Transfer Time?

[cymbeline]

Do you think 1hr 40 mins is enough to transfer in Chicago. I wouldn't want to miss the flight. We are thinking of LHR to Chicago then down to Orlando. My gut instinct is it's not enough time just in case of delays or a long queue at immigration. Anyone done this connection that can help?

 

[Kath2003]

It really depends; we've connected at Chicago several times. Sometimes we've been at our connecting flight's gate within an hour. Once I left 90 minutes and would have missed my connection were it not delayed. I wouldn't book via ORD with a connection time of less than two hours, but that's me.

In terms of the airline, 1 hour 40 minutes must be a "legal" connection time in that they consider it enough time. If you miss the connection, then, they must try to reseat you on another flight later that day.

 

[wayneg]

Been via Chicago a couple of times, 1:40 plenty of time but it depends on any delays on your 1st leg. Only airport I would want 2 hours+ is Atlanta, all others I have used I would aim for 1:30mins+ if poss but have accepted less in the past.
Have you checked if the airline you are using has anymore flights the same day for your 2nd leg? if you miss your connection they usually get you on the next, if its the last of the day then it would mean them putting you in a hotel overnight and 1st available flight next day.
Our friends missed an Atlanta connection July 2009, told they were definitely on one 3 hours later but on standby for one 1.5 hours later, they got on the 1.5 hours.

 

[cymbeline]

I have looked at so many different routes I think I have finally lost the plot. It's actually JFK with an hour and 40 mins connection time. Will check if there's another flight afterwards.

 

[wayneg]

What dates and UK airport you looking at? Might help if we look at availabilty with you.

 

[cymbeline]

It's quite a complicated trip to me.

LHR to MCO - 16th Aug
MCO to Cleveland, Ohio - 26th Aug
Cleveland to LHR - 30th Aug

 

[wayneg]

Is it with AA you have seen? What site you looking on?
I just checked with Kayak (Multicity search) and the 2nd on the list looked a better route, gets you into MCO an hour earlier and you have a 2:05 change in Miami.

Flight 1 Information – Tue 16 Aug 2011
American Airlines
Flights 57 Departs: 09:50
Heathrow (LHR) Arrives: 14:15
Miami (MIA)
Coach | Boeing 777 (Wide-body Jet) | 9h 25m
Stopover in Miami, FL, United States (MIA) for 2h 05m
American Airlines
Flights 1990 Departs: 16:20
Miami (MIA) Arrives: 17:25
Orlando (MCO)

 

[cymbeline]

Yes, I was on the AA site. Do you know how long the flight to Miami is? I was avoiding Miami as it was a longer flight and I struggle on a plane so stopping in New York is a blessing for me.

 

[paulh]

Missed a flight with an hour conection before but above that never had a problem.one thing to consider if you have a longer conection is there is no harm asking to be put on a earlier flight or a different airport if it means getting there quicker when your at a hub airport. Have done both in the past no problem

 

[wayneg]

Yes, I was on the AA site. Do you know how long the flight to Miami is? I was avoiding Miami as it was a longer flight and I struggle on a plane so stopping in New York is a blessing for me.

It will probably be about 1 hour longer transatlantic to Miami but then the internal flight to MCO will be just under 1 hour compared to almost 3 hours from NYC.

 

[Kath2003]

Yes, I was on the AA site. Do you know how long the flight to Miami is? I was avoiding Miami as it was a longer flight and I struggle on a plane so stopping in New York is a blessing for me.

I would rather go to Miami and get the long-haul over with (flight time to MCO from there is 35 minutes) than fly 3 hours from JFK. The internal flights have no entertainment and tend to be much more "bouncy" than the larger jets, so the less time spent on them, the better...