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Minimum Connection Transfer Time at Amsterdam (AMS): The Definitive Thread

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Old Nov 28, 2018, 12:40 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: LoganFlyer
Minimum connection time at AMS
Note: when determining the airline for MCT purposes, what counts is who markets the flight, not who operates it.

Schengen Zone to Schengen Zone, KL-KL: 50 minutes

Schengen Zone to Schengen Zone, KL-DL, DL-KL, or DL-DL: 25 minutes

Schengen Zone to Non-Schengen Zone, KL-KL or KL-DL: 90 minutes

Schengen Zone to Non-Schengen Zone, DL-KL or DL-DL: 50 minutes

Non-Schengen Zone to Schengen Zone, KL-KL or DL-KL: 60 minutes

Non-Schengen Zone to Schengen Zone, KL-DL or DL-DL: 50 minutes

Non-Schengen Zone to Non-Schengen Zone, DL-DL, DL-KL, or KL-DL: 50 minutes

Non-Schengen Zone to Non-Schengen Zone, KL-KL: anywhere from 40 minutes to 2 hours--it depends on the flight numbers and the dates. I've posted the raw output below to help you figure out which MCT will apply.
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 2040 - FLT 4141
KL-KL II .55 FLT 602 - FLT 597 31MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II SUP FLT 1230 - FLT 743 OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 900 - FLT 900 - 1999 OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 904 - FLT 900 - 1999 OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 1382 - FLT 900 - 1999 OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 1386 - FLT 900 - 1999 OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 1396 - FLT 900 - 1999 OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 1614 - FLT 900 - 1999 OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 3086 - FLT 900 - 1999 OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 902 - FLT 900 - 1999 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 1392 - FLT 900 - 1999 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 1394 - FLT 900 - 1999 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 900 - FLT 900 - 1999 31MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 904 - FLT 900 - 1999 31MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 1386 - FLT 900 - 1999 31MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 1396 - FLT 900 - 1999 31MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 1614 - FLT 900 - 1999 31MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 3086 - FLT 900 - 1999 31MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 1.00 ALL - FLT 3096 GROUP3 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 3097 - ALL ALL - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 758 - ALL OPN -02DEC18
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 894 - ALL OPN -02DEC18
KL-KL II .55 FLT 741 - ALL OPN -28FEB19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 749 - ALL OPN -28FEB19
KL-KL II 1.05 FLT 884 - ALL OPN -29MAR19
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 602 - ALL OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 622 - ALL OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 692 - ALL OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 724 - ALL OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 734 - ALL OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 792 - ALL OPN -30MAR19
KL-KL II 1.00 ALL - FLT 3096
KL-KL II 1.10 ALL - FLT 3823
KL-KL II 1.10 ALL - FLT 3948
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 210 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 3097 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 3822 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 3949 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 4102 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 4991 - ALL
KL-KL II .55 FLT 758 - ALL 03DEC18-28FEB19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 876 - ALL 01JAN19-03FEB19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 878 - ALL 01JAN19-03FEB19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 434 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 604 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 606 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 608 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 741 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .55 FLT 749 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 882 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 884 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 1.55 FLT 888 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 2.00 FLT 894 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 2.00 FLT 896 - ALL 30MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 566 - ALL 31MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 602 - ALL 31MAR19-26OCT19
KL-KL II .50 FLT 900 - 1999 - FLT 3400 - 3420 ALL - LIN
KL-KL II .50 FLT 900 - 1999 - FLT 3400 - 3420 ALL - FCO
KL-KL II .50 FLT 3400 - 3420 - FLT 900 - 1999 LIN - ALL
KL-KL II .50 FLT 3400 - 3420 - FLT 900 - 1999 FCO - ALL
KL-KL II .50 FLT 400 - 1999 - FLT 6000 - 9999
KL-KL II .40 FLT 900 - 1999 - FLT 900 - 1999
KL-KL II .40 FLT 900 - 1999 - FLT 3108 - 3109
KL-KL II .50 FLT 2000 - 2369 - FLT 6000 - 9999
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 2370 - 2529 - FLT 6000 - 9999
KL-KL II 1.05 FLT 2520 - 2699 - FLT 6000 - 9999
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 2700 - 4999 - FLT 6000 - 6199
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 2823 - 2826 - FLT 900 - 1999
KL-KL II 1.45 FLT 2960 - 2999 - FLT 300 - 899
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 3000 - 4999 - FLT 6000 - 6199
KL-KL II .40 FLT 3108 - 3109 - FLT 900 - 1999
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 3150 - 3175 - FLT 900 - 1999
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 6000 - 6199 - FLT 2700 - 4999
KL-KL II .50 FLT 6000 - 9999 - FLT 400 - 1999
KL-KL II .50 FLT 6000 - 9999 - FLT 2000 - 2369
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 6000 - 9999 - FLT 2370 - 2529
KL-KL II 1.05 FLT 6000 - 9999 - FLT 2520 - 2699
KL-KL II 1.05 ALL - FLT 3178 - 3183 GRU - ALL
KL-KL II 1.05 ALL - FLT 3178 - 3183 YVR - ALL
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 400 - 1999 - ALL EQP ALL - TRN
ALL - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.30 ALL - FLT 2520 - 2699 EQP TRN - ALL
KL-KL II 1.30 ALL - FLT 3096 - 3099 EQP TRN - ALL
KL-KL II 1.30 ALL - FLT 3100 - 3107 EQP TRN - ALL
KL-KL II 1.00 ALL - FLT 2520 - 2699 GROUP3 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 ALL - FLT 2758 - 2759 GROUP3 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.40 ALL - FLT 2890 - 2899 GROUP3 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 320 - 329 - ALL ALL - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 2520 - 2699 - ALL ALL - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 2758 - 2759 - ALL ALL - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 2830 - 2837 - ALL ALL - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.40 FLT 2890 - 2899 - ALL ALL - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 3076 - 3079 - ALL ALL - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 3120 - 3122 - ALL ALL - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.00 ALL - FLT 320 - 329
KL-KL II 1.05 ALL - FLT 2520 - 2699
KL-KL II 1.10 ALL - FLT 2758 - 2759
KL-KL II 2.00 ALL - FLT 2890 - 2899
KL-KL II 1.10 ALL - FLT 3100 - 3107
KL-KL II 1.00 ALL - FLT 3152 - 3173
KL-KL II 1.10 ALL - FLT 3178 - 3183
KL-KL II 1.10 ALL - FLT 3646 - 3649
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 320 - 329 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.05 FLT 2520 - 2699 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 2758 - 2759 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 2823 - 2826 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 2830 - 2837 - ALL
KL-KL II 2.00 FLT 2890 - 2899 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.30 FLT 2960 - 2999 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 3076 - 3079 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.15 FLT 3100 - 3107 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 3120 - 3122 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.00 FLT 3150 - 3175 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.10 FLT 3178 - 3183 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.15 FLT 3646 - 3649 - ALL
KL-KL II 1.00 EQP ALL - TRN GROUP3 - GROUP3
KL-KL II 1.30 EQP TRN - ALL
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Minimum Connection Transfer Time at Amsterdam (AMS): The Definitive Thread

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Old Feb 16, 2004, 9:38 am
  #16  
 
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65 minutes is plenty of time. Be aware that the airport is quite spread out. It can be quite a hike from one end to another.

One thing to keep in mind on the AMS-DTW/MSP/MEM return is the need for secondary checks at the gate. Agents there will screen you (and it can be quite picky) before being allowed in the gate area. It can be time consuming.
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Old Feb 16, 2004, 1:14 pm
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Andy100:
I am flying DTW-AMS-BOM all on NW metal. I have a layover of about an hour in AMS.. just wondering if an hour is enough. Thanks!</font>
Going to Bombay, it should be enough. Coming back west to the US, 1 hour connection time in AMS would be tight, since NW's security procedures are rather time consuming. You will make the flight, but count on standing in the lines for a while.
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Old Feb 16, 2004, 4:48 pm
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I've done the same flight, but booked on the earlier trip out of DTW. After a night flight having time to have a shower and change clothes before the day flight to BOM was very nice. 5 hours to Bombay and you will appreciate the advice and wish your seatmate did the same!

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Old Feb 16, 2004, 6:15 pm
  #19  
 
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I actually have a similar question here, but will be flying back to the USA with a 55 minute connection in AMS.

I'll be arriving on a NW coded Malev flight from BUD and connecting to a NW flight (NW 37 AMS-BOS) to the US.

In the past I've had no problems making tight connections going back to the states, but it's always been on KL metal (secondary screening to enter the departure gate in pier F, but no ICTS interview).

As I'll be on NW metal this time, I know that screening to enter the departure gate and the ICTS interviews will come into play.

Does anyone know what pier the Malev flights pull into? I know that my NW flight to BOS will likely be departing out of pier E. Being that I'll be coming in from BUD I presume it should be a direct international to international connection.

Last but not least, I'm ticketed on the Malev flight as a NW passenger (as it has a NW codeshare # on it). As NW did the ticketing and it's all on one ticket, I presume the 55 minutes is legal?

Worst case scenario I figure I should be protected by NW being they did the ticketing, all flights are on one ticket (paper ticket), and all flights have NW numbers... However, 55 minutes sounds like it's pushing it, especially if my inbound is running late.

Anyone know at what point NW closes boarding for connecting pax at AMS?

Best,

SDF_Traveler

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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin
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Old Feb 17, 2004, 5:24 am
  #20  
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SDF_Traveler, you should be fine.

IIRC the Boston flight leaves Schiphol around 2 p.m. and normally from the E concourse.

The Malev flight will come in at either the D concourse ( non Schengen level ) or especially around your time of arrival at the E concourse ( E concourse is mainly used for US bound flights in the morning hours, but after most of the birds are gone, it is also used for "non schengen" flights from Europe )

So if you are lucky you have a 2 minute walk from one E gate to the other !
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Old Feb 17, 2004, 2:30 pm
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Threy:
SDF_Traveler, you should be fine.

IIRC the Boston flight leaves Schiphol around 2 p.m. and normally from the E concourse.

The Malev flight will come in at either the D concourse ( non Schengen level ) or especially around your time of arrival at the E concourse ( E concourse is mainly used for US bound flights in the morning hours, but after most of the birds are gone, it is also used for "non schengen" flights from Europe )

So if you are lucky you have a 2 minute walk from one E gate to the other ! </font>
I was thinking the Malev flight would likely come in on the C/D concourse (pier) on the lower (non-Schengen) level, which would just leave me with a walk to E. However, if it pulls into E, that would be excellent.

I suspect as long as my inbound is on-time, everything should be in good shape. Fortunately I have a longer layover on my outbound so that I can enjoy Schiphol for a couple of hours, visit the lounge, and have a look at duty-free.

Cheers,

SDF_Traveler

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Old Feb 12, 2005, 7:53 am
  #22  
 
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AMS Connection
I am looking at a routing ORF-DTW-AMS-FCO, and am wondering if it is feasable to make a 1 hour intl connection in AMS? Will I have to go through immigration there, or when I arrive in Rome, or both? Sorry for the newbie question
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Old Feb 12, 2005, 8:18 am
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Originally Posted by inagaddadavida
I am looking at a routing ORF-DTW-AMS-FCO, and am wondering if it is feasable to make a 1 hour intl connection in AMS? Will I have to go through immigration there, or when I arrive in Rome, or both? Sorry for the newbie question
I know that the "official" minimum connecting time is about 50 minutes. I have a 50-minute cnx MSP-AMS-IST next week, and if nwa.com sells you the ticket, it's a legal connection (as far as I know!). I've done this one a few times, and it hasn't been a problem.
That said, if you miss the connection, I know KLM staff are notoriously "by the book" at AMS, so I'm guessing you're stuck with the next flight to FCO on KL, even if it's several hours away. The good thing about that is that there are several flights a day to FCO. You're lucky it's not somewhere like Moscow, with only 1x a day.
As for Immigration: For my IST flight, I won't go through Immigration in AMS, since Turkey isn't in the EU. But you will go thru immigration--though passport lines have always (IMO) been about 0-5 minutes long. I think you'll be fine, as long as you don't expect KLM to hold your flight if your first one was running late.
Have fun in Rome!
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Old Feb 12, 2005, 8:47 am
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Not a problem if everything is on time. Recently had 50-60 min each way in AMS (AMS-MSP-VIE). Actually had to go to B terminal. You will go through passport checks, but that usually takes minutes.The only issue is length of line. On the return flight you will go through passport checks again but the process is very efficient (do they even look at you passport???). The major issue for me is the walking - it's a long way to walk anywhere in AMS! So, I suggest that you have your AMS-FCO boarding passes ready, sit in front (WBC is best!), and move fast. You should not have any problems making the connection. But, no time for shopping!
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Old Feb 12, 2005, 8:51 am
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Or, you might get unlucky and have a combination of a) a 15-minute delayed arrival of your flight into AMS and then b) painfully slow deplaning while an ancient gentleman with a cane exited first, walked VERY Sloooowly in the middle of the aisle and no one could pass him; c) a 20 minute wait line for passport and immigration, and d) a 15-minute walk to your connecting gait, even if you walk briskly and/or run over four-abreast families on the way

This happened to me last year. 50-60 minutes is too close for my blood pressure comfort level, thanks, unless you don't care about missing a flight (I cared a lot).

Recently I'd booked an international itinerary allowing about two hours time between my flight into AMS from Berlin and my international flight out to MSP, connecting to SJC. NW/KLM sent me a computerized notice I'd been moved from my originally scheduled flight to MSP had been moved to an earlier flight with only 50 minutes connection time because my final connection into SJC had been cancelled. I told them no way could I count on making that short connection in AMS and I had to get back home that day and couldn't risk missing the international flight, so I suggested a reroute into SFO instead of SJC. They wanted to make me pay $200 for the "change." I fussed and told them I would never have booked a 50-minute connection in AMS in the first place, so finally after going through the supervisor they did the reroute without charge (leaving me a nice two hours to connect).
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Old Feb 12, 2005, 9:46 am
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Try sit as near to the front of the plane as possible as in tight connection avoiding the extra 10 to 15 minute wait to disembark from the rear of the plane can make the difference.
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Old Feb 12, 2005, 10:44 am
  #27  
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Originally Posted by inagaddadavida
I am looking at a routing ORF-DTW-AMS-FCO, and am wondering if it is feasable to make a 1 hour intl connection in AMS? Will I have to go through immigration there, or when I arrive in Rome, or both? Sorry for the newbie question

One hour is more then enough. NWA (at least from MSP) always arrives 15-25 minutes early to the gate. The port to FCO is a bit away but is doable walking in 10 minutes.

You do not need to go via immigration - so no hassle there. Besides it is quick and painless at AMS.
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Old Feb 12, 2005, 9:35 pm
  #28  
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Walk fast, you will make it. I've yet to miss a connection in AMS even when my incoming flight was late AND I had to stop at the KLM transfer desk for the boarding pass.

Suggestion: Do not do an on-line check-in, since NW's on-line check-in will not print KLM boarding passes. Use a kiosk or live ticket agent when you start your trip. KLM's transfer desk in AMS looks crowded but is efficient; nevertheless, you'll have a few extra minutes if you arrive with your KLM boarding passes in hand.

Passport control in AMS is usually quick. There will be no passport checks in FCO.

My wife & I did a similar trip (MSP/ATL/AMS/FCO) 12/23 - 1/2. If you want more suggestions, let me know -- otherwise I'll shuddup.
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Old Feb 13, 2005, 12:03 am
  #29  
 
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Originally Posted by kyushuman
But you will go thru immigration--though passport lines have always (IMO) been about 0-5 minutes long.
How funny that I wrote that yesterday--and of course, arriving in AMS this morning, there were at least 75 people in every immigration line! It looked like it was going to take a while, so I ducked into the Crowne Lounge. I'd say the only time like this would be now (like 7AM) since several flights arrive from Asia, as well as the US at this time. Later, and you should be ok.
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Old Feb 13, 2005, 2:51 am
  #30  
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Originally Posted by inagaddadavida
I am looking at a routing ORF-DTW-AMS-FCO, and am wondering if it is feasable to make a 1 hour intl connection in AMS? Will I have to go through immigration there, or when I arrive in Rome, or both? Sorry for the newbie question
You should have no problem, considering the transatlantic flights back to Europe always benefit from the jet stream, they will arrive ahead of schedule at Schiphol, but sometimes they will have to use 18R/36L " Polderbaan" which some cynics would say is closer to DTW than AMS and easily result in a taxi time of 30 minutes to the E concourse.From there on you have to get to the D,C and B concourse, likely D or C, so it is only a short 10-15 minute walk.

And even if there 75 people in the line ahead of you, we are not taking about US style immigration, in Europe they will swipe your passport or only look at it and maybe ask to what destination you are going today, so that will not take more than 10 minutes as well,even behind 75 other guys, so plenty of time to shop at Fabulicious Schiphol

www.schiphol.nl
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