Asiana Club - Flight 5 mo away but ICN 55 min connection

I'm looking at booking a cheap Asiana flight (first time on Asiana) from SEA-ICN-HKG that's in Feb 2010 but during the busy Chinese New Year time, and the connection time in ICN is just 55 min, which is probably not not enough time to make the connection, from my experience.

However, since the flight is still 5 months away, is it likely that Asiana will change their flight schedules? I know for US-based airlines, they seem to change their flight schedules every couple of months.

Thanks in advance for any experience with Asiana flight schedule changes!

I don't think schedule change is something anyone can reliably predict.
I'd be more worry about padding a day for potential mis-connect (Are you willing and able to risk that?) and Asiana's accommodation policy.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/asiana-club/986415-1-hr-connect-hkg-icn-722-icn-ord-236-possible.html

I'm looking at booking a cheap Asiana flight (first time on Asiana) from SEA-ICN-HKG that's in Feb 2010 but during the busy Chinese New Year time, and the connection time in ICN is just 55 min, which is probably not not enough time to make the connection, from my experience.

However, since the flight is still 5 months away, is it likely that Asiana will change their flight schedules? I know for US-based airlines, they seem to change their flight schedules every couple of months.

Thanks in advance for any experience with Asiana flight schedule changes!

If it is on one ticket and you can afford the risk, I would do it. But certainly not on two different tickets.

You'll probably make the connection, but don't waste any time. Remember, you'll have to get off the plane quickly, then head through customs really fast, then onto your next gate. It's doable unless you're last off the plane.

Asiana long haul flights usually arrive early, especially when they depart on time...at least mine did. ICN is a huge airport, and I don't expect you'd have to walk too far to catch the connection. Asiana unlike US airlines would probably hold the flight until you made it to the gate.

Korean Air held our plane 45 minutes in 2007 @ ICN when a connecting flight arrived late. We still made it into SFO 30 minutes early! I suspect the pilot put a little more throttle into that trip :cool:

Btw, you'll love Asiana.

You'll probably make the connection, but don't waste any time. Remember, you'll have to get off the plane quickly, then head through customs really fast, then onto your next gate. It's doable unless you're last off the plane.

For the record, you do not clear customs or immigration when transiting at ICN. You only pass through a security checkpoint where you have to show your passport and onward boarding pass or ticket. The transfer security can have long lines at times but also very few to no people at other times. I just went through the transfer this morning at about 05:30 and there wasn't a single person there. I was the first off the plane, and so the first into the transfer zone. If you're seated near the back of the plane, or happen to arrive just after another flight or two, then there could be a line.

I'd say chances are the time is adequate and you'll make your connection. Certainly if your inbound flight is ontime and you hussle it should be no problem except in an extreme case.

I don't think schedule change is something anyone can reliably predict.
I'd be more worry about padding a day for potential mis-connect (Are you willing and able to risk that?) and Asiana's accommodation policy.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/asiana-club/986415-1-hr-connect-hkg-icn-722-icn-ord-236-possible.html

Thanks for all the advice. I guess no one has seen Asiana change flight schedules all that much. So far, Northwest/Alaska has changed my US-based flight schedule twice since I booked it a couple months ago, and I expect them to change it again before flying in Nov.

Anyway, it's Asiana all the way, so I booked it. I ended up padding a day in case I don't make the connection, and the schedule says there's a flight the next day (only 4 flights a week or something).

According to your link above, it looks like Asiana will put us in a hotel in case of a missed connection, and that's fine with us. Have always wanted to see the city anyway.

My last experience at ICN was in Feb (on Korean Air) and I recall most of the time was spent walking to and getting through the security checkpoint where they re-screen your baggage. I don't know why they have to re-screen the baggage because it's already been screened at the departing airport, but I found that there were several entry points to the screening and to keep walking until you found one with the shortest line. That'll be paramount on this upcoming trip with such a short connection.

I don't know why they have to re-screen the baggage because it's already been screened at the departing airport

It's because various airports around the world may have varying standards about security. If you're flying domestic flights where the country has the same security standards at all airports then there should be no reason for such re-screening. When flying international flights though, the situation at ICN is definitely the norm.