AX9465

My rule of thumb is 1,5hrs within same terminal, 2hrs if change of terminals is needed, 2,5hrs if immigration is required (e.g. flying LHR-ORD-PDX I will make sure connection in ORD is more than 2,5 hours). Exception is IAD where I will not agree to connect unless its 3 hours - most of which I am sure will be spent in immigration line . I put these requirements to travel agent upfront before making a booking.

it sometimes make sense to allow extra 30 minutes if your flight depart from congested airport like LHR as chances of delays are quite likely.

The problem is that most airlines are oblivious to these facts when they schedule their services or sell tickets. OS is most notorious for that - I frequently see options with 30 minute connection time in VIE, which is possible but rarely achievable.

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AX9465

If you are an airline, would you rather sell a ticket with a connection that may or may not be possible or let passenger walk away? I am almost certain that its one of the reasons these connections are offered by airlines.
Worst thing they can be out of pocket for is to book you overnight in $40 hotel and provide you with the $25 meal voucher ($65 in total). compare that with let's say lost sale of international ticket for $800. it's same logic why they oversell (some people may not turn up - some people may make connection).
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anat0l

I guess that makes sense, although in an EU jurisdiction the compensation payable is a bit more than what you describe (if I interpret that regulation correctly).

As you mention, I'm sure the airlines do their risk analysis (how many people would they expect to misconnect on certain itineraries, how much would they be up for compensation etc.)

Also, it wasn't so much as saying here is a choice (tough cookie) or go away, but rather giving passengers a range of choices for connecting flights. For example, if you had a domestic going to international flight, a single business traveller with just carry-on rollerboard might just pick that bare 60 minute connecting option, but a family of four with stroller etc. might want to pick a longer connecting option (without being forced to book two itineraries instead). To only offer one option (say, the shortest connecting time) doesn't seem right.

AX9465

EU regulation 261/2004 do not cover situations when passenger is late for the flight.

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malbarda

If you book NY - PVG on DL they will give you 50 minutes each way at DTW, give or take. On the way out, I will risk it. On the way back, on a foreign passport, with luggage, fuggetaboutit...

Atlanta, where I lived for close to 4 years and traveled through since 1995, you need at least 2 hours. It has taken me 3 once...

clarelouise44

I always try to book 1.5-2hrs minimum for a connection and 3 hours minimum if I have to go through customs ...more for MIA. A couple of times domestically (especially on FF flights), the airline has made schedule changes, adding in a tight connection to a previously booked non-stop. I suspect that they changed my flight to resell a more desirable flight for $$$. If I called them up I was usually able to get back on the original flight.

Athena53

I hate it when they do that- in our case it frequently has to do with changes in flight schedules between MCI, our home airport, and ORD, where we usually connect, so the original itinerary just plain doesn't exist anymore.

We just booked MCI-DFW-MAD for next May and I was happy to be able to get the same deal we got on our previous trip- MAD-DFW arriving DFW at 4 PM on the way home, then the first flight out of DFW the next morning. Clumsy and it's another hotel night, but when we arrived in DFW 2 hours late on our last trip, we had no worries about making our connection!

dabears1020

Interesting. Some people here allow a lot more than me. I'm perfectly comfortable with 45 minutes on domestic connections (30 if it's a particularly easy airport), and probably 1.5 hours if customs is required. Haven't missed a flight yet, and only even remotely cut it close once. I figure the saved time over dozens of flights is worth the potential $25 or whatever change fee to the next flight on the rare occasion I would miss one, and I never check bags, so that isn't a concern.

Of course, if the flight I am connecting to is the last one of that day and/or leaves me completely screwed if I miss it, I will certainly allow more time. I will also on occasion book a longer connection if I think I'll feel like spending a little extra time in the lounge that day.

Loren Pechtel

I have had multiple flights that had I gone with so narrow a window I wouldn't have made it.

carlorossi3

Ties in nicely with the thread about getting off your plane before the last leg!