Will we have enough time ?

[sarah_397]

Hi everyone
We're flying out on the 18th of December from Heathrow to Washington and then on to Orlando.
Just realised that there is only 1 hour and 12 minutes between landing in Washington and the Orlando flight taking off.
According to United airlines website we have to check in 45 minutes before the second flight which will obviously only give us 27 minutes to clear immigration and collect our bags before checking in again.
Really worried now
Has anyone every flown this route with such a short stop time and actually made it to the second flight ?
really hoping someone can help.

 

[Kath2003]

You will be pushing it. I've done it in 90 mninutes at Chicago O'Hare and I was literally RUNNING.

You do NOT need to check in again for your second flight. You will be given BOTH boarding passes when you begin your journey. You probably don't need to do anything with your bags, either, but you should check with your airline as some do require that you collect and re-check.

You need to find out what the "legal" connection time is for your airline is - I believe for United it's one hour. However, given that United have allowed you to book these together, you would assume that the connection time meets their requirements. United should simply rebook you on the next connecting flight to Orlando should you miss your flight...

 

[wayneg]

Washington you might possibly get away with it if your transatlantic flight is on time or even better if early. You need seats as near to the door as you can get. When you have got off walk as quick as poss to Immigration, you will need to collect your bags and hand back into security then ASAP to your departure gate. If all this goes like clockwork you should be OK, we have done it plenty of times within the hour at most hubs incl Washington.
One airport I would say no chance would be Atlanta, even in Biz class took us 1:45 mins, slow immigration, slow security, bags took forever, it has to be the worst there is, same last year but we got fast tracked.
If you did miss it have you checked their schedule for later flights, they will more than likely get you on the next flight.

 

[Claire L]

Be aware that at DC they may still have the great big transportation vehicles that take you from the aircraft to the main terminal and that can take a while to clear.

I would see if you can change the flight time slightly just for peace of mind.

Claire

 

[fizz13]

ok i forgot about the busses at Washington but apart from that have sent you a pm, don't worry

 

[penlanspice]

Last year we were pretty close to the front of the plane and there were quite a few empty seats too but it still took us well over an hour to get the transportation shuttle and then clear immigration.

 

[juliebro]

We missed our connecting flight on our last trip, due to delayed departure from the UK. We were put on another flight but that got cancelled and the one after that was full. US Airways put us up in a hotel overnight, gave us vouchers for dinner and an amenity bag each (as they kept our cases) and we flew out on the first flight next morning. It wasn't really a problem at all so I personally wouldn't worry if it happened to us again.

The airlines look after you in these circumstances.

 

[kieras nana]

we have 1hr 45mins.is there only 1 terminal,at washington or do you have to get,from one terminal to another?
we have booked seats,at the front of economy,so hopefully,this will help.
tracy

 

[dixonsontour]

We've been to washington dulles and I remember it was a large airport.

With a tight connection can the airline offer you any assistance getting through
eg like drive you to the gate in one of those buggys.