Is 30 min enough for transit at IAH for CO flights?
Jan 28, 2011, 10:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: United 1K MM Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6
Is 30 min enough for transit at IAH for CO flights?
OK new year resolution to start using FlyerTalk forums 
. I am trying to fly from LAX to SJO in Costa Rica via IAH - CO website provides an option with a 30 min transit which would be great if it is workable since I am not able to leave LAX earlier (arriving from MEL on that day). Any experience with this short transit time. It will be domestic and so no customs and immigration clearance on arrival. Thanks for your help.
. I am trying to fly from LAX to SJO in Costa Rica via IAH - CO website provides an option with a 30 min transit which would be great if it is workable since I am not able to leave LAX earlier (arriving from MEL on that day). Any experience with this short transit time. It will be domestic and so no customs and immigration clearance on arrival. Thanks for your help.
Jan 28, 2011, 10:21 pm
#2
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Seems nice, but not advised....
IAH is a rather big airport, so if you arrive at C32 and your SJO flight departs from E17 then your screwed... Also, all it takes is a slight delay on LAX-IAH to result in a misconnect...
I would recommend at least 45 minutes, preferably 1 hour, for IAH...
Maybe other Fters have a different opinion...
IAH is a rather big airport, so if you arrive at C32 and your SJO flight departs from E17 then your screwed... Also, all it takes is a slight delay on LAX-IAH to result in a misconnect...
I would recommend at least 45 minutes, preferably 1 hour, for IAH...
Maybe other Fters have a different opinion...
Jan 28, 2011, 10:54 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA
Programs: OZ Diamond
Posts: 6,133
Seems nice, but not advised....
IAH is a rather big airport, so if you arrive at C32 and your SJO flight departs from E17 then your screwed... Also, all it takes is a slight delay on LAX-IAH to result in a misconnect...
I would recommend at least 45 minutes, preferably 1 hour, for IAH...
Maybe other Fters have a different opinion...
IAH is a rather big airport, so if you arrive at C32 and your SJO flight departs from E17 then your screwed... Also, all it takes is a slight delay on LAX-IAH to result in a misconnect...
I would recommend at least 45 minutes, preferably 1 hour, for IAH...
Maybe other Fters have a different opinion...
LAX
Jan 29, 2011, 6:12 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
30 minute connection may be doable at IAH, especially mainline to mainline connections as in your case. However, as golfingboy suggested, 45 minutes will give you a great chance to make the connection. Is there another IAH-SJO flight later (in case you miss your flight)?
Jan 29, 2011, 7:21 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,120
I've done many 30-35 minute connections in IAH and was always nervous. Yet, I never missed a single one. The flight times of inbound flights seem to be a little padded to allow for delays in those flights getting airborne.
If you arrive late, grab one of the electric carts immediately and have them take you to you next departure gate. That is what they are there for.
If you arrive late, grab one of the electric carts immediately and have them take you to you next departure gate. That is what they are there for.
Jan 29, 2011, 7:45 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
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Posts: 735
I've done it in 21 minutes, but it ain't pretty.
My personal rule for booking thru IAH is one hour. That way, I know I've got some cushion for weather, traffic, mechanical, etc etc etc.
IAH isn't terribly big, compared to certain other hub airport terminals, but still....
Can it be done in 30? Yeah. But I don't advise it.
My personal rule for booking thru IAH is one hour. That way, I know I've got some cushion for weather, traffic, mechanical, etc etc etc.
IAH isn't terribly big, compared to certain other hub airport terminals, but still....
Can it be done in 30? Yeah. But I don't advise it.
Jan 29, 2011, 8:18 am
#7
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Also keep in mind, since your connecting flight is an international flight, airlines generally require you to be at the gate earlier for international flights than domestic flights...
Jan 29, 2011, 9:33 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Vancouver, Houston
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Both flights will be in the C/E complex and end to end would be 15 minutes max for able walkers. Unfortunately, if you are sitting at the back of your incoming flight, it can take ten minutes to get out and oriented to your next gate. 30 minutes is doable 80% of the time. Have even a few minute delay though and you reduce those odds.
Jan 29, 2011, 10:13 am
#9
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I prefer two (2) hours for CO COnnections because of how poorly they've handled IRROPS with me in the past.
Jan 29, 2011, 10:43 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Central Florida
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Terminal C to Terminal E is doable, if your flight is on time and you are in F.
I made the trip from C43 to E19 in about 5 minutes from door open last night.
But I was in 1E (first off the plane) and I really move through the terminal.
If you are in coach from the middle back, it could be very close.
If you are going to/from Terminal B, you may need more time.
Terminal B is a horror show as are the little planes that frequent it.
I made the trip from C43 to E19 in about 5 minutes from door open last night.
But I was in 1E (first off the plane) and I really move through the terminal.
If you are in coach from the middle back, it could be very close.
If you are going to/from Terminal B, you may need more time.
Terminal B is a horror show as are the little planes that frequent it.
Jan 29, 2011, 11:45 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 315
As has been said, 45 min to 1 hour is the best, but I would book the 30 min connect time if those are the flights that you need. I have done many connections in IAH and as long as you leave LAX on-time there should not be a problem.
Jan 29, 2011, 12:01 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: CVG
Programs: UA-Silver; Hyatt Platinum; SPG Gold
Posts: 793
Adding a question to this.
I am traveling to MBJ in June from EWR through IAH and meeting my mother in IAH. She is coming from DAY so she will be on an RJ with a 45 min connection. I have never been to IAH before and by the look of the airport map getting from the RJ gates to E will be pretty far. She has some mobility problems and would never even be able to walk that far .
If I arrange a pick up for her how will that work since there is a terminal change ? It doesn't look like a cart can go from B to E.
Probably will not make a difference but she is on a purchased Z fare.
I am traveling to MBJ in June from EWR through IAH and meeting my mother in IAH. She is coming from DAY so she will be on an RJ with a 45 min connection. I have never been to IAH before and by the look of the airport map getting from the RJ gates to E will be pretty far. She has some mobility problems and would never even be able to walk that far .
If I arrange a pick up for her how will that work since there is a terminal change ? It doesn't look like a cart can go from B to E.
Probably will not make a difference but she is on a purchased Z fare.
Jan 29, 2011, 1:46 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Vancouver, Houston
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A cart, or obese (typically) wheelchair pusher will take her to the elevated train in terminal B. It is about a 4 minute ride to E/D where she will be met by another cart to get her to her gate. It is easy and fast. You are right, the fare makes no difference.
Tip for connecting from an ERJ... pack small squishy carry-on. If you have a tight connection, you don't want to be hanging around for gate checked bags.
Jan 29, 2011, 1:57 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: CVG
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Posts: 793
A cart, or obese (typically) wheelchair pusher will take her to the elevated train in terminal B. It is about a 4 minute ride to E/D where she will be met by another cart to get her to her gate. It is easy and fast. You are right, the fare makes no difference.
Tip for connecting from an ERJ... pack small squishy carry-on. If you have a tight connection, you don't want to be hanging around for gate checked bags.
Tip for connecting from an ERJ... pack small squishy carry-on. If you have a tight connection, you don't want to be hanging around for gate checked bags.
Jan 29, 2011, 3:01 pm
#15
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Last edited by GoBucks27; Sep 21, 2011 at 12:00 pm