I'm looking to do a EWR-TXL-WAW (CO/LOT) at the end of May. Orbitz came up with the routing I've decided to take -- but the connection time in TXL is only 50min. (I arrive at 7:50 and my flight to WAW is 8:40). I ended up booking on CO directly for the EWR-TXL portion as I'd get 100% miles plus I have a CO credit to be used. I then booked directly on LO for the TXL-WAW portion. I will be travelling solo, have a front of coach seat on CO (so, I should be off the plane quickly), and will have no checked luggage-- just a small rolling carry-on. I am familiar with TXL and know that it is not a big airport, and figured I would have no problem... as long as there is no big delay out of EWR (FAT CHANCE!!) The LO agent wasn't so sure, and while she didn't know what the legal connection time was in TXL, she also told me they may have a minimum check in time there. I assumed that if Orbitz was ok with this connection time, I should be good ?? NO???

The problem is that you are not connecting. You are on separate itineraries. As far as LOT is concerned you are someone who is checking in for their flight at TXL - you are NOT a transfer passenger. LOT's check-in deadline, according to their web site, is 60 minutes.

I suggest you contact LOT and get them to put a note in your booking to say something like "Arriving on CO-whatever at 0750 with hand baggage only". This may persuade them to keep the flight open past the normal check-in time.

It's a long time since I last used TXL - but am I correct in thinking that TXL has no airside as such, but that you check in at a desk right next to the gate? I was at HAJ last week, which has the same system - and I noticed that people were checking in for my flight long after the 60 minute deadline, right up until the time we boarded.

So - I'd say you're in with a chance, but it's going to be tight and you might not make it.

You may well get lucky, but I've found a lot of ground staff at German Airports to be very by-the-book and not entirely accomodating for special requests..

If they direct you to check in desk 3, it means gate 3 - they are that close together, as space is very constrained. However, some of the queues I've seen for check in have been horrendous. This could work to your advantage though, I rarely doubt they'd close check-in at precisely T-60 when they're still clearling a queue, and it could potentially take all of 1 min from the desk to the aircraft

If you arrive on time you have a good chance to make your connection. As the others still pointed out, there is no way to transfer airside anyway so you wont loose time with your two seperate tickets. TXL is a small airport and you can get form every gate to another in less then 10 min. Try to check-in for your LO flight before you leave in EWR so that you just need to pick up the BP. As chris18london still pointed out I never saw a check-in desk in TXL closing 60 min before departure. Normally they are busy till 10-15 min. before departure.

Thanks, I will try to check in in EWR before my CO flight at the LO counter. I had assumed that the situation would be the same if I had booked on ORBITZ, as I didn't think CO would be able to check me through all the way, given my second flight was on LOT.

If you're booked on a single itinerary, your entire itinerary will appear in both airlines' systems, and you will be flagged up as a transfer passenger on your second airline - so they are less likely to give your seat to someone else, or close the flight just as you're running to the check-in desk. This is why I suggested having a note put into your LOT reservation to identify you as a transfer passenger. This may or may not do the trick but will certainly increase your chances.

As the OP mentioned he booked to separate tickets so he'll not show up as a transfer pax. But I second your recommendation to call LO to put a note in the reservation. But I am not sure if they'll do so, so to use phone check-in or an LO counter in EWR if there is any is another backup plan.

Cheers
totti

Well, I found out from LO that the legal connection time in TXL is 30min, and they have coordinated my connection coming in from EWR on CO. But I am still concerned about a 'late' CO arrival and missing my flight. I am now thinking of what to do in the instance that I do miss my 8:40 flight, and have to rebook on the 19:10 flight to WAW. Does anyone know if there are locking storage compartments at TXL, whether in the airport itself or in either the *A or AF lounge (I am 1k with *A and have a PC membership which should allow me into either). I figure, I would just leave my small carry-on locked somewhere at TXL, get the bus into the city and spend the day in Berlin. My other alternative would be to get a cheap hotel room in the city for the day, rather than lugging my bag around with me.

TXL has a luggage service that stores your luggage for you at 3 euros/bag per day. It is in the corridor behind the information desk.

Berlin is always worth a visit. You can store your luggage at the airport as etch5895 mentioned. Take the bus or a taxi into the city and have a nice day. You can see alot within 7 to 8 hours and as the airport is not far away from the center of Berlin you don't need to spend much time traveling between the airport and the city.

I hope you can make your connection. Otherwise enjoy your day in Berlin.
Cheers
totti

Thanks for all the responses, but as it turned out, the Gods were smiling on me and CO. We actually arrived in TXL early, and with my LO boarding card and my 1K Star Alliance I am sending this from the very comfy TXL Senators lounge. As it turns out, I could have stored my luggage here and gone into the city if needed. But instead I will be leaving in about 5 min for my flight to WAW.
PS the keyboard here is VERY different than in the US

Good to here that it worked out for you and you could make your connection. Even better that you still had time to visit the SEN lounge and relax for a while. ^

Cheers
totti