Tight Connections
Apr 14, 2019, 9:56 am
#16
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BOS, BWI, DCA, IAD
Programs: American, Delta, JetBlue, United
Posts: 2,049
This is all on one ticket with one confirmation number purchased with United Reservations. My entire itinerary is: TVC-IAD-EWR-FRA-INN-FRA-SFO-CVG-ORD-TVC. I will be flying outbound to INN on June 15 and returning on the 22nd/23rd (CVG-ORD and ORD-TVC are the following morning). If flight numbers help, I am flying UA6328 (PZ), UA1972 (B), UA960 (R), OS286 (Q), OS283 (H), UA927 (O, waitlisted for PZ Polaris), UA2311 (B), UA2182 (B), and UA3786 (B). Any and all input, opinions, and help are greatly appreciated!!
Apr 14, 2019, 10:36 am
#17
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: USA, France
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Posts: 934
- That's not completely true. If the OP misses the FRA - INN leg due to a delay of the EWR-FRA flight, OS is not due any compensation.
Apr 14, 2019, 10:37 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Austrian Airlines, a partner of UA, has daily flights IAD-VIE-INN. If your IAD-EWR flight is at all delayed, even by a few minutes, you might ask to be rebooked on the Austrian flights. You would eliminate a tight connection at EWR, and it's often easier to clear immigration and get to a connecting flight at VIE than at FRA.
Speaking of luggage when you fly to VIE your luggage should check through to your final destination (i.e. no need to pick up luggage and re-check at FRA). You would be clearing immigration at FRA and will switch concourses to the inter-EU flights concourse meaning you'll also need to re-clear security.
-James
Did OP ticket the trip with a credit card that has gold plated insurance, like Amex Plat? That's the only way to get a decent layover hotel at EWR if the connection is blown. Otherwise OP would be "lucky" to get the Wyndham Garden Inn for a UA provided accommodation. In that case, bring Lysol!
-James
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 14, 2019 at 10:50 am Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Apr 14, 2019, 11:06 am
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite / Delta Platinum / United Silver
Posts: 51
Apr 14, 2019, 11:12 am
#20
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
If you are on one ticket, at a minimum, the carrier causing the delay will reroute you. That is the case whether EC 261/2004 applies or not. Given that UA sells this, it is within MCT. Whether it is within SCT (Sensible Connection Time) is really a subjective matter and largely depends on how tight OP's schedule is.
Apr 14, 2019, 11:15 am
#21
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: UA
Posts: 444
I would be concerned with only 40 minutes at EWR with the outbound. Flight 1972 does tend to land in C terminal where 960 departs.
EWR is delay prone due to ATC congestion and if there is a summer thunderstorm there can be significant delays.
There are later Star Alliance flights from EWR such as Swiss to ZRH but that flight does not have premium economy or as previously suggested be proactive in case of bad weather and look for flights out of IAD.
I am not one for short connections — I would not book 40 minute connection on a domestic itinerary but that is my preference.
As this itinerary is already booked one can just hope for the best and be prepared for the worst.
EWR is delay prone due to ATC congestion and if there is a summer thunderstorm there can be significant delays.
There are later Star Alliance flights from EWR such as Swiss to ZRH but that flight does not have premium economy or as previously suggested be proactive in case of bad weather and look for flights out of IAD.
I am not one for short connections — I would not book 40 minute connection on a domestic itinerary but that is my preference.
As this itinerary is already booked one can just hope for the best and be prepared for the worst.
Apr 14, 2019, 11:29 am
#22
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
If you are on one ticket, at a minimum, the carrier causing the delay will reroute you. That is the case whether EC 261/2004 applies or not. Given that UA sells this, it is within MCT. Whether it is within SCT (Sensible Connection Time) is really a subjective matter and largely depends on how tight OP's schedule is.
I've also had a 3 hour connection blown recently due to a controllable delay (congestion at YUL). Hence connection times don't necessarily tell you whether you'll make the connection or not. Airlines aren't in the business of misconnecting passengers. It is expensive for them and can often exceed the cost of the ticket!
Apr 14, 2019, 11:32 am
#23
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,349
Yes, they will reroute should the connection prove unsuccessful, but that reroute isn't necessarily possible on the same day, and rerouting options might well mean sitting in Y after loss of upgrade (added: and/or losing seat assignment!).
Last edited by narvik; Apr 14, 2019 at 11:49 am Reason: added
Apr 14, 2019, 1:49 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
They're not going away. Many search engines will prioritize the flights with the least total travel time; thus, carriers find it judicious to be as optimistic as possible.
The only thing that would change MCTs would be a US version of EC.261 compensation, especially if the DOT required that it be given to everyone whether they asked for it or not. (IMO, the only reason that the actual EC.261 regulation hasn't put airlines out of business -- or at least caused major fare increases -- is that apparently it's only collected by about 2% of eligible passengers).
The only thing that would change MCTs would be a US version of EC.261 compensation, especially if the DOT required that it be given to everyone whether they asked for it or not. (IMO, the only reason that the actual EC.261 regulation hasn't put airlines out of business -- or at least caused major fare increases -- is that apparently it's only collected by about 2% of eligible passengers).
Apr 14, 2019, 2:47 pm
#25
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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UA, just like AA & DL, sells those because they are doable and because there are people who want them. Time is money for many people and when it is, having a short connection is well worth the risk of lolling around an airport, even a nice lounge, for 3-4 extra hours.
Many people would much prefer to make these decisions themselves and not have the air carrier play nanny. Put simply, if you don't like the looks of a connection, don't book it.
Many people would much prefer to make these decisions themselves and not have the air carrier play nanny. Put simply, if you don't like the looks of a connection, don't book it.
Apr 14, 2019, 3:26 pm
#27
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
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Posts: 4,502
Apr 14, 2019, 3:52 pm
#28
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Apr 14, 2019, 3:53 pm
#29
Moderator: United Airlines
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Apr 14, 2019, 4:37 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
After 4 hours of delay, I can draw upon C$1,000 in insurance for meals, lodging, and related costs, for up to 48 hours to get to my final destination.