not frequent traveler or visitor to this site--need info on tix I booked for my son's honeymoon
flying AA from DFW to Gatwick in March 08--change to Brit Air flight to FCO
they leave DFW on 6pm flight--arrive Gatwick at 745AM and need to make connection on BA flight at 9 am--
they will have only 1 carryon apiece (since Gatwick is still under that rule) so may have to check at least one bag--know that bag should be checked through to FCO
will they have to clear customs/security going from the AA flight to the BA flight to Rome?
how likely are they to either be delayed arriving or delayed once there and miss that flight--
don't know if it originates at Gatwick or is coming from someplace else...

any info appreciated...
they return on AA from FCO to Chicago ORD and then to DFW and I did leave more than 2 hours for that return connection (and there are three or so later flights) because I was more concerned customs/security coming into USA...

Both flights operate out of the North terminal. They will need to clear security but they won't have to go through customs nor collect luggage. LGW transit is not nearly as bad as LHR.

AA50 on-time arrival for the last 2 months is 55%, with an average delay of 47 min. The minimum legal connection time is 60 minutes, but from deplaning to the connecting gate should be about 30 min. Their transit time is 65 minutes, and that doesn't leave much time for delays. AA's record on this flight is not too encouraging. BA2540 has an on-time arrival of 63%, with an average delay of 19 min.

If the LGW connection is missed, they will likely be placed on the 13:55 BA flight to FCO.

thanks for the informative reply--sounds like I made a bad choice--

if the AA flight 50 is late arriving will that mean any luggage in the cargo hold will also NOT make the BA connection to FCO--and if so will they have to pull it off the belt or just let BA reticket it for their new flight...

sorry to ask what are probably stupid questions from people who fly more times than I have gone to the movies--but just really don't have a clue...

and want the kids to have an idea of what to expect and what to do...they have never been out of country and not flown that much either...

An hour and 15 minutes is not enough to reliably make that connection. Could happen, probably won't. Its even harder if you are unsure and disoriented on your first trip aboad.

Don't assume that BA will just put it on the next flight if the bags don't make the connection. It could take days.

My suggestion is to rebook them on the AA ORD-FCO flight so that they don't have the connection in London.

I tried to get them to do that and fly out on Tuesday morning--but they want to fly out Monday to get to Rome sooner and AA only goes through Gatwick on their later flights---
actually the kids are getting married sunday morning at lake travis in Austin Tx --will spend the night there and drive into DFW/home Monday morning--they will pack their honeymoon luggage separate from the wedding luggage--drop their stuff at the apt, take their cats to the kennel and be at the airport by 4--
not my idea of how to start a honeymoon to Italy--and certainly does not allow for any problems or glitches (I took out what I hope is good trip insurance that covers pre-existing conditions/trip cancellation/interruption for any reason if there is a problem)

but they wanted to get to Rome ASAP--
might see if I can book them on the BA flight later into Rome...
silly me--I thought that if there was a problem with the connection AA would have added some type of disclaimer telling me that from the get-go...