We're flying from Heathrow in October with United, our flight is 7.55am. We're flying into Washington and then on to Orlando - my concern is that we only have 1hr and 5mins from landing in Washington until our connecting flight to Orlando [msneek]I've been assured by E-bookers that this is fine and that we'll have plenty of time, although I'm not convinced - what do you think ? What happens if we miss the connection, will they just put us on the next flight?
I'd appreciate your comments.
Paula
If UA have ticketed you allowing that time, they will get you to your destination; even on another airline.
However I am surprised that they have allowed such a short time. You can be held up for a long time at Immigration and then you have to clear customs and re-check your baggage.
On the bright side, they know at the gate for the Orlando flight who is arriving on the London plane and if there are enough passengers on that flight, they will often 'hold' the Orlando flight.
i was with delta flew into atlanta had 1hr 30min missed the connection just went to the delta desk and they put us on the next flight 1 hr later no problems at all i dont think 1hr 5min is near enought to clear imigration and re check ur bags but good luck
rikki
We had exactly this situation at Christmas, and we missed our connecting flight. It was bedlam getting through immigration and there was an hour wait, then another hour going through security, with people packed like sardines wall to wall in the corridors leading to security. They did put us on a later flight but I do not think an hour is enough. Our luggage caught the plane, we did not. There were lots of people on the flight needing the connection, but they would not hold the flight, although they told us that they would - well over 60 people. Remember, if your flight is delayed for even 10 minutes in the UK you will have even less time.
We found immigration very unhelpful too, as when we tried to tell someone we had a connection with very little time he told us 'everyone has, get back in line.' Now in some airports they are very helpful and if you have a delayed flight which might mean you missing your connection they will take you to the front of the queue. But not Washington.
On the way back they had booked us into 2 different airports with a ridiculously short time in between flights, and we did not notice when booking - it should have been flagged up but wasn't. Then there was a mistake on the paperwork - which was their fault but they would not rectify it. We found it impossible to change it over here, and spent days and days on the phone, and it was only when we missed our flights that a very kind operative in Washington managed to change them, so we would fly in and out of the same airport. So check your reservation very carefully, make sure you are flying in and out of the same airport as United have a code share with US Airways, and if that is the case neither of them want to know. We were flying on New Year's Eve and they expected us to collect our baggage, get across the city, a 20 mile drive to the Ronald Reagan airport, and all that in about an hour and a half. Neither the agent we booked with nor US airways would help us prior to departure.
I am sorry to be pessimistic, but we only wish we had known the difficulties before we booked. Good luck, anyway, and they will definitely put you on a later flight if there is one available, as it is their fault if you miss the flight. But coming back is a different kettle of fish as there are so few flights to the UK. If you miss your transatlantic connection you could be in for an overnight stay.
Having said that, nothing would put me off flying with any carrier, just as long as I was going to Florida![msnwink]
ellie
Well you have seen the comments; and the concensus is that 1 hour 5 mins is not enough.
However, I wouldn't worry about it too much and start trying to book later flights.
Firstly you might make it, secondly they might hold the flight and you will get a later flight in any event.
As Ellie said missing the flight home is far more of a problem as it might entail an overnight stay. That said you don't have customs and immigration to worry about on the return trip; and if in the same terminal you won't need to clear security.
Unfortunately, it is the fault of the booking agents who book flights with such a short turn around. As Robert says, don't worry too much, at least you are aware of the problems, and if you miss your flight they will make sure you get to Orlando. The desk to do this is located in the same gate area as the flights depart from, so go straight there when you have gone through security if you have missed your flight. Be prepared for a long queue, as United said this was a daily occurrence.
And Robert is right that on the way home you don't have immigration etc so it is not such a problem.
Fingers crossed you won't have a problem, anyway.
ellie
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ellie
Unfortunately, it is the fault of the booking agents who book flights with such a short turn around. As Robert says, don't worry too much, at least you are aware of the problems, and if you miss your flight they will make sure you get to Orlando. The desk to do this is located in the same gate area as the flights depart from, so go straight there when you have gone through security if you have missed your flight. Be prepared for a long queue, as United said this was a daily occurrence.
And Robert is right that on the way home you don't have immigration etc so it is not such a problem.
Fingers crossed you won't have a problem, anyway.
[/quote]
Actually it is the fault of the airlines as they specify the minimum connection times for all their services. Most US carriers underestimate connection times. When I last flew into Atlanta on Delta we missed the connection. I went to the desk and just started to explain when the girl cut me off saying "It happens all the time, you're about the hundredth today, just go and join the queue for the next flight"
You'll be fine...even if you miss the connection it's no fault of yours so they will just put you on the next one. The only time it could be a problem is if the connection you miss is the last flight of the day...they are under no obligation to put you up in a hotel.
Keith
Thank you for all your helpful comments - I'll let you know how we get on. In the future I think it maybe worth us paying that bit extra to get a direct flight
Paula
Keith, I am sure you are right, its gross underestimation by the airline. And as we were told by the United staff at Washington it happens every day. These poor people have to deal with the irate passengers who can get pretty het up and rude.
Paula, don't worry, and don't be put off indirect flights - we use them all the time - its just a case of making sure you DO have a reasonable amount of time between flights. With all the heightened security, that, alone, has increased the amount of time it takes to change flights. So in future, just pick a flight that gives you a longer time at your first airport. We actually like a bit of time in between flights as it gives us the chance to stretch our legs, grab a bite to eat and a drink, and do a bit of retail therapy - a wonderful way of getting over a transatlantic flight, and with a daughter who loves to shop its the ideal solution![msnwink]
ellie
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:The only time it could be a problem is if the connection you miss is the last flight of the day...they are under no obligation to put you up in a hotel.[/quote]
That depends on the reason for the delay I believe.
Their 'let out clause' is delays due to weather. However for most other reasons, (technical problems with the aircraft etc) they are obliged to put you up in a hotel.
Weather is of course a frequent cause of delay, and even with a lengthy turn round time a flight may be missed.
That of course is one of the penalties of flying indirect to Orlando; you are less likely to get such problems flying direct with a scheduled airline to Orlando. That doesn't apply to charter flights to Sanford.(but let's not mention TCD!)
That said I always fly indirect these days and in 60 plus trips I have had one overnight stay - in Boston - for which the airline paid. Even then I had the chance of going to New York and getting a later flight - but an extra day in Boston was quite appealing!
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