Flight layovers

[kungpow]

I haven't done too many layover flights. If the layover is 1hr only and the first leg of the flight is late and I miss my next flight, what happens? Does the airline get me on the next available flight without additional costs? I doubt rule 240 will apply. Or what if I'm late because of customs or security check but the plane is on time?

I'm looking at a flight to Italy and there's a 1hr 10mins layover (very short) before Frankfurt to Milan. I have a feeling that I might miss it. Same with my return flight, the layover is only 1hr.

Departure
1. Friday - United Airline
Vancouver (YVR) to Chicago (ORD)
Depart 6:15 am
Arrive 12:11 pm

-----
layover 2hrs 22ms
-----

2. Friday United Airline
Chicago (ORD) to Frankfurt (FRA)
Depart 2:33 pm
Arrive 5:45 am + 1 day

-----
layover 1hr 10mins
-----

3. Saturday United Airline
Frankfurt (FRA) to Milan (MXP)
Depart 6:55 am
Arrive 8:05 am




Return
1. Sunday - Swiss airline
Milan (MXP) to Zurich (ZRH)
Depart 3:00 pm
Arrive 4:00 pm

-----
layover 1hr
-----

2. Sunday - Swiss airline
Zurich (ZRH) to Vancouver (YVR) Swiss airline
Depart 5:05 pm
Arrive 6:45 pm

[StylinRed]

they'll put you on the next available flight


happens all the time but an 1hr+ is a fair amount of time although depending on the airport it could be cutting it short

[yogenfruz]

You'll likely be rushing to your next flight if anything.

[AWDTurboLuvr]

You'll be fine. I did a 1 hour lay over from Amsterdam -> Frankfurt -> Venice. You are flying the same carrier and the updated Frankfurt airport is very efficient. In fact, all Star Alliance flights are grouped together in the same terminal in Frankfurt so connecting shouldn't be a problem.

[sonick]

Originally Posted by StylinRed

they'll put you on the next available flight

I believe this is only the case if you book the entire trip together, from the same airline in the same booking. i.e. if you book yourself on expedia or from various airlines each way, it is not guaranteed.

It looks like the OP has done the former, so should be covered.

[kungpow]

Originally Posted by sonick

I believe this is only the case if you book the entire roundtrip together, from the same airline in the same booking. i.e. if you book yourself on expedia or from various airlines each way, it is not guaranteed.

It looks like the OP has done the former, so should be covered.

I booked my round trip on expedia with 1 ticket (I put in vancouver to milan). Is that considered as one booking?

[sonick]

Originally Posted by kungpow

I booked my round trip on expedia with 1 ticket (I put in vancouver to milan). Is that considered as one booking?

Ya if its one ticket it is covered.

[Eff-1]

If it was me, I'd look at another itinerary just to play it safe. It's cutting it too tight.

I've had to transfer before from Air Canada to Lufthansa in Frankfurt. The plane was 30 mins late to Frankfurt. Then they parked us on the tarmac, not at a gate. So we had to bus into the terminal which took more time. Once you arrive in the terminal, they make you go through security again before we could reach the Lufthansa gates. So it can be a long stressful process.

Consider the time of year you're going and any possible weather. If you're going in winter time and there's risk of snow in Chicago, don't forget the plane needs time for deicing.

Also, don't forget your luggage also needs to make the transfer. Last thing you want is arriving at your destination with no bags (happened to me).

[kungpow]

Originally Posted by Eff-1

If it was me, I'd look at another itinerary just to play it safe. It's cutting it too tight.

I've had to transfer before from Air Canada to Lufthansa in Frankfurt. The plane was 30 mins late to Frankfurt. Then they parked us on the tarmac, not at a gate. So we had to bus into the terminal which took more time. Once you arrive in the terminal, they make you go through security again before we could reach the Lufthansa gates. So it can be a long stressful process.

Also, don't forget your luggage also needs to make the transfer. Last thing you want is arriving at your destination with no bags (happened to me).

I called expedia and they said the luggage transfer is automatic. I just need to drop off luggage at vancouver and pick it up at milan. I don't have to do any luggage re-claims in between.

[doma]

I wish airlines had numbers you could call and ask these questions.

[Eff-1]

Originally Posted by kungpow

I called expedia and they said the luggage transfer is automatic. I just need to drop off luggage at vancouver and pick it up at milan. I don't have to do any luggage re-claims in between.

No that's not what I meant. You need to account for the time it takes for the luggage to be offloaded off the first flight and transported to the next flight. If your first flight is delayed and you find yourself running to make the next flight, you might make it but your luggage likely won't. You won't know until you arrive in Milan.

[StylinRed]

what eff-1 said apparently airlines need around 40-45mins between flights to guarantee that your luggage will make it onto your next plane

[Manic!]

If it's the same airline you are covered but if the connecting flight is a different airline you are screwed. Also planes get delayed.

[Ulic Qel-Droma]

if your flight is delayed you're fucked. well they'll put u on the next flight.

don't worry about lines and stuff. if you're already "checked in". they wont take off without looking for you first.

and if they find you, they'll rush you to the gate.

i've been the last person on a few flights LOL. they always come looking for you.
keep your ears open for the PA.
tell security or whoever is working at the airport that you're on this flight and it takes off in 30min or whatever. they'll always rush you.

the only thing you'll have to do is the walk of shame, when the entire flight knows you're the only one left and the sole reason the flight is slightly delayed. LOL
everyone is gonna eye you as you walk down the aisle. ahahhaha

[syee]

1:10 is cutting it a bit close. Fortunately, you're clearing US Customs in Vancouver, so you don't have to worry about it when you get to Chicago. (otherwise, you'd have to clear customs in Chicago even though you're only in transit)

With O'Hare being a UAL hub, they should be able to get your luggage to your next flight fairly quickly because they'll have more control over the baggage handling. In any case, I'd probably throw an extra change of clothes and basic toiletries in your carry on just in case your luggage doesn't make it the same time as you do.

You may also want to tell the agent at the counter when you check in you'd like a seat closer to the exit so you can make your connecting flight. Offloading a plane can easily take up to 30 minutes - then you have to trek it to your connecting flight gate (which could also potentially be at another terminal depending on the layout of the airport). That leaves you only 30 minutes leeway. If your plane leaves late, you're pretty much screwed.

They will however book you on the next available, but that may end up being a flight on the next day. That will probably mess up your plans (like any hotels, rental cars, tours etc) you had booked. Maybe make sure you buy your tickets on a card that provides some sort of trip cancellation/delay insurance?

[mqin]

I'd recommend you to have at least 1.5 hours to 2 hours of time between your connecting flights. I just returned form shanghai last week, and almost missed my connecting flight at hong kong due to a typhoon which hit shanghai the day before my flight. Because of that, all flights on the day of were cancelled and thus pushed back till it was safe to fly. In the end my flight was delayed for an hour and 20 minutes and by the time I made it to hong kong to catch my connecting flight back to vancouver I only had 10 minutes to make it from boarding station #75 to #27, that's running roughly 50 boarding station within 10mins... luckily I made it on, but my checked luggage didn't...

long story short, give yourself more time for a greater margin of error, expect the unexpected!


Oh and if you know you're going to arrive just before your connecting flight, let one of the flight attendants on your current flight know and they will make the proper arrangements with the grounding staff to get you onto your next flight asap.

[Marco911]

I missed my connection last month from Paris to Stockholm via Oslo. I got stuck in Oslo's airport till the next flight, which took another 2 hrs or so. If the next flight is full, you have to go standby. This is where having status with an airline helps. Oslo has a great Star Alliance Lounge, and as an SA Gold, they gave me priority wait list.

Besides, Oslo has some very, very attractive citizens so I didn't mind being stuck there at all!

[drunkrussian]

had a 30 min layover once and took the wrong turn and had to clear aecurity again in a longass line and still made it on time

i looked into it back then and the airline will cover u. even if its not their fault that ur late its their responsibility to get u from point a to point b at no additional costs. the worst that would happen is theyll get u on a diff flight the next day so ud have to get a hotel

[AWDTurboLuvr]

Originally Posted by mqin

I'd recommend you to have at least 1.5 hours to 2 hours of time between your connecting flights. I just returned form shanghai last week, and almost missed my connecting flight at hong kong due to a typhoon which hit shanghai the day before my flight. Because of that, all flights on the day of were cancelled and thus pushed back till it was safe to fly. In the end my flight was delayed for an hour and 20 minutes and by the time I made it to hong kong to catch my connecting flight back to vancouver I only had 10 minutes to make it from boarding station #75 to #27, that's running roughly 50 boarding station within 10mins... luckily I made it on, but my checked luggage didn't...

long story short, give yourself more time for a greater margin of error, expect the unexpected!


Oh and if you know you're going to arrive just before your connecting flight, let one of the flight attendants on your current flight know and they will make the proper arrangements with the grounding staff to get you onto your next flight asap.

Different airport. All Star Alliance airline flights are clustered around the same terminal at FRA. I went from O'Hare-> FRA -> AMS. My layover was 45 mins and all I did was walk from my gate, picked up a free coffee at the machine and sat down at the gate across.

In fact, all United flights arrive and depart from Pier B, Terminal 1 at FRA.

[sonick]

Originally Posted by drunkrussian

had a 30 min layover once and took the wrong turn and had to clear aecurity again in a longass line and still made it on time

Slight difference in size between Idaho airport and Frankfurt, I would imagine lol.

[dachinesedude]

it'd be a good idea to get travel insurance that covers trip interruption/delay

if it is a single booking AND the same airline, i think you should be fine, just study the airport map and RUN to your departure gate, you're hoping for the same terminal

baggage wise, there is no guarantees, shit sometimes they "misplace" baggages for direct flights

[punkwax]

I had 45 mins to connect at Ft Worth and my first flight arrived late. They called me out first, I took stairs out of the plane onto the tarmac, into a van where they drove me to the other plane. Walked up those stairs, sat down buckled up and the plane started moving.

Long story short, they do their best to accommodate people.

[Eff-1]

Originally Posted by AWDTurboLuvr

Different airport. All Star Alliance airline flights are clustered around the same terminal at FRA. I went from O'Hare-> FRA -> AMS. My layover was 45 mins and all I did was walk from my gate, picked up a free coffee at the machine and sat down at the gate across.

In fact, all United flights arrive and depart from Pier B, Terminal 1 at FRA.

This is not always the case. My transfer from an AC to LH flight (both star alliance) was a gong show. Had to bus in from the tarmac, go for a long hike, and re-clear security before I could make it to my LH gate.

[drunkrussian]

Originally Posted by sonick

Slight difference in size between Idaho airport and Frankfurt, I would imagine lol.

utah to be exact lol

[mqin]

Originally Posted by AWDTurboLuvr

Different airport. All Star Alliance airline flights are clustered around the same terminal at FRA. I went from O'Hare-> FRA -> AMS. My layover was 45 mins and all I did was walk from my gate, picked up a free coffee at the machine and sat down at the gate across.

In fact, all United flights arrive and depart from Pier B, Terminal 1 at FRA.

It's not necessarily the distance you have to walk/run to make it to where ever your next boarding station is, I understand that some airports are smaller and the terminals are all clustered. The problem is the unexpected delay, 45 minutes is giving yourself a minimal margin of transfer time to get onto your connecting flight.

It's better to be safe than sorry since missing a flight can be very stressful.