westjet connections in Toronto

[b-1]

I have booked our sept flights on Westjet for Winnipeg to Orlando. We have a whole One hour and 18 minutes to get our connecting flight to Olrando. I am assuming that I would have to collect my luggage and go through customs with it then re check the luggage and then go to my connecting gate. Is one hour and 18 minutes enough time? It must be because it is the ONLY flight Westjet has from Winnipeg to Orlando. I am just worried that if I don't make it I will be waiting until the NEXT day to get the next flight. I think I need some reassurance. Anyone else done the Winnipeg-Orlando flight?

 

[grover]

are you on the morning flight??

we did this connection last fall and it was NOT pretty.
we were late leaving wpg as there was fog in TO and we could not land.
we got there just as our flight was pulling out for MCO. no way we could make, but they had already rebooked us on the evening flight..so we got to spend 12 wonderful hours in the airport--couldn't go anywhere as there was no where to leave the luggage.

i know others who have made the connection but yes-you have to get your luggage and clear customs there in Toronto.

i guess if you are on the evening flight and miss then you would have to overnight there and try go out in the morning.

i hope it is a nice smooth and uneventful flight for you!

 

[b-1]

would I have a better chance if I fly with only carry ons? ( No waiting to pick up checked bags)
Brenda

 

[brooker]

would I have a better chance if I fly with only carry ons? ( No waiting to pick up checked bags)
Brenda

We came from St. Johns' NL last month. We did the whole customs thing in about a hour April 30th. The bags arrived at the conveyor probably 20 minutes after we landed. The lineup at customs was the worst part. It probably took us 30 minutes to get through that.....we were near the end of the roped off entrance when we started. After that it was only a few minutes to go through security again. I am sure if Westjet felt there was not enough time they wouldn't have booked you that way. Also to you don't have to recheck your luggage....after you go through customs you drop it on a big conveyor belt and you see it again in Orlando(hopefully).

 

[grover]

b-1
when i booked the flight i did ask about the connection time..the agent said they do it all the time, so I am sure ours was more of a abnormal thing, but good to be prepared nonetheless. if you can go carry on only i would--save you time waiting for your bags..then you can head right for customs!

going thru customs on our evening flight was no prob..about 8pmish..we got thru really quick. not sure what it would have been like in the morning had we been able to make our connection.

 

[b-1]

thanks for the replies. I am going to go with carry ons and keep my fingers crossed.

 

[AprilFool]

We are doing that same winnipeg/toronto connection in Oct. I am so worried we will miss the flight. With 2 kids in tow it is going to be fun. Not sure when you are going but there is only 1 flight out of Toronto when we go. If we miss the flight we can't go until the next day and who knows if that will be booked up. To make matters more complicated we used airmiles. Not sure what happens in that situation.

 

[grover]

We are doing that same winnipeg/toronto connection in Oct. I am so worried we will miss the flight. With 2 kids in tow it is going to be fun. Not sure when you are going but there is only 1 flight out of Toronto when we go. If we miss the flight we can't go until the next day and who knows if that will be booked up. To make matters more complicated we used airmiles. Not sure what happens in that situation.

we used airmiles..and we missed our connection..it was apparently no problem as they already has us rebooked before we got off the plane in Toronot-they knew we were coming in and would miss the flight and they just went ahead and took care of it.

they have agents there when you get off the plane--if you are not sure where are you going-what direction to head-find one of them.

or you hire a person (not sure what you call them) who will meet you at luggage claim and help you with your luggage and get you over to customs-i would do that if i had lots to juggle..you have to book them ahead of time though..see the toronto airport website for info.

 

[AprilFool]

Thanks for the info.

 

[dhluvsDisney]

Wow! I never really thought much about the clearing customs thing in T.O. Making a connecting flight and all. I guess that makes me doubly happy that I fly Wpg to either MSP or O'Hare or fly out of MSP and only worry about customs clearing right here. I'm glad I read this, because I would prefer to clear right here and not have to worry later.

Hope it all works out for you!

 

[dhluvsDisney]

Wow! I never really thought much about the clearing customs thing in T.O. Making a connecting flight and all. I guess that makes me doubly happy that I fly Wpg to either MSP or O'Hare or fly out of MSP and only worry about customs clearing right here. I'm glad I read this, because I would prefer to clear right here and not have to worry later.

Hope it all works out for you!

 

[b-1]

I also used airmiles. Travelling Sept 26. It will be me and DD4. DH and DD11 will fly NWA later on that day. I think I am going to get them to check the luggage and DD4 and I will fly with only with my carry on. There is only one flight that day also. Fortunately my sister lives in Toronto and we could call her if we get stuck overnight.

I would also prefer to clear customs in Winnipeg, however since I used airmiles to purchase the tickets I am stuck doing it this way. Our tickets "only" cost 2800 airmiles and $390.00.

Here's hoping for clear blue skies.

 

[cab0899]

We took the same WestJet flight (with airmiles) this past January. I was worried about the connection as well. That morning we got a call from WestJet saying that due to weather things were slow in Toronto and they were worried that we would missed out connection so could we take an earlier flight? I was glad to do this every though we had to stop in Thunder Bay on the way to Toronto, I was glad to have more time to pick up luggage, and clear customs. We got everything done in plenty of time but unfortunately the crew to fly the plane from Toronto to Orlando did not arrive in time. That crew was flying in from Ottawa and US Customs closes at 9pm in Toronto. The passengers, and plane were ready to go. But the crew arrived after 9pm and were stuck on the wrong side of closed customs I couldn't believe that Toronto doesn't have a 24 hr customs. Anyways at midnight they decided to cancel the flight, they tried for 3 hrs to have someone come back to reopen customs to clear the flight crew.

Anyways, for those flying airmiles/WestJet. WestJet was great, there is no difference between airmiles or regular paying passengers. WestJet rebooked everyone for the nextday. They paid for meals, hotel and a shuttle bus to the hotel for all passengers. I still had to pay for our Disney hotel that went unused even the travel insurance wouldn't cover that. I felt really bad for some families that were going on cruises or only going for a very short time. (We got to know each other quite) Anyways we got to spend a day touring Castle Loma in Toronto, not the castle we were planning on visiting. LOL