bbbflight

Looking for some advice here. I'll be flying PRG-ZRH-WAW on 16/12/2012. LX does not want to ticket an itinerary with 35 minutes of connecting time in ZRH online. The next flight leaves 4,5 hours later. Would you suggest I book a ticket with that 4,5h connecting time and hope to arrive at the gate on time to rebook myself for the earlier flight? Or should I just leave PRG in the afternoon altogether? I will be flying on a D fare with hand luggage only. I will be really grateful for your replies.

MichalFKowalik

Hey FTers,

I just did it again - too optimistic about ZRH connection times in winter.

Here's a schedule:
Wed. 30.01.2013 09:40 (WAW) - 11:50 (ZRH) LX 1343
Wed. 30.01.2013 13:05 (ZRH) - 16:25 (SFO) LX 38
Wed. 30.01.2013 21:21 (SFO) - 23:01 (LAS) LX 3280

Technically I have 75mins for a transfer, which should be more than needed from A/B to E. But just looked at a current LX/OLT1343 on-time stats
http://uk.flightaware.com/live/flight/SWR1343

Many of them arrive at 12:00, some of them even at 12:20, which cuts my time down till 45mins. I know, most likely still doable bit I so hate having no buffer. Cheap, inflexible fare so I have what I paid for.

let's see how it goes
mfk

qvzn

4,5 hours is enough time to go into Zurich city for lunch/beer/walk/whatever. If that doesn't interest you, I'd take the later flight out of PRG. 35 minutes may normally be plenty of time, but you don't want to be stuck paying a walkup fare if the inbound is late

YuropFlyer

Cheap/Inflexible doesn't mean that you're out of look if it's all on one ticket (Which I assume so)

If you're missing your flight to SFO, or latter LAS, because of the incoming flight being delayed, Swiss will rebook you onto another connection there.

(And also pay for hotels, meals etc., plus you can grab EU comp. if the delay is too much and wasn't due to one of the reasons that exclude it)

Just make sure, if your flight is delayed a bit but not massively, to rush to the gate your flight will take off. If you're arriving with, say, 40 minutes before your other flight departes, and all other pax are making the connection, you might have to argue with LX a bit why YOU missed it. And no, visiting the lounge doesn't count as a valid reason

Yesterday saw a lot of snowfall in ZRH, but also in other European cities. So basically the whole flights within Europe got delayed.

LX is pretty good at handling delays, last time there was very bad weather (Early November) they simply cut some lunch-flights, and when afternoon and better weather came, all flights were on time again (and people got rebooked quite smoothly.. no queues at all in ZRH at 5pm, when I flow out... and the weather/delays were horrible in the morning till lunchtime)

MichalFKowalik

Ditto, aware how efficient Swiss is despite one terrible experience in C & *G which ended up with nice miles transfer from LX.

best!
mfk

Volasia

what would you say of a 55 minutes transfer such as:
Arriving at Dock E - shower at Lounge dock A - Boarding at dock A (GVA) ?

Am I too optimistic ? If traveling on C, security and passport should be fast...

YuropFlyer

This is VERY optimistic indeed.

Depending on how many flights just arrived, it might be you've to wait a bit, especially at passport control (Schengen immigration) - and even security might take a little bit time.

And showers in the Main LX lounge can sometimes be full (only 2 showers)

It might be very possibly faster to actually follow the signs that say "Exit Zurich" (only Immigration, no security this way!) - and once landside, head there directly to the arrival lounge - always showers immediately available, much much more convenient, and thanks to a much better concept quicker as well to shower / getting dressed again.

Assuming zero waiting time at immigration, you can make it from Airplane to Arrival lounge in about 10-15 minutes (Depending on your walking speed, and how well you understand the airport)

Back airside from the arrival lounge, it takes you about 2 minutes to the security, and then another 2-10 minutes (depending which gate you've.. ) to the gate. Again, assuming security has zero waiting time and takes only 2 minutes, it should take you between 6 and 14 minutes from the Arrival Lounge to your departure A gate.

Means: If all goes perfect, you've about 16-29 minutes from airplane to lounge and back to gate, you should be back at the gate at latest 15 minutes before departure, giving you 40 minutes - (16 to 29) = 11 to 24 minutes to shower.. let's estimate some values in the middle, you've 15 to 20 minutes for a shower. Just about enough.

However, queues might make things harder, and you're really cutting it close that way.

Possible? Yes! Would I do it? Only if the airplane arrives perfectly on time or even a bit early, and if everything goes smooth up to the lounge (Meaning, you arrive at the arrival lounge at least 40 minutes before your scheduled departure time - don't forget, even if you're getting delayed at that moment, you've not taken a big detour, as you'll have skipped arrival security this way, and had 0 extra control/check.)

I would try it.. with a timely check on your watch, and check the departure gate upon arrival. If it's a A6x, it means little walking time. A5x means bus gate, short walk. A7x means middle walking time, A8x means, better get your sport shoes on..

And probably no time to enjoy the nice breakfast offerings in the arrival lounge..

Everything assuming you depart before 1pm - at this time the arrival lounge closes.

If after 1pm, just check the regular LX Lounge in Gate A..

Volasia

wooooh, thanks for the very detailed answer. That's a good idea, I will try that. I can always back-track when I'm at arrival lounge if I'm too late.

Given your answer, I assume departure security is quicker than E arrival security (even in C).

From Arrival Lounge, do I have to go out through customs and back in again or can I go back in more quickly ? (I remember the old way where the lounge staff was escorting us back through passport control).

N1003U

Wow. I would call this an answer with Swiss precision... :-)

YuropFlyer

The new lounge is properly landside, so no way back without any checks anymore.

You're right, often the main departure security is quicker than the security at the E gates (where you would go through, if you would follow the transit signs) - I'm SEN so I always use the business/first queue, and the worst waiting time was about 3 minutes.. usually it's less.. (might be that during holiday peak season it might be longer, but that's just my personal experience)

Just make sure to head straight through the airport - there are plenty of shops to try to lure you into spending your money, something you won't have time at all, if you want to enjoy a nice shower. And definitely check your departure gate for your flight to GVA when arriving asap, if it's A67 or so, you will have much more time than if it's A86..

Volasia

Got it !

Thanks for your help !

Andie007

Connected here last saturday from Frankfurt to New York in 45 Mins. Made it without any problems (incl. Terminal change). Luggage made its way, too

hotelmotel

So connecting JFK(AA)-ZRH(LX)-TLV, my understanding is that everything will be from Dock E so I don't need to re-clear any security?

What if I want to visit a *G lounge with showers (LX Senator or Business)? How do I get to those? I assume I'll have to re-clear security for that? Is 2 hours connection time enough to head over for a quick shower and back for my onward flight?

Thanks!

Madone59

I am sorry if I missed the answer earlier in the thread; this will be my first trip through ZRH. Will I need to re clear security or just transfer to make the connection to FRA? And will this be enough time?


Think you.

macnivison

I am not a very experienced flyer so please bear with me.

I have a business class booking VIE-ZRH-SIN-BNE. The e-ticket says 'issued on behalf of Swiss International Air Lines"

The VIE-ZRH sector is flight LX3559 operated by Tyrolean Airways for Austrian Airlines. This arrives in ZRH at 21:35 & ZRH-SIN (LX178) departs 22:45

Will this be ample time to make the connection? Will I be able to book my luggage through to BNE at VIE?

Thanks.