Need advice on CSA
 

I posted a couple weeks back in the Other European Airlines forum and was advised to post here as I didn't get much of a response. I hope someone can help.

I have a DL issued award ticket on CSA Czech Airlines arriving in Prague at 6:20AM on 10/10. I would like to travel to another city from 10/10 - 10/13 as I am meeting a friend in PRG on 10/13 and will be touring PRG then. Based on flight schedules, it seems the best city to visit would be BUD (I would purchase this roundtrip tix). I have been strictly advised by CSA that if I miss my connection, I will be penalized.

There are flights leaving PRG for BUD at 835AM, 1005AM, 1225PM, 5PM and 720PM.

Can anyone advise me on which flight you think I could safely book? I want to ensure that I don't miss my connection, but I don't want to sit in the airport all day either.

Alternatively, if I book a later flight, can I standby for an earlier one? What happens to any luggage I have checked straight through (which I can do, according to CSA).

Thanks a lot!

PRG is a very connection-friendly airport. IMHO it's the best place to connect in Europe (VIE coming a close second). 0835 is not only safe, but it ensures you'll have plenty of time at the airport for a coffee and sandwich, after which you'll even start getting bored. I've made a 35 min connection and quite a few that were under an hour. In my last 40 or so segments on OK, I have experienced one delay of about 2 hours so I would say it's extremely unlikely that you will have any such problems.
Do bear in mind that the PRG-BUD route is codeshared between OK and MA (check that you are able to get miles for a MA-operated flt, you certainly can get OK miles but not sure about anyone else's) and, in case you dislike turboprops, that some of the OK-operated flights feature ATRs (peak-time OK flights are on the 735, while MA use Fokkers).

graraps - Thank you so much! I can't tell you how much I appreciate your post. I have been completely in the dark on what to do for this.

My main concern is about a delay on my inbound flight from Cairo causing me to miss my 2nd flight to BUD. CSA only runs a couple flights a week, so if there is an equipment problem (or weather), I guess I am up a creek. Thanks for the heads up on miles as well.