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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Jun 19, 2019, 9:38 pm

#556

gooselee

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I can believe a 50 min connection being extremely tight and would not book that for myself if I had a choice. Thank you for the data point!

While AMS is better than many airports for connecting, IMO it is certainly not the best AND actually ranks very low on my list of airports for connections. I've transited AMS many times and still feel somewhat lost/confused and very crowded when I'm there. Truly do not understand the overwhelming love for AMS.

Jun 20, 2019, 3:48 am

#557

roelb

Join Date: Jun 2015

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Quote:

Originally Posted by gooselee

Well, try transiting through CDG ;-). Anyway, AMS has it's issues. Mainly the (outsourced) security, which is staffed by the most arrogant, slow and unfriendly people ever. Priority lanes are not honored (mainly in departures 2, which is where KL/DL passengers going to a non-schengen destination will pass through). Combine that with extremely sensitive cabin luggage scanners that send an exorbitant amount of bags towards manual inspection and you've got a recipe for a longer wait than neccessary.

But once airside, yes, I love AMS. One terminal with easy access to any and all gates, with a maximum gate-to-gate distance of about 1500 meters, which is 15 minutes at a normal walking pace without using the walkways.

Jun 20, 2019, 5:21 am

#558

Grouchy

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Quote:

Originally Posted by gooselee

Because it's made with connections in mind? Easy to navigate and short distances between gate to gate.
Once off plane on average i need 10 minutes to go from a 'secure' non-Schengen D/E gate to a Schengen B-gate and vice versa, around 12 minutes if you got a high gate numbers like D80. Low gate numbers around 7 minutes.

For similar connections CDG or for instance LHR are not able to match those times.

50 minutes can be tight, mostly because of lines, not because of the walking distances thus time needed between gate to gate.

Last edited by Grouchy; Jun 20, 2019 at 5:41 am

Jun 20, 2019, 6:41 am

#559

gooselee

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Thanks for the lectures that reaffirm my thought process

. I'll have good company in the dunce corner with lost_perspicacity.

I've transited both AMS and CDG more times than I care to count and far prefer CDG every single time. I have a trip coming up where fare was essentially the same and I specifically chose CDG over AMS as my transit point. But nevermind that; anyone expressing anything but swooning love for AMS is apparently not welcome in this thread.

Jun 20, 2019, 6:51 am

#560

beachmouse

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Grouchy

I do think AMS is good in that regard by European standards where so much traffic is O&D rather than connecting and airports were often built accordingly. But it's hard to match the big purpose-built USA hubs like ATL or DFW in terms of connectivity ease, even if ATL is too darn big in many ways.

Jun 20, 2019, 7:59 am

#561

flyerCO

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Quote:

Originally Posted by gooselee

AMS is very straight forward. Simple "border" that simply separates terminal into Schengen and non-Schengen. CDG is a maze, bunch of separate terminals, and separate concourses in terminals. Theres no simple walking from one gate to another in basically a straight line. Not sure how anyone could say it's easier then the straight forward setup at AMS.

lindros2 likes this.

Jun 20, 2019, 8:59 am

#562

gooselee

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Quote:

Originally Posted by flyerCO

Perhaps it's because 90% of my transit experience at CDG is just within 2E/2F. But for me, at CDG you exit the plane, follow a hallway/signs to usually some transit counters, find your next gate, and then follow a well-signed path to that part of the airport. Yes there is sometimes a tram or bus involved, but the actual movement from one place to another always seems very easy/straightforward to me and crossing immigration/security is consistently quick and painless - at most a 10 min wait with priority lanes strictly enforced. CDG's terminals are also vastly more attractive and pleasant places to be compared to whatever parts of AMS I usually find myself in. Because the terminals and concourses offer natural subdivision, there are lounges in close proximity to whatever gate you are departing from.

AMS simply feels like a zoo. You exit the plane into a terminal that is often dark and drab. Perhaps there are some flight monitors nearby, or maybe you have to set off and hope you'll find some. Then you walk in a direction for several minutes, directed by signs that I often find unclear because the arrow could point to any one of three hallways coming off an open area or intersection. Immigration and security (if required) are usually pretty painless, except if you arrive at the wrong time and there is a 20 min line with no priority lanes enforced. The departure hall vs. lounge area vs. actual lounge numbering system ends up being confusing to anyone who doesn't fly there multiple times a year, and airline lounges themselves can be 15-20 min walks from departure gates.

I know many people prefer AMS and that's certainly fine. I personally do not care for the place.

Sep 23, 2019, 9:19 pm

#563

cherrycola

Join Date: Mar 2014

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Hi all

I'm flying JFK-AMS-TXL with about 60 mins connection time between AMS and TXL. They are both KLM-KLM flights. I was getting rather nervous about the connection time being so tight. I also believe the arrival gate into AMS is F but the departure gate is in the C area. Would this time be fine? Also my checked bag should just get checked through, correct?

Sep 23, 2019, 9:32 pm

#564

LoganFlyer

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60 minutes is tight but doable. You'll arrive into D or E and fly out of B, C, or D. You'll have to clear passport control at AMS to enter the Schengen Zone, so you won't have time to dawdle. But AMS is an easy airport to connect in. And your bag will be transfered to the TXL flight; you won't need to pick it up at AMS.
.

Sep 23, 2019, 9:41 pm

#565

cherrycola

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Quote:

Originally Posted by LoganFlyer

Phew, thanks for the reply.

Oct 25, 2019, 7:13 am

#566

jsl1903

Join Date: Jan 2012

Posts: 11

Hi

I have a quick question - looking at some flights from NCL on KLM arriving in AMS then transiting on to LAX again with KLM - the connection time is 55 minutes. Is that doable/sensible? Bags should go all the way through but wondering about passport checks/security although the impending doom of Brexit may change everything...

Thanks

Oct 25, 2019, 7:19 am

#567

MLowe1982

Join Date: Jan 2019

Posts: 19

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsl1903

I have made 1 hour connections multiple times at AMS. Passport check will expedite you through if you have a short connection. As long as you get off the plane and head straight to the gate 55 minutes is do able.

Oct 25, 2019, 7:37 am

#568

roelb

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NCL is outside of Schengen, so is LAX. So you will /not/ pass through passport control.

As long as the UK (and thus NCL) is still in the EU, you will deplane in the secure zone. What happens after Brexit, nobody knows. We might still trust NCL's security and you will still deplane in the secure zone. In that case, you'll just have to walk over to your new gate. Average gate-2-gate distance is 5 to 10 minutes walking, but if you're lucky it's in the same concourse and you might be there in a minute. Usually these flights either arrive and leave in the D or E concourses.

All gates at AMS close 15 minutes prior to departure, so you'll have 40 minutes to walk over there.

If AMS however decides to distrust the UK security after brexit, you'll deplane the NCL flight on a seperate floor of the concourse (you'll notice as soon as you have to take an escalator up after deplaning). In that case, you'll have to walk to the main terminal building and pass security there to get into the regular airside area. That will add somewhere between 5 and 15 minutes to your connection.

Nov 20, 2019, 4:07 am

#569

roelb

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It seems there has been an MCT change at AMS. I had a 50 minute connection between inbound DL9645 (the KL604) and outbound DL9554 (the KL1857) on a valid ticket up until this morning, when it was reissued with a different route. I can now no longer get this connection to validate. Really annoying as this is a connection that i can make in about 10 minutes of walking, so 25 is the bare minimum if you take into consideration the fact that the gate closes 15 mins prior to departure. 50 is more than enough time and it has been 50 minutes for years now, up until yesterday as it seems..

Nov 20, 2019, 9:08 am

#570

flyerCO

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Quote:

Originally Posted by roelb

Looking at MCT table, there has to be something going on next year effecting KLM/AMS. There's lots of temporary longer MCTs. These vary per flight and even part of the year. The base is still 50 minutes, just temporary longer MCT throughout the year.