DUS Connection Questions
 

Hi

I'm a first time poster and fairly novice flyer, looking for help re an upcoming trip I booked directly with CX.

I am booked to fly HKG-LHR and then ALC-HKG via DUS.

The HKG-LHR part is straightforward.

CX called me yesterday to advise that the ALC-DUS flight, which is operated by Air Berlin, has changed its departure time meaning I now have only 1 hour 5 mins to connect in DUS. The next CX flight to HKG would be 48 hours later if we miss the connection.

I will be travelling with my wife and our 7 month old daughter. Will this be enough time to connect? Will our luggage be checked through directly from ALC to HKG? What are my rights in regard to re-routing or requesting a refund?

I asked CX these questions on the phone and was basically told I have no rights and Air Berlin will have to answer my questions and they will be responsible for getting us to HKG if the connection is missed.

Would welcome some answers to the above or any other general advice. Thanks in advance.

You should be able to check your baggage through - oneworld to oneworld.

For the flight, is there an earlier AB flight you could take? Have you tried requesting that?

If you do end up mis-connecting, don't forget that you will be due EC261 compensation if you end up getting to HK 4 hours later than you were due to. Could be lucrative :)

Connecting in DUS shouldn't take more than 20-30 minutes (even with a kid i think its doable), very straight forward airport and you won't have to re-clear security. You'll be going from B Gates to A Gates which is only a couple of 100 meters.

Check-through for luggage is doable.

Thanks for your help

If you inbound from ALC is on time you will have no problem making the connection.
The MCT (Minimum Connection Time) in DUS is 35 min. It is a very small airport.

If the ALC flight is delayed AB needs to rebook you and pay for meals, hotel, extra transportation and EC265.
Best is to have information about alternate ways to get to your final destination. This are the options for a random date this summer after 2 pm:

[KVS Tool 8.0.1 - Timetable/NL]

DUS Dusseldorf Metro / Intl DE = DUS NRN QDF [EDDL]
HKG Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Intl HK [VHHH]
THU 23 Jun 2016 - 30 Jun 2016

Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Frequency | Dur'n | Dep T | Arr T | Effect | Ending | Exceptions
--------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ----------------------------------------------------------------
CX 376 DUS 13:25 HKG 06:35 +1 77W 0 12-4-6- 11:10 - 1 02 Jun 30 Jun

LH 2021 DUS 20:30 MUC 21:40 EQV 0 12345-7 12:55 - 2 23 Jun 30 Jun
-> LH 730 MUC 22:20 HKG 15:25 +1 346 0 2 1

LH 87 DUS 19:40 FRA 20:30 319 0 1234567 13:35 - 1 05 Jun 01 Jul
-> LH 796 FRA 22:10 HKG 15:15 +1 388 0 1 1

KL/## 1858 DUS 14:35 AMS 15:30 F70 0 1234567 13:45 - - 18 May 29 Oct
-> KL 887 AMS 17:20 HKG 10:20 +1 74E 0 - 1

AY 708 DUS 18:45 HEL 22:00 EQV 0 1234567 13:45 - 2 23 Jun 30 Jun
-> AY 69 HEL 23:50 HKG 14:30 +1 359 0 2 1

LH 2019 DUS 19:30 MUC 20:40 EQV 0 1234567 13:55 - 2 23 Jun 30 Jun
-> LH 730 MUC 22:20 HKG 15:25 +1 346 0 2 1

4U 9462 DUS 18:25 LHR 18:50 319 0 ------7 14:35 - 2 05 Jun 26 Jun
-> CX 256 LHR 20:10 HKG 15:00 +1 77W 0 3 1

AB 6045 DUS 18:50 MUC 20:05 320 0 12345-7 14:35 - 1 23 Jun 30 Jun
-> LH 730 MUC 22:20 HKG 15:25 +1 346 0 2 1

LX 1027 DUS 19:50 ZRH 21:00 EQV 0 12345-7 14:40 - - 23 Jun 30 Jun
-> LX/## 138 ZRH 22:45 HKG 16:30 +1 77W 0 - 1

G3/A5 8545 DUS 20:35 CDG 21:50 EMJ 0 12345-7 14:50 - 2F 23 Jun 30 Jun
-> AF 188 CDG 23:30 HKG 17:25 +1 EQV 0 2E 1

... and many more longer connections.

That being said, AB has a dreadful record in on-time performance and I would not take a connection of less than 2 hours with them, much less a 75 minute connection.

AB also I have heard is rather unhelpful in any missed connection. Try and see if you can get your ticket rerouted via MAD, FRA or LHR...

The time set by AB (the most restrictive) is 1 hour. Technically OP still has enough time and is not entitled to free refund or re-routing. Good luck!