Proudelitist

That would be a tight connection at any major airport, and maybe even at small regional ones with one terminal and a handful of gates.

My own rule is that connections need to be at least 90 minutes, and even then I tend to have to rush a little because flights tend to run 15 minutes behind on average, unless you are in F it takes 15 to 20 to deplane, and BOARDING time is usually 30 minutes before departure time, meaning even if everything is on time, your connection will be boarding while you are still taxiing in your inbound...and you won't get off of it until 15 minutes prior to departure, then have to change terminals and find your gate. They tend to close the doors 10 minutes prior to departure.

If you can catch a later flight out of DTW, or an earlier flight into it, do it.

xliioper

Well, there's only been one flight this week on this route with the same flight number (today), and it got diverted to FWA due to thunderstorms in DTW. So probably not the best example. All the flights last week seem to have arrived on time. There's a couple later flights to BDL, so it's unlikely you'll be stuck in DTW if you miss it.

SATXFlyer

I've made less than 25 minute connections 3 times in the last three weeks in DTW. Regional to mainline so B/C to A. All because of delayed inbound flights to DTW. It's certainly doable but not advisable. I've been winded every week. And the tram in A just sucks in my opinion - slow and low frequency - at least when I've used it.

indufan

No need to run and 35 minutes will make it. More flights are early than they are late. Gate checking, if required, could make it tighter.

JockBossBob

Hi, I'm trying to figure out terminals, gate numbers & likelyhood of making the following connection.
VS107 (Arr 13:50) and DL4565 (dep 15:27)
It seems to be inside the MCT but looks rather optimistic
oooops
Edit - that DL4565 looks to be wrong info. Its the 15:27 DTW to BNA (Nashville) on the 15th October

3Cforme

Your VS arrival is likely on the mid A gates. A mainline DTW-BNA will probably depart from A gates. Fifteen minutes on foot from A1-A78, a little longer if you don't use the tram or moving walkways. Add five minutes if the connection is from a B gate. What you propose is not a tough connection at DTW.

JockBossBob

A very re-assuring reply - thank you

pvn

Wait, what? Does that incoming VS flight have preclearance?? If not, you have to collect and re-drop bags, and reclear security.

Still, looks like plenty of time.

3Cforme

I was speaking to spatial layout of gates, not U.S. Customs clearance processes. The poster asked about terminals and gate numbers. Duly answered.

Duke787

Looking at CDG - DTW - RDU with a 90 minute layover. Would be AF --> DL (showing mainline 717 at the moment). I know that is exactly at the MCT so it's valid but is it actually doable? Would have checked bags but we both have GE

I've never transited DTW on an international --> domestic flight so I don't know if it's straightforward a la IAD (where 90 minutes is doable with GE) or if it's a huge hassle a la ORD (where 90 minutes is really pushing it even with GE due to T5 to T1/T3 change)

xliioper

Easy transfer as it will all be in concourse A. I suspect the MCT for AF-DL is actually the same as DL-DL I-D transfers (80 minutes) due to using the same terminal.

Hoyaheel

Sometimes DTW baggage claim can be horrendous. I just submitted a complaint to DL for my arrival last week (same transit as you - CDG-DTW-RDU) Fortunately I had a very long layover....GE no problem, but baggage. Ugh. Sky Priority baggage belt was running but at no time did any bags appear on it. Those of us waiting there started seeing yellow tags appear on belts 1 & 2 (belt #3 is "Sky Priority") Belt #2 was labelled for the CDG flight. Belt #1 was never labelled for any flight at all, though that is where eventually -near the end of line - my bags appeared. This was not the first time I've had baggage delays at DTW, but it was probably the worst for me.

With carry-on bags, I'd say you are fine. With checked bags? Not sure....

Note that if you have TSA Precheck you can go to the LEFT after customs & baggage drop and go up to the 3rd floor to use the pre-check lanes instead of going through the international transit passenger security which does not have precheck. I had to print a new boarding pass that had TSA noted on it but there's a kiosk right after customs, before bag drop.

I had been told about the precheck option on FT and was planning to use it - but now there is signage directing you to it as well^

Duke787

Okay cool ^ - this would be the return from a brief weekend (long weekend) hop to Europe so we could probably make due with just rollerboards in which case it sounds like this is doable.

mot29

Had a similar happening last summer. Thought the bag missed connection in PVG and filed a missing bag report expecting delivery to DCA the next day.
Checked the app after boarding my DCA flight and the bag had been brought through customs by DL and was on the plane.
I really don't like the separate sky priority bag belts!

iAMaCAT

Am flying back from LHR with a layover in DTW. Am landing at DTW at 4:08pm and was originally to depart for RDU at 7:55pm, however, Delta changed my flight from DTW to RDU to a 10:20pm departure. I called them to see if they had a flight with a shorter layover but the only thing they had was a flight departing at 5:30pm.

In short, I'd be arriving to DTW from LHR on Delta at 4:08pm and leaving for RDU on Delta at 5:30pm. I've never flown from DTW - is this a doable connection time, folks? I'll have checked bags and don't have TSA precheck.

Thx!!!