Minimum connection time at CDG
Jan 9, 2019, 7:11 am
#121
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: AA, Delta, UA
Posts: 66
But thank you for the reassurance that it might actually be possible. I will leave it as-is for now. As AF is making me pay for advance seat selection I will pay the little bit extra to get forward-row seats and hope for the best. Also, its still many months away and the schedule could change again!
Jan 9, 2019, 8:33 am
#122
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,628
As much as I enjoy avoiding TSA, I would take the ATL routing. It puts the most important segment first, and if you get stuck it's going to be a lot easier to get back to DC from ATL than CDG.
1h5 is tight but OK at CDG... if everything is on time. If your MAD flight is delayed, arrives at a bus gate, and immigration is backed up you'll end up having to route via JFK or something, getting stuck in whatever middle seat is still available. (And with AF, even J sometimes has middle seats...)
1h5 is tight but OK at CDG... if everything is on time. If your MAD flight is delayed, arrives at a bus gate, and immigration is backed up you'll end up having to route via JFK or something, getting stuck in whatever middle seat is still available. (And with AF, even J sometimes has middle seats...)
From my experience, there isn't any real "security check" per se for US bound flights except at the boarding gate to the US flight, where you may be randomly brought aside and asked a couple questions- but I wasn't one of those asked any add'l questions.
The ability to hit that connection will depend heavily an a timely inbound MAD-CDG flight. As an extreme datapoint : I had a 1h20 scheduled connection time FRA-CDG-IAD back in September connecting from 2G to 2E (M Gates, A380) that shrank to 20mn (yes, 20) because my Hop ! flight from FRA had to taxi back to the terminal at origin and ended up arriving 1h late at CDG. I wasn't supposed to be able to make it, but the customs control at 2G was quick, the navette arrived in 5mn, I had no checked bags, and I dashed my way thru 2E.......and the correspondance to IAD boarded 20mn late (luck).
My opinion would be to stick to the shorter connection time and if things go wrong, AF has to rebook you anyway so worst case, you end up on the ATL connection assuming it occurs later than the original one.
The ability to hit that connection will depend heavily an a timely inbound MAD-CDG flight. As an extreme datapoint : I had a 1h20 scheduled connection time FRA-CDG-IAD back in September connecting from 2G to 2E (M Gates, A380) that shrank to 20mn (yes, 20) because my Hop ! flight from FRA had to taxi back to the terminal at origin and ended up arriving 1h late at CDG. I wasn't supposed to be able to make it, but the customs control at 2G was quick, the navette arrived in 5mn, I had no checked bags, and I dashed my way thru 2E.......and the correspondance to IAD boarded 20mn late (luck).
My opinion would be to stick to the shorter connection time and if things go wrong, AF has to rebook you anyway so worst case, you end up on the ATL connection assuming it occurs later than the original one.
Jan 13, 2019, 4:56 am
#123
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,904
From my experience, there isn't any real "security check" per se for US bound flights except at the boarding gate to the US flight, where you may be randomly brought aside and asked a couple questions- but I wasn't one of those asked any add'l questions.
The ability to hit that connection will depend heavily an a timely inbound MAD-CDG flight. As an extreme datapoint : I had a 1h20 scheduled connection time FRA-CDG-IAD back in September connecting from 2G to 2E (M Gates, A380) that shrank to 20mn (yes, 20) because my Hop ! flight from FRA had to taxi back to the terminal at origin and ended up arriving 1h late at CDG. I wasn't supposed to be able to make it, but the customs control at 2G was quick, the navette arrived in 5mn, I had no checked bags, and I dashed my way thru 2E.......and the correspondance to IAD boarded 20mn late (luck).
My opinion would be to stick to the shorter connection time and if things go wrong, AF has to rebook you anyway so worst case, you end up on the ATL connection assuming it occurs later than the original one.
The ability to hit that connection will depend heavily an a timely inbound MAD-CDG flight. As an extreme datapoint : I had a 1h20 scheduled connection time FRA-CDG-IAD back in September connecting from 2G to 2E (M Gates, A380) that shrank to 20mn (yes, 20) because my Hop ! flight from FRA had to taxi back to the terminal at origin and ended up arriving 1h late at CDG. I wasn't supposed to be able to make it, but the customs control at 2G was quick, the navette arrived in 5mn, I had no checked bags, and I dashed my way thru 2E.......and the correspondance to IAD boarded 20mn late (luck).
My opinion would be to stick to the shorter connection time and if things go wrong, AF has to rebook you anyway so worst case, you end up on the ATL connection assuming it occurs later than the original one.
Jan 13, 2019, 8:00 am
#124
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,628
I had to put both options side to side. The trip will be mid-february which is prone to weather delays. Ended up choosing a 4-hour connection in CDG and flying to IAD to be on the safer side and will give me 2 hours of productivity in the lounge since it's very unlikely that my flight will have WiFi.
Jan 13, 2019, 9:23 am
#125
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 15
New to CDG....
Have never been to CDG but hear it's a bear to navigate.
Looking for advice about return from ATH through CDG to ATL (Air France to Delta transfer from 2E to 2F) in August. Delta's website says it's only a one hour transfer time. We will be in business class so should get a priority pass but I am also thinking about getting a transfer assistance service like Blacklane Pass or Air France Meet and Greet service. I don't care about the price for assistance as long as we make our connection. Can anyone comment about using the assistance service and if that will assure one hour is enough time to make the connection? In general, I have read that one hour to transfer between terminal halls is adequate but only if everything goes smoothly. At least we should not have to go through security since we are transferring within the Schengen area.
If one hour is inadequate time to transfer, we will probably go to JFK from ATH instead but that makes for a much longer trip back to ATL.
Thanks to all.
Looking for advice about return from ATH through CDG to ATL (Air France to Delta transfer from 2E to 2F) in August. Delta's website says it's only a one hour transfer time. We will be in business class so should get a priority pass but I am also thinking about getting a transfer assistance service like Blacklane Pass or Air France Meet and Greet service. I don't care about the price for assistance as long as we make our connection. Can anyone comment about using the assistance service and if that will assure one hour is enough time to make the connection? In general, I have read that one hour to transfer between terminal halls is adequate but only if everything goes smoothly. At least we should not have to go through security since we are transferring within the Schengen area.
If one hour is inadequate time to transfer, we will probably go to JFK from ATH instead but that makes for a much longer trip back to ATL.
Thanks to all.
Jan 13, 2019, 1:58 pm
#126
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: Aeroplan, Flying Blue, Delta
Posts: 33
As you’re transferring from Schengen to non-Schengen you will go through passport control, but not security. I can’t comment on the time being adequate, it all depends on the day. I personally would prefer a longer transit time or would avoid all the hassle by taking a direct flight home from Athens.
Jan 13, 2019, 6:13 pm
#127
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
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It is feasible without question if your incoming flight from ATH is on-time or slightly delayed. And this transfer is very easy in term of navigation. Using the escort service is your decision and if that can make you feeling more comfortable, do it but it’s certainly not mandatory.
Jan 14, 2019, 6:31 am
#128
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,564
It is feasible without question if your incoming flight from ATH is on-time or slightly delayed. And this transfer is very easy in term of navigation. Using the escort service is your decision and if that can make you feeling more comfortable, do it but it’s certainly not mandatory.
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Jan 30, 2019, 10:39 am
#130
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 241
I have a flight coming up in March where I will likely have to retrieve and recheck my luggage due to traveling on two tickets. I will arrive on Delta from the US (2E, K Gates?) and depart on Saudia from 2C. It will be a J ticket (Sky Priority) and I will have an EU passport. I have been at CDG a couple times, but not super familiar with the airport.
Am I right that I will have to pass:
- 2 passport controls (one to enter France, and one to exit)
- 1 security check (as I enter the 2C terminal for my departing flight)
- I got 3+ hrs to make the connection. Should this suffice? Or time to panic and change my flight arrangements (at some cost of course). Will they rebook me on the next flight if I miss it?
Am I right that I will have to pass:
- 2 passport controls (one to enter France, and one to exit)
- 1 security check (as I enter the 2C terminal for my departing flight)
- I got 3+ hrs to make the connection. Should this suffice? Or time to panic and change my flight arrangements (at some cost of course). Will they rebook me on the next flight if I miss it?
Jan 30, 2019, 12:11 pm
#131
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YOW
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Accor Gold
Posts: 389
I have a flight coming up in March where I will likely have to retrieve and recheck my luggage due to traveling on two tickets. I will arrive on Delta from the US (2E, K Gates?) and depart on Saudia from 2C. It will be a J ticket (Sky Priority) and I will have an EU passport. I have been at CDG a couple times, but not super familiar with the airport.
Am I right that I will have to pass:
- 2 passport controls (one to enter France, and one to exit)
- 1 security check (as I enter the 2C terminal for my departing flight)
- I got 3+ hrs to make the connection. Should this suffice? Or time to panic and change my flight arrangements (at some cost of course). Will they rebook me on the next flight if I miss it?
Am I right that I will have to pass:
- 2 passport controls (one to enter France, and one to exit)
- 1 security check (as I enter the 2C terminal for my departing flight)
- I got 3+ hrs to make the connection. Should this suffice? Or time to panic and change my flight arrangements (at some cost of course). Will they rebook me on the next flight if I miss it?
If DL cannot interline your bags with SV, you will need to retrieve your bags from 2E-K (immigration) and then take a short walk to 2C to check in with SV.
The walk is not that bad, except the fact that the elevator in 2E arrival is hidden in the corner after the escalator and the moving walkways between 2E-RER-2C do not work time by time...
By arriving with DL in J, you are entitled to enter the AF 2C arrival lounge if you arrive too early and SV's check-in is not yet open.
I will say 3+ hours is more than enough. With Sky priority, the time from gate to getting your bags from belt shall not exceed 1 hour. The walk from 2E to 2C is only about 10 mins. So you may even have time to take a shower and have some booze before climbing on that dry airline...
Jan 30, 2019, 12:45 pm
#132
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,904
I have a flight coming up in March where I will likely have to retrieve and recheck my luggage due to traveling on two tickets. I will arrive on Delta from the US (2E, K Gates?) and depart on Saudia from 2C. It will be a J ticket (Sky Priority) and I will have an EU passport. I have been at CDG a couple times, but not super familiar with the airport.
Am I right that I will have to pass:
- 2 passport controls (one to enter France, and one to exit)
- 1 security check (as I enter the 2C terminal for my departing flight)
- I got 3+ hrs to make the connection. Should this suffice? Or time to panic and change my flight arrangements (at some cost of course). Will they rebook me on the next flight if I miss it?
Am I right that I will have to pass:
- 2 passport controls (one to enter France, and one to exit)
- 1 security check (as I enter the 2C terminal for my departing flight)
- I got 3+ hrs to make the connection. Should this suffice? Or time to panic and change my flight arrangements (at some cost of course). Will they rebook me on the next flight if I miss it?
The walk between 2E and 2C will take you will take you less than 10 min. But, do not lose time to go to AF arrival lounge in 2C (as suggested by Tbaiyun). I doubt you'll have time for this. If you are in J on SV, just go so the departure lounge used by SV and I am sure you can take a shower there if you wish to do so.
If you miss your connection, you are not protected as you are on separate tickets. If they rebook you for free, it's a commercial gesture and they have no obligation for this.
Feb 5, 2019, 9:45 am
#133
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Brooklyn, NYC
Programs: QR PC Platinum, TK M&S elite, UA silver, ITA Voltaire Executive (lol), Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 1,154
75 mins ok for a non-eu to non-eu connection in J?
Hey all,
I’m looking at a potential itinerary that involves me flying from BKK-CDG-JFK on AF165-AF8 arriving at cdg at 6:10pm and leaving for jfk at 7:25pm. I’ve only done a Schengen to non-Schengen transfers at CDG and I’m always a bit weary when booking flights with connections less than 120mins (especially when flying out of BKK) and this connection seems to be an anxiety inducing 75 mins. Luckily I would be in J, but still. Should I go for this itinerary or am I being just a bit too crazy?
I’m looking at a potential itinerary that involves me flying from BKK-CDG-JFK on AF165-AF8 arriving at cdg at 6:10pm and leaving for jfk at 7:25pm. I’ve only done a Schengen to non-Schengen transfers at CDG and I’m always a bit weary when booking flights with connections less than 120mins (especially when flying out of BKK) and this connection seems to be an anxiety inducing 75 mins. Luckily I would be in J, but still. Should I go for this itinerary or am I being just a bit too crazy?
Feb 5, 2019, 10:02 am
#134
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: FR
Programs: FB Plat
Posts: 298
It is perfectly doable if everything runs smoothly (as always when an airline sells you a specific connection), but it is risky if you absolutely need to be in NYC that night or the next morning, especially considering this is the last flight of the day. In any case, if something goes wrong for whatever reason that should lead you to miss your flight, you will be entitled to an assistance from AF and will have an hotel for the night.
Feb 5, 2019, 12:05 pm
#135
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,904
Hey all,
I’m looking at a potential itinerary that involves me flying from BKK-CDG-JFK on AF165-AF8 arriving at cdg at 6:10pm and leaving for jfk at 7:25pm. I’ve only done a Schengen to non-Schengen transfers at CDG and I’m always a bit weary when booking flights with connections less than 120mins (especially when flying out of BKK) and this connection seems to be an anxiety inducing 75 mins. Luckily I would be in J, but still. Should I go for this itinerary or am I being just a bit too crazy?
I’m looking at a potential itinerary that involves me flying from BKK-CDG-JFK on AF165-AF8 arriving at cdg at 6:10pm and leaving for jfk at 7:25pm. I’ve only done a Schengen to non-Schengen transfers at CDG and I’m always a bit weary when booking flights with connections less than 120mins (especially when flying out of BKK) and this connection seems to be an anxiety inducing 75 mins. Luckily I would be in J, but still. Should I go for this itinerary or am I being just a bit too crazy?
