time to allow between flights?

[jenseib]

I am looking to fly to another destination. There is no direct flights for the airline I want to fly. The trip will be long and take up most of the day. Of course I want to get there as fast as possible, but transfering from one plane to another is always scary to me. I have missed flights in the past (many years ago) that were too close together. The connecting flight looks to be at Denver if I chose the ideal times, but only has like 40 minutes between flights and that scares the heck out of me. Ideal if it all works smoothly, but very easy to miss that connecting flight if there is the slightest delay.
What time frame do you consider safe. It looks like my other option would be 2 + hours which seems kind of long

 

[Missyrose]

If given the choice between 2 hours and 40 minutes, I'd take the 2 hours. The safest short layover is about an hour. With 40 minutes you'd really have little margin for error for any delays (takeoff, circling the airport, slow deplaning).

I'd rather have the two hour layover and grab a bite to eat and chill out instead of rushing to make the next flight.

 

[dmband]

If given the choice between 2 hours and 40 minutes, I'd take the 2 hours. The safest short layover is about an hour. With 40 minutes you'd really have little margin for error for any delays (takeoff, circling the airport, slow deplaning).

I'd rather have the two hour layover and grab a bite to eat and chill out instead of rushing to make the next flight.

I would try and see if the flight 2 hrs out typically sells out and how many seats are left right now
Based on he answers go with number 1 and if you miss it get on number 2
But yeah 40 mins is pushing it

 

[ToddyLu]

I have to agree, I would be more comfortable with 2 hours and a good book.

 

[Hopefully]

I NEVER accept a connection of less than 1 hour. Denver is a big airport with lots of distance between gates. I would definitely take the 2 hour over the 40 minute connection

 

[jenseib]

Thanks. As much as I hate to sit for 2 or more hours and "waste" time...I think it might the smarter option.

 

[Butterbunkins]

Just to let you know about an experience we had once. We had an hour between flights and since we live at a major hub we rarely have to connect. This time we did and our first flight ended up being delayed for a half an hour. The pilots had gotten in late the night before and there is an FAA regulation about rest time between flights so we had to wait. We advised the gate agent about our next flight so they seated us at the front of the plane and there was supposed to be one of those shuttles (kind of like a large golf cart to transport people in the terminals) waiting for us when we got off the plane. It wasn’t there and of course we were at the far end of one terminal and had to go to the far end of another terminal. So we ran with our carry-ons. No time to rest, no bathroom stops, not even a leisurely stroll. It sucked and I never want to do it again!

 

[seashoreCM]

I would say it is best to allow 2 hours for a connection.

You can lose your seat assignments if you don't get to the next gate on time, typically 15 minutes before flight time. But IMHO they should hold your seat assignments as long as possible even if they start boarding standbys sooner (assuming there are yet other seats not spoken for).

 

[jenseib]

Just to let you know about an experience we had once. We had an hour between flights and since we live at a major hub we rarely have to connect. This time we did and our first flight ended up being delayed for a half an hour. The pilots had gotten in late the night before and there is an FAA regulation about rest time between flights so we had to wait. We advised the gate agent about our next flight so they seated us at the front of the plane and there was supposed to be one of those shuttles (kind of like a large golf cart to transport people in the terminals) waiting for us when we got off the plane. It wasn’t there and of course we were at the far end of one terminal and had to go to the far end of another terminal. So we ran with our carry-ons. No time to rest, no bathroom stops, not even a leisurely stroll. It sucked and I never want to do it again!

I can picture that exactly...which is what I am trying to avoid.. LOL

 

[snesguy]

If the airlines are partners or in the same alliance you should try to book on one ticket. That way you'll be protected in case you misconnect. If you are on separate tickets on unrelated airlines, if you misconnect on the same day you can use the flat tire rule to get a later flight or do standy, but if your first flight is cancelled and you can't get a flight out until the next day then you've got a big problem if you are on separate tickets.

 

[jenseib]

If the airlines are partners or in the same alliance you should try to book on one ticket. That way you'll be protected in case you misconnect. If you are on separate tickets on unrelated airlines, if you misconnect on the same day you can use the flat tire rule to get a later flight or do standy, but if your first flight is cancelled and you can't get a flight out until the next day then you've got a big problem if you are on separate tickets.

It's all Southwest....But the ideal time to travel is the last flight of the day...and we cannot arrive the next day, as this would be for a cruise.

 

[mahannie]

Speaking as one who uses Denver as her home airport, a 2 hour connection is recommended.

The majority of Southwest flights arrive/depart in the C concourse, which makes connecting to another flight easy, however, there are a handful of flights that come in on the A concourse. The only way to connect between concourses is the underground train, which involves walking to the center of the concourse down two escalators and then onto the train.

In May, I was flying home with a friend going onto LAX. We landed at the A concourse, with her connection in the C concourse. Since she'd never been through the Denver airport, I accompanied her to the connecting gate. Total travel time from gate to gate was 23 minutes. She had no idea how sprawled out this airport was. Given that there are many factors out of your control: weather, crew issues, how fast the first flight deplanes, etc., I wouldn't schedule less than an hour for a connection.

Hope this helps and enjoy your cruise!

 

[jenseib]

That is wonderful info...thanks so much

 

[anonymousegirl]

Another factor that could affect your connection time is location and weather. I live near San Francisco and when I fly to the East Coast I choose my connecting airports carefully based on the season.

I avoid conencting in Atlanta or Charlotte during the summer (thunderstorm delays) and anywhere that gets lots of snow (Minneapolis, Denver, Salt Lake City) in the winter. If I must go with one of my less desirable connections, I allow a minimum of 2 hours to connect.

 

[Minnesota!]

Definitely 2 hours! And really....it will go fast!

Say your first flight lands at 10 and your next one departs at 12.

You will have time to use the bathroom (I always stop in the bathroom and freshen up - brush my hair, touch up my scant makeup, etc. I always feel so grimy after flying!), grab a coffee, snack, etc. In reality you will not be "sitting down" to wait for loading until close to to 1030 - 1045. And you will start loading near 1130. So 45 - 60 minutes...and you can distract yourself by eating, reading, people watching, etc.

I actually love layovers. And I have been told that Denver is NOT somewhere you want to be cutting it close. Dh has flown thru there and he said it's massive! Take the 2 hours and relax

 

[DisneyNDecember]

Wow, I am glad I found this thread !!!! I am flying with Southwest for the first time this year & they have no non-stop flights to Orlando from Dallas Love Field. The best they offer is on our arrival date on 11/10 is a "Direct- NO plane change with stops" that leaves at 3:25 pm (Central time) & arrives at 8:50 pm (Florida time-which is up one hour), so total time is 4:25 per their flight website. This is typically a 2:30 hour flight when being flown non-stop on American Airlines, so I wonder what we will be doing for the full additional 2 hours? We don't change planes per our reservation, we fly to St Louis Mo on this "Direct- NO plane change with stop", I guess I better bring plenty of books, snacks, & things to do for those additional two hours.

But I am glad I read this thread because I was thinking about the "1 plane change" offer that gets there at approx 11:30 am, but the thought of changing planes, possible luggage getting lost, etc had me worried & from reading this thread, I think I will just stick with the "Direct- NO plane change with 1 stop" purchase that I made, just hate the fact that the ONLY one they had available was the late flight. I hate getting there that late.

You guys have completely helped me understand the whole SW rules, etc...
It was so much easier on American Airlines, you GET an assigned seat, you have non-stop flights, & they have NEVER lost our luggage. But their fares & their negotiations right now just make me too ancy about purchasing with them this year.

 

[bumbershoot]

You will have time to use the bathroom (I always stop in the bathroom and freshen up - brush my hair, touch up my scant makeup, etc. I always feel so grimy after flying!), grab a coffee, snack, etc. In reality you will not be "sitting down" to wait for loading until close to to 1030 - 1045. And you will start loading near 1130. So 45 - 60 minutes...and you can distract yourself by eating, reading, people watching, etc.

I was going to say that, too. A 2 hour layover is almost never anywhere near that time sitting around. Getting off the plane, bathroom, etc etc etc.


DisneyNDecember, since the flight YOU booked will be continuing on, you just sit on the plane. But there will be others who have booked from your starting place to the stopping place. They will be getting off the plane, and others will be getting on. 2 hours does seem like a lot, but they are including landing, taxiing, unloading, loading, taxiing, and taking off in that time, most likely. (or at least some of those things)

With SW, once everyone has gotten off the plane and the FAs have done their count of the people on board, you can change your seats if you wish, get up, stretch, etc.

 

[DisneyNDecember]

I was going to say that, too. A 2 hour layover is almost never anywhere near that time sitting around. Getting off the plane, bathroom, etc etc etc.


DisneyNDecember, since the flight YOU booked will be continuing on, you just sit on the plane. But there will be others who have booked from your starting place to the stopping place. They will be getting off the plane, and others will be getting on. 2 hours does seem like a lot, but they are including landing, taxiing, unloading, loading, taxiing, and taking off in that time, most likely. (or at least some of those things)

With SW, once everyone has gotten off the plane and the FAs have done their count of the people on board, you can change your seats if you wish, get up, stretch, etc.

Ohhh, I never thought of changting seats at that point, good idea !!! We did the EBCI feature, so we may already have good seats, but if not, we can check out some other possibly better seats !!! Thanks for the great advice !!! That makes me feel much better about the only direct flight option given at our location, I am just still bumming over the late time arrival. But, that is the only slot they had available & all the other ones with plane changes that leave earlier in the day only have 40 to 55 minutes between each connecting flight. That is just too scary for me. I hate the thought of getting my stuff, running to another plane, worrying if it is delayed, etc..... Too much stress.....

 

[Donna M]

It's all Southwest....But the ideal time to travel is the last flight of the day...and we cannot arrive the next day, as this would be for a cruise.

Go for the 2 hour wait. Waiting for a new cruise would be a whole lot longer!

 

[Echo queen]

After reading this thread I checked my change plane times for my upcoming trip. They are 1 hour on the outgoing and 1:10 on the return with SW. it was quite interesting to find the airport, terminal maps, and the gates that the air lines use. So now I won't sweat the thought of how far the change plane gate will be.