Thank you! I can walk fast/run if needed, my biggest concern is time for customs and time for baggage to arrive past customs to be rechecked (and if it'll make it to my next flight).

Hi, On 3/21, I have a FLL-CLT getting in at 9:30 PM and connecting on FL #1597 Operated by British Airways leaving at 10:10 PM to London (40 minute connection. Is this possible if my wife and I carry on and will have a 6 yr old in tow? If I miss this connection, I don't think there are any more flights to LHR that night. Will they put me on the first flight in the morning? Can I call since I am still within 24 cancel period and have them put me on an earlier flight to CLT? An earlier flight was not an option when I searched ON ITA Matrix and booked on AA.com. Thanks.

I do not think I would risk a 40 minute connection to an International flight. It is plenty of time if everything goes right, but they will be boarding when you land and you could have a pretty long walk from A or B to the D concourse, especially with a baby in tow. You also might be late and CLT is pretty notorious for slow taxi and gate arrival times. With a baby in tow you will probably need to gate check a stroller which can lead to even more delays.

I would look for an earlier flight if possible. AA allows 24 hour holds on their website, so not sure if they will let you change or not. I am guessing if you get a sympathetic agent they may change it with no change fee, but the fare may be different.

I agree.

for clarity's sake:

BA does not serve CLT with their own planes. You are on flight BA1597 which is operated by American Airlines. You'll be on an AA plane, don't be looking for a aircraft painted in BA colors.

I don’t think they’ll change it for you. I think it’s worth a call though. I think you’ll have to cancel and start a new trip with a better connection.

I mean, you could try and ask yourself what’s the penalty for missing the flight....is arriving 24 hours later and traveling w an infant under such conditions tolerable or not?

If you're still within 24 hrs you can cancel for a full refund and book something else, but if the earlier connection costs more they are not just going to move you for free without paying the fare difference.

40 mins is completely do-able at CLT but as mentioned doesn't leave much room at all for error.

If you do miss it, AA will just rebook you on the next available option the next day. There are early AM flights to LHR via ORD and JFK you could be rebooked on that arrive late that evening 8-10pm ish, so realistically you'd be delayed around 10-12 hrs total. The cause of the delay would determine whether AA would cover your hotel at CLT or not.

If its critical you arrive at LHR that morning as scheduled then I might look at cancelling and rebooking real quick (if you're still within 24 hrs), otherwise I'd just roll with it, cross your fingers that you're on time, and make sure you understand your options if things go sideways.

I've read the recent posts in this thread including the wiki, and I suppose I am crazy, but I am considering a PHX-CLT-FCO itinerary with a 50 min connection time in CLT.
Sept 29
AA 498 PHX - CLT (First Class)
BA 1577 operated by AA. CLT - FCO (Business Class)

Am I NUTS to even consider this when there are apparently no later non-stop flights to FCO that day from CLT, in case we miss the connection? I've never been to CLT.

I am currently reserved on PHX - LHR - FCO, and looking to see if I can avoid my perceived mess (terminal changes. bus between terminals, more security checks) in LHR. FT experienced travelers have given me great advice with how to navigate LHR, but perhaps CLT is a bit easier? The 50 minute connection time is a worry.

Thoughts greatly appreciated.

Thanks. I decided to do another route. Appreciate the responses.

If everything goes right you should be fine. Effectively you will have 15 minutes before boarding starts if you walk off the flight from PHX at arrival time. More than enough time to get between concourse B/C to D. And PHX isn't a weather prone airport. However, there's very little room for delays, including a gate being occupied. A consideration for banked hubs. Personally I'd never do 50 minutes on a connection like this.

I'd put it this way if you simply must be at FCO the next day I'd go for LHR. If not getting there until another 24 hours wasn't a game changer I'd go with CLT.

50 mins is no problem, especially as you're in business and will be among the first off the plane. I wouldn't worry at all. Couple things to consider:

1) There is only 1 daily CLT-FCO flight, however there are 2 CLT-LHR flights departing after the FCO flight, as well as a connecting option through ORD, so plenty of rebooking options. A Tuesday in late September is definitely not peak time so it shouldn't be hard to be re-accommodated should something go wrong.

2) Late September is still a long way away in terms of airline scheduling, highly likely you'll have 2 or 3 schedule changes before then, so even if you go with the 50 min connection now it most likely won't end up like that. AA schedule changes give you a great option to call and ask for a better routing, longer connection, etc.

Thank you. I'm not sure what is meant by "banked hubs"

While it's not urgent that we arrive in FCO the next day, it would be the top choice.....we've seen Rome, leaving on a cruise from Civitavecchia Oct 3.

I suppose AA would put us up and feed us until the next CLT- FCO flight the next day if we don't make the connection?

Yes, Agree on all points. Thank you. Sept is a long way away, and I have definitely had AA schedule changes in the past. I'm just surprised they plan such a short connection times.

Banking is where at certain times of day a slew of arrivals and subsequent departures are aligned somewhat. The goal is to try and minimize lengthy connections for passengers, keep aircraft on the ground for as short as possible, and get as many people through in as close to the legal minimum connection as possible..

At smaller hubs you might find only a couple of banks per day with quiet interim periods, at other airports you could have as many as eight or nine daily and then, IMO, it kind of just blurs into being a really busy airport!

Thanks!