Nov 28, 2018, 12:40 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

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.

Quote:

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

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

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Sep 20, 2006, 12:38 pm

#76

cpx

Join Date: Feb 2006

Location: 99654

Programs: Many

Posts: 6,450

AMS is one of the best airport to transit through.

Even if you have to go through passport control.. its pretty fast.

Oct 9, 2006, 11:18 am

#77

peachfront

Join Date: Mar 2004

Location: MSY

Programs: NW Gold and now Delta Gold

Posts: 3,072

70 minutes connection time AMS-LIS?

I keep coming up with this over and over again. Has anyone done this? Is it actually possible to land at AMS and catch the connection to LIS in that amount of time? I'm about ready to give up on the whole trip because it just looks too stressful. Why are they leaving so little time to make the connection? Anyone know?

Oct 9, 2006, 12:11 pm

#78

fromYXU

Join Date: Jan 2002

Location: RST

Programs: Delta Diamond; Hilton Diamond; Accor Gold

Posts: 4,839

Quote:

Originally Posted by peachfront

It can be done. You will need to go directly to your connecting flight. I have done it with a 60 min connection before. No time to spend in the shops....

Oct 9, 2006, 2:02 pm

#79

Yub

Join Date: Feb 2005

Location: SNA/LAX

Posts: 367

I didn't have any problems with a 55 minute connection last year flying ORD-AMS-MUC. I recall that it was a fairly long distance between gates but there are moving walkways to help speed things along. The lines at the Schengen passport control area were a bit slow, but I still made it to the gate before the start of boarding.

Oct 9, 2006, 2:19 pm

#80

TrayflowInUK

Join Date: Jan 2004

Location: SYD+TYO+GFK

Programs: UA 1K, QF Plat, VA Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Coles FlyBuys

Posts: 2,805

The Schengen transfer passport control is located where D-pier hooks onto the main terminal building. Your flight from the US will most likely arrive in E, F, or G pier, and you will need to clear immigration (aforementioned) and security before proceeding to your LIS flight. This is entirely possible and I've done it before.

Last time I went through Schiphol, I noticed there is now a dedicated "shocon" line for short connections. It's at the far left of the passport queues, it's a vertically-oriented plasma display showing flight numbers. If your flight is one of these, you can use the shocon line, so this should increase your odds of making it.

If you miss your flight due to late inbound aircraft for any reason, you'll be stuck in See Buy Fly for quite a while

. There are only two KL flights a day, and KL is notoriously bad about rerouting:
KL1693 AMS 1235 LIS 1430
KL1697 AMS 2110 LIS 2305

However, if you arrive late, even by an hour, and the first monitor you see says "Gate Closed", make a run for it anyway, as IME I've seen it say GATE CLOSED before boarding even started.

Oct 9, 2006, 3:01 pm

#81

Yaatri

Suspended

Join Date: Jan 2002

Posts: 22,778

Quote:

Originally Posted by peachfront

70 minutes connection time in AMS is plenty going to LIS.

Oct 9, 2006, 3:04 pm

#82

peachfront

Join Date: Mar 2004

Location: MSY

Programs: NW Gold and now Delta Gold

Posts: 3,072

thanks, all

I appreciate the reassurances. I'll be going! I was not aware of the short connections line, I'll watch for that one. It's always great to get advice from people who have gone before.

Oct 9, 2006, 4:25 pm

#83

avidflyer

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jun 2006

Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.

Programs: United1K, AA ExPlAAt, DL MM/Gold, Hilton Diamond, Avis First

Posts: 13,316

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrayflowInUK

There are worse places to be stuck for a day...

Oct 9, 2006, 5:09 pm

#84

Orion316

Join Date: Sep 2006

Programs: DL PM, 1.1MM

Posts: 409

No problem

I think I've done the exact thing you're trying to do after volunteering my seat on an earlier flight. The WBC across the pond easily made up for the (little bit) of stress of the short connection.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yaatri

70 minutes connection time in AMS is plenty going to LIS.

Oct 10, 2006, 8:22 am

#85

tharris

Join Date: Nov 2003

Location: MN, USA

Programs: NW plat

Posts: 297

Another thing to remember is that you have a *scheduled* 70 minute connection. Your flight may arrive at AMS before, or after, that, and the taxi time can seem extensive when you are in a hurry. If you are in the back of the plane, it can take 20 minutes to get out.

My last trip to LIS (last month) gave us 2 hours in AMS. During that time we went to the club for snacks and hit nearly every shop before going through passport control (I didn't see the short connection line, but found another line that had recently opened and was very short - just because few people are using it doesn't mean they know what they are doing). We waited at the gate that showed "boarding" for about 10 minutes before it was actually true.

On a return trip a couple of years ago, my LIS-AMS flight was very late (they usually are only a little late

). We ran as fast as we could to the DTW or MSP connecting flight. The security agent gave us a hard time and looked like he might not let us on the plane because we were not there when we were supposed to be (Why were you late? What were you doing?...). The KLM ticket agents in the area smiled and said they always do that, but as long as the doors weren't closed and you didn't look like a security risk, they let you through.

I certainly wouldn't worry about the connection time. If you miss the connection, make sure to take advantage of your time in AMS and go into the city. If not, enjoy Portugal. For me half the fun in travelling is making the best of the unexpected and relaxing my normally uber-controlling self.

Dec 17, 2007, 11:11 am

#86

jjlovecub

Join Date: Nov 2005

Location: Sarasota, FL

Programs: Northwest Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Intercontinental Royal Ambassador, National Executive Elite

Posts: 613

Quote:

Originally Posted by themicah

I'm pretty sure (somebody will correct me if I'm wrong, I'm sure) that only connections between Schengen and non-Schengen countries require clearing passport control. Since neither the UK nor the US is a Schengen country, your daughter should NOT pass through passport control in AMS.

She will, however, go through an extra security check at the gate for the US-bound flight.

1:20 is plenty of time unless the first flight is horribly delayed. I've made AMS connections (with my bags) in under 25 minutes when the inbound flight was delayed. AMS is a great airport to connect through. Be sure to have your daughter pick up a slab of gouda in the airport on her way home.

I am returning on a trip ROM-AMS-MEM and have a 50 min layover in AMS. From reading this thread I think I'll be ok (and I don't go through immigration??) but wanted to verify - Thanks for your help.

Dec 17, 2007, 11:29 am

#87

YVR Cockroach

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Programs: FB Silver going for Gold

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Just security. All non-Schengen departing flights have security conducted at the gate (in the D, E, F and G piers) so no worry about missing the flight due to security as they know you're waiting to clear! U.S. flights have extra questioning as mentioned.

Dec 17, 2007, 12:49 pm

#88

SpinzCity

Join Date: May 2005

Programs: DL Million Miler

Posts: 1,963

If you are coming from a Schengen country (Italy) you will have to go through a passport control on the way to the non-Schengen area. Sometimes there is a bit of a queue, but it normally only takes a few minutes. Then when you get to the gate there is security there, but if you've gotten that far you've pretty much made it.l

Dec 17, 2007, 3:10 pm

#89

Fredgoblu

Join Date: Dec 2007

Posts: 95

SpinzCity's got it right...once you're at the gate, you're in...whether there's a line for the final security check or not.

You're only two concerns are: the passport check between the domestic concourses (B or C, probably) and the international gates (E); and the walk itself. Passport check is usually okay on this side, but I was in a 10 minute line a couple weeks ago. The walk itself is ~15 minutes, depending on the gates. Don't be bashful about pushing past standers on the moving walkways.