Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
Is it an illegal routing according to published MCTs? I suspect that the MCT contradicts the 45 minute rule that was quoted above. MCT at CVG seems to be 30 minutes, which is consistent with what DL agents have been telling the OP. OP has a 34 minute connection, so unless there's a different MCT for D-I, OP has a legal but extremely unwise connection.
I find it hard to believe that this was the only ticket from MCO to IST that the OP could have purchased for this date. Either it's the ticket that was offered by an OLTA (OP doesn't state that the ticket was purchased from DL) or it was the cheapest ticket the OP could find. Sometimes it's hard to sympathize when someone has willingly and deliberately purchased one of these legal but unwise tickets just to save a few dollars.
Agreed. But, pax must live within all rules parameters. Thus, if the MCT is 30 minutes and the gate reader is T-45, it is 45 minutes, not 30 minutes. Would be easier if DL simply did not publish MCT's below 45 for international departures, but that's another story.
On the connection time, it is water under the bridge for this OP, but great advice for the rest of FT that it makes eminent sense to take a look at the cheapest ticket first. Bit, it really pays to check connection times and consider the alternatives. Tight connections through out-of-the-way places are cheaper, but is it worth it?
And, these routings are not necessarily cheaper. If OP has to overnight at CVG and CDG, that is going to be expensive and unlikely to be reimbursed by DL. Worse, whether this is a business or a leisure trip, it starts things on the wrong foot.
I am personally glad for short MCT's as I sometimes need them and am willing to risk them. But, that doesn't make them SCT's (Sensible Connect Times).