FlawlessVictory

I am looking at an award booking on Air France for IAD -> FCO and it's giving me a 1 hour connection in CDG (no other options with longer connection). From everything I am reading there is no chance I'm making that connection. I will have a checked bag with me. People I've talked to suggest that this isn't a big deal and that the airline will put me on the next available flight to Rome, of which I'm assuming there are many from Paris. Mostly I am worried about my checked bag. I suppose it's quite possible that the bag makes it on the original connecting flight while I'm standing in the immigration line. In such case it would be in Rome hours before I would be. I've never dealt with such scenario so I'm a little nervous. The wife won't be too pleased if something happens to our luggage.

Any thoughts and/or suggestions?

Goldorak

In Europe, checked bags always travel with you. If you have not boarded when the flight is closed, they will offload your bags.
No worries.

brunos

First, there is a decent chance you will make the connectio.
Second, AF is used to reroute pax AND bags on next flight.
I would not worry so much. CDG is not the best airport for bags, but problems are an exception rather than a rule.

FlawlessVictory

This is great news. Last thing I need during a stressful situation is an angry wife by my side

FlawlessVictory

Thanks. In case I do miss the connection... I'm assuming I eventually get to the designated gate and see that the flight already left. What do I do from there?

LondonElite

You will likely already have been rebooked. Just go to a service desk and they'll sort you out.

FlawlessVictory

Thank you.

irishguy28

I have an incredibly bad track record at bags making it onto my onward flights whenever I connect in CDG.

The last time, I even purposely avoided booking the first onward flight CDG-AMS, waiting instead for the subsequent one, to give more time (several hours) for my bag to make the connection.

It arrived by courier 2 days later with a €25 voucher attached.

FlawlessVictory

You're giving me anxiety

Goldorak

Don’t worry. CDG is not better or worse for bags than another airport.

hotturnip

There's a reasonable chance you can make this connection. A lot of times the transatlantic flight is early, so you'll probably have more than 1 hour to transfer. It will also depend on how close you are to the aircraft exit, and how far apart your specific gates are.

Good luck! (They'll get you and your bag there one way or another.)

adambrau

As we all know flights out of NYC don't always run to schedule but the best advice I can give you:

1. Try not to let it get to you in advance too much - there are too many hypotheticals that it will just make you anxious over something, in the end, hundreds of our customers book every day.
2. The flight is blocked at least 30 minutes more than than needed. Flight sometimes get airborne 1 hour after scheduled departure time and arrives early.
3. You will land in in terminal 2E and probably leave out of 2F - they are right next to each other. You show your passport and have a quick security check and you are literally right at the connecting arrogare.
4. Weather affects all and it's a shame you might have industrial action to deal with as well. Seems like domestic French flights are suffering most. Longhauls are fine and Europe didn't seemed cancelled out too badly.
5. If you are staying in Rome for at least a night, try to pack two outfits that will fit into you carry on so in case baggage delays are occurring you will be a step ahead.
6. It seems you are originating out of IAD so less weather to worry than the NY airports. Just get there a bit early.

I'm sure you will have a great trip - but you are right to mitigate potential bumps.

Safe travels!

Adam

FlawlessVictory

I actually live in MD that's why I'm flying out of Dulles (IAD). This is a booking for next June (I know I'm an early planner), so weather shouldn't be an issue. These are all awesome tips, thank you!

brunos

I personally believe that bag transfer risks are significantly different among airports.
It depends on how computerized and efficient is their system, the quality of the conveyor distribution system, the motivation of the ground handling personnel....
But that's another discussion.

mot29

Flying DUB-CDG-LAX in business on Xmas eve with a scheduled 70 minute connection at CDG. I knew it was tight but the other option was leaving on the 6 am DUB-CDG and I figured if I missed the connection, AF would put me up.
DUB-CDG departed 20 minutes late because of late arriving plane, got to gate T2E-K 10 minutes late but then another 10 minutes to get the jetway connected to plane. Off the plane at 1720.
Allowed to cut into security line because of tight connection.
Was in my seat for CDG-LAX by 1745.
Carry on bags only.
Pleasantly surprised!