Atl to Cdg To Lis Question??

newfie · Dec 22, 12, 5:57 pm

We are flying AF from ATL to Paris and on to Lisbon, we arrive at 11:30 from Atl and depart for Lisbon at 12:35, so 1 hour to get off plane with carry ons and find the gate to lisbon, do we have enough time and will gates be close, same terminal? etc, seems too close to me...has.anyone done this route?

newfie · Dec 22, 12, 6:31 pm

looking at map of CDG, we land in 2E and depart 2F....how do we get from one to the other and how much time?

davetravels · Dec 22, 12, 6:31 pm

If all the stars are aligned, it's doable, but honestly, it's very tight.

CDG is huge, and can be a mess. If the slightest thing goes wrong - you're screwed.

One thing for sure, since you're Platinum, which is SkyTeam Elite Plus, be sure to use the orange color coded "Acces No 1" lanes for immigration and security. That'll be a HUGE help!

Is it a Delta issued ticket? Seems to me that a 65 minute connection might not be a legal connection at CDG from int'l to intra EU. If DL issued the ticket, and it's an illegal connection, maybe they can change it for you.

dd1612 · Dec 22, 12, 6:46 pm

It's doable, but, it's very tight.

Be prepared for 1 or both of the following to occur:
1. You make the CDG-LIS flight, but your bags don't make the connection.
2. You and your bags don't make the connection.

I have had experiences of both happening.
We were connecting FCO-CDG-BOM ... with a 1hour 55 minute connection.
We barely made the connection, despite arriving on time, and our bags did not make the connection. This is even though we used the orange color coded "Access No 1" lanes for immigration and security.

CDG is huge, and can be a mess. You arrive at 2E and depart from 2F ... it is a good 20 minute walk.

If I have to transit through CDG ... I now ensure that we have at least > 2 hours layover.

My preference now is to avoid CDG (if I can!) and transit through AMS!
At AMS .... with a 35 minute connection, not only did I make my connection, but my bags made the connection too!

newfie · Dec 22, 12, 8:20 pm

thanks for your replies, we are going with carryons, no checked bags and flying in business, never flown AF before always Delta Bus Elite, but since its still early
may call and see about changing that flight...

MSPeconomist · Dec 22, 12, 8:26 pm

As others have said, check the MCT; if it's violated, call and have this fixed.

IMO you have a decent chance of making the connections if you're sitting in the front and can use elite lines. However, this is much more likely to work for experienced travelers who are very familiar with CDG. Otherwise, finding your way to immigration and access no. 1, and then finding your way to the other part of the terminal and the gate for your flight will not be easy. You have no extra time for delays, crowds, or getting lost in CDG. I would advise you to change the tickets if you can.

newfie · Dec 22, 12, 8:42 pm

good news in a way, flight leaves earlier and arrives at 11:10 am so if all goes according to plan we will have some extra time, 25 more minutes....big if!!

davetravels · Dec 22, 12, 9:04 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfie

good news in a way, flight leaves earlier and arrives at 11:10 am so if all goes according to plan we will have some extra time, 25 more minutes....big if!!

Great news! Every minute'll help ya!!

Just a side note . . . .

I have searched and searched for a pic of the signs for premium security and immigration lines, but can't find one! However, here's the actual spelling:

Accès N°1

Accès n°1 & immigration upon arrival from non-Schengen countries at CDG

Acces 1 in CDG

http://www.afklm-newsaffaires.fr/fre...022#ancre_4022

I was just there! I'll hafto remember to take a pic next time!

newfie · Dec 23, 12, 8:50 am

thanks, dave

MSPeconomist · Dec 23, 12, 8:52 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfie

good news in a way, flight leaves earlier and arrives at 11:10 am so if all goes according to plan we will have some extra time, 25 more minutes....big if!!

This makes a big difference, but you should still hustle until you get into the area of your departure gate.

edweird · Dec 23, 12, 10:48 am

The one time I had a short 2E to 2F connection at CDG, I got off the plane and down the steps to the inter-terminal bus ASAP. I've seen it posted that you can also walk, but I've not done that.

I made it onto the first bus and it seemed like it took 10-15 minutes to get to the other terminal, off the bus, and up the stairs to the next terminals security queue. Nice to not have to de-shoe, only walk through metal detectors.

When I got to my gate for the flight to Barcelona, I saw that it was delayed incoming, and was able to make an unplanned visit to the AF airline club given that I know had some additional time.

I agree with other folks who suggest either allowing more time, or connecting in AMS when ever possible. I had a connection coming in from India and connecting to an AF flight to Atlanta that didn't require a bus, and that went pretty smoothly, so I think it's in part affected by where you arrive and depart.

davetravels · Dec 23, 12, 11:13 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by edweird

I made it onto the first bus and it seemed like it took 10-15 minutes to get to the other terminal . . . . .

This won't apply to the original story, but, it just shows how effed up (sorry) CDG can be. . . .

A couple of weeks ago, I flew TXL/CDG. I was overnighting in Paris, so there was no connection to worry about, FORTUNATELY! . . . . (We were already an hour late due to snow)

One of the worst fears (for me), is arriving at a bus gate. Most of you know how some of those buses take forever, to go what seems like nowhere! So, arriving from Berlin on an AF A320, we taxi up to a jet bridge. Yay - - - so I thought . . .

I get off the plane, walk up the jetway, right to the entry to the airport, and BAM - the glass doors were closed!

We had to walk down the stairs and ONTO A BUS!!!! I think we were at 2D, or something, but, of course our luggage went to 2F, so we had to bussed over there!