Southwest Plane Change in New Orleans

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Looking for New Orleans(MSY) airport experts. I am looking to possibly book airfare on a Southwest flight from Chicago Midway to MCO in October but there is one stop with a plane change in New Orleans MSY. There is only 40 minutes between flights. Is this doable? Is there even time for a bathroom break? It will be me, DH, DD13, DD10.

Will they hold the flight a few minutes to make sure passengers on our flight can connect? I understand we may not be able to all sit together from MSY to MCO and would be OK with that as long as we can sit 2/2. Should I even bother buying earlybird for those flights? Would it make a difference?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Anyone??

 

[Karlzmom]

Sorry, can't help. My flight through New Orleans isn't until Dec. Fortunately, I don't have to change planes as its a through flight. Good luck!

 

[PattiPB]

I went through there last summer. It was under trmendous construction then, and there was only 1 Subway open to get a sandwich. There was nothing else there at that time. Long line for an expensive foot-long.

Hope they've finished something by the time you touch down. There were only about 10 gates open in close proximity to each other, so time shouldn't be a factor.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Thanks for the replies. I have looked at the concourse map and it looks like all Southwest gates are on concourse B. BUT having never been there, I am unsure of the actual size and if Southwest would sometimes fly into another concourse....like during construction. Wonder if anyone else has been there recently and knows if the construction is complete.

 

[Lewisc]

They might hold your connecting flight. You might not have time for a bathroom break. You probably won't have time to wait in line and get food. You could literally be the last passengers to board. You might be in middle seats. Your kids are 10 and 13. The FA is unlikely to ask passengers to move.

Certainly possible your flight will be a few minutes early and this will be academic.

EBCI will let you sit near the front of the plane for your first flight. That might save 5-10 minutes when you deplane.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

They might hold your connecting flight. You might not have time for a bathroom break. You probably won't have time to wait in line and get food. You could literally be the last passengers to board. You might be in middle seats. Your kids are 10 and 13. The FA is unlikely to ask passengers to move.

Certainly possible your flight will be a few minutes early and this will be academic.

EBCI will let you sit near the front of the plane for your first flight. That might save 5-10 minutes when you deplane.

See--not sitting together worries me. My DD10 is in the autism spectrum, has severe food allergies, and asthma and MUST sit by me or DH. DD13 could handle it as she will probably just tune the world out listening to her ipod and/or playing her DSI.

Ugh--would love to book this flight but worried I should just take a flight that gets in an hour and a half later that connects thru Ohio and has an hour and 45 min between flights. Just sux not getting to the resort til 7:00pm-ish. That would mean we would also most likely need to wait for our luggage to make sure we get it before turning in for the night as ME luggage delivery could take up to 4 hrs.

 

[Lewisc]

See--not sitting together worries me. My DD10 is in the autism spectrum, has severe food allergies, and asthma and MUST sit by me or DH. DD13 could handle it as she will probably just tune the world out listening to her ipod and/or playing her DSI.

Ugh--would love to book this flight but worried I should just take a flight that gets in an hour and a half later that connects thru Ohio and has an hour and 45 min between flights. Just sux not getting to the resort til 7:00pm-ish. That would mean we would also most likely need to wait for our luggage to make sure we get it before turning in for the night as ME luggage delivery could take up to 4 hrs.

Why not just book a N/S flight? Sometimes there are things more important then price. Is there a later flight from New Orleans to MCO? You could book the flight but ask to be switched to the later flight if your flight lands after boarding.

 

[crashbb]

See--not sitting together worries me. My DD10 is in the autism spectrum, has severe food allergies, and asthma and MUST sit by me or DH. DD13 could handle it as she will probably just tune the world out listening to her ipod and/or playing her DSI.

Ugh--would love to book this flight but worried I should just take a flight that gets in an hour and a half later that connects thru Ohio and has an hour and 45 min between flights. Just sux not getting to the resort til 7:00pm-ish. That would mean we would also most likely need to wait for our luggage to make sure we get it before turning in for the night as ME luggage delivery could take up to 4 hrs.

I would definitely take the flight through Ohio (if you cannot get a direct flight). It sounds like someone sitting by your daughter is important enough to deal with the inconvenience - especially the allergy. Most people like to be able to wipe down the tray table/seat and to do so, it really helps to do the medial pre-board, which you will miss with the tight connection in New Orleans.

 

[tanker]

SW only uses the B gates at New Orleans and the furthest gates are only 10 minutes apart. A 40 minute connect at MSY is very doable. If your flight from Chicago is late they will sometimes hold the outbound flight. It depends if there is a later flight that will get you there without a long wait. If you want to guarantee that you sit together do the early bird.

 

[Lewisc]

SW only uses the B gates at New Orleans and the furthest gates are only 10 minutes apart. A 40 minute connect at MSY is very doable. If your flight from Chicago is late they will sometimes hold the outbound flight. It depends if there is a later flight that will get you there without a long wait. If you want to guarantee that you sit together do the early bird.

I agree the connection is doable. EBCI won't help if SW is holding the connecting flight and they're the last passengers to board. The OP wants to sit next to a 10 year old.

SW must have 6 N/S flights. OP should book a N/S flight.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

After weighing everything, I think I will just book the flight thru Ohio with the longer layover to ensure we get to board early with the masses. I can't chance not sitting with DD10. Yeah, we will lose an hour and a half but tis life. We are always wiped out by the time we arrive at the resort anyway. On the brighter side, the flight thru Ohio is cheaper by $30 per person.

Thanks

 

[ccgirl]

Looking for New Orleans(MSY) airport experts. I am looking to possibly book airfare on a Southwest flight from Chicago Midway to MCO in October but there is one stop with a plane change in New Orleans MSY. There is only 40 minutes between flights. Is this doable? Is there even time for a bathroom break? It will be me, DH, DD13, DD10.

Will they hold the flight a few minutes to make sure passengers on our flight can connect? I understand we may not be able to all sit together from MSY to MCO and would be OK with that as long as we can sit 2/2. Should I even bother buying earlybird for those flights? Would it make a difference?

Thanks for any help!

Though not specific to MSP, I had a 40 min SW layover in Baltimore. I was very leary. One note to mention is that they start boarding 20 minutes before the flight time so if your original plane is delayed at all you may be one of the last to board even if you have an A boarding pass. The crew for my original flight was delayed so waited 20 minutes for them. I was very nervous I wouldn't make my flight. I ran to the gate when we landed. The plane was being held for another connecting flight so I ended up making it. However, they do not always do that. I sat next to a woman who missed their connecting SW flight (along with her husband) and had to fly standby on this one. They were the last to board and got split up. SW did not hold their connecting flight so I'm not sure how they make their decision. Perhaps the # of passengers??

Long story short, I did up making my 40 min layover.

 

[Lewisc]

See--not sitting together worries me. My DD10 is in the autism spectrum, has severe food allergies, and asthma and MUST sit by me or DH. DD13 could handle it as she will probably just tune the world out listening to her ipod and/or playing her DSI.

The flight you're planning on booking leaves MDW at 12:05 and arrives at MCO at 5:55.

There is a N/S flight which leaves MDW at 2:40 and arrives at MCO at 6:10.

There is a N/S flight which leaves at 10:40 and lands at 2:10.

You can either leave MDW about 2 1/2 hours later and arrive at Orlando 15 minutes later or leave MDW 2 1/2 hours earlier and land 4 hours earlier.

You're concerned about traveling with a child who has medical issues. JMO but it makes no sense booking a connecting flight when N/S flights are available.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

The flight you're planning on booking leaves MDW at 12:05 and arrives at MCO at 5:55.

There is a N/S flight which leaves MDW at 2:40 and arrives at MCO at 6:10.

There is a N/S flight which leaves at 10:40 and lands at 2:10.

You can either leave MDW about 2 1/2 hours later and arrive at Orlando 15 minutes later or leave MDW 2 1/2 hours earlier and land 4 hours earlier.

You're concerned about traveling with a child who has medical issues. JMO but it makes no sense booking a connecting flight when N/S flights are available.

I saw the nonstop flight but the prices were quite a bit more than the one stop flights. I went ahead and booked the flight that connects thru Ohio this morning. I picked a return flight that has one stop but no plane change.

DD does well on flights. We were very nervous on her first flight when she was 5. She did well as I packed an arsenal of distractions in my carry-on. Every flight she is better and better. Biggest thing is that she is very attached to me. Although she is high-functioning, her social development is more like a 5 yr old. Because of this, her food allergies and asthma, is why we must sit together. Honestly, we have never had to use her inhaler on a plane but I am always prepared. I don't see the connecting flight as a problem given her medical issues....I just wanted to get to MCO earlier. Heck--the stop in Ohio might be even better because she will have time to stretch her legs and play, with the layover breaking up the monotony of the flights.

 

[Lewisc]

I strongly suggest you at least purchase EBCI for yourself and your DD. Your flight will have continuing passengers. Your flight will have connecting passengers who will be able to get their BPs 24 hours before their first flight, several hours before your 24 hour window opens. Frequent fliers (A listers) will be getting their BPs early.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I strongly suggest you at least purchase EBCI for yourself and your DD. Your flight will have continuing passengers. Your flight will have connecting passengers who will be able to get their BPs 24 hours before their first flight, several hours before your 24 hour window opens. Frequent fliers (A listers) will be getting their BPs early.

Hhmmm...something to consider. I already purchased EBCI for our return flight. Question: If I check-in at 24hrs with my confirm#, does that also automatically check me in for the second leg at the same time? I hate to sound stupid but it will be our first "one-stop" flight on SW. We are flying in August on DElta with a stop but we have assigned seats so it doesn't matter.

I should probably research to see where that flight is coming from that we board in Ohio so that I can see when it departs?? yes??

 

[Lewisc]

Hhmmm...something to consider. I already purchased EBCI for our return flight. Question: If I check-in at 24hrs with my confirm#, does that also automatically check me in for the second leg at the same time? I hate to sound stupid but it will be our first "one-stop" flight on SW. We are flying in August on DElta with a stop but we have assigned seats so it doesn't matter.

I should probably research to see where that flight is coming from that we board in Ohio so that I can see when it departs?? yes??

Yes, you check in for both flights. That's the problem. You're booking an afternoon flight. A lot of SW passengers connect in Chicago. Those who check in at T-24 will be getting their BPs a few hours before your 24 hour window opens.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Yes, you check in for both flights. That's the problem. You're booking an afternoon flight. A lot of SW passengers connect in Chicago. Those who check in at T-24 will be getting their BPs a few hours before your 24 hour window opens.

Ugh....thanks so much! I had not even considered that. Looks like I will drop a few more $$ and do EBCI for MDW - MCO as well. Totally worth it though And since I got the tickets for $117 each way, it is still a bargain.

 

[Lewisc]

I doubt there will any (or very few) connecting or continuing passengers for your return flight. In your case I'd spring for EBCI for your outgoing flight, if you're not willing to pay for EBCI both directions.

Keep in mind the total taxes are a little bit lower on a N/S vs a connecting flight, $5-$10.