful if the first flight gets in late or something else does not go right and you all have to run for the plane at the connection point.

And if you miss a flight there is no assurance there will be room on the next flight for you. Meanwhile if there is an earlier flight out of the connection point that you can make, you can try to stand by for it. There is a very good chance that the airline will let you stand by for free if you are there in person as opposed to telephoning in with the request.

 

[sam_gordon]

I would pass up the 45 minute layover, especially with kids.

She said they're "kid free".

 

[NJRRK]

As long as it's Jet Blue to Jet Blue you should be ok at JFK with the short layover. If you're connecting to/from Jet Blue at JFK to/from another airline I would go for no less than a 90 minute layover.

 

[JessM]

I'd take the 45min layover especially coming in a 6am. First flights should be taking off but the airport shouldn't be too crazy yet. Jet Blue is also really good about asking other passengers to let those with right connections deplane first, I'd risk it but that's just me!

 

[Garthilk]

Planning the direct SFO to MCO flight for myself in March.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree knowing the airport would make a HUGE difference. BUT, if the time wasn't possible, the airline wouldn't list it as an option.

Oh sure they would!

I've done a 45 minute spring through Atlanta, and we made our flight by the skin of our teeth. However, our first flight landed early, and as we had been through Atlanta many times, we knew where we were going and how to get there. If our first flight had been delayed at all we would have missed our flight.

So while a very short connection may be technically possible, it isn't always wise. Any little thing goes wrong, even the passengers on the first plane being slow to disembark, can make you miss your flight.

 

[bdklein]

We are flying from SFO, Oakland, or San Jose, with a layover in either JFK or Boston (most likely JFK) at 6 AM or so on a Saturday. We're both active, ambulatory, kid free, etc. so getting around isn't an issue. If we go that route, I think we will be more deliberate with what we pack in our carry on (thinking enough to last us at least a day)

I guess the worst that will happen is that we would miss our connection, and be put on the next flight out (three hour layover) or that we would get the first flight and our luggage would follow later. Would ME bring late bags to the resort for us?

No better options?? NY or Boston seem out of the way if going from SF area to WDW

 

[southlakejr]

No better options?? NY or Boston seem out of the way if going from SF area to WDW

It seems crazy every time I look at it, but it's just the way that JetBlue routes their flights. I would love a direct flight, but I haven't found anything close to JetBlue's fares (less than 650 for both of us, and no baggage fee!)

We're not ready to book just yet, but I think we're going to aim for the 45 minute layover. If we miss it, we'll be bumped to the 3 hour one anyway. Here's hoping!

 

[sam_gordon]

Oh sure they would!

I've done a 45 minute spring through Atlanta, and we made our flight by the skin of our teeth. However, our first flight landed early, and as we had been through Atlanta many times, we knew where we were going and how to get there. If our first flight had been delayed at all we would have missed our flight.

So while a very short connection may be technically possible, it isn't always wise. Any little thing goes wrong, even the passengers on the first plane being slow to disembark, can make you miss your flight.

It took you 45 minutes to connect at Atlanta, that you barely made or you had a 45 minute scheduled layover and something cut into the time?

I once took 5 minutes to switch planes in Atlanta and that included switching terminals (I was supposed to have an hour+, but we left the original airport late). Everything worked perfect for me though. Both flight were relatively close to to the center, the "plane train" had the doors open when I got down the escalator, it was just me, etc.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

It seems crazy every time I look at it, but it's just the way that JetBlue routes their flights. I would love a direct flight, but I haven't found anything close to JetBlue's fares (less than 650 for both of us, and no baggage fee!)

We're not ready to book just yet, but I think we're going to aim for the 45 minute layover. If we miss it, we'll be bumped to the 3 hour one anyway. Here's hoping!

When are you flying? When flying from the west coast, I always try to avoid a connection in a city that might get snow. After many years of missed connections, we drive 4 hours to LAX to take a NS flight.

Also when taking a red eye, if I I have to have a connection, I prefer that the second flight is the longest one. On the first flight I am usually too nervous about the connection to sleep. -- Suzanne