Advice for BA-AA connection in USA
Apr 15, 2020, 2:47 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,354
Advice for BA-AA connection in USA
Hi everyone, looking for a bit of advice.
I’m looking at flying LHR-LAS in business in Oct and want to get into Vegas as early as possible. I’m booking on a BA ticket so I’m being offered LHR-LAX-LAS with a 3.5hr layover arriving into Vegas around 18.15 or LHR-ORD-LAS with a 2.5hr layover arriving into Vegas around 17.30.
I’ve never connected BA-AA in either ORD or LAX or indeed cleared immigration in either. Is one preferably to the other?
BA won’t offer a connection in PHX for some reason but I was considering just taking the AA flight which arrives at 12.30 and then self connecting onto an AA flight at 14.05 getting into Vegas just after 3pm. Is this doable or madness?
I’m looking at flying LHR-LAS in business in Oct and want to get into Vegas as early as possible. I’m booking on a BA ticket so I’m being offered LHR-LAX-LAS with a 3.5hr layover arriving into Vegas around 18.15 or LHR-ORD-LAS with a 2.5hr layover arriving into Vegas around 17.30.
I’ve never connected BA-AA in either ORD or LAX or indeed cleared immigration in either. Is one preferably to the other?
BA won’t offer a connection in PHX for some reason but I was considering just taking the AA flight which arrives at 12.30 and then self connecting onto an AA flight at 14.05 getting into Vegas just after 3pm. Is this doable or madness?
Apr 15, 2020, 2:50 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,447
For the sake of 45mins it's a no-brainer to arrive later, seeing as it's hardly 'late' at all.
Apr 15, 2020, 3:04 am
#3
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Apr 15, 2020, 3:10 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2014
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Would not do the self connect in PHX. Immigration, pick up baggage, check-in, re-check baggage, go through security within 90 minutes would be more on the madness side IMHO (without baggage, maybe but still very risky plus you're not protected if the incoming flight is late).
I'd go with the 3.5 hours LAX as even 2.5h might be interesting depending how fast you go through immigration.
Would the non-stop LHR-LAS arriving 7:20 PM not be the better option, i.e. are the 2 hours you gain by connecting really worth the connect?
I'd go with the 3.5 hours LAX as even 2.5h might be interesting depending how fast you go through immigration.
Would the non-stop LHR-LAS arriving 7:20 PM not be the better option, i.e. are the 2 hours you gain by connecting really worth the connect?
Apr 15, 2020, 3:14 am
#5
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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Apr 15, 2020, 3:14 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 411
Self connecting in PHX with 1.5hrs might be cutting close. If everything is on time, you might be able to clear customs and immigration. If your flight into PHX is a few min late, you might not make it. May be LAX might be a better option like the previous poster mentioned.
Apr 15, 2020, 3:21 am
#7
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Last edited by Tim_T; Apr 15, 2020 at 3:29 am
Apr 15, 2020, 3:27 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
Apr 15, 2020, 3:31 am
#9
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Alternatively, if it's maximising LAS time and minimising annual leave (a regular pastime of mine
) - fly the very late flight LHR-NYC, cheap airport hotel - first flight JFK-LAS next morning - arriving around 10am
Apr 15, 2020, 3:38 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: Mucci, BA, Hilton.
Posts: 1,158
The last time I connected through PHX to LAS it took all of 30 mins to be back airside. This included collecting bags and re checking. That said we were first off the plane in PHX and the place was unusually empty. We had no time pressures and everything ran very smooth, it probably isnt a great data point but I would be absolutely fine with 90 minutes to connect in PHX. It is a short hop from PHX to LAS.
I wouldnt go the CLT route because the flight is too long and ORD is about 2-2.5 hours.
LAX, the last time i used it seemed to be a different planet from what it was three or four years ago. I think they have made great improvements in the the place.
I wouldnt go the CLT route because the flight is too long and ORD is about 2-2.5 hours.
LAX, the last time i used it seemed to be a different planet from what it was three or four years ago. I think they have made great improvements in the the place.
Apr 15, 2020, 4:08 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,354
I can’t book the ticket via AA as I want to book it as part of a BA Hol, hence the issue with the PHX connection.
The overnight in JFK is an option but it books you into Y on the early JFK-LAS which doesn’t really appeal.
I’d prefer to avoid the direct LHR-LAS on an ancient mid J 744 (but that may be less likely come Oct) and last time I took it, immigration took over an hour so it was 8.45 when I got airside versus a if I took a domestic hop that’ll be included in the connection
So based on everything above & your advice, LAX seems best option.
The overnight in JFK is an option but it books you into Y on the early JFK-LAS which doesn’t really appeal.
I’d prefer to avoid the direct LHR-LAS on an ancient mid J 744 (but that may be less likely come Oct) and last time I took it, immigration took over an hour so it was 8.45 when I got airside versus a if I took a domestic hop that’ll be included in the connection
So based on everything above & your advice, LAX seems best option.
Apr 15, 2020, 4:10 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 232
I've only connected in ORD once - United to United Express. And frankly, I'd never do it again. I was an extra 20minutes in immigration secondary (I was joining a ship in MSY so ORD had to do the immigration checks on my visa and were insisting my ship wasn't in port there, which it wasn't, because it was in MSY....) And even with the people mover it was a sprint across the airport.
So if you can avoid ORD, I would.
So if you can avoid ORD, I would.