advice on connecting flights
Apr 26, 2008 | 12:42 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2
advice on connecting flights
hi all,
i am travelling from LHR - MCO via a stop at IAD on the 5th August
united 0923 - it lands at 11:14 at IAD and my connecting flight to MCO is at (united 1561) 12:50 - is this a realistic amount of time to be able to clear customs etc? -
when i booked the flight i didnt think that i would have to clear customs first for the flight - do you have to collect your luggage as well for the connecting flight?
I will be travelling with 3 children (8,9,10)
thanks in advance
peter.
i am travelling from LHR - MCO via a stop at IAD on the 5th August
united 0923 - it lands at 11:14 at IAD and my connecting flight to MCO is at (united 1561) 12:50 - is this a realistic amount of time to be able to clear customs etc? -
when i booked the flight i didnt think that i would have to clear customs first for the flight - do you have to collect your luggage as well for the connecting flight?
I will be travelling with 3 children (8,9,10)
thanks in advance
peter.
Apr 26, 2008 | 4:53 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Programs: UA MM, MB LifeTit
Posts: 1,866
You have to do the whole customs/immigration/recheck thing, but you get to do it in the midfield terminal, so you stay close to your departure gate. At that time of day, you should be fine.
Apr 26, 2008 | 6:29 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: VA, USA
Programs: Marriott LTT, United Club Life Member, UA *S
Posts: 995
Yes, you have to do the whole immigration, customs, recheck your bag, TSA security screen. You will probably arrive at one of the low-numbered C gates. When you get off the plane be sure to follow the path for CONNECTING passengers - that goes to the lower level of the mid-field C Concourse. When you are finished with those formalities you come up into the C Concourse by gate C7. Flights to Orlando usually leave from somewhere in the area of C17/C19.
If you have access to the RCC, there are 3 clubs at C7, C17 and D8.
While not very pretty (and officially "temporary"), you will find lots of food and services in the C Concourse. Might want to buy something to eat on the flight to MCO.
If you have access to the RCC, there are 3 clubs at C7, C17 and D8.
While not very pretty (and officially "temporary"), you will find lots of food and services in the C Concourse. Might want to buy something to eat on the flight to MCO.
Apr 26, 2008 | 10:41 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2
do you think i will have enough time from 11:14 - 12:50? - what would be the margin of error on the flight times (ie half hour late), when i would be stuffed?
soz for sounding a noob - ive never travelled with a connecting flight in the US.
As you can tell im english - will the kids have to complete a visa waiver form as well?
soz for sounding a noob - ive never travelled with a connecting flight in the US.
As you can tell im english - will the kids have to complete a visa waiver form as well?
Apr 26, 2008 | 1:43 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Programs: UA MM, MB LifeTit
Posts: 1,866
Calm down. Your inbound flight will arrive early if it leaves on time, so you'll make the 12:50 flight. If you don't, there are direct flights at 2:55, 5:00, 7:30, and 9:45, so you'll definitely get to MCO. And don't worry about the flights being sold out. Sane people don't go to MCO in August.
Apr 27, 2008 | 3:31 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: AA Platinum and Million Miler, US Airways Silver, Continental Silver
Posts: 7
connecting times
Looks as if your times are better than mine. CO changed the schedule and gave me 33 minutes at IAH, arriving from PHX and going to AMS. It is an award ticket and when I booked it I scheduled 90 minutes, but they had a schedule change. Are they responsible for rebooking me on an earlier flight or should I plan on staying the night at Geroge Bush airport?
Apr 28, 2008 | 11:13 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: UA-Plat, Marriott-Plat, AAI, AAII
Posts: 3,758
Looks as if your times are better than mine. CO changed the schedule and gave me 33 minutes at IAH, arriving from PHX and going to AMS. It is an award ticket and when I booked it I scheduled 90 minutes, but they had a schedule change. Are they responsible for rebooking me on an earlier flight or should I plan on staying the night at Geroge Bush airport?
Oh, and welcome to FT!
Apr 28, 2008 | 4:01 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: VA, USA
Programs: Marriott LTT, United Club Life Member, UA *S
Posts: 995
Can't say for sure regarding the policies of CO but at UA a change in schedule can be used to justify all kinds of changes in flights that might not have been allowed at the time of booking. Look at this as an opportunity to ask for whatever you want (but I'd advise that you know what you want and ask for it specifically).
Oh, and welcome to FT!
Oh, and welcome to FT!