Minimum layover time

[3boymthr]

DH and I are looking at taking a vacation that requires air travel with all three kids.

This is a unique experience for us. Normally we drive everywhere - DH is afraid of flying. But we just don't have time to drive to TX and get back in the space of a week. We can't take more vacation I'm only allowed to take a maximum of a week at a time.

I've been pricing flights and I have a few options that are pretty cheap but most of them involve switching planes. Most of them have 30 minutes between flights.

Is this enough time? The flights would be with the same airline.

 

[Bluestars]

One time I had no time between flights. My second flight started boarding as soon as my first plane pulled up to the gate. I had to change terminals and ride one of those subways. I made my flight, but it was tense.

If you have a 30 minute delay before your next flight boards, then you should be fine as long as your first flight leaves on time. If your plane actually leaves 30 minutes after your first plane lands, I think that is cutting it very close.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

That depends on which airport and which airline you're talking about. I'd ask this over on transportation and include the airport, the airline and the time of day the layover will occur.

In some airports on some airlines, it's usually, but not always, doable for a single business traveler in good aerobic health who can walk extremely fast to make a 30 minute layover, but would be impossible for a family with kids unless there were no strollers, the kids were carried, both parents have enough stamina to run a 5K, and no one needed a potty break.

In other airports on other airlines, no problem.

 

[wdw_girl_18]

I had a 10 minute layover at lax and barely made it (I was the last one on the plane). It was with the same airline. I got off my plane, had to sit in a waiting area and wait for some car/tram thing to take everyone to a different terminal (it seemed as if everyone was loading on the car sooooo slowly!!!). I will never connect through lax with aa again.

But to answer your question, it all depends on the airport!

 

[3boymthr]

There are choices in the airline - Airtran, Midwest Airlines (which is funny because we live in the northeast), or Continental.

The lay-over location for most of the flights was Milwaukee Not exactly a hub, but a couple of the flights switched in Baltimore.

My youngest is 7 will be 8 at the time of the flight, then they'd be 10 and 14 so no worries about moving the kids. It's more me. I'm pooh sized and have asthma so not exactly in the best of shape, but I am trying to lose weight.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

There are choices in the airline - Airtran, Midwest Airlines (which is funny because we live in the northeast), or Continental.

The lay-over location for most of the flights was Milwaukee Not exactly a hub, but a couple of the flights switched in Baltimore.

My youngest is 7 will be 8 at the time of the flight, then they'd be 10 and 14 so no worries about moving the kids. It's more me. I'm pooh sized and have asthma so not exactly in the best of shape, but I am trying to lose weight.

I've never actually been through the Milwaukee aiport, but from the airport map http://www.mitchellairport.com/terminal.html you should do just fine so long as you don't have to switch terminals.

Baltimore. . .ah Bawlmer. BWI isn't all that big. . .but it's not isty either. If you're in the same terminal on the same airline. . .yeah, I'd say you will likely make it.

A good thumb guide is to give yourself at least 50 minutes in a major huge airport if the airport is one of your airlines major hubs. Any less. . .well, people do make it, but not comfortably, and occasionally they don't make it. For smaller regional airports, check the airport maps and ask on travel boards.

(My last flight through Houston I had a 45 minute layover. My plane was delayed 40 minutes. I made it from E terminal at one end of the Continental hub to B terminal at the other end of the Continental hub in 6 minutes, which is a land speed record, I think. I ran with about 30 lbs on my back the whole way and I knew where to get on and off the tram between terminals so as to get ahead of the mass of people; I also knew where to go without looking at any signs. The gate agents already had my new boarding pass printed for the next flight to my destination when I showed up at the gate, looked at the open door to the plane and did a couple of exhausted hops of joy. They honestly couldn't believe I'd made it and had to reprint my original boarding pass!)

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

Ive done Milwaukee aiport. You can make it. I was with a person recovering from knee surgry and a older lady. We had to go to the other side of the airport and still managed to make it (with a potty break even!)

 

[FireDancer]

I always leave about an hour just to be safe. It isn't because it takes that long to get through the airport but because it gives you a bit of a window if the first leg is delayed. It also gives the crew a little extra time to get your bags on the correct flights. I have just made connecting flights in the past that my bags didn't.

 

[Mysteria]

With your airports you should be fine if your first flight leaves on time. You'd be cutting it close though if it's just a little late leaving.

 

[supercarrie]

My main concern wouldn't be about you getting there, but your checked bags. I have had many flights where I made my connection, but my bags didn't, and I was stuck without them for anywhere from several hours to the next day. (Depending on how often they fly to the final destination, as they will usually just put the bags on the next flight out.)

How old are your children? That is something else I'd consider. With teenagers, I'd think you would be fine to physically get there; with toddlers, not so sure.

 

[Sleepy]

I always like to allow at least an hour and a half. You could experience a delay in take off with plane #1. Also, as others have said, changing terminals and the luggage switching planes is an issue.

 

[Ohiodislover]

I think I would try for an hour layover--Relieve the stress a bit.

 

[golfgal]

There are choices in the airline - Airtran, Midwest Airlines (which is funny because we live in the northeast), or Continental.

The lay-over location for most of the flights was Milwaukee Not exactly a hub, but a couple of the flights switched in Baltimore.

My youngest is 7 will be 8 at the time of the flight, then they'd be 10 and 14 so no worries about moving the kids. It's more me. I'm pooh sized and have asthma so not exactly in the best of shape, but I am trying to lose weight.

Air Tran through Milwaukee should be ok as long as you don't have any weather delays.

 

[CruiserMom]

I like at least an hour, 1 1/2 hours is better. Even if your first flight leaves on time, and gets to the layover airport in time, it could be delayed by other things (waiting for an open gate, etc.). Your second flight usually begins boarding 20-30 minutes before the scheduled departure time, and now with so many people bringing just carry-ons, if you don't board early enough, there may be no room for your carry-ons and you would have to check them. I travel with my DD, who hates using airplane bathrooms, so we have to make potty stops in the airports.

 

[jsmith]

30 minutes is NOT enough-even if you are not changing airlines-if your first flight is delayed by even 10 minutes-unless the air line will hold the second flight you will risk not making it-i totally agree with the people who say 1-11/2 hours-other wise you risk loosing luggage and a number of other things.

 

[piglet too]

I don't think I would chance it. Just last night, my DH's flight, which got in 10 minutes early, was on the ground for an hour waiting for an open gate.