Chance of delay?
Jun 25, 2012 | 9:27 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2
Chance of delay?
I have flown exactly once in my life so I know nothing, which is why I am here. I need to fly from Detroit to Bangkok and I can save about $800 dollars by buying separate tickets from DTW to LAX and then LAX to BKK. There would be 12 hours between flights. I assume since I am buying them separately I would not get a refund if I didn't make it to LA in time. So my question is what are the chances my flight would be delayed more then say 10 hrs? It would be early Nov. so other than weather delays are flights usually pretty reliable? I see stories of people sitting on airplanes for no reason for 22 hrs, and flights getting cancelled and what not.
Jun 25, 2012 | 9:51 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,685
I have flown exactly once in my life so I know nothing, which is why I am here. I need to fly from Detroit to Bangkok and I can save about $800 dollars by buying separate tickets from DTW to LAX and then LAX to BKK. There would be 12 hours between flights. I assume since I am buying them separately I would not get a refund if I didn't make it to LA in time. So my question is what are the chances my flight would be delayed more then say 10 hrs? It would be early Nov. so other than weather delays are flights usually pretty reliable? I see stories of people sitting on airplanes for no reason for 22 hrs, and flights getting cancelled and what not.
Jun 26, 2012 | 6:14 am
#4
Flyertalk Evangelist and Moderator: Coupon Connection and Travel Products
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Milton, GA USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum Elite, Hyatt Discoverist, Radisson Elite
Posts: 19,216
The other concerned is checked bags. If you have separate tickets, you potentially have to pay baggage fees twice instead of once.
Jun 26, 2012 | 7:09 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: MEL, PER, PBO, occasionally ships, oil rigs and other places that no sane human being should ever find themselves
Programs: IHG RA, PC Plat, QF Plat/LTS
Posts: 804
I've never flown out of DTW but, like the others have said, I don't think there would be any issues. Flying into LAX a day early (or possibly buying travel insurance/using a credit card that includes it) would give you piece of mind.
BTW welcome to FT!
BTW welcome to FT!
Jun 26, 2012 | 7:53 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Salish Sea
Programs: DL,AC,HH,PC
Posts: 8,972
Depending which airline DTW-LAX there's likely more than 1 daily flight - pick the earliest just in case there's a mechanical so you can be re-accommodated. If it's really early Nov. I wouldn't worry about weather delays (no guarantee tho!).
Second the suggestion of going the day before although that will eat into your savings. Not by much if you use Priceline (less than $100 usually).
Second the suggestion of going the day before although that will eat into your savings. Not by much if you use Priceline (less than $100 usually).
Jun 26, 2012 | 8:04 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,595
I have flown exactly once in my life so I know nothing, which is why I am here. I need to fly from Detroit to Bangkok and I can save about $800 dollars by buying separate tickets from DTW to LAX and then LAX to BKK. There would be 12 hours between flights. I assume since I am buying them separately I would not get a refund if I didn't make it to LA in time. So my question is what are the chances my flight would be delayed more then say 10 hrs? It would be early Nov. so other than weather delays are flights usually pretty reliable? I see stories of people sitting on airplanes for no reason for 22 hrs, and flights getting cancelled and what not.
Jun 27, 2012 | 8:23 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP >3 Million miles,HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 3,434
Another option would be to obtain travel insurance that would cover you - my policy has a clause whereby if I am scheduled to be at the airport 2 hours before (either on an incoming flight, train, bus, etc) I am covered if my method of transport doesn't get me there in time.
Jun 28, 2012 | 1:49 pm
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,096
The odds of that length of delay are pretty low. Common delays are less than 3 hours most of the time.
But I advise against seaparate tickets, especially on seaparate carriers. If there IS a delay of that length, the first carrier is not responsible for getting you to your final destination, but only to the connection airport. You will not be accommodated. Also, your bags, if you check them, may not make it all the way.
But I advise against seaparate tickets, especially on seaparate carriers. If there IS a delay of that length, the first carrier is not responsible for getting you to your final destination, but only to the connection airport. You will not be accommodated. Also, your bags, if you check them, may not make it all the way.