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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 May 10, 2009, 3:18 pm
  #121  
 
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Originally Posted by Flaflyer
England is not Schengen. For the AMS transfer not sure but I think you would stay in the international area and just connect. Immigration and customs at your final destination. Or is LHR a semi-local flight?
LHR is in the international area where the NW flights arrive. I flew MSP-AMS-LHR a couple weeks ago. Headwinds whittled my 55 min connection down to about 20 mins and I made the flight easily. Granted I was in row 10 on the 330 and therefore the 3rd person off the plane, but I think everyone else on the flight that was connecting made it as well. Sadly, our bags did not. Actually that reminds me, don't plan on your bags making it... seems like any time I've had a connection <1 hr my bags have not made the flight. AMS standard? I don't know.
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Old May 10, 2009, 4:52 pm
  #122  
 
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I don't think this will be a problem, just move effeciently to the line. You don't reclaim bag or anything so just passport control. To LHR, you stay on the international side. E gates are on both sides.
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Old May 10, 2009, 5:45 pm
  #123  
 
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Originally Posted by Flaflyer
NW comes in on F wing.
No, E.
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Old May 10, 2009, 11:12 pm
  #124  
 
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uh oh, I'm arriving on NW 32 from BOS at 810am. KLM Connection to BCN at 9am. Booked this on nwa.com a few weeks ago.

I thought that dutch efficiency would get me through this, now after reading this thread i'm having second thoughts.

Is there really a "short connection" line for immigration - and is it open at 8am on a Saturday morning?

I will be checking a bag too - do you think 50 mins is too little for a bag to make it in AMS?
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Old May 11, 2009, 12:31 am
  #125  
 
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Originally Posted by gshewakr
uh oh, I'm arriving on NW 32 from BOS at 810am. KLM Connection to BCN at 9am. Booked this on nwa.com a few weeks ago.

I thought that dutch efficiency would get me through this, now after reading this thread i'm having second thoughts.

Is there really a "short connection" line for immigration - and is it open at 8am on a Saturday morning?

I will be checking a bag too - do you think 50 mins is too little for a bag to make it in AMS?
yes you have enough time to make it. yes you can use the short connection line. yes your bags will make it as well.

And everyone on this board seems to think we Dutch can only say "No that is not possible"
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Old May 11, 2009, 12:37 am
  #126  
 
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Originally Posted by Flaflyer
England is not Schengen. For the AMS transfer not sure but I think you would stay in the international area and just connect. Immigration and customs at your final destination. Or is LHR a semi-local flight?
Correct, UK is not Schengen. You would stay on the Intl side to make this flight.

Originally Posted by Flaflyer
One thing I learned the hard way. Depending on arriving flights, the passport line length changes quickly. I once had an hour connection, worked my way over to the passport area. There were four lines open and only one or two people in each line. No problem I thought, I have plenty of time, so I went into the nearby gift shop for under 10 min. Came out and there were over 20 people in each line. Figured I better get in line immediately. Good thing, as it took about 15 min., but by the time I got to the passport window, there were over thirty people behind me in each line. I did make my flight.
This is again true. If you arrive before 9:00 AM you will be in the clear. But at 9:30 you are starting to get into really really busy time to go through the Schengen passport control.
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Old May 11, 2009, 12:58 am
  #127  
 
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Originally Posted by Flaflyer
NW comes in on F wing.
Definitely E, which is even closer.

My vote is for EASILY. I've made much shorter connections than that in AMS. I really wouldn't worry.
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Old May 11, 2009, 4:30 am
  #128  
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Originally Posted by florin
Definitely E, which is even closer.

My vote is for EASILY. I've made much shorter connections than that in AMS. I really wouldn't worry.
Due to late flight departures from the US into AMS or late arrivals into AMS from elsewhere within the EU Schengen states, some of my 45-60 minute scheduled connection times have ended up being just a mere 15-20 minutes between the plane doors opening and departing flight time. With a fast sprint, I've made most of even those flights but my luggage would rarely make the flights in the sub-20 minute circumstances. [My luggage at AMS almost always makes 45-60 minute connection times.]

Of the larger airports in Europe, AMS is more of a "yes we can" airport in terms of efficiency of passenger and passenger bag connections.
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Old May 11, 2009, 9:32 am
  #129  
 
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You should definitely have time to get some Stroopwafels.
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Old May 11, 2009, 9:50 am
  #130  
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Originally Posted by KtownTraveler
No, E.
You are correct, regular NW uses E. That wonderful morning view of NW metal from the KLM club picture window is down the left side of E.

I got turned around only recalling my last trip where I arrived at F2. This was the regular gate, not a gate change. It was ATL-AMS, but a code share on KL metal, as NW 8622. So some few US pax with a ticket that says "NW" do arrive at F, but looking back, my previous trips (from DTW) were to E. My NW 747 home ^ definitely left from gate E20.
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Old May 15, 2009, 1:18 pm
  #131  
 
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Originally Posted by GUWonder
Due to late flight departures from the US into AMS or late arrivals into AMS from elsewhere within the EU Schengen states, some of my 45-60 minute scheduled connection times have ended up being just a mere 15-20 minutes between the plane doors opening and departing flight time. With a fast sprint, I've made most of even those flights but my luggage would rarely make the flights in the sub-20 minute circumstances. [My luggage at AMS almost always makes 45-60 minute connection times.]

Of the larger airports in Europe, AMS is more of a "yes we can" airport in terms of efficiency of passenger and passenger bag connections.
Agree about late departures from US. Last Friday 8/5, NW42 was 4 hours late in departing the US. Arrived at E and connection to JNB (internatoinal side) leaves from F. I did not have to clear a passport check. Had only carry-on bag. Ran to F as fast as I could and saw the plane through the window but they had closed the door and refused me boarding. This was no fault of KLM but when I inquired whether it was not possible to just wait 15 minutes for the incoming NW 42 and hold KL 592, I was told "it costs money". There were at least 6 pax I was aware of that missed their connection to JNB. KLM should have known that as well.

On the up side - I was treated extremely well by the agents at KLM service desk located at the start of E terminal. They must have spent nearly 2 hours trying to get me to JNB in time for mothers day. Most of the other pax on NW 42, who also missed connections, were treated well as far as I could tell. There was no shouting or raised voices at the service desk while I stood there for nearly 2 hours. And no, it was not service desk ineffeciency that had me standing there for 2 hours. It was my own fault and I still feel bad for wasting their time. I could not make up my mind whether I wanted to stay overnight, fly overnight via CDG, extend my stay in JNB, or come back the same day that I arrived. They did 4 trip changes for me, with seat selections and the works (and they were still friendly after all this). My experience is that they really want to help.

Bottom line, if you miss your onnection, you will get helped asap. They also have self service kiosks available at the service desk where you can re-book yourself if you are comfortable doing that.

One thing I found a little confusing, was finding Gate D49 for the CDG flight. The signage was not all that clear. Maybe I was just tired but I am not unfamiliar with AMS and expected it to be easier than what it was. Look at the map on the link provided above and make sure you know which way you are heading before you arrive.
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Old May 15, 2009, 5:46 pm
  #132  
zlc
 
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A little bit OT, was looking at a possible 7 hours lay over at AMS, 7:00am to 2:00pm, will it be enough time to get a quick tour of the city?
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Old May 15, 2009, 7:36 pm
  #133  
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Originally Posted by zlc
A little bit OT, was looking at a possible 7 hours lay over at AMS, 7:00am to 2:00pm, will it be enough time to get a quick tour of the city?
Yes, plenty of time. Train ride to the center of town takes about 20 minutes. Immigration is super quick as well.

Leave Centraal station in AMS about 2 hours before your flight. This will give you roughly 4 hours in the city. Enjoy.

-RM
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Old May 15, 2009, 11:41 pm
  #134  
 
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I would be another vote for not necessarily easily. My wife and missed our connecting flight to VIE three weeks ago because we got stuck in a huge backup at passport control. We had an hour and five minutes between flights. To be fair, we didn't know anything about the short connection line until it was too late. If we had known about it we may have made the flight.
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Old Jun 15, 2009, 5:30 pm
  #135  
 
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I have to say the Schengen control was much better this time around , passing through on the the 20th of May and on June 4th, no long lines or delays both times were mid morning around 11am.
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