Question on connecting flights

[englishteacha]

We've always flown non-stop and never had to change planes before. How much time should there be between flights? Delta has a flight with a 56 minute layover in New York at JFK. Will that be enough time to get off our plane, get to the next gate and board? What happens if our first plane is delayed and we miss our connection? What if we can't make it in time? We are not experienced fliers and haven't ever been to JFK.

Please advise!

 

[mbb]

I'll just pop your question over to the Transportation Board..

...what time of year are you traveling?
...and that's a little tight, but doable If you did miss your flight because of delays, Delta will just put you on their next flight

Prepare before you go, and brush up on what other flights would be available for you, just in case

HTH!!

 

[Jestocost]

Delta occupies gates in two different terminals (2 & 3) at JFK, so how long it will take you to connect could vary dramatically. You could come in at one gate and leave from one right next to it, for example, in which case it would take you just a minute to get from one to the other. Or you could come in at Gate 8 on Terminal 3 and have to get to Gate 23 on Terminal 2, in which case you'd have to traverse the entire length of both terminals and make the crossing via a walkway between the two in the middle of the process.

One hour is about the minimum I would recommend as a general rule, especially if you have to get an entire family from one gate two another. With little kids that can be even more problematic.

If your initial flight is late and you miss your connection, Delta will work to get you on the next available flight. That means one with enough empty seats for your entire party (unless you are willing to split up, which isn't the case on most family vacations) in the same class of service. That could be in an hour or it could be the next day, you just never know for sure. It's worth checking to see if they have any flights later in the same day to where you are going so that you at least may have options for getting there the same day if you miss your connection. If your connecting flight is the last of the day, you'll know in advance that if you miss it you'll be stuck for the night.