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Original poster

Travel reservation: they haven't left me enough time to transfer

26 replies

Waytooearly · 29/08/2019 10:48

I bought a reservation through Expedia for a holiday abroad.

The return journey has a very short connection time between Short Local Flight and Long Haul Trip back home. Literally one hour in Stopover Airport.

This is a journey route that came up on their website. After I bought it I called Expedia to say, that seems a little tight, is that connection time really feasible? They contacted the airline, who said yes.

But looking more closely, I get into Stopover Airport at 18:30, then longhaul flight is at 19:30. Doors close for the longhaul flight at 18:50.

I've contacted Expedia dozens of times in the past few days, saying, "just move my local flight to an earlier time so there is more of a buffer time in Stopover Airport. I don't want to miss long haul flight home." They keep saying, "yeah no, your flight is non-exchangeable". I even said, "Look just sell me an earlier local flight" (there are loads) and they refused, saying that I could only buy a new entire reservation back to UK. I was like, "No I don't need two seats on the long haul flight".

I know if I miss the connecting flight they have to pay for my accommodation etc. but I would rather just avoid the whole hassle.

Anyone have experience with this? It just seems nuts.

OP posts:
MoltoAgitato · 29/08/2019 10:49

Which airport? An hour transfer is fine at some. If it’s a through ticket a missed connection is the airline’s responsibility and they will rebook as necessary.

LiveInAHidingPlace · 29/08/2019 10:50

It's your job to check that really, before you book.

It does normally tell you the stopover time on the website so it's not like you didn't have the information.

Usually they'll rush you through the airport if you have a short connection but 20 minutes does seem very tight.

Amcor · 29/08/2019 10:52

Do you have to collect luggage and check in again?

Which airport?

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Flying Holidays
ImpracticalCape · 29/08/2019 10:54

We'll need to know the airport and whether the trip is with the same airline on both legs.

E.g. Fly into LHR T5 fly out of LHR T3, no chance.

Dubai... you might be okay

LIZS · 29/08/2019 10:54

Can you rebook/amend the first flight time direct or will that invalidate the second?

Amcor · 29/08/2019 10:55

Whoops posted too soon. I had an hour stopover recently and had to collect my luggage and check in again. It was tight but we did it. Luggage was ages and it was a worry. Staff were waiting for us off the (ten minutes early) flight to direct us to speed things up.

Original poster
Waytooearly · 29/08/2019 10:55

If they're presenting a connection time as feasible, and selling it as a route, why would I question that?

OP posts:
Ilikewinter · 29/08/2019 10:56

Which airport are you flying into / out of....are the flights all booked on one ticket?

showmethegin · 29/08/2019 10:57

To be fair OP you did question it!

Bitofeverything · 29/08/2019 10:57

If the airline say it’s fine, then it’s their responsibility, surely? When I’ve been on tight connections, they have staff waiting as you get off the first plane and they march you straight to the next.

Celebelly · 29/08/2019 10:58

If they transfer your luggage for you it'll probably be OK. I used to do frequent trips on a route with an hour transfer and I never missed a connection. If it's part of the same airline's route, then they'll offer it knowing that chances are you will make it (or it wouldn't be worth their while for the hassle of rebooking all the time).

Original poster
Waytooearly · 29/08/2019 10:58

Lizs, yes that's exactly what I am trying to do!

I've even offered to pay extra for that.

Yes they've said no because that would invalidate the entire reservation.

So my only option would be to rebook that entire journey at my expense.

And have two seats on the long haul flight, or something.

OP posts:
wowfudge · 29/08/2019 10:58

Is it the same airline for both flights? If so, it's been sold as a valid connection or you wouldn't have been able to buy the tickets. Whether or not it's actually doable depends on the country and the airport. On the plus side, if the flights are with the same airline, they will ensure you are put on the next available flight should you miss the connection through no fault of your own.

AlunWynsKnee · 29/08/2019 11:00

If you're checking in for the whole route at the first airport and you are staying airside for the transfer then it might be OK.

TSSDNCOP · 29/08/2019 11:00

Depends on the airport. As a PP said, if it’s Dubai I reckon you’d do it, maybe even T5.

Original poster
Waytooearly · 29/08/2019 11:02

Thanks, I'm reassured by the experiences.

Just seems so dumb that the airline won't be accommodating as I'm just trying to avoid a hassle for everyone! With several days' notice.

OP posts:
ImpracticalCape · 29/08/2019 11:11

If it's the same airline they will only sell viable connections.

It really would help to know the airport and the airline. Lots on Mumsnetters will have experience of the airport and can advise.

Original poster
Waytooearly · 29/08/2019 11:14

United Airlines, and the stopover airport is Newark.

OP posts:
ImpracticalCape · 29/08/2019 11:19

I was in Newark a long time ago but I recall Newark is tiny. I mean tiny.

Don't think you'll have a problem.

ImpracticalCape · 29/08/2019 11:20

Walking times from security. Max is 10 mins.

Travel reservation: they haven't left me enough time to transfer
BarbaraofSeville · 29/08/2019 11:22

The minimum connection time at Newark airport is one hour and you have one hour. You could have more time than that. Planes don't land at exactly the time stated, nor do they take off at exactly the time stated. It's unlikely that the doors will close 40 minutes before the stated take off time, that's never happened in my experience.

There's possible wiggle room that the airline will know about from their experience - they'll know there's a, say, 95% chance of you making the second flight, as long as you don't piss about in the airport of course. They don't have to allow time for you to go look in the shops or go for a coffee.

If it's on the same airline, they might hold the second flight and/or help you make the connection, ie seat you at the front, and tell you which gate you need to get to.

Or they should put you on the next flight at their expense. But as it's been sold as a through ticket, they will be reasonably confident that you will make the second flight.

MollyButton · 29/08/2019 11:27

If both flights are with United - then if there are delays they will delay the second plane if you are not making the connection. and as it will be an internal US flight to an external US flight in my experience you will not see your baggage, just walk through the airport to your new plane.
It is very different from external to US flight to internal US flight, where you have to collect luggage and walk it through Customs to be re-checked in.

HeyMonkey · 29/08/2019 11:34

We've done this several times, including having 50 mins at Singapore to get off one flight and board another, legging it across the airport. It was fine.

OhLookHeKickedTheBall · 29/08/2019 11:41

If it's through the same airline then it's not usually a problem, on one of my last flights we were delayed by 40 mins waiting for connecting flight passengers who's connecting flight was delayed. If it's different airlines then it may be a problem.

LemonBreeland · 29/08/2019 11:42

Newark is not tiny, it is massive, but if you are in the same Terminal then it will most likely be fine. They have little golf cart things to take people to gates quickly.