Rome on US Airways
Apr 13, 2014, 8:05 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Moscow, Russia
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 230
Rome on US Airways
Hi All,
In Florence at the moment, and need to make a trip to DC in May. Hard to get redemption on OW from here without overnighting on the way somewhere and/or getting hit with massive charges for flying BA, so am considering a routing of FCO-CLT-DCA on US airways, flying in J.
Never flown US internationally, and haven't departed from FCO for the US in more than 10 years now. Have a few questions:
1) If I leave Florence SMN at 06:50, I can arrive at FCO at 09:22. Is this enough time to check in (I will have a bag to check) for an 11:20am departure from FCO?
2) What is the current lounge situation for US at FCO. Found some old threads on this, but not sure if that info is current.
3) What are the lounges like at CLT? Do they have showers?
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
In Florence at the moment, and need to make a trip to DC in May. Hard to get redemption on OW from here without overnighting on the way somewhere and/or getting hit with massive charges for flying BA, so am considering a routing of FCO-CLT-DCA on US airways, flying in J.
Never flown US internationally, and haven't departed from FCO for the US in more than 10 years now. Have a few questions:
1) If I leave Florence SMN at 06:50, I can arrive at FCO at 09:22. Is this enough time to check in (I will have a bag to check) for an 11:20am departure from FCO?
2) What is the current lounge situation for US at FCO. Found some old threads on this, but not sure if that info is current.
3) What are the lounges like at CLT? Do they have showers?
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Apr 13, 2014, 12:28 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: UsAir,Priority Club, Bing, Southwest
Posts: 124
Hi All,
In Florence at the moment, and need to make a trip to DC in May. Hard to get redemption on OW from here without overnighting on the way somewhere and/or getting hit with massive charges for flying BA, so am considering a routing of FCO-CLT-DCA on US airways, flying in J.
Never flown US internationally, and haven't departed from FCO for the US in more than 10 years now. Have a few questions:
1) If I leave Florence SMN at 06:50, I can arrive at FCO at 09:22. Is this enough time to check in (I will have a bag to check) for an 11:20am departure from FCO?
2) What is the current lounge situation for US at FCO. Found some old threads on this, but not sure if that info is current.
3) What are the lounges like at CLT? Do they have showers?
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
In Florence at the moment, and need to make a trip to DC in May. Hard to get redemption on OW from here without overnighting on the way somewhere and/or getting hit with massive charges for flying BA, so am considering a routing of FCO-CLT-DCA on US airways, flying in J.
Never flown US internationally, and haven't departed from FCO for the US in more than 10 years now. Have a few questions:
1) If I leave Florence SMN at 06:50, I can arrive at FCO at 09:22. Is this enough time to check in (I will have a bag to check) for an 11:20am departure from FCO?
2) What is the current lounge situation for US at FCO. Found some old threads on this, but not sure if that info is current.
3) What are the lounges like at CLT? Do they have showers?
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Since you will be flying inter-Italy (assuming you check the bag all the way through in Florence) you will have plenty of time. You won't have to retrieve your bag and bring it through customs until CLT. The lounge at FCO is lacking in my opinion a few munchies, you can get an internet code it does have showers quality of the place went way down over the past few years- furniture worn etc. It is not far from the gate area though. I have only been in the CLT lounge on the outbound. Nice comfy seating, better snacks you used to be able to get whatever you wished to drink for free but now the choices are extremely limited. I don't know if they have showers as we only use the lounge on the outbound.
Apr 13, 2014, 12:48 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BOS, BWI, DCA, IAD
Programs: American, Delta, JetBlue, United
Posts: 2,049
I've never flown from FCO, but I have travelled from Florence SMN to Rome, and delays are always possible. I'd be inclined to allow more time, especially since US flights from FCO require taking a bus from the terminal to the plane.
I have changed planes in CLT on LH/US flights MUC-CLT-DCA. I found CLT a very good airport for making international connections.
I have changed planes in CLT on LH/US flights MUC-CLT-DCA. I found CLT a very good airport for making international connections.
Apr 13, 2014, 1:13 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Executive Platinum; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,663
When I see Florence SMN, I think you are travelling by train ... is that right? If so, then you will go into Rome Termini and you will not have enough time to get to FCO airport.
If you are flying from Florence to Rome then ignore my paragraph above.
If you are flying from Florence to Rome then ignore my paragraph above.
Apr 13, 2014, 1:22 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
1.58h in FCO seems to me a little tight...
Trains in Italy are often delayed... You need to count to miss a connection... If, then I would take an earlier train to be on the safe side...
Why don't flying out of PSA? It's one hour from FLR by bus >link<
Trains in Italy are often delayed... You need to count to miss a connection... If, then I would take an earlier train to be on the safe side...
Why don't flying out of PSA? It's one hour from FLR by bus >link<
Code:
[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.6/Diamond - Timetable/NL] PSA Pisa Galileo Galilei Intl IT [LIRP] IAD Washington Dulles Intl DC US [KIAD] MON 12 May 2014 - 19 May 2014 Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Frequency | Dur'n | Dep T | Arr T | Effect | Ending | Exceptions --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ---------------------------------------------------------------- BA 605 PSA 13:15 LHR 14:30 320 0 1234567 13:20 - 5 12 May 19 May -> BA 293 LHR 17:35 IAD 20:35 777 0 5 -
Code:
[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.6/Diamond - Timetable/NL] PSA Pisa Galileo Galilei Intl IT [LIRP] DCA Washington Ronald Reagan National DC US [KDCA] MON 12 May 2014 - 19 May 2014 Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Frequency | Dur'n | Dep T | Arr T | Effect | Ending | Exceptions --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ---------------------------------------------------------------- BA 605 PSA 13:15 LHR 14:30 320 0 123-567 15:10 - 5 09 May 19 May -> BA 113 LHR 15:55 JFK 18:45 744 0 5 7 -> BA/## 6800 JFK 21:05 DCA 22:25 ERD 0 8 B BA 605 PSA 13:15 LHR 14:30 320 0 ---4--- 15:10 - 5 15 May 22 May -> BA 113 LHR 16:00 JFK 18:45 744 0 5 7 -> BA/## 6800 JFK 21:05 DCA 22:25 ERD 0 8 B BA 605 PSA 13:15 LHR 14:30 320 0 1234567 15:35 - 5 08 May 27 May -> BA 297 LHR 15:50 ORD 18:25 777 0 5 5 -> BA/AA 4890 ORD 20:05 DCA 22:50 738 0 3 B
Apr 13, 2014, 1:35 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: UsAir,Priority Club, Bing, Southwest
Posts: 124
I assumed the OP was flying from FLR to FCO I didn't read very carefully. Yes if you are taking the train you will not have time sorry for the bad advice
Apr 13, 2014, 4:30 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,975
That would in fact be an arrival time by train at FCO airport. It calls for 15 minutes to connect at Termini, which could be tight with chances of delays on both trains. On a rail arrival, you would need to take the overpass from the station to Terminal 3, and get a bus to Terminal 5 to check in, so less time than I'd like, but with Business Class check-in, what do people think?
Apr 13, 2014, 4:35 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: UsAir,Priority Club, Bing, Southwest
Posts: 124
That would in fact be an arrival time by train at FCO airport. It calls for 15 minutes to connect at Termini, which could be tight with chances of delays on both trains. On a rail arrival, you would need to take the overpass from the station to Terminal 3, and get a bus to Terminal 5 to check in, so less time than I'd like, but with Business Class check-in, what do people think?
Apr 13, 2014, 4:44 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
OP's arrival time will be at Fiumicino Airport and not at Roma Termini:
Code:
Firenze S. M. Novella 06:50 FRECCIAROSSA 9501 Roma Termini 08:35 Roma Termini 08:50 LEONARDO EXPRESS 3288 Fiumicino Aeroporto 09:22
Apr 13, 2014, 4:48 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Executive Platinum; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,663
Ah...so it is by train but the train continues to FCO. That is OK then. But the OP still needs to be aware of possible train delays.
When we have travelled in Italy, we found the train generally to be on time.
When we have travelled in Italy, we found the train generally to be on time.
Apr 13, 2014, 4:50 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2001
Location: exUA1K, UA MM, lifetime UA1P, AA MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,731
IMO. schedules usually mean little in Rome.
Oddly, I've even had 2 trains depart early and arrive late at FCO and Termini in February. I never imagined that ANYTHING could occur EARLY in Italy....
I would NOT chance the OP's plan.
There could be a mis-connect at Termini or a "checkin is closed" at FCO.
Is there a train 1 hour earlier?
Oddly, I've even had 2 trains depart early and arrive late at FCO and Termini in February. I never imagined that ANYTHING could occur EARLY in Italy....
I would NOT chance the OP's plan.
There could be a mis-connect at Termini or a "checkin is closed" at FCO.
Is there a train 1 hour earlier?
Apr 13, 2014, 4:54 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2001
Location: exUA1K, UA MM, lifetime UA1P, AA MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,731
No long distance trains go to/from FCO. Only Rome (FM1) commuter trains and the Leonardo Express to/from Termini.
Apr 13, 2014, 6:49 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,975
After arrival at Termini at 8.35, how about taking a taxi direct to FCO T5, instead of connecting to Leonardo Express and shuttle bus?
Apr 14, 2014, 4:11 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: LHR / IAD
Programs: BA/AA/UA
Posts: 2,955
Ye gads, my blood pressure went up just reading this thread.
If it were me, you couldn't pay me to attempt what the OP is describing. Pay up for an overnight in Rome or even better, at FCO. Yes it'll cost but you're flying int'l J on miles so just figure you're still well ahead of the game, with your nerves intact. (And a hotel night is still far less than YQ charges through LHR.) I've had train delays (and colossal automotive traffic delays) in Lazio.
Look at it this way too: if you miss your flight out of FCO your miles will be forfeit. I wouldn't take the chance, not in a million years.
If it were me, you couldn't pay me to attempt what the OP is describing. Pay up for an overnight in Rome or even better, at FCO. Yes it'll cost but you're flying int'l J on miles so just figure you're still well ahead of the game, with your nerves intact. (And a hotel night is still far less than YQ charges through LHR.) I've had train delays (and colossal automotive traffic delays) in Lazio.
Look at it this way too: if you miss your flight out of FCO your miles will be forfeit. I wouldn't take the chance, not in a million years.
Apr 14, 2014, 6:47 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: AVL
Programs: AA EXP ; Cunard Plat
Posts: 4,211
Neither of the two US Clubs in CLT have showers. The "C" Club is larger, and one of the better ones - also, the FCO flight arrives in time for hot soup in both Clubs 
When traveling on an international award ticket, I do not take chances with missing a flight ... I'd use points to spend the night at an airport hotel.
When traveling on an international award ticket, I do not take chances with missing a flight ... I'd use points to spend the night at an airport hotel.