Realistic CDG Transfer Time?
 

I recently booked a trip for the family to Spain next September. I booked my wife and sons tickets using Delta Skymiles while mine was purchased, all on Air France. The JFK-CGD-MAD itin has a 60 minute layover in CDG. Even if everything is on time and there are no strikes that day is this realistic?

Our flight leaves JFK at 7PM; I noticed there are also JFK to CDG flights at 4:30 and 5:45. I was not aware Air France had that many flights on this route and they do not appear to be Delta code shares. Will we be able to fly standby to have a better shot of making our connection?

Hi ghia,

Your question may be better asked in the AF forum, however:

- 60 minutes is a tight connection at best in CDG. Do use the "Acces no 1" lines for passport control and security to speed you up as DL Elite.

- AF is very inflexible when it comes to standby. Unless you have a flexible ticket allowing changes, they won't move you to an earlier flight (unless you get very lucky and they are overbooked for your flight and looking for volunteers to leave earlier). (All European airlines are like this)

- You may get lucky if your connection gets real tight and get met at the gate when you disembark. However, this is very much a hit-and-miss service from AF.

In short, good luck, and be ready to put on your running shoes.

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer

Last time I had a tight connection I was met at the gate and walked through a back way to the gate from which I was to depart. Our escort left without noticing that there had been a gate change. Run, run, run but we made it.

I'd think an hour was enough - if you get the hour. If running late or people are slow to exit, you best have your running shoes on.

Thank you for the responses. GenevaFlyer, when I read your reply I realized I did not update my profile this year and unfortunately my Delta status is gone. With my current job I have no hope of getting it back by September

So it seems that if the flight is not oversold I have no shot at the earlier flight. I just realized that I will be on the A380 so my son should get a kick out of that, did I mention he will be 4? That will make running as you suggested all the more fun. Hopefully we get met at the gate, if not it looks like another 3 hours to the next MAD flight.

60 min. connection at CDG is going to be very difficult, so be sure to do sufficient preparation and research. CDG is rather renowed for its poor design in navigation.:(

Cutting it VERY close
 

Last March we had an 1.5 hour connection at CDG, and we made it to the gate right as they called for final boarding. No one was willing to help us make the connection, and there were plenty of people who were stuck in the customs line who didn't get to board. Aside from only having 1 or 2 customs people working, we were stuck fighting with a bunch of people connecting to countries that have no concept of what it means to wait your turn in a line (Senegal, Egypt, etc.)--we would have made it with much more time to spare had it not been for them.

Also, don't forget--since you have to go through security AGAIN, don't be tempted by any duty free liquor/wine because they'll just take it away from you :(

I have done this several times at CDG. It is tight, but doable. EVERYTHING must work out. On time departure, on time arrival, short to medium security lines. Access No1 lane open, ect. You will probably make it. Your bags, who knows. Good luck. BTW, if you are flying business class, they MAY meet you at the arrival gate and escort you to departure. I am sure this has calmed your nerves :)

On a similar note: is it possible to make a terminal 2E (AF) to terminal 1 (CO) connection in 85 minutes? Non-schengen to US flight.

Tight, but doable. You need to take the airside shuttle bus operated by Aeroports de Paris.

http://www.easycdg.com/pages/cdg_tra...uttlespag.html (green shuttle on this page)

Thanks. I'm not sure why Delta allowed me to book this reward flight (DAM-CDG-EWR as I just checked and 2 hrs is the MCT between those two points. Luckily it will be in C/J class--will try to get seats near the exit.

Hi Chewy,

Did you book this while CO was still in Skyteam, and thus operated out of 2A? That would explain why DL issued this ticket.

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer

As I mentioned earlier, it is tight, so any delay upon arrival will make it very difficult. You will also need to clear security in Terminal 1 and, as usual for flights to North America, it can be time consuming.

Yes, I did. That explains it. I will call them and try to get them to rebook me on the 1:40 pm flight on AF.