Transit times
Jan 27, 2016 | 1:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SEA
Posts: 191
Transit times
I'm booking a 3-leg trip: USA-FRA-LHR-ORK. I'm unclear on where in Europe I'll need to clear immigration (more than once?), and where (in transit) I'll need to go through additional security. I'm trying to figure out where I need the extra time - FRA or LHR.
I'll have about 7 hours total, and my preference is the extra time in FRA as I'll have lounge access there (LH C), but not in LHR, I think (as arrivals lounges will be closed and my continuing flight is in another terminal, in economy, on a different airline, EI).
I could do:
5h45m FRA
2h15m LHR
or
4h45m FRA
3h15m LHR
or
6:45 FRA
1:15 LHR
Any advice would be much appreciated!
I'll have about 7 hours total, and my preference is the extra time in FRA as I'll have lounge access there (LH C), but not in LHR, I think (as arrivals lounges will be closed and my continuing flight is in another terminal, in economy, on a different airline, EI).
I could do:
5h45m FRA
2h15m LHR
or
4h45m FRA
3h15m LHR
or
6:45 FRA
1:15 LHR
Any advice would be much appreciated!
Jan 27, 2016 | 1:32 pm
#2
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,439
It would help to know what airlines (I suspect LH mostly?) and whether this is on one ticket or several. All of these should fairly mental to me, but I suppose option one is the best, since it gives you time for a shower and meal in Frankfurt, and you don't endanger your connection (if it is a connection) to ORK at LHR.
Jan 27, 2016 | 5:52 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
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Posts: 6,777
Option 3 is not enough time at LHR in my opinion/experience.
Option 1 is a seems to be the best balance as it allows for arrival delay from the transatlantic segment and if you're feeling bold you could venture out into Frankfurt.
Option 2 is optimized for buffers in all around.
Option 1 is a seems to be the best balance as it allows for arrival delay from the transatlantic segment and if you're feeling bold you could venture out into Frankfurt.
Option 2 is optimized for buffers in all around.
Jan 27, 2016 | 7:19 pm
#4
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I'm guessing (and it is a guess) that all three options have the same flights into FRA and LHR-ORK. In that case, I'd book the earliest FRA-LHR flight (your second option) because it leaves the other two flights as backups in case something goes wrong. That doesn't happen often, but it tends to happen most when you don't allow for it in your planning.
Jan 28, 2016 | 12:32 am
#6
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Due to risk aversion, I'd vote for Option 2 for someone, but for myself I'd probably take Option 1 (assuming that it's a single ticket/PNR).
Jan 30, 2016 | 3:16 pm
#8
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
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You will have immigration at LHR only. All transfers will have transit security, and some may involve terminal changes (depending on airlines being flown).
It seems you fly LH for USA-FRA-LHR. While this is same airline you could still have a long walk or train ride between gates at FRA (or may get lucky and arrival & departure are in the same part of the large terminal complex).
It seems you fly LH for USA-FRA-LHR. While this is same airline you could still have a long walk or train ride between gates at FRA (or may get lucky and arrival & departure are in the same part of the large terminal complex).