Consolidated FRA connection time/logistics-Domestic & International
May 2, 2017, 11:40 am
#631
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: New York(ewr,Roc)
Programs: United MP Premier Gold, *A Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 87
I dont think going via Zurich is an option unless my journey back to the states wants to be a 2 stops.
Rewinding my girlfriend & I are going to be at a wedding 1 hour outside of Pisa and Florence Italy. We are trying to make it back home to Washington DC area by Sunday Sept 03 (night) for an event on labor day. If we went to zurich I think the connection if any is 50 minutes. I think the four options are as follow...
1. Air france via Paris with 2.5 hours
2. BA via London with 2 hours
3. Lufthansa via Frankfurt with 1 hour
4. Lufthansa via Munich with 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Any other options I am open to suggestions, but I do need to drive from the wedding area to an airport
Rewinding my girlfriend & I are going to be at a wedding 1 hour outside of Pisa and Florence Italy. We are trying to make it back home to Washington DC area by Sunday Sept 03 (night) for an event on labor day. If we went to zurich I think the connection if any is 50 minutes. I think the four options are as follow...
1. Air france via Paris with 2.5 hours
2. BA via London with 2 hours
3. Lufthansa via Frankfurt with 1 hour
4. Lufthansa via Munich with 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Any other options I am open to suggestions, but I do need to drive from the wedding area to an airport
Another option you can do to help with making the connection easier is if you have time on your stopover in germany, on entry apply for easypass(german global entry basically) Never seen these lines have a que for them. being an american you will scan your docs and an agent will come and give you an exit stamp. https://www.cbp.gov/global-entry/oth...grams/easypass
May 2, 2017, 11:44 am
#632
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: UAMP Global Services, AA Platinum
Posts: 89
There is a Bologna - FRA flight on LH that day at 230 that gives you a 1 hr 10 connect time to the United Flight at 510 pm
Or bettey yet, why not take an earlier flight and chill in the awesome Senator lounge at FRA? Save yourself some stress.
Runways in Florence are short and face a tall mountain, so there is basically one way in and out. When winds aren't right - many days in Spring/Summer - the go around rate is high, and flights often divert to Bologna.
Is Bologna an option? It's a much larger airport than Pisa or Florence, and the have 4 mainline LH flights a day to FRA (vs CityLine). It's only 1 hour 15 by car from central Florence
Or bettey yet, why not take an earlier flight and chill in the awesome Senator lounge at FRA? Save yourself some stress.
Is Bologna an option? It's a much larger airport than Pisa or Florence, and the have 4 mainline LH flights a day to FRA (vs CityLine). It's only 1 hour 15 by car from central Florence
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 2, 2017 at 12:26 pm Reason: repaired quote
May 2, 2017, 11:46 am
#633
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
I went through FRA last Friday. I tried to board the plane without this sticker. A gate agent guided me to those two security guys, who asked me those typical questions at any of European airports. I have a lot of stickers on the back of my passport for proof.
May 2, 2017, 11:46 am
#634
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,461
Bottom line is that this is completely doable at either FRA or MUC, with MUC being easier. But a 1 hour international connection has inherent risk due to the lack of cushion. This is less of a concern on a paid ticket than on an upgrade or business class award.
(And I've not gotten a sticker ex-FRA or VIE in several recent trips.)
(And I've not gotten a sticker ex-FRA or VIE in several recent trips.)
May 2, 2017, 11:56 am
#635
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA 1K; *G and *A Top 1000; HHonors Diamond; *$ Gold; Global Entry
Posts: 2,272
Security or passport control? I suppose there could have been a delay at passport control, particularly if there were not enough agents. However, I've never had to go through security at Zurich arriving from the United States.
May 2, 2017, 11:58 am
#636
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: UA 1K MM, HH Gold, Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 1,478
No sticker if you check-in @ MUC or FRA directly from UA. Sticker is required is you are connecting from another airline. UA personnel has to ask you security questions, therefore, the sticker on connecting passengers. Often they want to switch to UA BP rather than using BP issued by partner airlines.
May 2, 2017, 12:19 pm
#639
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SEA/YVR/BLI
Programs: UA "Lifetime" Gold, AS MVPG100K, OW Emerald, HH Lifetime Diamond, IC Plat, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 9,490
No sticker if you check-in @ MUC or FRA directly from UA. Sticker is required is you are connecting from another airline. UA personnel has to ask you security questions, therefore, the sticker on connecting passengers. Often they want to switch to UA BP rather than using BP issued by partner airlines.
I was subsequently called up to the counter, where the agent told me I had been selected for secondary screening, complete with the SSSS on my BP. She ceremoniously removed the approval sticker from my passport, and off I went, leaving Mrs. Fredd in line.
The screening itself was fairly quick. After I opened my bags, they tested them. I had to remove my shoes. They checked those and "fondled" my feet briefly, and then it was back to the queue, where Mrs. Fredd hadn't moved an inch. Still, that would add to the stress on a tight connection.
Also the first time in all our flying IIRC we've boarded a 747 at a remote gate. A lot of stairs to climb.
May 2, 2017, 12:44 pm
#640
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Gone to Carolina in my mind
Programs: AA ExpMM, DL 2MM, IHG Spire/RA
Posts: 1,986
I dont think going via Zurich is an option unless my journey back to the states wants to be a 2 stops.
Rewinding my girlfriend & I are going to be at a wedding 1 hour outside of Pisa and Florence Italy. We are trying to make it back home to Washington DC area by Sunday Sept 03 (night) for an event on labor day. If we went to zurich I think the connection if any is 50 minutes. I think the four options are as follow...
1. Air france via Paris with 2.5 hours
2. BA via London with 2 hours
3. Lufthansa via Frankfurt with 1 hour
4. Lufthansa via Munich with 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Any other options I am open to suggestions, but I do need to drive from the wedding area to an airport
Rewinding my girlfriend & I are going to be at a wedding 1 hour outside of Pisa and Florence Italy. We are trying to make it back home to Washington DC area by Sunday Sept 03 (night) for an event on labor day. If we went to zurich I think the connection if any is 50 minutes. I think the four options are as follow...
1. Air france via Paris with 2.5 hours
2. BA via London with 2 hours
3. Lufthansa via Frankfurt with 1 hour
4. Lufthansa via Munich with 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Any other options I am open to suggestions, but I do need to drive from the wedding area to an airport
May 2, 2017, 2:42 pm
#641
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: 42.1% in PDX , 49.9% in PVG & 8% in the air somewhere
Programs: Marriott Ambassador Elite, UA 1K, AS MVP GLD 75K, DL Pt
Posts: 1,086
Are flights in Europe that on time... ? I've always figured for important connects that I want a buffer of 45' for delays. Then you factor in taxi time, de-boarding, walking to connect terminal or worse... an hour sounds crazy to me with airlines delays and such, but that is just me, LOL
May 2, 2017, 2:51 pm
#642
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: TPA
Programs: UA GS, 1MM
Posts: 97
OP,
I do what you're proposing several times a year. It is doable, but I don't recommend it. There is a low, but real risk of missing the connection and there is a high probability you will have to rush. If you're the worrying type, I'd recommend 90 minutes to 2 hours.
If you have the option, Munich is a better bet. I have made connections there with 15 minutes between flights due to late incoming leg arrival and still made it with no problem.
Best of luck.
I do what you're proposing several times a year. It is doable, but I don't recommend it. There is a low, but real risk of missing the connection and there is a high probability you will have to rush. If you're the worrying type, I'd recommend 90 minutes to 2 hours.
If you have the option, Munich is a better bet. I have made connections there with 15 minutes between flights due to late incoming leg arrival and still made it with no problem.
Best of luck.
May 2, 2017, 3:55 pm
#643
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,930
No sticker if you check-in @ MUC or FRA directly from UA. Sticker is required is you are connecting from another airline. UA personnel has to ask you security questions, therefore, the sticker on connecting passengers. Often they want to switch to UA BP rather than using BP issued by partner airlines.
To the OP, I wouldn't do a 60 minute connection in FRA. 70 minutes in MUC is much easier. For me it's mainly about the risk of a misconnect. These days, if you come into the A gates and leave via the Z gates in FRA, it doesn't take that long.
May 2, 2017, 4:07 pm
#644
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AA EXP, HH Diamond, MR Gold, Avis PC, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,252
I don't have experience with BA at LHR, but if I was not concerned with miles or status I would definitely take this option. Or, if I REALLY needed to be back in DC for Labor Day, I would take this option anyway.
May 2, 2017, 4:21 pm
#645
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: UA Plat, 2MM
Posts: 1,860
Depending where your Florence flight lands at A gates, it may take a good 10 ten minutes to find an elevator to Z gates. Then, you have to go through customs. The passport line was pretty short for me last Friday. At your UA flight gate, you will need to get a sticker on your passport before boarding.
So, if your connection flight from Florence is on time and the plane is not parking at a remote site, you should be able to make it in 60 min. Good luck.
So, if your connection flight from Florence is on time and the plane is not parking at a remote site, you should be able to make it in 60 min. Good luck.