Buzzman

Welcome to Flyertalk!! Assuming your incoming flight is on time, that should be a breeze... you just have to get quickly to the terminal train...

Will Dearborn

Since you're in Business, you should get a "Accès no.1" pass when you check-in at the United counter - that will let you access the fast lane through immigration and security on the way to your departure gate.

vaflyer888

Hi all,

I need some advice on connecting in CDG. First time flying into CDG and on easyjet. I'm United Premier Gold and have a United Club Card (but it sounds like the Club card makes no difference at CDG for getting through security faster). And I will just have carry-on luggage.

Traveling United IAD to CDG in Y arriving 06:50 Terminal 1
I have an easyjet flight CDG to LUT departing 08:30 Terminal 2D

www.easycdg.com says 45-75 min is required when connecting between T1 and T2. Is that accurate?

Is it doable to get through passport control, take the CDGVAL train to T2, walk to T2D, go through security and then check in?
Can I check in online for the easyjet flight and avoid checking in at the terminal?

On www.easycdg.com they said walking between where the CDGVAL drops you off and T2D is recommend over taking the bus to 2D. Any advice?

How do I get fast track through security?

I know easycdg.com has a lot of info but I trust the experience of the people of this site more.

Thanks in advance!

seenitall

You have two completely separate issues: UA and CDG/Easy. All you can hope for from UA is that it gets you to CDG on time, or preferably early. Sometimes it happens, other times it doesn't.

Next, you have to clear immigration at T1. I usually find this to be quite quick when arriving from IAD, but if you arrive just after a few A380s for KUL, BKK, SIN or PVG arrive, it can take 15-30 minutes. If you have bags to claim, that, again, is usually fairly quick -- but don't count on seeing your bags until at least 30 minutes after your UA plane hits the gate.

After that, you need to hot foot it to the CDGVAL train, this will take 5-10 minutes, with the train ride taking about 8 minutes. You have now have arrived at the T2 CDGVAL station, and you will need to walk/run to T2D, check in with Easy and then clear security. Unless Easy provides you with an Access1 pass (which I do not know whether they do), you will not be able to use it. Count on security at T2 taking you at least 10-20 minutes.

All of this adds up to at least 75 minutes. You will need to wear your running shoes and hope there are no glitches. Note, too, the admonition on the CDG website:

If you booked your flights separately (you have arranged your own flight connection or you need to pick up baggage at CDG)
these minimum connection times don’t apply.
You should allow extra time to clear baggage reclaim and passport control, transfer between terminals,
then check in and clear security for your outbound flight.

Your main issues will be with Easy. See this page: http://www.easyjet.com/en/help/at-the-airport/boarding. It notes that Easy closes the gate 30 minutes prior to departure, but also if you arrive at the airport within 2 hours after scheduled departure, they may rebook you for a "rescue fee." I think you need to be prepared to pay this if anything doesn't go perfectly.

Pat Plus

It's very tight, but feasible since you don't have bags.

Business class gives you the equivalent of Premier Access, which is called "Acces no 1" -- look for signs; you'll find a sign at border control, then a sign at security. In both cases, what you'll do is that you'll scan your phone or boarding pass at the automated gates, which will open and let you cut the line.

That being said, the questions are as follows:
-- Will the easyJet flight be on time? With only a slight delay, you can kiss your connection goodbye.
-- Is your passport information stored in UA's system and do you know that you can checkin online reliably without needing to see an agent for a document check?
-- If you're flying on an upgraded ticket, have you already paid the "luxury tax" that is required upon departing from France for premium passengers?
-- Do you realize that neither United or easyJet are responsible for a missed connection here, since you're on different itineraries?

Personally, I wouldn't chance it. But if your flight is on time, I say you have a decent chance at making your connection. Things have vastly improved at CDG over the years. Even security has greatly improved; at the UA satellite the security hall is now twice as large with much more processing capacity. Things are much smoother than they used to be.

I'm not familiar with easyJet and their rules so I can't comment on the details.

That being said, I'm not sure I understand your point about the Gold card. Yes, it does give you priority (called "Access no 1") *when flying United.* Since you're connecting on easyJet, that is completely irrelevant. So, to answer your question about how to get fast track, well... you won't.

Exiting T1 without bags is piece of cake - there's a fair amount of walking but it should be quick. Rush out to get ahead of the border control line, then just make your way out of the secure area and to the automated train. Assuming that your flight is on time, that part should be easy.

T2 is large, though, and you'll have to walk. It's probably more reliable than taking the bus indeed.

I think your connection is feasible assuming that your flight is on time. But be ready to be "flexible."

Kacee

Nor would I.

Be careful also with EasyJet's carry-on rules.

Kensterfly

We may be connecting at CDG from Nice on our return to the US. Will we be able to remain airside or will we be required to go through security again at CDG.

vaflyer888

seenitall, Pat+, and Kacee - Thanks for the detailed and quick replies!

I'm going to take your advice and take the BA flight CDG-LHR at 10:30 which should give me enough time. If I can't make it in 3.5 hr then it wasn't meant to be.

Pat+ I brought up the Premier Gold status because I read that a 1K got an Acces No1 card even though he was flying in Y. Just wishful thinking.

Kacee - yeah easy jet's carry on baggage allowance is just one unless you get the XL seats.

Buzzman

Have to go through passport control and then to a different satellite most likely if you are in terminal 1.. all of the security is at the individual Satellites.. besides if you are coming from NCE connecting to UA, you will be going from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 and security for sure...

augkor

Just a couple of follow up questions. I am *G United traveling with my wife, who does not have status. We are taking the RER B from downtown Paris (we did this on the way in for 10 euros and found it to be very easy). We will be arriving between T3 and T1 and then take the tram to T1. We leave on the 11:15 ORD flight.

1. What is the Access pass and will it allow both my wife and I to get expedited security?

2. Is the *A lounge past all security and passport control in T1?

3. Will we both be able to enter the lounge (does it allow *G and one guest), I read through this thread and it seemed there was some disagreement about that.

4. Is there and additional security screening right at the gate?

Thanks for any advice or tips from those of you who travel this route more often. This is our first time flying out of CDG.

Pat Plus

Lots of questions

It's called "Acces no. 1" (in French) and lets you cut the line at immigration and security. You may or may not be given a paper pass - that's irrelevant, because your boarding pass will be coded with the right information. Look for "Acces no. 1" signs and scan your BP at the gates to cut the line. Note: if your wife is not on the same itinerary, she won't have access - ask the checkin agent if needed. If she is, she should inherit your status.

It's inside passport control, and outside security. Check out loungereview.com for every possible detail about the lounge: https://loungereview.com/lounges/sta...ss-lounge-cdg/

(Disclaimer: I'm affiliated with this web site, you're welcome to use any other source of information )

Yes. The rule is crystal clear.

All security is at the gate; you'll need to leave the lounge a bit early although the security lanes have been reconfigured and the whole process is much smoother than it used to be 6+ months ago.

vaflyer888

Just an update from my trip:

I flew IAD to CDG and arrived in terminal 1. I did not need to go through passport control but there was a security check point. There is shuttle bus from 1 to 2 - it is about 7-10 minutes. Very easy. Just ask airport staff if you have any difficulty.

JamesHNL

Will be arriving from EWR on UA and connecting on LH to FRA on a separate ticket. Connection time is 90 minutes. Is this sufficient time and will I have to pass through immigration and customs or can I just stay in the departure area? I will be flying in business on both UA and LH.

Pat Plus

It's a very easy connection. Both UA and LH operate from Terminal 1, from two different satellites.

You *will* need to go through immigration, just like at any European airport, as you'll be entering the Schengen zone. Then you'll walk over to the satellite used by LH and go through security at the gate.

If you don't have bags, you should even have time to enjoy Lufthansa's (underground) lounge briefly.

If you do have bags, things will get a tiny more tricky as bags typically take a while to show up. Go through customs, follow the signs to baggage claim, then exit the airside area, go one level up to Departures, recheck your bag, then go straight to the LH satellite. If you can, ask UA to interline your bags all the way through FRA. YMMV, but if they do it, you'll save time.

Of course if your inbound flight is late, it's a whole different story.

Edited to add: one more thing, as a business class passenger you can cut the line at security. Look for a sign saying "acces no.1" and scan your boarding pass. A gate will open.

JamesHNL

Thanks for the reply. I will have no bags. Where will I be able to get my LH boarding pass.?