A tight connection in DUS....what do you think?
Jul 2, 2009 | 7:28 pm
#1
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A tight connection in DUS....what do you think?
A friend of mine tonight is flying Lufthansa from EWR to PRG via DUS. The flight is due at 6:02am tomorrow in DUS and the connection is scheduled to leave at 7:00am for PRG. Doesn't that seem awfully close? I assume he and his wife will have to go through some form of immigration at DUS. Or will LH hold that connection flight if some of the passengers haven't arrived from their initial flights? Any thoughts about this tight connection?
Jul 2, 2009 | 8:16 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2000
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A friend of mine tonight is flying Lufthansa from EWR to PRG via DUS. The flight is due at 6:02am tomorrow in DUS and the connection is scheduled to leave at 7:00am for PRG. Doesn't that seem awfully close? I assume he and his wife will have to go through some form of immigration at DUS. Or will LH hold that connection flight if some of the passengers haven't arrived from their initial flights? Any thoughts about this tight connection?
Jul 7, 2009 | 7:46 pm
#3
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I don't believe anyone is required to clear customs in the EU until they reach their final destination. Considering how compact the terminal in DUS is, this connection is highly unlikely to be problematic.
Jul 8, 2009 | 12:41 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
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They will have to clear Immigration because they are entering the Schengen zone. So with queuing for Immigration and re-screening this will be quite tight. Do-able if the flight is on time, but definitely tight.
And Analise - no, airlines don't generally hold flights for delayed connecting passengers. They may keep the door open until the last possible minute, but they won't delay the flight. But... if it's all on one booking your friend will automatically be rebooked on the next available flight.
Jul 8, 2009 | 9:56 am
#5
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Please continue this discussion in the Germany forum. Thanks for your understanding.
Jouy31
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Jouy31
TravelBuzz moderator
Jul 8, 2009 | 10:25 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: CH
Posts: 240
IMO, no problem. The EWR flight is a 343 and there aren't many ex-EU * arrivals at that time, so there shouldn't be too many people. Your friends will have to go through immigration and screening, as said before, but in my experience staff there is efficient and there are enough lanes. Total walking distance gate to gate should be no more than a couple of hundred feet.
Due to swine flu your friends will have to fill out forms about your health and turn them in to doctors waiting at the gate on arrival. They should have those filled out and ready so they can just hand them in and proceed.
DUS is a pretty decent airport to connect as it is a lot more compact than the big hubs.
Due to swine flu your friends will have to fill out forms about your health and turn them in to doctors waiting at the gate on arrival. They should have those filled out and ready so they can just hand them in and proceed.
DUS is a pretty decent airport to connect as it is a lot more compact than the big hubs.
Jul 9, 2009 | 12:12 pm
#7
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DUS is one of the easiest airports I know.
6.05 am the plane lands
6.15 am off board
6.25 am through immigration and hand luggage customs
6.30 am through re-screening
6.35 am at gate (likely bus transfer to plane) for PRG
I wouldn't be worried at all, as long as on time. If delayed, LH will take care of you by either direct transfer to PRG plane, book on later flight or send you by the way of MUC/FRA to PRG.
Just don't waste time, but there is no need for emergency rush. It's DUS, it's a mini-HUB, it's Europe and not a crazy US airport connection.
6.05 am the plane lands
6.15 am off board
6.25 am through immigration and hand luggage customs
6.30 am through re-screening
6.35 am at gate (likely bus transfer to plane) for PRG
I wouldn't be worried at all, as long as on time. If delayed, LH will take care of you by either direct transfer to PRG plane, book on later flight or send you by the way of MUC/FRA to PRG.
Just don't waste time, but there is no need for emergency rush. It's DUS, it's a mini-HUB, it's Europe and not a crazy US airport connection.
Jul 10, 2009 | 1:42 am
#8
Moderator: InterContinental Hotels and Germany
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,199
I second this, a 58 minutes in DUS is doable, also, if you are at the end of the queue (if there is any at all).
Leaving the plane, heading through immigration and customs was never more than ten minutes for me.
Leaving the plane, heading through immigration and customs was never more than ten minutes for me.