mikem004

I'm looking at a DL/KLM itinerary on a Saturday in November or December:
LAS-SLC-AMS
All on one ticket, all on DL metal, booked with KLM, hand luggage only. Is a 30m transfer in SLC feasible?
In the event of a missed connection at SLC, I see there are a few other "round the houses" options: via MSP on DL, or via CDG on AF.
I have no significant status with KLM/AF.

flyerCO

Plus options via SEA, SFO, LAX, etc..

Often1

It is feasible and you will, of course, be rebooked if you misconnect.

But, do consider that it is high season, the economy is on screech, and flights are full. The next available flight may not be what you want and your seat may be particularly odious.

btonkid12345

It's only high season on a Saturday if it's during a holiday week.

You can take the 30 minutes and just have backup options you've already researched to feed a rebooking agent. The only people that end up with odious seats are those that leave their rebooking and seat selection to an agent pointing and clicking in SNAP

mikem004

I would be travelling late November/early December, avoiding Thanksgiving and Christmas.
So the journey would not be in high season.

3Cforme

On the date I checked there was an earlier LAS-SLC departure. That presents a trade-off: a connection time with minimal risk but 'wasted' journey time vs. a short connection that has some likelihood of being missed and requiring a connection on the fly.

I've done my share of SLC domestic-to-domestic 30 minute connections. It's a relatively small and efficient airport. I wouldn't touch 30 min domestic-to-international.

jdrtravel

My guess is that OP is getting a better fare for the 30 minute connection. I don't personally like risky connections like this, but if there is any airport to do it in, it's SLC.

FlyingUnderTheRadar

You should be fine. BUT remember the flight closes 15 minutes before departure so in reality the connection time is only 15 minutes which is still fine for SLC if the flight is on time.

ijgordon

If DL could guarantee you that they would hold the door until departure time, this would seem to be a relative no-brainer. But they often like to close the door at T-15m. Assuming the inbound flight door is opened for deplaning right on time, it can still be a little tight if you're in the back half of the plane and need to change concourses. But, we know DL likes to pad schedules so if all goes well you should arrive SLC a little early and it shouldn't be a problem at all.
Definitely be armed with alternative routings in case (1) the departure from LAS is delayed, or (2) the arrival into SLC is delayed and you miss connections. Given the timing and apparent alternatives, I would probably take the itinerary, especially as it sounds like OP is a solo traveler.

beachmouse

And hey, it's Delta. The odds are reasonably good that they'll start playing around with the schedule and you'll get a free change because they moved one of the flights by three minutes or whatever token amount of time that puts you under their minimum legal connection time for that kind of routing.

I'd book and then recheck the flights every Sunday morning in hopes Schedule Change Saturday can work in my favor.

Fsnco1

iflyalexair

There will likely be a schedule change between now and then. Even 1 minute is likely enough to bust the MCT, which would allow you to rebook on a better routing.

hockeystl

Be ready to start yelling "excuse me" on the moving walkways. Walk LEFT Stand RIGHT seems unusually difficult concept to follow in SLC for some reason.

And book a seat as close to the front of the plane as possible on your first leg. Could take an additional 5-7 minutes to deplane if you're stuck behind a mob of clueless kettles.

TuxTom

Quick search I did looks like you could also fly LAS-DTW/MSP/ATL-AMS with a more reasonable layover for the same fare.

mikem004

I would normally avoid a transfer at a mega-airport such as ATL. But for my itinerary it would be Delta->Delta. Connections may well be in the same terminal, with just a walk to the departure gate.