Is a 30+ minute connection in DTW or MSP really doable?
Jan 28, 2018, 7:51 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
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Is a 30+ minute connection in DTW or MSP really doable?
Looking to book a flight from SEA-CLE early June. Most of the connections that get me into CLE at a decent hour through either DTW or MSP have 30-45 minute connections in these airports. One thru MSP gives me a 1.30 connection but gets me in a little later then I had hoped.
I have the same issue with the return....either a 30-45 minute connection or a 3 hour.
Thoughts?
I have the same issue with the return....either a 30-45 minute connection or a 3 hour.
Thoughts?
Jan 28, 2018, 8:01 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 220
Looking to book a flight from SEA-CLE early June. Most of the connections that get me into CLE at a decent hour through either DTW or MSP have 30-45 minute connections in these airports. One thru MSP gives me a 1.30 connection but gets me in a little later then I had hoped.
I have the same issue with the return....either a 30-45 minute connection or a 3 hour.
Thoughts?
I have the same issue with the return....either a 30-45 minute connection or a 3 hour.
Thoughts?
Jan 28, 2018, 8:02 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2002
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I've had quite a few of these, and have always made it. If you have problems with fast walking, DTW is easier than MSP, given the efficient train in the terminal and overall shorter distances.
Jan 28, 2018, 8:02 am
#4
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Looking to book a flight from SEA-CLE early June. Most of the connections that get me into CLE at a decent hour through either DTW or MSP have 30-45 minute connections in these airports. One thru MSP gives me a 1.30 connection but gets me in a little later then I had hoped.
I have the same issue with the return....either a 30-45 minute connection or a 3 hour.
Thoughts?
I have the same issue with the return....either a 30-45 minute connection or a 3 hour.
Thoughts?
I think 30 minutes at MSP is tight, but again, 45-60 is doable.
Jan 28, 2018, 8:06 am
#5
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Suggest you review the existing threads that cover your questions:
Minimum Connection Transfer Time at Detroit (DTW): The Definitive Thread
Minimum Connection Transfer Time at Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP): The Definitive Thread
Minimum Connection Transfer Time at Detroit (DTW): The Definitive Thread
Minimum Connection Transfer Time at Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP): The Definitive Thread
Jan 28, 2018, 8:38 am
#6
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Dtw-cle is mostly mainline and CR9's these days that depart from concourse A.
Jan 28, 2018, 8:48 am
#7
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The question is really hard to answer without knowing a passenger's specific situation and the suggestions show that.
The connections are both within MCT. Whether they are within SCT (Sensible Connection Time) is subjective. MCT represents a carrier's willingness to accept the risk of a misconnect. Nothing more. It is not about convenience or practicality.
It goes without saying that it your inbound is delayed and the outbound not accepting passengers after T-15, that you will misconnect. Nothing to be done about that.
The rest has to do with whether you are able to move at a brisk pace from arrival to departure. If you need or want to make a stop, if you cannot walk at that pace or, in the case of gate checks you need to wait, all bets are off.
The real question to ask is what are the consequences of a misconnect. Is there a later flight? When is it? Will it likely have space? If you are late to your destination, what are the consequences?
The connections are both within MCT. Whether they are within SCT (Sensible Connection Time) is subjective. MCT represents a carrier's willingness to accept the risk of a misconnect. Nothing more. It is not about convenience or practicality.
It goes without saying that it your inbound is delayed and the outbound not accepting passengers after T-15, that you will misconnect. Nothing to be done about that.
The rest has to do with whether you are able to move at a brisk pace from arrival to departure. If you need or want to make a stop, if you cannot walk at that pace or, in the case of gate checks you need to wait, all bets are off.
The real question to ask is what are the consequences of a misconnect. Is there a later flight? When is it? Will it likely have space? If you are late to your destination, what are the consequences?
Jan 28, 2018, 9:14 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2011
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DTW -Departing from the front of the aircraft, and not waiting for a pink tag bag, 30 mins very doable IMHO.
MSP- I would check the arrival/departure gate history, even then , I wouldn't if connection critical.
MSP- I would check the arrival/departure gate history, even then , I wouldn't if connection critical.
Jan 28, 2018, 10:13 am
#9
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I see a lot of these tight connections as well on DL, and usually the only more reasonable ones are at off hours. 30-40 minutes does not allow much room for error. I would look at other airlines first.
Jan 28, 2018, 10:55 am
#10
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It's less than 5000 feet from one end of B/C to the furthest point in A - not even one mile. Along the way there are close to a dozen moving walkways. If you're off the plane in a decent amount of time and don't stop to smell the flowers, 30 minutes is normally just fine. It would be fine even in the absence of all the moving walkways.
Jan 28, 2018, 12:44 pm
#11
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OP needs to value the opportunity of an hour saved in transit (the 30-min vs. 90-min connection) and earlier arrival time vs. the possibility of a missed 30-min connection (knowing that there are later flights same day from both DTW and MSP).
Yes, 30-min connections are possible at DTW. I wouldn't do 30-mins to the last flight of the day without being prepared to overnight. OP can check aircraft and see if the current schedule is mainline to mainline.
As for people who routinely book away from 30-minute connections, maybe they suffer the scars of inferior airports (MSP, DTW and ATL are all pretty good) and airlines that haven't been The On-Time Machine for decades.
Yes, 30-min connections are possible at DTW. I wouldn't do 30-mins to the last flight of the day without being prepared to overnight. OP can check aircraft and see if the current schedule is mainline to mainline.
As for people who routinely book away from 30-minute connections, maybe they suffer the scars of inferior airports (MSP, DTW and ATL are all pretty good) and airlines that haven't been The On-Time Machine for decades.
Jan 28, 2018, 4:38 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2017
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If there are later flights to CLE that day, then I would be willing to book it. That gives you a potential backup if you do misconnect. As for MSP vs. DTW, I don't really have an issue with short connections at either airport, but I think DTW is a tad quicker, especially if you're on all mainline jets and can stay within A
Jan 28, 2018, 8:04 pm
#13
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If something goes totally wrong and miss the last flight of the day, it's a pretty easy drive from DTW to Cleveland. Been there, done that.
Back on topic, both are pretty easy connections. CLE flights usually live from the upper C gates at MSP and SEA will come into F or G. If it's a high G gate, it's a really short walk to the high C gates. DTW is a piece of cake to connect even if you walk from one end of A to the other.
Back on topic, both are pretty easy connections. CLE flights usually live from the upper C gates at MSP and SEA will come into F or G. If it's a high G gate, it's a really short walk to the high C gates. DTW is a piece of cake to connect even if you walk from one end of A to the other.
Jan 28, 2018, 10:50 pm
#14
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These connections would be too tight for me at either airport but at least if you go through DTW and misconnect and there happens to be no space on later flights, CLE is an easy drive from Detroit - not so much from MSP.
ETA: I see SJC ORD LDR made the same point above.
ETA: I see SJC ORD LDR made the same point above.
Jan 29, 2018, 12:38 am
#15
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I wouldn't be too concerned about a 30+ minute connection in MSP. Assuming no weather or mechanical delays (which could happen on any given aircraft at any given airport), you'll likely arrive early. MSP is the #1 most on-time airport (MSP Airport is No. 1 in on-time performance, report finds - StarTribune.com) and Delta overall as the most on-time airline. Your odds are about as good as they could get for a smooth connection at MSP on Delta.