If booking a flight with an hour stopover how likely are you to be delayed and miss second leg?

[Singadream]

We are booking a flight to Malta and the cheapest way is Lufthansa from Heathrow to Frankfurt then an hour later Frankfurt to Malta. I have only ever taken direct flights before - how likely would it be that the first flight is delayed and we would miss the second flight? There are not many flights to Malta each day so we would then be stuck in Frankfurt with three young kids. Also if we booked the flight given both legs are with the same non budget carrier, would it be up to them to sort it all out for us if a delay did mean we missed the second leg? Thanks - I haven't flown abroad for years so feel stupidly ill informed about this kind of thing.

I looked at the easyjet site. But that was Gatwick?

Sorry but you sound far too fussy. You have to compromise when travelling either getting up early or traveling to a different airport. You sound very rigid and unlikely to get anything cheap if you don't get some flexibilit.

I’m connecting via Frankfurt with Lufthansa next summer from HK. I’ve given myself 2.5 hrs. Main concern is luggage as I don’t want to have to drive back to Heathrow to get it.

I’d give myself a bit longer and just get a meal or a coffee at the airport.

gatwick fine - will take another look. thanks

yeah the easyjet flights from gatwick at 06.25 or 21.40 - neither work for us. We'd need airport hotels etc. But will look into ways of getting a longer layover in frankfurt. thanks all

Mad Ted, sorry thread.

Enjoy the hols.

Like I said, they have a very reasonable flight home for under £200. That's a start surely? You dont have to use the same airline both ways if it's costly.

I do like Frankfurt airport and have changed there a lot myself... but one hour is incredibly tight even if every little stage goes exactly to plan all the way through the entire first leg.

I used to be very familiar with that full pelt run through the airport, it’s a good one to hurtle through though, I’d prefer doing that panicked sprint at Frankfurt than most other airports! However, that was just me and a super small hand luggage bag, in full health. I cannot imagine how you’d do the same with children.

With the usual time slipping that happens on nearly all flights at some point or other, I just would not risk it.

They do have to get you on another flight if you miss the second leg, but who knows how long you’d wait, and not sure how good the service would be if you are also swapping airlines as well.

Play it safe and leave more time if at all possible.

I have found that we could get a flight that gave us 1 hour 45 mins for a transfer and book a flight to flight escort service for 119 euro which still makes the transfer much cheaper so may go for that. Going to bed now - thanks for all the advice.

Need to return from same airport we leave from to have the car migraleve.

*Need to return from same airport we leave from to have the car I didn't suggest otherwise? I said try a different airline.

I wouldn't dream of doing an extra flight without a tight connection let along with one. With 3 kids. It's a massive pain in the arse when you could adjust arrangements to get a direct flight. Not much point saying you don't want to get up early but spending 4/5 extra hours travelling

I'd be taking the 6.25am flight and putting the DC to bed in their clothes they will be traveling in so you carry them to the car and go. At that time traffic will be quiet.

I take an early flight from Bham sometimes and it's bliss. Minimal security lines and no baggage caught up with the back log so my bags always make it. Coming in late at night you get your bags fast and cleared through faster because they are close to the end of their shift.

If your initial plane took off from Heathrow on time I would be very surprised, the time of departure is the time the aircraft is supposed to push back from the gate to go to the runway.

Cheap is not always cheerful by any means. I would not risk this even with a 1 hour and 45 minute transfer time particularly as you have three children in tow. This could become memorable for all the wrong reasons and far more expensive to boot.

Lufthansa and Frankfurt are v efficient. Done several quick changes there (inc a 45 min transfer with a terminal change and security) and it was fine. Luggage also made it with us every time. I think it's totally manageable!

OP, did you try checking flights via SkyScanner?

www.skyscanner.net

It's tight but doable. I would change it if you can.

Other airport's tend to be efficient. Heathrow is the worst and even three hours there is tight.

AttilaTheMeerkat why would it be more expensive? If you book an end to end trip and miss a connecting flight due to the airline it is up to them to get you another flight and provide you with accommodation if necessary.