Ignoring minimum connecting time
Jul 30, 2019, 4:27 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 118
Ignoring minimum connecting time
I will be flying ATH-LHR-LAX in November. I've traveled a few times between terminal 5 and terminal 3 at LHR without incident. A schedule change has reduced my connecting time to AA to 85 minutes. Minimum connecting time is 90 minutes. If I ignore it (since AA won't notify me anyway) would I encounter any problem, retrieving boarding passes or checking in at ATH on BA?
Jul 30, 2019, 4:40 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 118
Dave:
I am already ticketed. My ticket shows a 95 minute connection (legal). A recent schedule change reduced it to 85 minutes. Do you mean when I am in Athens they will cancel the return or simple put me on a later connecting flight?
I am already ticketed. My ticket shows a 95 minute connection (legal). A recent schedule change reduced it to 85 minutes. Do you mean when I am in Athens they will cancel the return or simple put me on a later connecting flight?
Jul 30, 2019, 4:53 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: OW Emerald
Posts: 1,452
It means that at some point between now and your flight, AA is most likely to either change the flight/routing at their discretion, or flag it as 'please contact reservations' (whether or not they notify you is another question).
Jul 30, 2019, 6:53 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
You will have more options and certainly better seat assignments if you deal with this sooner rather than later.
Jul 30, 2019, 9:50 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
The last 2 posts covered it spot on.
Find out the best option(s) you want, then call in and have them switch you. It’s much better to be ahead of the game than to allow a computer to do the picking for you.
Granted, it’s still a long ways out and could change again, but you have an opportunity to get preferred flights if you would like. Although I would recommend something greater than 2 hours to be on the safe side. What would you have done if the connection hadn’t changed, but your ATH-LHR leg was 25 minutes late? For some it’s not a problem, they can spare the time. Others, not so much.
Find out the best option(s) you want, then call in and have them switch you. It’s much better to be ahead of the game than to allow a computer to do the picking for you.
Granted, it’s still a long ways out and could change again, but you have an opportunity to get preferred flights if you would like. Although I would recommend something greater than 2 hours to be on the safe side. What would you have done if the connection hadn’t changed, but your ATH-LHR leg was 25 minutes late? For some it’s not a problem, they can spare the time. Others, not so much.
Jul 30, 2019, 10:16 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,546
BA is not going to deny boarding at ATH.
BA is not going to cancel LHR-LAX on another airline on a ticket it doesn’t control.
if you present yourself at T3 FCC or the gate in time, you will fly.
i assume you are looking for some advice because you’ve already researched alternative flight options and nothing works well for your schedule. if that’s not the case, then by all means pick your desired new routing and avoid the stress.
BA is not going to cancel LHR-LAX on another airline on a ticket it doesn’t control.
if you present yourself at T3 FCC or the gate in time, you will fly.
i assume you are looking for some advice because you’ve already researched alternative flight options and nothing works well for your schedule. if that’s not the case, then by all means pick your desired new routing and avoid the stress.
Jul 30, 2019, 10:50 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
BA is not going to deny boarding at ATH.
BA is not going to cancel LHR-LAX on another airline on a ticket it doesn’t control.
if you present yourself at T3 FCC or the gate in time, you will fly.
i assume you are looking for some advice because you’ve already researched alternative flight options and nothing works well for your schedule. if that’s not the case, then by all means pick your desired new routing and avoid the stress.
BA is not going to cancel LHR-LAX on another airline on a ticket it doesn’t control.
if you present yourself at T3 FCC or the gate in time, you will fly.
i assume you are looking for some advice because you’ve already researched alternative flight options and nothing works well for your schedule. if that’s not the case, then by all means pick your desired new routing and avoid the stress.
Jul 30, 2019, 11:49 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,632
As already stated multiple times, they will involuntarily reschedule you at some point, so turning up for the BA flight is not an option (unless it is unchanged in the new schedule). The fact that you are "already ticketed" is irrelevant. What you want to do is research the legal alternatives, pick the best or least bad option, then call and ask for it. If you do not, what they pick is likely to not be what you would have wanted.
I was once able to change an award ticket that had me connecting in LHR, to a nonstop flight, because of a schedule change. I asked nicely, and they opened award inventory for me. They did this, they know they have to make it right (within reason).
I was once able to change an award ticket that had me connecting in LHR, to a nonstop flight, because of a schedule change. I asked nicely, and they opened award inventory for me. They did this, they know they have to make it right (within reason).
Jul 31, 2019, 12:18 am
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
Earlier the passenger contacts and deals with the issue, the more options that will remain open ; leaving it will lead to having less options , but still will have an invalid ticket that will not be eligible to check in in Athens
Jul 31, 2019, 1:04 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,019
I had a similar situation with an LHR connection a while back. It takes AA a while (weeks, not days) to recognize the problem. They will rebook you - possibly to something you don't like. Check if the AA system already shows the schedule change and check your reservation on their system. If you can see the change there better call now than later. And have alternatives ready when you call.
Jul 31, 2019, 3:59 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: London, United Kingdom
Programs: British Airways Gold
Posts: 2,636
You are better off proactively looking for the alternative you want and getting it fixed now rather than waiting for them to pick it up and facing something different with more limited availabiliy
Just ignoring it is not an a recommended strategy
Just ignoring it is not an a recommended strategy
Jul 31, 2019, 6:31 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,546
i flew CUN-DFW-LAX last year after a schedule change 6 months before travel caused a below-MCT connection at DFW.
i kept it as-is to get the 772 flat bed DFW-LAX.
it was absolutely fine.
and i know it was below MCT for certain because AA.com would not sell the itinerary.
change it if you want to, OP. if you do decide to keep for whatever reason, you’ll be fine if flights ontime (and no bus transfer queueing).
i kept it as-is to get the 772 flat bed DFW-LAX.
it was absolutely fine.
and i know it was below MCT for certain because AA.com would not sell the itinerary.
change it if you want to, OP. if you do decide to keep for whatever reason, you’ll be fine if flights ontime (and no bus transfer queueing).