Soph

Good evening, FTers!
This post will be long and contain a truckload of questions, sorry about that. But I really need your much valued advice.

I have a situation on my hands in about 2 weeks where I face a good possibilty of a missed connection at FRA.
Will be arriving at 8,50 pm from GOT on LH819 and departing 65min later at 9.55 pm on LH778 to SIN (Same ticket! Issued by LH)

At the time of booking I didn't think much of the minimal time window at FRA, thinking if its within MCT we will be fine. But then I realiesd a few things, I usually travel on my own.... but not this time.

1. In my experience coming in from GOT is always a bus gate adding tons of minutes to transfer time.
2. Schengen to non Schengen means passport control, and the wait times there can be massive.
3. Travelling with three kids aged 2, 6, 7 so even running will be made at a medium pace.

So, I'm starting to realise that a missed connection in FRA is very likely and are reviewing my options.

There is a SQ flight leaving just mins after, so if we wont make the first one we wont make that one either.
Rebooking to an earlier flight out of GOT is unfortunately not an option as ticket is a cheap economy class non refundable non changeable ticket
Our final destination is DPS so I'm not that keen on adding another stop enorute to SIN as its also a layover.

My questions are as follows,

1. In case of a MINOR delay, will LH hold the flight for us? I know there is a curfew and they are probably eager to get it airborne.
2. Are we likely to get an assisted transfer? I've had that at LHR several times when tight connections, someone holds a sign with connecting flight number and then escorts you through passport and security onto your next gate. I read somehwere that you can book a LH transfer service, for upto 5 persons. Would you recomend that in my case? I'm thinkin if I miss it then I miss it and the money can be spent elsewhere.
3. What are we entiteld to if we miss the connection? Hotel? Food? Could we claim EC 261?
4. When LH seeks to rebook us, can we request/demand we be booked on another carrier? If having to spend the night at FRA the best option in my opinion is to travel onwards on SQ25 leaving around noon the following day. A dummy booking on the LH website shows available seats for 1pax, but adding 4 the first availiable option is the night time departures. It does show up as availiable for 5 at OTA websites like Kayak though. What are your best alternative flight options? There seem to be options through MUC and ZRH all operated by SQ ( travel date 4/4/2019)
5. Are ther express lanes at security and passport? I do seem to remember ther are monitiors showing which flights allows you to skip the lines, but that might be something I saw on another airport and not FRA.
6. I'm *A Gold, family has no status. But if ther is a separate line for *A Gold, could I bring them ?
7. If rebooked, will be be able to acess our bags? Need to know if we should pack carry-on for 72hrs...

Sorry about a very messy post but any input or help is much appreciated.
Kind regards,

Soph

scottishpoet

unlikely if only party is late. If there is larger group then it is more likely. Course your outbound too may be delayed.

unlikely but you never know

depends on the length or the delay, EC261 would additionally depend on the reason for the late inbound

sorry I don't know

yes at security, not at passport control, however coming from a "clean" country you my not need to clear security. I do when transiting from LHR or JNB to a Schengen flight but not from Schengen to LHR or JNB

I doubt you will need to clear security but usually there is also a screen with the next few flights nd they too can use fast track

if you are rebooked overnight you could request your bags. you may have wait before you get them

SK AAR

First of all you need to calm down - 1h05min is more than sufficient to transfer to a Z gate- even from ASW bus arrival (no problem). You will make that transfer unless your incoming flight is seriously late.

As I recall it there are hardly any lines for passport control when you walk to the Z gates. You don't need to clear security check again. No need to book any transfer service as you seem to know your way around FRA airport.

For your information LH819 has arrived on time or even early for the last 7 days (only 1 day it arrived 12 min late, but that is not going to ruin anything)

There are a lot of options to go get DPS if you need to get rebooked. TG via BKK, QR via DOH, EK via DXB etc. LH will select what works best for you.

Most likely you will make that transfer so no need to take into account the risk of misconnecting at FRA. As I as said before; you need to be realistic and calm down. You are almost certain to make this connection even without running/being in hurry.

Often1

1. In case of a MINOR delay, will LH hold the flight for us? I know there is a curfew and they are probably eager to get it airborne.
Very unlikely that your flight is held. But, completely out of your control, so do not worry about it. Plan on your onwards flight departing as scheduled.
2. Are we likely to get an assisted transfer? I've had that at LHR several times when tight connections, someone holds a sign with connecting flight number and then escorts you through passport and security onto your next gate. I read somehwere that you can book a LH transfer service, for upto 5 persons. Would you recomend that in my case? I'm thinkin if I miss it then I miss it and the money can be spent elsewhere.
Probably not helpful here.
3. What are we entiteld to if we miss the connection? Hotel? Food? Could we claim EC 261?
Yes, you may claim under EC 261/2004, but your entitlements will depend on the length of your delay at your final ticketed destination and the reason for the delay. They include:
A - In all instances, a duty of care to include hotel and meals appropriate to the length of delay and time of day.
B - Rebooking.
C - Depending on the reason for delay, EUR 300 if you are 3+ hours or EUR 600 if you are 4+ hours delayed at your final ticketed destination. Do not even concern yourself with this issue until you are safely back home.
4. When LH seeks to rebook us, can we request/demand we be booked on another carrier? If having to spend the night at FRA the best option in my opinion is to travel onwards on SQ25 leaving around noon the following day. A dummy booking on the LH website shows available seats for 1pax, but adding 4 the first availiable option is the night time departures. It does show up as availiable for 5 at OTA websites like Kayak though. What are your best alternative flight options? There seem to be options through MUC and ZRH all operated by SQ ( travel date 4/4/2019)
There is no precedent requiring LH to rebook on other carriers, but you may request it. Demanding is always a poor way to approach otherpeople.
5. Are ther express lanes at security and passport? I do seem to remember ther are monitiors showing which flights allows you to skip the lines, but that might be something I saw on another airport and not FRA.
This is a quick process.
6. I'm *A Gold, family has no status. But if ther is a separate line for *A Gold, could I bring them ?
If on the same PNR, yes. But, it really is a non-issue.
7. If rebooked, will be be able to acess our bags? Need to know if we should pack carry-on for 72hrs...
Most likely. But, one cannot count on anything happening. In any event, it always make sense to have the first 4-5 days of clothing and needs with you given the generous cabin baggage allowance. What is your plan if the luggage goes missing?

chris63

worldclubber

8420PR

https://www.flightstats.com/v2/fligh...ing/LH/819/GOT

From the last 60 days, LH189 has been cancelled once and the maximum delay has been 23 minutes. Based on these statistics, I would be confident in making the flight.

Of course it can always happen that something goes wrong and you miss the connection (even with longer connecting times), and LH would rebook you and provide a hotel and food. My advice (which I think you already are considering) is to have a specific plan B in mind (or check on your phone while waiting for rebooking), which you can request if the proposal from LH isn't what you want.

Frankfurt is quiet at that time, and I would only consider running if you are really late. The boarding time given is when boarding opens - you just need to be at the gate 15-20 min before departure.

oliver2002

The SIN flights usually don't wait for anyone as the aircraft has be out of FRA by the 11pm curfew. If you miss the flight you will be fed and accomodated in FRA, as well as rebooked on the next possibility to you final destination (DPS). Have such alternate flight info handy so you can ask for it straight away.

If you want to buy some insurance for a smooth transit and short tracking, consider investing 75€ in the LH guide service. They will meet you at your flight and will have a cart to drive you and cut lines if you are running late. Most importantly they have the number of the gate agent and can call ahead to inform them that you are coming.

https://www.lufthansa.com/rs/en/lufthansa-guide-service

worldclubber

daiseiko

Same as another answers, 65 min transit is enough.
Evening Z area has only a few flights.
Senator lounge in Z area was almost empty when I was there.

I had to wait 30min by LH A380 flight to HKG once because a group (30 PAX) flight from Madrid was delayed.
Captain announced it but one family... they don't wait. I think.


just watch out.
EC261 has exceptions in case of delay by bad weather or emergency matters(like a divert due to passenger sickness).

NewbieRunner

LH778 to SIN usually leaves from Z54 which is not the furthest gate in Z concourse but with three young children in tow it is still some distance to walk from the arrival gate and passport control.

Lufthansa Guide Sevice sounds like a good insurance in this case.

LondonElite

I think the two main points to bear in mind are (1) at that time of night, FRA is very quiet, and (2) it is unlikely that you'll have very far to walk. I wouldn't be too concerned unless your inbound is very late.

MSPeconomist

LondonElite

The OP has not said whether the SIN-DPS flight is on the same ticket, only that she is on the LH flight FRA-SIN.

Soph

It is on the same ticket. A LH ticket but operated by SQ948