to think 1 hour is long enough to change flights?

[thefudgeling]

am I being crazy to think I can do this with an 18 mo? They wouldn't sell the flights if it wasn't possible, right?

It depends...

Is your luggage checked in all the way through, or will you have to collect it?
How far is it from arrivals to departures?
Are the two flights with the same airline?

Personally, I wouldn't do it. Especially because 'arrival time' is generally the time the plane arrives at the stand, not when you get off it (which can be a good 20 mins later if you are seated at the back and people dither)

Depends on which airport, which airline and likely weather conditions. It is very tight as the landing time is the time for touchdown usually and then you are expected to board the next flight 30 mins before takeoff.

I have done it but on my own and at a sprint.

Also, the departure time of the second plane: Is it the time you have to be at the gate to board, the time you have to check in (if you need to), or the time the plane is actually going to leave the terminal?

Goodness no - I wouldn't do this at all. Apart from the fact that even a short delay will mean you miss your flight (sometimes it can take ages to get off a plane as well), you will give yourself a whole load of unnecessary stress.

One hour is fine. I've done it in less time (admittedly not with a toddler) but you don't have to wait for luggage or anything - so it's pretty easy.

Also if it's a big connection flight - and a lot of passengers are transferring they'll often wait for you if things are running late.

I would say 90 minutes is tight, an hour might be pushing it too far. It all depends on how slick the operations are at the airport really.

ha....a variety of answers here!

Depends on the airport.

I flew through Heathrow earlier this year and an hour would have been pushing it very fine.

If you are even 10 mins late then you will miss your flight.

OP, ask on the flyer talk forum, describing the exact flights and airports you are using. Is it the same airline throughout?

I've done it, but on my own. Not sure how it would be with a young child. I don't suppose it would make much difference having a toddler with you if you are well prepared.

I think the biggest thing is if your luggage will be handled for you so you don't have to go through reclaim and check in again, and I would also think about whether you will be using two separate airlines or not. If they are two airlines, the second might not be so willing to accommodate you if the first is delayed, but any problems should be fixed more easily if your re using the same company from start to finish.

What airport will you be changing at?

Www.flyertalk.com

No, I wouldn't do it. With or without a toddler.

No chance.

I travel all the time with connections - and would not take the risk especially with a baby - the minimum recommendation is 1 hour but this depends on all flights being on time, no circling waiting for a landing slot, the arrival gate of plane one is close to departure gate of plane 2..

Especially never do this in Charles De Galle - they tend to land planes away from terminal so you need a bus to get to terminal, then you need to go through pass port control and then cross the terminal to get another bus to the next plane..

I fly every couple of weeks and would say about 50% of flights are delayed enough to mean I could miss a connection if I had an hour - hence my new rule is 2 hours .. learnt the hard way as a missed connection can take hours/day to sort out - really want to risk that with a baby?

Are the two flights with the same airline? They'll usually hold the plane for a bit, as they know there's someone on another flight on it. I think it very much depends on the airport - if you're changing at Frankfurt or Amsterdam for example and need to get to a different terminal, then I'd say you'd be cutting it a bit fine, even on your own. If it's Munich, Vienna or another smallish airport then it's doable, especially if you're flying within the Schengen area (so no passport controls).

Which airport? If baggage checked through then Munich for example yes, they allow 30 min between flights and will come collect you if the first flight is late.

New York where you have to go through immigration, collect your bags customs, put bags on transfer belt, change terminals - no way.

Is it all on the same ticket? Meaning, the airline is in charge of getting you and your bags onto the connecting flight or is it two separate tickets booked to hopefully connect? The first is ok, but the second means it's all your problem if you don't connect, not theirs.

Do you have to clear customs or immigration between flights or another security screening? If you have to do any of this, then definitely no, an hour isn't long enough.

How big is the airport where the connection will be made? Are the gates miles from each other or fairly close? How will you transport the 18month old between the flights? Are you taking a buggy of some sort and will it be available to you when you get off the first plane?

An hour is short, but doable, in the right circumstances. But how long is the wait until the next flight?

Depends on the airport really - I transferred through Changi (Singapore) alone, flight landed on time and I had 90 minutes and it was tight as Changi is huge.

Also depends if luggage is transited through, whether you'll have a buggy on the aircraft with you, or if there are some available in the airport (Changi and Dubai have loads for example). Whether you are checked in for both flights at the initial airport (ie same airline) as then you get both boarding passes so no need to re-check in at transit airport.

Also if your first flight is delayed you'll be stressed as the onward flight has no obligation to wait for you.

It isn't possible unless it is the same airline, you have checked your luggage through, it's the same terminal and you don't have to go through security at the second airport.

If all those things are in place, it is possible. But still not certain.

Last time dd did this they had an hour and a half and were assured they could stay in transit. But when they landed, they realised that they had to clear passport control, and then find the gate for the second plane.

Luckily there were 30 of them (guide trip), so the second plane waited. Otherwise she would have missed it.

Depends on the airport of course. DH did it easily in 1hr 20min with time for a quick coffee at Charlotte in Virginia which is quite small, Dsis missed her connection with a 2.5 hour gap at Dallas Fort Worth which is mahoosive and the airlines were used to just moving people automatically onto the next scheduled flight with spaces.

It depends on the airport. My travel insurance states that a minimum of 1.5hrs is required.

Certainly i know that 1hr at Heathrow would be impossible. Maybe super efficient German or Swiss airports it would be ok?

Thanks all, it's the same airline and it's frankfurt airport. All luggage will be transferred. I think I might go for a 2 hour changeover to avoid too much stress after reading some of the advice here.

I think thats sensible.

Really really depends on airport.

Husband did it in Mumbai with no issues (we both thought he would have no chance). Miami - no way. Needs 2 hours minimum and even then baggage not guaranteed to make it. Nairobi - did it in less than 30 minutes.

Same airline, provincial European airport. Possible
Through states. No chance

If it's the bloody mess that is Frankfurt airport and you have the option, then definitely go for the 2-hour changeover, for the sake of your blood pressure if nothing else.