55 Min Transfer in AMS
 

I have an upcoming trip from SEA to PRG via AMS. I will be flying on DL from SEA to AMS, and then OK from AMS to PRG.

The issue I have is I only have 55 min to connect in AMS...

Will I be able to make the transfer? I will only be carrying a carry-on, and I am an Elite Plus so I hope that I can use the fast track.

Any tips are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Transfer in AMS is easy and fast, so I think you should be able to make the connection. However, if your plane is more than, say, 15 minutes late, things might get a bit difficult.

The security queue from non-Schengen to Schengen can be quite long. Remember that there is a priority line (if you are Skyteam Elite (Plus)) or a short connection line which is open at peak times. If you flight is listed on the monitor you may use this line (which is located on the left).

Gajan

If flights are on time you should make it, with the use of fast-track/short connection as a back-up.
Even your luggage should be okay, but a small carry-on will cover that risk.

Not too sure about that though... Had 50 min yesterday (Sunday 15th) at AMS arriving at C12 departing at C5 and my bag did not make it.

Only place where I have actually had my bag make my connection with ultra-short time was at LGW with a 20 min connection window coming from DUB going to TOB :)

Oh, and good luck to the OP... and in all fairness I think AMS is quite nice and easy to navigate :)

I'd say that's just bad luck.

My 60 minute connection (B16 to D6) was down to about 35 minutes yesterday, and my bag DID make it (I actually saw it sitting on the tarmac as I was getting off the bus, which was really nice!)

I've got a 40-minute connexion!
 

I just noticed: on an upcoming trip, my return FRA-AMS-GLA gives me a scheduled 40-minute connexion. This could be interesting, considering the length of queues I've seen going Schengen -> non-Schengen at certain times!

I'm there at 17:00 on a week-day: high chance of a missed flight? So, if I do miss the 17:40 (KL1479), then I'll have to wait around for the next/last flight at 21:05 (KL1481) ... I can eat/drink quite a bit in the lounge, given 3+ hours! :D

But, on the plus side, the short inbounds from Germany are, more often than not, quite a bit ahead of schedule!

I'll post what transpires!

-- Hurried (Harried) Henry

EDIT: Also just noticed that both flights are scheduled for F70s, so that'll mean bus gates from/to the Fokker park; and maybe the flights will even be on the same plane - as happened (IIRC) to Aviatrix a wee while ago!

That's my experience as well. But even the priority line can be very slow and with short connections I almost always have to run to be on-time at the gate.

I'll also have very short connections on flights next week (FLR-AMS-IST and back, 1h10 in the outbound and 50m transfer time in the inbound). The problem will be that I have twisted my ankle and won't be able to run or even walk fast. The positive side is that both AMS-IST and IST-AMS flights seem to be overbooked.

For a flight to the US, do I need to go through security again in AMS? I am flying TXL->AMS->ATL with a 1hr 15min in AMS to transfer. Anything I should be ready for to speed things up? Also, I do have a larger carry on that I sometimes check. Will it be speed up my transfer if I check the luggage in TXL? (no big problem if my luggage doesn't make it... I need to make it :) ).

(if it matters regarding different lines: I am traveling with a US passport and am delta Diamond)

After arrival from Berlin, you'll have to go to the Non-Schengen area of AMS. This is inside the terminal so don't follow the 'Exit/baggage reclaim' signs. After you clear passport control (there is a priority line for ST Elite(+)) you're in the Non-Schengen part from where your ATL bound flight will depart (most likely from the E-gates). Security checks are at the individual gates. IIRC there are some additional security measures for DL flights to the US (questioning) so you'd better go the your gate immediately.

The dance for transferring from Schengen flights to US flights goes something like this:

• Exit into the common airside area (for departing/arriving passengers) of the Schengen part of the terminal (equivalent to "domestic")
• Proceed to exit immigration procedures airside, meaning you do not collect your bags nor do you go landside, you will simply be "exiting" the Schengen region (follow signs for transfers and/or the pier letter of your next flight that will invariably lead you to immigration)
• There is no customs screening
• Proceed to the gate
• Buy some things along the way to help prove running a shopping mall is more lucrative than running an airport
• Queue for screening; they will ask you all sorts of questions about where you live, what you do, electronics you have taken with you etc. etc.
• Immediately proceed through security at the gate itself
• Wait for boarding to start in the enclosed waiting area (with restroom facilities)
• Queue on the aircraft while people debate which magazine to read before finding a spot for their kitchen sink.

All US-bound flights have extra screening measures in place, and all passengers must go through the scatter x-ray devices (or get a very intimate pat down). There is a priority line for business class and elite passengers for the screening part, but there seems to be no priority for security once they have started the security part of boarding. Once through the screening process, you cannot leave the gate area.

Because of all the queuing and waiting and extra procedures, my strategy for US-bound flights has been to wait until the last possible moment to board. That way I never have to wait, but I can stroll through screening, security and boarding. I then peek onto the jetway and invariably find there is still a queue waiting to board the aircraft. So I take a seat in the enclosed waiting area, taking the time to organise my carry-on items and taking out things I will use during the flight. I've never had a problem; my name has never been called out and my bags never threatened with off-loading and/or destruction.

The reason for non-centralised security in the non-Schengen part of Schiphol airport has to do with the mixing of arriving and departing passengers. Specifically it concerns the arriving of passengers from areas of the world with less than reliable and trustworthy airport security; EU law invariably demands these passengers be re-screened. Schiphol has plans to eventually separate arriving and departing passengers, to subsequently introduce centralised security. However, this is still in the planning stages and some years off.

As promised: an update!
 

Well, well!

Despite the infamous 'Polderbaan Effect' (inbound F-100 landed thereon, but made its way to a 'proper' B-gate) and the fact that some of the conveyor belts from the B-pier weren't working, I made my connexion without much fuss; in fact, as we disembarked a good 5 minutes ahead of the scheduled arrival time, I even tempted providence by seaking into the Sports Cafe (@B16) for a crafty smoke! :cool: Fortunately, the immigration lanes at the non-Schengen entry were competely empty, and my GLA flight was boarding at D6 (bus gate, but not far up the pier). :)

So, we all boarded the plane and then ... kerboom! The pilot announced the bad news that, due to high winds, GLA was closed and the flight was CANCELLED. Hah! :eek:

We all went back onto the bus and were returned to the D06 preboarding zone, where the Lovely Ladies-in-Blue were being overwhelmed (there was a very large party of loud Italian tourists among the pax). I discretely approached one such lady (in blue, that is, not loud Italian) and suggested I head for the Crown Lounge and let the service desk there deal with my transfer ... she smiled and approved.^

So, as it stands at the moment, GLA and EDI are both closed and 3 or 4 flights have been cancelled. Rebookings are being attempted but I may have to stay overnight in AMS :confused: ... and that then puts me into the 'at-risk-from-Son-of-Ash-Cloud' scenario! :eek::eek::eek:

So, a very unexpected turn of events from an otherwise 'straightforward' 40-minute transfer!

-- Hopeless Henry :rolleyes:

I made my transfer just fine, and unlike poor Henry, my plane left on time (10 min late I think).

I arrived at the B "bus gates", so that's probably kind of a worst case and the plane to ATL left from F-8 (end of F terminal). The passport line was reasonable. All lines ("short connection", "normal" and "elite/first class") were about the same length. The security at the gate was short (5-10 people long?). I made my transfer in maybe 30 minutes and arrived at the gate before boarding started. I probably helped a bit that my plane came in 10 min early. 10 min late (20 min later total) and it would have been more hectic. I did not run, just walk quickly.

(boarding was kind of chaotic I felt. the gate are was very cramped and the person checking boarding passes at the plane had a different idea of what rows should board compared to the announcement. But well... that's not related to the transfer time)

A question of choices
 

Tips 1 - 6:

1. Allocate no more than 10 minutes to enjoying the reading library, near the museum. In the non-Schengen area, into whose piers E or F you will probably be decanted.

2. Decide beforehand if you want to use an eReader or real paper-print books; this will maximise your pleasure.

3. Take in the short tour of the adjoining museum. When your cultural needs have been, in part, thus sated, move on.

4. Stroll towards the premium fast-track entry into Schengen area, or if you want to win time for a second coffee later, calmly join the 'short connection' line.

4A. Remember that while many Dutch residents and nationals are genetically incapable of queueing in transportation facilities, this is not a sign of rudeness. As a crowded and consensual society, we know that others may be richer in genetic programming and poorer in politeness. So, if you want to be a poor ambassador, just shove. We shall shrug.

5. Now take the stairs nearby to enjoy the (Schengen side) KLM Crown lounge. Upon entry, go immediately to the service desks on yonder side of the entrance, and announce your wish for a luxurious shower (rain-style). Leave your BP with the person who hands you a key with a smile. Ask the friendly attendant for an extra towel, to optimise your drying.

6. Enjoy at least one coffee or other beverage in the lounge before continuing to the gate, by calmly footing it. Boarding will have started 30 minutes before departure, and as long as you are visibly approaching the gate, politely and perspiration-free, at least 11 minutes before the announced departure time, you will be considered as a welcome and a well-organised guest.

Enjoy your stay

- Paul

KLM cancelled all flights from AMS to the Northern-UK and Scotland until tomorrow 11:00AM according to Nu.nl (Dutch) due to the ash cloud (no please not again)