Navigating IAH On Connecting Flights
Nov 29, 2008 | 3:21 pm
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: The Right Creek, AZ
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Navigating IAH On Connecting Flights
Beginning '09, I will start flying CO as full-time as possible. 
Since I am PHX-based, most of my flights will be connecting me through IAH.
Final destinations are places like BNA, BTR, MIA, PHL, etc.
It looks like most of the PHX-IAH legs are on 7-series equipment, but the connections to places like BNA, BTR, are on RJ's.
I read on here that the RJ's tend to operate out of Terminal B, whereas all other mainline A/C operates from the others.
What do you all consider to be a decent connection in these scenarios? Also, on flights coming back through IAH where I am on 7-series, do I have any other connection concerns to be aware of?
TIA...
Since I am PHX-based, most of my flights will be connecting me through IAH.
Final destinations are places like BNA, BTR, MIA, PHL, etc.
It looks like most of the PHX-IAH legs are on 7-series equipment, but the connections to places like BNA, BTR, are on RJ's.
I read on here that the RJ's tend to operate out of Terminal B, whereas all other mainline A/C operates from the others.
What do you all consider to be a decent connection in these scenarios? Also, on flights coming back through IAH where I am on 7-series, do I have any other connection concerns to be aware of?
TIA...
Nov 29, 2008 | 3:27 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SAT
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All CO mainline operates from C/E and all CO Express (except a few intl) operate from B. I'd say 50-55 minutes is about all I would allocate to myself for these types of connections.
Nov 29, 2008 | 4:36 pm
#3
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Location: Southern, CA, USA
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On tight connections, I ask the gate agent to send an email to IAH or EWR and have one of those electric carts waiting for me. Give the driver $5 right away and you'll make the flight easily
Nov 29, 2008 | 4:46 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: CO-plat, SPG-plat
Posts: 1,658
regional to mainline connections need more time
The regional to mainline connection on your flight home might need a bit more time, esp if you gate-check carry-on baggage. If your RJ flight arrives at gate B84, all passengers must wait onboard the aircraft until groundcrew completes unloading carry-on baggage. If your RJ flight arrives at a jetbridge, only those passengers with gate-checked baggage need wait while others proceed directly in to the terminal.
Since one cannot determine gate assignments at time of booking (unless of course you book just prior to the flight's departure), you will need to allot extra time for regional to mainline connections.
Since one cannot determine gate assignments at time of booking (unless of course you book just prior to the flight's departure), you will need to allot extra time for regional to mainline connections.
Nov 29, 2008 | 5:05 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,034
The longest time it takes to transit from one gate to another on a mainline CO flight (within terminal C/E which is all one BIG terminal) is about ten minutes in my estimation. This would be for walking, train or a combo of the two. Add to that another 5-10 minutes if you have to transfer to term B and you need 20 minutes MINIMUM for the longest gate to gate connection. This doesn't account for deplaning time (up to 10 minutes normally) and GA's closing the departing flight (potentially 15 (?) mins before dep). Add that all up and, if everything is on time, worst case scenario you would need 45 minutes minimum from arrival time to departure time.
Nov 29, 2008 | 9:01 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2006
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30 min I beleive is the minimum legal connection time. Can usually do it in a lot less unless:
1) International arrival allow 2 hours unless in GOES.
2) RJ Arrival at B84 (almost always CHQ flights) add 10 min for gate check problem mentioned above
3) 757, 767, 777 arrival if you are seated in back of plane add 10 min.
1) International arrival allow 2 hours unless in GOES.
2) RJ Arrival at B84 (almost always CHQ flights) add 10 min for gate check problem mentioned above
3) 757, 767, 777 arrival if you are seated in back of plane add 10 min.
Nov 29, 2008 | 9:25 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 943
I would personally recommend you give yourself 30 minutes to make the start of boarding, which would typically mean an hour or so. Boarding starts 35 minutes prior to departure on mainly aircraft, I believe less than that on CoEX, and you want to allow yourself time to get settled in, score bin space, etc. Booking tight connections and then having to try to make them during a delay is never a pleasant experience for the passengers or the crew.
Nov 30, 2008 | 10:13 am
#8
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Thanks, everyone.
Nov 30, 2008 | 11:56 am
#9
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Even if you're mainline-to-mainline, 30 minutes is really pushing it in some cases. If you're arriving at C24 in the back of a 757 and leaving from E24, even if you chock right on time, that gives you about eight minutes to run the length of Terminal C (because your onward flight will close at -10 before ETD). I've done it but it was extremely hectic... 45 minutes should be the minimum domestic conx time.
Nov 30, 2008 | 2:28 pm
#10
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I'm less concerned about connecting on my outbounds to a RJ, for obvious reasons, but again, I've never connected through IAH, (only ended there), so I really appreciate everyone's input. Some of the connection times I have seen are 38 minutes, or 45 minutes. Sounds like I best err on the side of caution and take the 45 minutes.
Additional question - when flying in F, do you find that the FA will reserve overhead bin space for pax in F, or does Continental work it as a first come, first grab, kind of scene?
Additional question - when flying in F, do you find that the FA will reserve overhead bin space for pax in F, or does Continental work it as a first come, first grab, kind of scene?
Nov 30, 2008 | 4:17 pm
#11
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They generally try to reserve it for passengers seated in F, until all of the F passengers have boarded. If all the F seats have people in them, and Y is still boarding, I've seen them then allow Y passengers to use the F bins if needed.
Nov 30, 2008 | 7:53 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,034
Exactly right. Keep in mind though that occasionally someone from coach will slip a bag up there without us noticing. If we see it we'll say something if we don't we're not going to make a federal case over it. Bottom line, if you board late in the game, whether by your own choice or not, you run the risk of having to put your bag in the back -- or in the belly.