Layovers

[Tacori E-ring]

What is the shortest layover you feel comfortable booking?

 

[monarch64]

Depends on the airport. If it''s DFW or something equally huge, I would allow at least 1.5 hours.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Ditto Monnie. For airports like Dulles or Atlanta where I know there might be a terminal change I always go for more time. Usually I give myself 45 minutes to an hour.

 

[Loves Vintage]

I agree, it depends on the airport. Maybe 45 minutes for a reasonably sized airport in the US? Definitely not 45 mins if it''s Paris/CDG!!

 

[princesss]

Hour and a half. That way most minor delays don''t put you and your luggage in danger of missing a connecting flight.

 

[Clio]

For most airports, an hour. Longer for large, difficult-to-get-around airports where my incoming and outgoing flights are likely to be in different terminals. Yes, Atlanta, I''m looking at you.

 

[purselover]

I would prefer at least an hour and a half but would probably go down to an hour.

 

[kama_s]

Domestic: 1.5 hours
International: 3 hours

 

[geckodani]

Date: 1/19/2010 11:35:12 AM
Author: kama_s
Domestic: 1.5 hours
International: 3 hours

+1

 

[monarch64]

Date: 1/19/2010 11:34:30 AM
Author: Clio
For most airports, an hour. Longer for large, difficult-to-get-around airports where my incoming and outgoing flights are likely to be in different terminals. Yes, Atlanta, I''m looking at you.

AGREE.

 

[Dreamer_D]

45 minutes.

 

[Shoopy]

1 hour domestic

2 to 3 hours international. Yes, I''m that paranoid lol

 

[whitby_2773]

2 hours domestic - especially if it''s an airport with which you''re not familiar. my husband and i have both missed domestic flights more than once when we had allowed a layover of 1.5 hours.

keep in mind the size of the airport; in an a/p like dallas, for instance, you often have to get the light rail to your next departure point, and it can be confusing as well. first time there i missed my connecting flight, having allowed a layover of 1.5 hours. my plane was 45 mins late (no big deal and not that unusual), then there was a delay getting off the plane because, being late, we had then missed out ''slot'' with the tow people. then the airport was huge and i wasn''t familiar with it, then... then... then... etcetcetc

on the other hand, my flight from JFK to LAX last thursday was 1 1/4 hrs early. so i think plane times are more of a ''guideline'' than a guarantee, so i treat it like that.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Probably a couple hours.

I''ve missed flights in the past for silly reasons, but never from a layover. Once I forgot our camera in a cab and rather than catch our flight, I decided to track down the cabby. He found the camera and gave it to us. . .we missed our flight home and had to wait hours and hours. Dh was sooooo mad at me! lol

 

[Sizzle]

I think 1 1/2 hours at most locations just for incidenatals.. I generally have some carry on or curbside check in due to the cost to check now days!

 

[elrohwen]

If I know the airport and know that the gates will not be ridiculously far apart, I'll book a 45-60min layover. If I'm not really sure about the airport or know I'll have to walk a long way, I'm more comfortable with an hour or more.

 

[April20]

Totally depends on the airport and how well I know the airport. Large cities/airports known for delays into them *cough* ATLANTA *cough*, I''d give at least 1.5 hours. Small airports, I''m fine with 45 mins-1 hour..

 

[April20]

Date: 1/19/2010 11:34:30 AM
Author: Clio
For most airports, an hour. Longer for large, difficult-to-get-around airports where my incoming and outgoing flights are likely to be in different terminals. Yes, Atlanta, I''m looking at you.

Shoot, it''s not the different terminals that will kill you in ATL, it''s the air traffic control delays into ATL from other cities that then take your layover from reasonable to downright tight. Darn delays. I live in ATL, so at least it''s my final destination, but I''ve seen the ATC delays get people more than anything else.

 

[Upgradable]

I think you''re getting good guidelines. The only additionals I''d mention that could change the time considerations are: are you checking luggage or just carrying on? is your connecting flight with the same airline? will you have to go through cutoms or security to make your connection? I''d adjust my expectations based on these things.

 

[yssie]

Ditto that.




LAX - at least 2 hours, more like 3 - the layout is a wreck, the place is packed, and the scheduling has never been close to anticipated.


Vegas - at least 2, more is better - they always overbook, and then you wait for enough people to accept vouchers to board.


ATL..

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Thanks everyone. I have a complicated travel situation but my first domestic layover would be in ALT. My options are 37 mins (scary but the one my mom was trying to convince me to take) and 80 mins. Same airline, not sure if I am checking or carrying on. Then I will have 90 mins in Fort Lauderdale (if I choose the logner layover in ALT) vs. 2 hours to recheck in for an international flight (different airline). Is Fort Lauderdale a complicated airport?

 

[rainwood]

Tacori -

In addition to the specific airport, you might also want to look at how often the particular flight you''re taking is late. I usually fly Alaska Airlines and they have a percentage to show what portion of the time a particular flight has an on-time arrival. The percentages can vary a lot. See if the airline(s) you''re taking have that information. That may also help you decide on the length of the layover.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Okay, I was totally stressing about this b/c the airline I am flying out of the country only has one flight a day

so times are limited. I weighed all the pros and cons, talked to my family (who all said to go with the shorter layover, go figure) when all of the sudden I remembered I have quite a bit frequent flyer miles...so...I got a direct flight (yipee!) so NO layover in ALT!!!

and now I will have 2 hours and 15 mins to recheck into my international flight. Thanks for all the opinions/advice though!

 

[Lilac]

Date: 1/19/2010 3:56:35 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
Okay, I was totally stressing about this b/c the airline I am flying out of the country only has one flight a day

so times are limited. I weighed all the pros and cons, talked to my family (who all said to go with the shorter layover, go figure) when all of the sudden I remembered I have quite a bit frequent flyer miles...so...I got a direct flight (yipee!) so NO layover in ALT!!!

and now I will have 2 hours and 15 mins to recheck into my international flight. Thanks for all the opinions/advice though!

Direct flights are definitely the best option if possible

But to answer the question... I wouldn''t do less than an hour and a half. I''m a very nervous and anxious flier as it is, and I need to know I have some time between flights in case of delays.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Lilac, I have missed connecting flights before so I get nervous too. I usually feel ok with an hour but since this is just the START of my trip and people have said ALT is so complicated I am glad I just cashed in my miles. Not sure what I was saving them for.

 

[zoebartlett]

Usually an hour, at least.

ETA: I'm glad it worked out for you! I love direct flights.

 

[kimchi]

Tacori,

You will NOT make a connection in Atlanta with 37 minutes unless:

1) your original flight into Atlanta leaves early

2) your bags are personally escorted from plane to plane

3) there are no delays of any kind

4) you are flying domestic leg to domestic leg, and

5) your gates are next to each other.

Take the longer layover and enjoy a cuppa.

 

[kimchi]

oops--ok, so you have a direct flight--yea!!

Watch out for the ladies who guard the line for re-doing security in Atlanta! They are a strict bunch!

 

[Luckyeshe]

To answer the original question, I''d do 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. BUT, I''m glad you got a direct flight!!!!! There would have been a good chance you would have missed your connecting if you''d done the 30 minutes lay over!