Time between flights

[nibab4]

I have been checking for flights on my own, something I have never done.
I usually go to a TA.

I am not sure how much time is needed between flights to be able to safely make a connector. Can someone help, I know there's probably a lot of things that need to be factored in like:

Size of airport
using same airline for both
customs
time of day etc etc etc ....

Please give me your best advice...

J

 

[braddillman]

In North America, an hour is a good rule of thumb. I've traveled all over North America, and never had trouble making a 1 hour connection. When crossing the USA/Canadian border, I've never needed more than an hour in Toronto or Montreal. If things are very busy, they expedite people to make flights, e.g. they come to security and customs line ups and ask for anyone on flight XYZ, please come forward.

Overseas, I think 2 hours except Heathrow - I've missed a 4 hour connection. I swear they don't know how to run that place, and arrogant security to boot.

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

I have been checking for flights on my own, something I have never done.
I usually go to a TA.

I am not sure how much time is needed between flights to be able to safely make a connector. Can someone help, I know there's probably a lot of things that need to be factored in like:

Size of airport
using same airline for both
customs
time of day etc etc etc ....

Please give me your best advice...

J

I usually want at least 1 hour between connectors, but it would depend if you needed to clear customs at point of departure or when you arrive at your connecting airport. Also to consider is the time of year (flight delays) for weather, number of people in your party, are you travelling with small children, etc.

 

[aristocat65]

I have been checking for flights on my own, something I have never done.
I usually go to a TA.

I am not sure how much time is needed between flights to be able to safely make a connector. Can someone help, I know there's probably a lot of things that need to be factored in like:

Size of airport
using same airline for both
customs
time of day etc etc etc ....

Please give me your best advice...

J

Are you talking about booking the legs of your trip separately? I wouldn't do that, but make sure your entire trip (one way) is on the same ticket even if different airlines (or code sharing ones). If all your flights are on the same itinerary they should take care of you in the event of a delay.

The system usually won't do a booking that doesn't allow enough time for connections, but more time is always better. We've had an hour to connect in Dallas, but they changed the gate of the second flight to another terminal we were literally running to the gate to get to the 2nd flight.

There can be weather delays also, and at least if you have too much time you can get a snack (they likely won't feed you on the plane).

 

[Ted in Halifax]

...make sure your entire trip (one way) is on the same ticket even if different airlines (or code sharing ones). If all your flights are on the same itinerary they should take care of you in the event of a delay. . .

Very good advice ... I would never create a connector from 2 different transactions (i.e. buying 2 separate tickets)

 

[Alderbrook]

Usually your connection will wait for you unless there's some major delay if you're flying with the same carrier. They have to transfer your bags & that takes time as well. An hour is normal though, but if you run into bad weather, etc. you may need more time. I generally like 2 hours inbetween so I'm not rushing depending on the size of the airport. I have ran thru Atlanta airport before to catch a flight which is a massive airport.

 

[nibab4]

Are you talking about booking the legs of your trip separately? I wouldn't do that, but make sure your entire trip (one way) is on the same ticket even if different airlines (or code sharing ones). If all your flights are on the same itinerary they should take care of you in the event of a delay.

No, I would not be booking each leg seperate.

When doing my research, flight choices came up with connectors with an hour or a little over an hour for a layover.
If I understand correctly, if the wholesaler offers the flight with connecting flights, the connection can be done as long as there were no unforseen circumstances from the first leg of the flight, making the arrival later.

I have looked at flights from Halifax that connect at US airports before going to final destination.
How much time would be needed to safely go thru customs? Would we need to collect our lugguage? Is that factored in?


It makes me nervous not having lots of time between flights, I always have to be at the airport with the maximum amount of time requested and my family hates me for it, especially on early morning flights. I've seen myself at the Moncton NB airport and the ticket counter opening an hour after my arrival. I can't understand why they recommend such an early arrival.

Thnk you for your answers.

J

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I honestly wouldn't book each leg separately. Fees alone would discourage that ... but the risk of something going wrong. I.e bags on flight 1 being delayed, flight delay ... Can you drive to Maine? You would save lots of money and get a direct or connecting flight?

Halifax Customs is quick, but they advise 3 hours before take off.

You would need to pick up your luggage with a non-connector flight and reenter security and bag check at the new airport.

Can you share with us, the flight dates and numbers you are looking at? I bet we could put together something better!

Ted

 

[Alderbrook]

I too wouldn't fly with one carrier & connect with another. Why would you want to do that? What airport are you flying out of & where do you want to go?

 

[nibab4]

I too wouldn't fly with one carrier & connect with another. Why would you want to do that? What airport are you flying out of & where do you want to go?

No where in my post did I say I was going to use two carriers.
I said i've been searching (ei..Expedia,flightnetwork etc...) and the results they give have connecting flights.
As I mentioned in the previous post I use Halifax, Ns and Moncton, NB.

Ted in HALIFAX

I honestly wouldn't book each leg separately. Fees alone would discourage that ... but the risk of something going wrong. I.e bags on flight 1 being delayed, flight delay ... Can you drive to Maine? You would save lots of money and get a direct or connecting flight?

As explained above that was not the plan.
As for driving to Maine, not a big fan of the idea, the savings would have to be major,as I always factor in our time spent driving,(ei..extra hours/days off work) as part of the cost.
I've checked random dates and destinations looking for the great bargain people speak of, to no avail.
As far as specific dates and destinations nothing pre determined.

I only wanted some insight as to how you all get these savings.


J

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Here's an idea then ... check directly on Continental's website. Use their advanced search and specify Billing Address Country: as Canada.

This will let you preclear in Halifax, EWR is your connecting airport (we know that terminal transfer there is easy).

We have seen fares last March for 329 cdn taxes in .... other than this I would keep an eye on united and us airways.

Ted

 

[Alderbrook]

If you are doing your whole trip connecting with the same carrier, then don't worry too much about the time inbetween. They get your bags for you & transfer them to your next flight. I ran to our connection between terminals in Atlanta with a baby & carry on bags & made it no problem (had 1 hour between flights), just to find out they will wait for people coming in from other flights unless the plane is soooo delayed (weather, breakdown) that they can't wait.

I can't help you regarding customs as we fly out of the US as it takes us just as long to get there as it does to get to Toronto.

If you are looking for deals, sign up with each carrier out of Halifax & Moncton for their email deals. They email you when sales come out & then you can go from there. I use kayak.com sometimes, but most of the time I just check my email to see what deals are out there.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

FWIW, I would reccommend that you check out the airlines websites that you are thinking of booking often, as they do have seat sales. Sometimes it's cheaper to book with the airlines direct than to book via a travel agent or another 2nd party carrier, such as travelocity or expedia. It's worth checking into, as I was able to score a cheap flight to LA for my Oct trip to DL, by checking with the Westjet, and Air Canada's websites a couple of times a week. Ended up booking with Westjet, and saved around $300CDN, so it's worth looking into.

 

[Alderbrook]

When we were booking our flight to Vegas a few years ago, Expedia gave all connections & there were no deals. We ended up searching airlines & got the best deal that way. I've never checked expedia ever again.

 

[mtmbyck]

Not sure what time of year you are booking for but if it is Jan-Mar I would definatley add an hour buffer for weather - so a 2 hour layover. To me, an hour is not enough time to transfer planes, have a decent potty break, grab a snack......

I fly every 2 weeks and I would say we meet the posted gate arrival time 30% of the time. And never in the winter (de-icing and all of that).

Have fun planning.

 

[nibab4]

Great advice everyone I truly appreciate it.

I had been checking both online TA's and airlines directly.
From now on I'll be checking airlines only and registering with them to get their seat sales. I am now reassured that it will work out in the end, if I follow all of your tips.


Thank you!!!

J

 

[aristocat65]

One more tip for getting low fares: check the airline sites on Tues evening late/Wed morning as this is often when they load their fare sales.
I also like Travelzoo. You can sign up for their top 20 newsletter ( I get the Canadian one and the US one just in case). Good Luck
- I guess that was 2 tips

 

[Ted in Halifax]

aristocat65 makes a good point. I have seen great fares appear early in the week, only to evaporate by Thursday or Friday .... then magically reappear again next monday or tuesday.