US Airways Dividend Miles - tight connection

I stopped flying on USairways years ago. So I don't know their policy or track record. So I'm looking for advice from veteran flyers.

I'm looking at flights to Europe, with 2 connections, not ideal but what works with my work schedule. My flight from BWI to PHL is supposed to arrive 55 minutes before the first international flight if on time. Flight time is supposed to be 48 min. Actual flight time statistically is listed as anywhere from 34-52 minutes. Looking at the stats for this flight, it is on time only 34% of the time and the avg delay is 30 min. I know they can make up time in the air, but that much?!

I am not familiar with PHL. I will already be checked in online with boarding tickets in hand. For you veteran flyers, is this doable? Are the intl gates close by? Would you risk it? I will only have carry on luggage. If I miss the intl flight, there is nothing else until the next day.

Dont risk it. I'd try to get an earlier flight into PHL. As a general rule, dont book such a short connection on either end of an international flight.

Is your flight from BWI an express flight? Those arrive at terminal F, while international flights depart from terminal A. It's a problem not only because of the distance and need to use a shuttle bus, but also because the flights one would typically use to connect to a transatlantic departure run at the time of day when PHL is most congested. I have made it from a gate in F to one in A-West in 12 minutes, but I would just as soon not have to do that again.

Take an earlier flight out of BWI and be safe. I would never book a sub-90 minute connection at PHL for an international flight.

I've connected at PHL going to Europe many times, including once with a VERY tight connections it due to a canceled flight, and never had a problem . . . baggage for four of us even made it on the tight connection (I thought it didn't have a prayer). But I would never schedule myself for a 55 min connection on purpose precisely because of there typically being only one flight per day to each destination. Get into PHL earlier, stop by the lounge or a restaurant and get to you flight with some time to spare.

Generally, I'd agree with the other sentiments thus far... this is simply too risky of a connection for my blood for an international departure. I don’t think making up 30 min in the air from BWI to PHL is doable: isn’t that roughly the entire wheels-up to wheels-down flight time?

Providing the full itinerary you're looking (with dates) at might help us offer other itinerary suggestions, if that would help...

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-airways-dividend-miles/958317-us-guide-phl-philadelphia-airport.html

If possible, always try and get an earlier flight to PHL if flying international. Gives you a chance to get a meal or hang at the club and relax

Thanks for all the replies. I was worried enough about the connection (entire itinerary done by USAirways) that I booked with another airline with a later flight time and only 1 connection.

Dont risk it. I'd try to get an earlier flight into PHL. As a general rule, dont book such a short connection on either end of an international flight.

+1.