Tight Connection IAD
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 157
Tight Connection IAD
Hi All, I will be flying from YOW - LHR via IAD in May. After reading some horror stories with connections at IAD wanted some opinions. I'm pretty nervous about missing the flight and my luggage! I believe I will preclear US customs in YOW. I am also assuming that I will not have to collect my luggage when I get to IAD but not sure.
Flt UA7860 Depart YOW at 19:12, arrive IAD at 20:55
flt UA924 Depart IAD at 21:46
I believe the flight from YOW will arrive in concourse A and I will have to connect to my LHR flight in concourse C.
Thanks for your assistance,
Wayne
Flt UA7860 Depart YOW at 19:12, arrive IAD at 20:55
flt UA924 Depart IAD at 21:46
I believe the flight from YOW will arrive in concourse A and I will have to connect to my LHR flight in concourse C.
Thanks for your assistance,
Wayne
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,947
You are right - no luggage and you pre-clear customs. As for the terminal, it could be A, C or D (but you should prepare for A just in case).
You have just under an hour, as long as the flight is on time you're fine. It will be tight, but doable if you're not too late.
You have just under an hour, as long as the flight is on time you're fine. It will be tight, but doable if you're not too late.
#3
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: UA-Plat, Marriott-Plat, AAI, AAII
Posts: 3,758
The shuttle trip from A to C takes only a few minutes. Heck, a walk from C to D might be longer.
I personally would not risk a 50 minute connection that late in the day if I really needed to make the LHR flight. While there is likely a later flight you might end up in a middle seat (of course, maybe you're already in a middle seat and you'll score a better one).
I personally would not risk a 50 minute connection that late in the day if I really needed to make the LHR flight. While there is likely a later flight you might end up in a middle seat (of course, maybe you're already in a middle seat and you'll score a better one).
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ravens Country
Programs: UA-1K, Marriott-Gold, SPG-Gold, IC RA/Plat, Amtrak Select
Posts: 3,887
This is the last IAD-LHR flight. I would not risk this connection either.
If the UX flight is on time you will make the flight to London if it is late, there could be problems.
If the UX flight is on time you will make the flight to London if it is late, there could be problems.
#5
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Palo Alto. Previously, below the approaches to Rwy 19 @ DCA or 28 @ ORD
Programs: UA 1K 0.8MM, AA EXP
Posts: 1,768
At least UA has the daytime IAD-LHR flight, departing about 12 hours later and still arriving in London on the same day as the original flight.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 157
Thanks for your replies. Unfortunately, It will cost me too much $$ to make changes to my itinerary, so I think I'm going to risk it. I have an RBC Avion Visa so I'm fully covered with all sorts of travel insurance.
Also, the other good news is that for some reason, flight UA7860 from YOW - IAD has been arriving early (anywhere from 10 - 30 minutes) almost every day for the past couple of months with a couple of exceptions according to flightstats.
Really, the only thing I'm nervous about is my luggage!
will keep you posted on my adventure!
Wayne
Also, the other good news is that for some reason, flight UA7860 from YOW - IAD has been arriving early (anywhere from 10 - 30 minutes) almost every day for the past couple of months with a couple of exceptions according to flightstats.
Really, the only thing I'm nervous about is my luggage!
will keep you posted on my adventure!
Wayne
#8


Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Million Miler, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 1,439
In the U.S., you could standby for an earlier flight for free. Not sure if you can do that on UA from YOW.
You can research other late flights from IAD to Europe on UA and LH so that your're prepared in case of missing your flight. Good to kinow your options. I would also include flights leaving around the same time (in case they are delayed then they become options). But I don't think there will be many options with such a late departure time. Then on the next morning, you can connect from FRA (or whatever) to LHR.
You can research other late flights from IAD to Europe on UA and LH so that your're prepared in case of missing your flight. Good to kinow your options. I would also include flights leaving around the same time (in case they are delayed then they become options). But I don't think there will be many options with such a late departure time. Then on the next morning, you can connect from FRA (or whatever) to LHR.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 157
thanks for all your help. I just wanted some clarification, how do I get from concourse A to concourse C? Can i just walk inside the terminal? Or do I have to take some sort of shuttle? Also, do i have to go through security again?
Thanks again!!
W
Thanks again!!
W
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,947
At the end of Concourse A there is a short up escalator - At the top, to the right are people movers (buses) that go to the main terminal, to the left are the people movers that go over to C Terminal and D Terminal. They go over every 10 minutes or so. There is usually a crowd of people waiting for the bus to come in.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist



Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,768

