US Airways question -45 min. layover

[TheBigQ]

Need some opinions. We're getting a connecting fllight in PHL to Orlando. We have a 45 minutes from the time the plane lands (if on time-we're flying in May so hopefully weather will be ok) to get to our connecting flight. Is that enough time to get through PHL airport? I checked PHL airport website - it looks like there's a tram that takes travelers to different gates. Anyone know about PHL? Never flown there.

Flying w/3 kids ages 7, 4 & 2 so DW is worried about missing connecting flight. Which I know we'd get another flight the question is when and probably we wouldn't be sitting together which is must! There is a later flight leaving PHL to MCO about 1 hr after this one leaves. Thanks for any opinions!

Dan

 

[SteveMouse]

It is enough time is you are relatively efficient and are lucky with seat assignments and bathroom breaks (and assuming an on-time arrival).

You didn't say where you're coming from or time of travel- these are both important considerations in terms of how efficient the airport might be- coming out of BOS, you might very well be delayed: Albany, NY seems like a lightly used airport.

if you are trying to FEED anyone, then no, it's too tight.

Given that there is another flight in a hour, if you can schedule that, you'd probably be better off.

-steve

 

[safetymom]

If you have 45 mins till the next plane starts boarding then you would be ok. If you only have 45 mins till the flight takes off you don't have enough time. I am not aware of a tram at PHL. There is a bus that takes you to the other terminal if that is where your flight is.

I would go for the later flight.

 

[bicker]

PHL is particularly difficult to get through, if your incoming and outgoing flights are on separate concourses.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

Having just flown through PHL this fall, I would say "no". We had commuter flights, which take you to a terminal where you need to take a bus over to the other area to catch a regular flight (do I ever miss PIT). Even if you don't have that issue, I think 45 min. would be very tight. There is no train or shuttle between the main terminals. It's poorly planned IMHO.

 

[plutospup]

45 minutes until boarding is ok at PHL, as long as you go directly to your gate. If you're arriving via commuter at terminal F go directly to the shuttle bus(near gate 10). The bus will take you near the C gates. PHL takes a bad rap about a lot of things, and deservedly so. However, if you go directly from gate to gate you shouldn't have a problem. Have a great vacation!

 

[TheBigQ]

We're flying from Maine and I've been tracking the flight we'll be taking in May for about a month and it is the first flight (for US Air) at 7:00 am and arrives 15-20 minutes prior to its stated arrival time. I've also tracked the 9:35 am flight out of Phl to Orlando and its only left on time once the other times its been after 10. So it seems we'll have time but this is our kids first trip to WDW and I don't want it to start off wrong. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Devil_Dog99]

I travel all th etime on business and flying alone I would think 45 min is almost too tight. With a family, cutting it close. I always prefer at least an hour to allow for minor delays, bathroom breaks, getting from one gate t o another.