How much time between connecting flights? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

JayP · 12-30-2007, 07:24 PM

I'm booking some flights to Nashville in January to catch the Flames play right now, but I haven't flown much.

There's basically no direct flights down there so I'm going to have to connect in my choice of a few cities (Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago). My only concern is how much time I should leave between when I arrive/depart in the connecting city. I'll be flying on the same airline for each flight, but I plan on only bring a carry-on as it's only a couple day trip.

Also, does anyone have experience in flying through airports (Denver Intl, ORD, Minn-St.P Intl)? Which one would be easiest to navigate through for someone who hasn't flown much?

CMPunk · 12-30-2007, 07:26 PM

an hour would leave you lots of time. Just depends on how much time you wanna spend sitting waiting in an airport

JayP · 12-30-2007, 07:31 PM

One hour is what the wait would be for my ideal flight (through Denver).

How often are there delays and such though? Also, what would be the protocol if my flight from Calgary to the connecting city got delayed and I missed my connecting flight as a result?

Dion · 12-30-2007, 07:32 PM

Both MSLP and Denver are rather large airports. Chances are if you're making a connecting flight with the same airline you'll be in the same terminal.

As for time between connecting flights leave a couple of hours between the two. You need to plan for unexpected delays such as weather or mechanical problems. If you're late getting into the connecting airport airlines don't very often wait for connecting flights coming in late. If for some reason you miss that connecting flight you're put on standby for the next one - that is, if the flights are full.

Dion · 12-30-2007, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayP

One hour is what the wait would be for my ideal flight (through Denver).

How often are there delays and such though? Also, what would be the protocol if my flight from Calgary to the connecting city got delayed and I missed my connecting flight as a result?

Denver and Minneapolis tend to get a lot of snow in January. Delays are a real possibility.

redforever · 12-30-2007, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMPunk

an hour would leave you lots of time. Just depends on how much time you wanna spend sitting waiting in an airport

I don't think so, especially Chicago. US airports are much slower now with all the security.

The better question is would you rather be sitting in an airport because you missed your next flight and are now on standby for the next available flight - or would you rather be sitting in an airport because you gave yourself adquate time for your next connecting flight.

Dion · 12-30-2007, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redforever

I don't think so, especially Chicago. US airports are much slower now with all the security.

JayP would be clearing American customs in Calgary. He was would also be catching the connecting flight in the same terminal, thereby avoiding security.

Dion · 12-30-2007, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redforever

The better question is would you rather be sitting in an airport because you missed your next flight and are now on standby for the next available flight - or would you rather be sitting in an airport because you gave yourself adquate time for your next connecting flight.

Exactly! Back in the late 90's i used to fly to Pheonix via Delta airlines with a connecting flight through Salt Lake city. Always had a hour between connecting flights (not my choice - only what was available) and more often than not ended up missing my connection. One time i sat in the SL terminal for 10 hours on standby as all flights headed to Phoenix were full.

JayP · 12-30-2007, 07:52 PM

Thanks a lot for the help guys.

I'll take a look through expedia and see if I can find a longer wait. I really don't mind waiting that much. As it was said, I'd rather wait knowing exactly when I'm going to be leaving as opposed to the possibility of sitting there for hours on end.

photon · 12-30-2007, 07:54 PM

Most airports have a number that is a minimum connection time. If you get a connection that is shorter than that it's not a "legal" connection from the airlines' point of view and if you miss it you are hooped. If you had travel insurance I don't think it would even cover it.

FurnaceFace · 12-30-2007, 08:04 PM

Agree with the above - weather could screw you anywhere along the way. I would suggest you consider which node has more flights to Nashville or options to the area in case of problems. My guess would be Denver would have the least options. You might also consider using Houston or Dallas as your connecting node as you're pretty much assured they aren't going to get snow.

FireInTheHole · 12-30-2007, 10:35 PM

There are many reasons why you want more than an hour between flights for your connection. I just recently came back from Atlanta, connecting through Minneapolis. Our plane left Atlanta on time, there were no weather delays and it was a nice sunny day in Minny. The problem? There was a plane occupying the gate we were to dock into and we waited over 1/2 an hour before they finally re-routed us to a new gate - which was also at the other end of the terminal meaning I had to run (a long ways) to catch my connector. If you can, I would recommend 1.5 hours minimum, 2 hours is better. You can always sit in a bar and have a beer to kill time.

Bill Bumface · 12-30-2007, 11:46 PM

Stay the F away from O'hare, it's a seriously terrible airport. Depending on where I'm going, if Minneapolis-St.Paul makes sense for my route, I find that a very efficient airport and also a decent place to kill some time. The Mall of America is only one train stop away.

Whatever the airline lets you schedule should be fine. I pulled a half hour layover in Frankfurt on the way from Zurich to Calgary and it was fine. Walked straight on to the second flight.

OilersBaby · 12-31-2007, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayP

I'm booking some flights to Nashville in January to catch the Flames play right now, but I haven't flown much.

There's basically no direct flights down there so I'm going to have to connect in my choice of a few cities (Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago). My only concern is how much time I should leave between when I arrive/depart in the connecting city. I'll be flying on the same airline for each flight, but I plan on only bring a carry-on as it's only a couple day trip.

Also, does anyone have experience in flying through airports (Denver Intl, ORD, Minn-St.P Intl)? Which one would be easiest to navigate through for someone who hasn't flown much?

If your choices are Denver, Minneapolis or Chicago, I would AVOID Chicago (most delays) and then its a tossup between the two..I would prolly go with Denver. I just flew back from Calgary and had to connect in Denver (on boxign day) and it wasn't too bad. it is a big airport so you have to take a train thingy to the next terminal. I would leave 90 mins to be safe...

ernie · 12-31-2007, 07:45 AM

Depends on the airport, so avoid Chicago O'Hare and Toronto Pearson. You need longer than most airports to make a connection.

Never travelled through Colorado or St. Paul though i've heard those airports are pretty good.

Long story short, you can make a 1 h connection but if you only leave that amount of time make sure you are travelling on the same airline for both legs and make sure that ariline has multiple flights to your destination each day in case you miss the connection.