3 hours to transfer between IAD & DCA on "legal" ticket?
Jan 7, 2019, 3:56 pm
#61
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 112
I keep hoping the PHL will open up, but as of now no. BOS yes, but per EF, it looks like QR has temporarily changed the A359 they were flying on that route to one of their old-style 777-300's (2-2-2 config, etc) on the BOS flight in Feburary (which is when I'm going), before switching to QSuites in the Spring. I don't need a QSuite but I'd at least like to get direct aisle access for that long flight to Doha!
Jan 7, 2019, 3:58 pm
#62
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 112
1) 3 hrs will be very tight but doable. Are there any earlier options from NYC-DCA you could take? I'm assuming the EY check in cutoff is 60 mins before the flight, so you're basically allowing 2 hrs to land at DCA, claim your bags, and make your way to IAD.
2) Yes, you will be protected if there were to be delays or other irrops.
3) Not sure on the bags, however in any event you should be able to have it only tagged to DCA since that portion of your trip ends there.
4) Really depends on how risk averse you are. I generally have a very high risk tolerance for this type of thing, but for a dream trip to the Maldives I would probably find an earlier AA flight to DCA or just book a separate ticket to IAD allowing plenty of time before your EY flight.
2) Yes, you will be protected if there were to be delays or other irrops.
3) Not sure on the bags, however in any event you should be able to have it only tagged to DCA since that portion of your trip ends there.
4) Really depends on how risk averse you are. I generally have a very high risk tolerance for this type of thing, but for a dream trip to the Maldives I would probably find an earlier AA flight to DCA or just book a separate ticket to IAD allowing plenty of time before your EY flight.
I keep hoping the PHL will open up, but as of now no. BOS yes, but per EF, it looks like QR has temporarily changed the A359 they were flying on that route to one of their old-style 777-300's (2-2-2 config, etc) on the BOS flight in Feburary (which is when I'm going), before switching to QSuites in the Spring. I don't need a QSuite but I'd at least like to get direct aisle access for that long flight to Doha!
Jan 7, 2019, 4:09 pm
#63
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The bag will be tagged to DCA. AA doesn't do cross-town transfers of bags. That means you'll need time to recheck at IAD.
I would look at every other option before I did DCA-ground-IAD.
I would look at every other option before I did DCA-ground-IAD.
Jan 7, 2019, 4:38 pm
#64
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
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Posts: 7,816
There was a thread here about two weeks ago about a family that had 3 hours to connect from IAD (arriving on BA from LHR) to DCA (flying AA to MCO). The family did not have Global Entry and were not U.S. citizens. They made it in ample time - although it was a Saturday (Saturday before Christmas).
You're kind of doing the reverse, but you do not have to worry about Customs. You do however have to worry about baggage and traffic to IAD.
Your option is Shuttle from LGA to DCA which frequently is not a baggage heavy flight. You then have to get to IAD. You don't say what day of the week this is. If its a weekday, there is going to be traffic at 7:00 on I-66 - at least until the Dulles Toll Road (I'm assuming 30 minutes from deplaning to being out of the airport). I'm going to say 45 minutes from DCA to Dulles which puts you into Dulles at 7:45.
It should be enough, but its going to be tight especially if your DCA-LGA flight is late.
AA will NOT through check you bags. You must claim them at DCA and recheck them with AY at IAD.
You're kind of doing the reverse, but you do not have to worry about Customs. You do however have to worry about baggage and traffic to IAD.
Your option is Shuttle from LGA to DCA which frequently is not a baggage heavy flight. You then have to get to IAD. You don't say what day of the week this is. If its a weekday, there is going to be traffic at 7:00 on I-66 - at least until the Dulles Toll Road (I'm assuming 30 minutes from deplaning to being out of the airport). I'm going to say 45 minutes from DCA to Dulles which puts you into Dulles at 7:45.
It should be enough, but its going to be tight especially if your DCA-LGA flight is late.
AA will NOT through check you bags. You must claim them at DCA and recheck them with AY at IAD.
Jan 7, 2019, 4:49 pm
#66
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NYC, SLC, LAX
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat
Posts: 3,951
This is quite doable.
With any connection, you have to decide what your tolerance is for risk of delay. Assume a one hour Uber from one to the other and $50.
If your flight is <30 minutes late, this should be comfortable. If you're more than 30m late, it will start to get tight. Only you can decide if you're willing to risk a 24 hour delay at IAD.
With any connection, you have to decide what your tolerance is for risk of delay. Assume a one hour Uber from one to the other and $50.
If your flight is <30 minutes late, this should be comfortable. If you're more than 30m late, it will start to get tight. Only you can decide if you're willing to risk a 24 hour delay at IAD.
Jan 7, 2019, 5:12 pm
#67
Join Date: Dec 2011
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This is quite doable.
With any connection, you have to decide what your tolerance is for risk of delay. Assume a one hour Uber from one to the other and $50.
If your flight is <30 minutes late, this should be comfortable. If you're more than 30m late, it will start to get tight. Only you can decide if you're willing to risk a 24 hour delay at IAD.
With any connection, you have to decide what your tolerance is for risk of delay. Assume a one hour Uber from one to the other and $50.
If your flight is <30 minutes late, this should be comfortable. If you're more than 30m late, it will start to get tight. Only you can decide if you're willing to risk a 24 hour delay at IAD.
Jan 7, 2019, 5:21 pm
#68
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
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Posts: 7,816
Its true that there is a dedicated lane starting at or near the Beltway. The problem is getting to that lane. I-66 backs up -frequently- from Rosslyn to Falls Church. This can be 20 minutes to go about 5 miles. Once past Falls Church, you're usually in the clear.
Jan 7, 2019, 5:26 pm
#69
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Join Date: Aug 2010
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Three hours is within MCT for a DCA-IAD connection, but significantly outside the SCT (Sensible Connection Time). On the one hand, AA runs LGA-DCA as an hourly shuttle service. On the other hand, it is likely that a misconnect will mean a 24-hour delay or a bad routing xIAD. I would be much more comfortable with 4 hours and, even though you may not care about lounge access, you will have it and thus if you do make it in good time, you do have a place to relax.
On specifics, traffic at that time of day will be horrible in general. Add an accident or a bit of bad weather and it can become really bad. From DCA, you won't likely be on the Beltway, so getting to the so-called dedicated lanes can be a real hassle. Your bags will be checked to DCA, you will claim them at DCA and will be responsible for them until checked in at IAD.
Buying a separate ticket NYC-IAD comes with its own set of risks. That transfer won't be protected and if you are delayed, you will be at the mercy of EY which is not known for mercy. Whether that means buying a new ticket or perhaps a downgrade all depends, but it will be unpleasant and not worth it.
You may already have checked, but have you looked at connections to AUH on AA to any European gateway served by EY (BA as well for LHR, but surcharges can be brutal)?
On specifics, traffic at that time of day will be horrible in general. Add an accident or a bit of bad weather and it can become really bad. From DCA, you won't likely be on the Beltway, so getting to the so-called dedicated lanes can be a real hassle. Your bags will be checked to DCA, you will claim them at DCA and will be responsible for them until checked in at IAD.
Buying a separate ticket NYC-IAD comes with its own set of risks. That transfer won't be protected and if you are delayed, you will be at the mercy of EY which is not known for mercy. Whether that means buying a new ticket or perhaps a downgrade all depends, but it will be unpleasant and not worth it.
You may already have checked, but have you looked at connections to AUH on AA to any European gateway served by EY (BA as well for LHR, but surcharges can be brutal)?
Jan 7, 2019, 5:42 pm
#70
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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There was just a thread about doing the reverse a few weeks ago:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...al-ticket.html
We'll probably merge these 2 threads together.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...al-ticket.html
We'll probably merge these 2 threads together.
Jan 7, 2019, 5:55 pm
#71
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,816
With hourly service between LGA and DCA, why not just buy the ticket as offered and standby for an hourly flight. The 5:00 pm LGA departure is a prime business hour flight. I'd bet the agents at LGA would move you up to the 3:00 pm or 4:00 pm to free up seats on the 5:00 pm.
Jan 7, 2019, 6:56 pm
#72
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Jan 8, 2019, 9:26 am
#73
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 112
Three hours is within MCT for a DCA-IAD connection, but significantly outside the SCT (Sensible Connection Time). On the one hand, AA runs LGA-DCA as an hourly shuttle service. On the other hand, it is likely that a misconnect will mean a 24-hour delay or a bad routing xIAD. I would be much more comfortable with 4 hours and, even though you may not care about lounge access, you will have it and thus if you do make it in good time, you do have a place to relax.
On specifics, traffic at that time of day will be horrible in general. Add an accident or a bit of bad weather and it can become really bad. From DCA, you won't likely be on the Beltway, so getting to the so-called dedicated lanes can be a real hassle. Your bags will be checked to DCA, you will claim them at DCA and will be responsible for them until checked in at IAD.
Buying a separate ticket NYC-IAD comes with its own set of risks. That transfer won't be protected and if you are delayed, you will be at the mercy of EY which is not known for mercy. Whether that means buying a new ticket or perhaps a downgrade all depends, but it will be unpleasant and not worth it.
You may already have checked, but have you looked at connections to AUH on AA to any European gateway served by EY (BA as well for LHR, but surcharges can be brutal)?
On specifics, traffic at that time of day will be horrible in general. Add an accident or a bit of bad weather and it can become really bad. From DCA, you won't likely be on the Beltway, so getting to the so-called dedicated lanes can be a real hassle. Your bags will be checked to DCA, you will claim them at DCA and will be responsible for them until checked in at IAD.
Buying a separate ticket NYC-IAD comes with its own set of risks. That transfer won't be protected and if you are delayed, you will be at the mercy of EY which is not known for mercy. Whether that means buying a new ticket or perhaps a downgrade all depends, but it will be unpleasant and not worth it.
You may already have checked, but have you looked at connections to AUH on AA to any European gateway served by EY (BA as well for LHR, but surcharges can be brutal)?
My day of departure (Thursday) is a work day for me, so I was hoping to maximize my time in the office that day, but based on the advice of yourself and others I guess the latest departure I should take if I go this route would be the 4 PM. However it's still sufficiently nerve-wracking that I'm going to continue to explore other options.
Jan 8, 2019, 9:27 am
#74
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 112
Great to know, thanks!
Jan 8, 2019, 4:41 pm
#75
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
A lot depends on time of day. From DCA to IAD the normal route is the GW parkway north to I-66, then to the Dulles access road.
I-66 is HOV only from 4:30 to 6:30 (maybe it's 4:00) - totally HOV, not just HOV lane. Because of the Dulles access road, they can't ticket until you get past the turnoff, meaning that people start to get on around 6:20. So if you hit I-66 before 6:15 you're in the clear; by 6:30 it's a parking lot all the way to the Dulles cutoff. The Dulles access road however will be smooth sailing. It can only be used by vehicles going to IAD (there are no exits until the airport).
I'm writing this at 6:40PM on a weekday and Google Maps shows that DCA to IAD is 29 miles and 33 minutes,
I-66 is HOV only from 4:30 to 6:30 (maybe it's 4:00) - totally HOV, not just HOV lane. Because of the Dulles access road, they can't ticket until you get past the turnoff, meaning that people start to get on around 6:20. So if you hit I-66 before 6:15 you're in the clear; by 6:30 it's a parking lot all the way to the Dulles cutoff. The Dulles access road however will be smooth sailing. It can only be used by vehicles going to IAD (there are no exits until the airport).
I'm writing this at 6:40PM on a weekday and Google Maps shows that DCA to IAD is 29 miles and 33 minutes,