38m in CLT or 43m in PHL: Which is the better RJ to Mainline connection?
Oct 8, 2025 | 10:27 am
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MSP/BUF/BNA
Programs: AA Plat, Choice Privileges Plat, Trip.com Diamond, Priceline Gold
Posts: 1,374
Thanks for the feedback everyone.
I think I am going to choose PHL for the slightly longer transit time and a Flagship lounge with experienced agents if something does go sideways there.
I will be wearing my running shoes just in case. Thankfully I will not have a Valet bag.
I think I am going to choose PHL for the slightly longer transit time and a Flagship lounge with experienced agents if something does go sideways there.
I will be wearing my running shoes just in case. Thankfully I will not have a Valet bag.
Oct 8, 2025 | 2:07 pm
#17
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,454
Word to the wise the days of lounge staff doing anything over what you might get from a gate agent, even in the FL, are very, very over. You might get lucky but more than likely whatever pops up in their computer first is what they will give, good or bad. They normal WILL NOT look at all options. Thank overcrowding of the lounges where staff no longer have 20-30 minutes to get you the best routing. What you need to do is do YOUR OWN research for alternatives and have that ready to go to be ticketed.
Oct 8, 2025 | 2:11 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Platinum, Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,460
Word to the wise the days of lounge staff doing anything over what you might get from a gate agent, even in the FL, are very, very over. You might get lucky but more than likely whatever pops up in their computer first is what they will give, good or bad. They normal WILL NOT look at all options. Thank overcrowding of the lounges where staff no longer have 20-30 minutes to get you the best routing. What you need to do is do YOUR OWN research for alternatives and have that ready to go to be ticketed.
Oct 8, 2025 | 3:39 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,921
Word to the wise the days of lounge staff doing anything over what you might get from a gate agent, even in the FL, are very, very over. You might get lucky but more than likely whatever pops up in their computer first is what they will give, good or bad. They normal WILL NOT look at all options. Thank overcrowding of the lounges where staff no longer have 20-30 minutes to get you the best routing. What you need to do is do YOUR OWN research for alternatives and have that ready to go to be ticketed.
You always are better off if you do your own research.
But Lounge agents are much better than phone agents, and it's much easier to brush someone off in a phone call than in an in-person conversation.
Oct 8, 2025 | 4:09 pm
#20
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BOS, BWI, DCA, IAD
Programs: American, Delta, JetBlue, United
Posts: 2,397
On an upcoming international trip I have to choose between 38m in CLT or 43m in PHL. Due to a rather extreme price difference, I cannot choose a different flight. Both flights are at 6am and the connection would be CRJ-900 to mainline. I'm leaning towards PHL but what would you all prefer?
Last edited by JPG3392; Oct 8, 2025 at 4:10 pm Reason: Added word.
Oct 8, 2025 | 5:01 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,253
I've connected in the past at both airports on AA award flights from DCA to Europe. In my opinion, it doesn't matter which of the connections you choose, since you are unlikely to make either of them on those tight schedules. AA will take care of you after you miss your international flight, but their options are limited. The main point to consider is what flights to your final destination would be available on AA itself for award travel when rescheduling becomes necessary since AA cannot guarantee award travel on partner flights.
Oct 8, 2025 | 8:01 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM CK, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,650
I would go with CLT given that its more compact in a pinch. if you havent already done so, check the typical on-time performance for the first leg as that should influence the decision. Gate staff at both hubs move quickly to offload planes.
Id also look at which option provides a better connection in Boston to get from B to E. Depending on when youre taking this trip, the runway construction happening here through November is typically resulting in EDCT times depending on the time of day and flow. Padding has been added to schedules, but my recent delays have been in excess of that padding.
Id also look at which option provides a better connection in Boston to get from B to E. Depending on when youre taking this trip, the runway construction happening here through November is typically resulting in EDCT times depending on the time of day and flow. Padding has been added to schedules, but my recent delays have been in excess of that padding.
Oct 8, 2025 | 8:39 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2015
Location: WAS, SZX, HKG
Programs: AS MVPG75K, CX Green
Posts: 823
I've connected in the past at both airports on AA award flights from DCA to Europe. In my opinion, it doesn't matter which of the connections you choose, since you are unlikely to make either of them on those tight schedules. AA will take care of you after you miss your international flight, but their options are limited. The main point to consider is what flights to your final destination would be available on AA itself for award travel when rescheduling becomes necessary since AA cannot guarantee award travel on partner flights.
I would disagree here, I have flown Pbi to Bos well over fifty times in the last five years, taking the first flight out of Pbi connecting thru either CLT or PHL, i have never actually missed a single connection though they are always tight, now there have been instances where I have changed prior to the first flight because the equipment didnt make it in the night before, both CLT and PHL have a lot of service to Bos. Your odds are much better with an early morning flight, than a mid day flight. Keep in mind the first connection is a domestic connection the intl connection is in Boston.
However, a morning connection should be much better. Probably the aircraft sits overnight in XXX so no delays due to incoming aircraft
Oct 9, 2025 | 8:35 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,454
Lounge staff will generally give you any routing you ask for. IME over the past few years as lounges have become more crowded they will not do extensive research for you. Some are lazy and at times there are too many people looking to get rebooked, most of which won't do any research on their own. Ditto telephone agents.
Oct 9, 2025 | 10:02 am
#25
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,817
Lounge staff will generally give you any routing you ask for. IME over the past few years as lounges have become more crowded they will not do extensive research for you. Some are lazy and at times there are too many people looking to get rebooked, most of which won't do any research on their own. Ditto telephone agents.
- The agent knows they are dealing with someone for whom it is not their first rodeo and tend to be more open.
- I’ve often done the work for them and (the experienced ones at least) appreciate someone doing the groundwork.
Oct 9, 2025 | 11:26 am
#26
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,921
Lounge staff will generally give you any routing you ask for. IME over the past few years as lounges have become more crowded they will not do extensive research for you. Some are lazy and at times there are too many people looking to get rebooked, most of which won't do any research on their own. Ditto telephone agents.
As I said:
I never approach a rebooking situation - phone or lounge or gate agent or customer service counter - without my own options identified.
Lounge agents are a godsend when it comes to IROPs resolution.
Oct 14, 2025 | 12:38 pm
#27
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 8,935
Ugh. Neither choice I like. The one thing I like about CLT is that you're wholly in control of your destiny - you can walk or run. At PHL, you're reliant on a shuttle bus which can feel like eternity.
Oct 14, 2025 | 1:11 pm
#28
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP / Bonvoy TIT
Posts: 661
Oct 14, 2025 | 1:29 pm
#29
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 8,935
This is true, but the majority of people rely on the shuttle buses. The walk from the end of the E gates at CLT to the B gates is about 0.75 mile. The walk from the end of the F gates at PHL to the A east gates is over a mile.
Oct 14, 2025 | 1:33 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 8,935
Word to the wise the days of lounge staff doing anything over what you might get from a gate agent, even in the FL, are very, very over. You might get lucky but more than likely whatever pops up in their computer first is what they will give, good or bad. They normal WILL NOT look at all options. Thank overcrowding of the lounges where staff no longer have 20-30 minutes to get you the best routing. What you need to do is do YOUR OWN research for alternatives and have that ready to go to be ticketed.