How long should my layover be?
July 14, 2022 1:10 PM Subscribe
I haven't traveled internationally in a while, certainly not since before covid and the current air travel morass. I'm planning a work trip in the fall, and I want to know what kind of minimum layover I should be looking for. I'm a US citizen traveling to/from the EU.
Bonus: should I bother getting Global Entry? I don't fly internationally much and my company would not pay for it.
Bonus: should I bother getting Global Entry? I don't fly internationally much and my company would not pay for it.
Could you specify what your final destination airport (or at the very least, which country it is), and if possible, what connecting airports you are considering?
There are nuances to which checks you go through where, depending on your connecting airport and final destination, that are helpful for assessing different options and suggested layover times, and that are not identical across all EU airports.
(For example, if you connect in Dublin en route to Paris, you do passport control in Paris, whereas if you connect in Lisbon en route to Paris, you do passport control in Lisbon. Or, to take another example, if you connect in Amsterdam en route to Berlin from the USA you generally don't need to go through security again, whereas if you connect in Paris CDG en route to Berlin from the USA you do. These are all EU airports so it's helpful to know exactly what you are considering.)
posted by andrewesque at 1:22 PM on July 14, 2022 [5 favorites]
There are nuances to which checks you go through where, depending on your connecting airport and final destination, that are helpful for assessing different options and suggested layover times, and that are not identical across all EU airports.
(For example, if you connect in Dublin en route to Paris, you do passport control in Paris, whereas if you connect in Lisbon en route to Paris, you do passport control in Lisbon. Or, to take another example, if you connect in Amsterdam en route to Berlin from the USA you generally don't need to go through security again, whereas if you connect in Paris CDG en route to Berlin from the USA you do. These are all EU airports so it's helpful to know exactly what you are considering.)
posted by andrewesque at 1:22 PM on July 14, 2022 [5 favorites]
should I bother getting Global Entry?
For this trip, it doesn't matter: It takes a very long time to get Global Entry - you would almost certainly not even have your screening interview before this fall.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 1:23 PM on July 14, 2022 [5 favorites]
For this trip, it doesn't matter: It takes a very long time to get Global Entry - you would almost certainly not even have your screening interview before this fall.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 1:23 PM on July 14, 2022 [5 favorites]
Bonus: should I bother getting Global Entry?
"As of May 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the average processing time for new Global Entry applicants, start to finish, was 208 days." (second-hand source). That said, "federal officials say some travelers can complete the entire process in less than 30 days", and it lasts for five years, so even if it won't work for this trip I'd say it's worth it if you anticipate more than one international trip in the next five years.
posted by jedicus at 1:25 PM on July 14, 2022 [1 favorite]
"As of May 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the average processing time for new Global Entry applicants, start to finish, was 208 days." (second-hand source). That said, "federal officials say some travelers can complete the entire process in less than 30 days", and it lasts for five years, so even if it won't work for this trip I'd say it's worth it if you anticipate more than one international trip in the next five years.
posted by jedicus at 1:25 PM on July 14, 2022 [1 favorite]
I think it also depends on how badly you need to catch the ongoing flight. If your second flight is a twice-a-week affair, the consequences of missing it are very different than if there are departures every two hours.
I was able to get Global Entry within a month or two of applying earlier this year, but I did my interview at a US-Canada border crossing - it was much easier to find appointments there than at the airport locations. If you think it's going to be useful for you in the future, though, I would go ahead and start the process, because you can often do your interview on arrival (i.e. you don't need an appointment if you've passed the initial screen and you've just arrived from outside of the US).
posted by mskyle at 1:29 PM on July 14, 2022 [3 favorites]
I was able to get Global Entry within a month or two of applying earlier this year, but I did my interview at a US-Canada border crossing - it was much easier to find appointments there than at the airport locations. If you think it's going to be useful for you in the future, though, I would go ahead and start the process, because you can often do your interview on arrival (i.e. you don't need an appointment if you've passed the initial screen and you've just arrived from outside of the US).
posted by mskyle at 1:29 PM on July 14, 2022 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: Connection will most likely be in Atlanta or Chicago. I'm flying out of a very small US airport and visiting Barcelona.
posted by juliapangolin at 1:29 PM on July 14, 2022
posted by juliapangolin at 1:29 PM on July 14, 2022
Agree that your minimum layover will really differ depending on your route. This is especially important on the return, when you will likely need to do enhanced security leaving the EU - this could mean a longer time if you have a layover in Europe. I would not route anything through Heathrow right now, and I would account for potentially significant delays at certain points of departure in Europe.
Global Entry is nice if you are traveling internationally a bit, and it does come with Pre-Check. But honestly, it has just meant for me that I am waiting at baggage claim instead of in the passport check line. I have only flown internationally once since COVID, though.
posted by quadrilaterals at 1:29 PM on July 14, 2022
Global Entry is nice if you are traveling internationally a bit, and it does come with Pre-Check. But honestly, it has just meant for me that I am waiting at baggage claim instead of in the passport check line. I have only flown internationally once since COVID, though.
posted by quadrilaterals at 1:29 PM on July 14, 2022
I see now that you are planning to transit in the US!
tl;dr: I would give myself at least 3 hours transit time at ATL and ORD. This would hopefully allow for a reasonable delay and also give you time to clear customs on your return.
The extra: I would see if recent flights from your small airport are cancelled or delayed, and how frequently they go out. If you're delayed or cancelled at your origin, will you be able to get on another flight that day? If not, that's straightforward (though unpleasant) - you would have to rebook everything. If there is another flight later in the day, I might take the first flight available from your origin so that you could miss it / be significantly delayed (think a 6 hour gap) and take the next flight if you needed. ATL and ORD are not the loveliest places to spend time but they're fine.
posted by quadrilaterals at 1:34 PM on July 14, 2022
tl;dr: I would give myself at least 3 hours transit time at ATL and ORD. This would hopefully allow for a reasonable delay and also give you time to clear customs on your return.
The extra: I would see if recent flights from your small airport are cancelled or delayed, and how frequently they go out. If you're delayed or cancelled at your origin, will you be able to get on another flight that day? If not, that's straightforward (though unpleasant) - you would have to rebook everything. If there is another flight later in the day, I might take the first flight available from your origin so that you could miss it / be significantly delayed (think a 6 hour gap) and take the next flight if you needed. ATL and ORD are not the loveliest places to spend time but they're fine.
posted by quadrilaterals at 1:34 PM on July 14, 2022
The biggest question is how many flights there are later in the day to your final destination. Are you arriving at 7pm with only 1 more flight to your smaller airport? Budget more time or an overnight stay! But say you were arriving at 8am to Newark airport and then flying to Chicago, I be there would be plenty more flights and not be the end of the world to just get out on to the next flight.
(However I always recommend flying on “one ticket.” If you book Spain to Atlanta with one airline and then go buy a ticket with another airline to get you all the way home, they won’t help you out if you’re delayed and miss that second flight.)
posted by raccoon409 at 1:40 PM on July 14, 2022
(However I always recommend flying on “one ticket.” If you book Spain to Atlanta with one airline and then go buy a ticket with another airline to get you all the way home, they won’t help you out if you’re delayed and miss that second flight.)
posted by raccoon409 at 1:40 PM on July 14, 2022
My personal experience is that Atlanta is one of the easiest airports in the US for transfers: there is a linear set of domestic terminals and a final international terminal, all connected by the AirTrain, with good wayfinding signage, frequent restrooms/water stations, and a variety of food options everywhere.
By contrast, ORD is MUCH harder to navigate - an irregular shape, which means a lot of walking. I think I’ve gotten bus transfers? But if I had options, Hartsfield-Jackson all the way.
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 1:49 PM on July 14, 2022
By contrast, ORD is MUCH harder to navigate - an irregular shape, which means a lot of walking. I think I’ve gotten bus transfers? But if I had options, Hartsfield-Jackson all the way.
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 1:49 PM on July 14, 2022
Given the number of flight cancellations I’d consider what flights you could get on if one of your legs is cancelled or severely delayed. Try to figure out what gives you the most potential alternatives if things go wrong. Alternative to Barcelona would be Madrid or even somewhere in the south of France and catching a train. Or they might try to route you through a European hub and have two layovers. In that case bear in mind that the Spanish carrier Iberian is part of the same group as British Airways…don’t let them route you through a London airport at this time…
The problem is that there is really very limited spare capacity to rebook people, especially on busy dates. In addition, the airport chaos is largely due to lack of ground staff…and ground staff is who you’d turn to to help you out if you need to get rebooked.
posted by koahiatamadl at 2:02 PM on July 14, 2022
The problem is that there is really very limited spare capacity to rebook people, especially on busy dates. In addition, the airport chaos is largely due to lack of ground staff…and ground staff is who you’d turn to to help you out if you need to get rebooked.
posted by koahiatamadl at 2:02 PM on July 14, 2022
Give yourself at least three hours in the U.S. connecting airport. Things have been wild.
Start the GE process now. Worst comes to worst, you'll end up having paid an extra $25 for PreCheck for all your domestic travel after it comes through. And, whew, just coming back from Canada since the pandemic I have been very glad for the GE.
posted by praemunire at 2:03 PM on July 14, 2022
Start the GE process now. Worst comes to worst, you'll end up having paid an extra $25 for PreCheck for all your domestic travel after it comes through. And, whew, just coming back from Canada since the pandemic I have been very glad for the GE.
posted by praemunire at 2:03 PM on July 14, 2022
3 hours layover within US. And global entry is amazing & good for years, and renewal was effortless.
posted by gryphonlover at 2:07 PM on July 14, 2022
posted by gryphonlover at 2:07 PM on July 14, 2022
A carry-on wheelie bag and no checked luggage will make tight connections much less stressful but domestic carry on is more restrictive re size and overhead compartment space than international.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 2:14 PM on July 14, 2022
posted by TWinbrook8 at 2:14 PM on July 14, 2022
It's not merely about the length of the layover IMHO. Especially on the outbound leg, if you are coming from a tiny airport, you may encounter difficulties if your first flight is cancelled. Therefore, I would suggest taking the first flight of the day from your tiny airport. I wouldn't schedule a connecting flight until there is at least one flight that is supposed to depart after yours arrives at your connecting airport.
posted by oceano at 2:19 PM on July 14, 2022
posted by oceano at 2:19 PM on July 14, 2022
As others have said, you likely won't be able to get approved for Global Entry before your trip. But we just flew on United internationally, RIC > EWR > YQB > EWR > RIC, and on the way back in to the country, Global Entry meant no line at all after we got off our flight in Newark. We went to a kiosk, where a camera snapped our pictures and (I guess) compared them to whatever TSA had on file to determine if we were cleared for entry back into the U.S. We didn't talk to anyone and, regrettably, couldn't even get our passports stamped.
Our layover in Newark was 4 hours because United canceled our original earlier return to Richmond and booked us on a later flight instead. We passed the time in one of the United lounges a few yards away from our gate, which was comfortable and quiet compared to the noisy airport corridors outside the club, but too expensive at $60 per person. No regrets about being able to relax, though.
posted by emelenjr at 2:59 PM on July 14, 2022
Our layover in Newark was 4 hours because United canceled our original earlier return to Richmond and booked us on a later flight instead. We passed the time in one of the United lounges a few yards away from our gate, which was comfortable and quiet compared to the noisy airport corridors outside the club, but too expensive at $60 per person. No regrets about being able to relax, though.
posted by emelenjr at 2:59 PM on July 14, 2022
NYT: ‘A One-Hour Layover Is Not Enough Anymore’: A Flight Attendant’s Tips on Surviving Travel Now
If you can’t avoid connecting, don’t book the shortest layover, because you’ll be building in stress and the possibility of missing your flight. A one-hour layover is not enough anymore. Thirty minutes, not a chance. In most cases, three hours is safe.
The first flights of the day rarely cancel. Thunderstorms build as the day gets warmer, flight crews reach their duty limits later in the day and traffic builds at busy airports. Yes, that might mean a 3 a.m. alarm, but if your early flight does happen to cancel, there will be more options to rebook a different flight.
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:03 PM on July 14, 2022 [2 favorites]
If you can’t avoid connecting, don’t book the shortest layover, because you’ll be building in stress and the possibility of missing your flight. A one-hour layover is not enough anymore. Thirty minutes, not a chance. In most cases, three hours is safe.
The first flights of the day rarely cancel. Thunderstorms build as the day gets warmer, flight crews reach their duty limits later in the day and traffic builds at busy airports. Yes, that might mean a 3 a.m. alarm, but if your early flight does happen to cancel, there will be more options to rebook a different flight.
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:03 PM on July 14, 2022 [2 favorites]
My understanding is that after your application for Global Entry is approved ... which may take a month ... when you are leaving or returning to the US at a major airport, you can stroll right in for your interview (which takes 5 minutes) with no appointment.
(edited for typo)
posted by cyndigo at 4:22 PM on July 14, 2022 [1 favorite]
(edited for typo)
posted by cyndigo at 4:22 PM on July 14, 2022 [1 favorite]
Seconding that Atlanta is about as easy as possible to navigate for an airport of its size.
posted by madcaptenor at 5:19 PM on July 14, 2022
posted by madcaptenor at 5:19 PM on July 14, 2022
Well the good news is the travel situation in Europe should be somewhat better by this fall - a significant part of the problem is the massive influx of summer travelers and Europeans on holiday.
ATL is very logical and easy, however it can still be quite a haul between gates. ORD can be easy, so long as you stay within the same airline. If you're flying from ORD to Barcelona, you'd likely be on AA (only nonstop on that route) and therefore it's all within the same terminal. It's a pretty easy transfer, but I'd still allow 3 hours if possible. Note this is for the US-EU flight, on the way back I'd allow longer for security/immigration (maybe 4 hours min?)
Agree with others that you're probably too late to get Global Entry approved before your trip, but I'd still get it anyway. It's 100% worth it, even if you don't fly overseas that often.
I've been watching the airport situation closely as I'm doing a US-Sweden work trip next month and the impression I get from colleagues is that yes, it's a mess. The worst of it is limited to a handful of airports (CDG, AMS, LHR) but most of the big ones are having issues in some fashion - even ARN (Stockholm) apparently has massive backups at security thanks to poor staffing. Unfortunately even if you don't connect through a problem airport, your plane might be coming from there, causing a ripple effect of delays. So yeah, allow lots of time, even more than you probably did pre-COVID, and be prepared for the possibility of delays/issues.
posted by photo guy at 10:43 AM on July 15, 2022
ATL is very logical and easy, however it can still be quite a haul between gates. ORD can be easy, so long as you stay within the same airline. If you're flying from ORD to Barcelona, you'd likely be on AA (only nonstop on that route) and therefore it's all within the same terminal. It's a pretty easy transfer, but I'd still allow 3 hours if possible. Note this is for the US-EU flight, on the way back I'd allow longer for security/immigration (maybe 4 hours min?)
Agree with others that you're probably too late to get Global Entry approved before your trip, but I'd still get it anyway. It's 100% worth it, even if you don't fly overseas that often.
I've been watching the airport situation closely as I'm doing a US-Sweden work trip next month and the impression I get from colleagues is that yes, it's a mess. The worst of it is limited to a handful of airports (CDG, AMS, LHR) but most of the big ones are having issues in some fashion - even ARN (Stockholm) apparently has massive backups at security thanks to poor staffing. Unfortunately even if you don't connect through a problem airport, your plane might be coming from there, causing a ripple effect of delays. So yeah, allow lots of time, even more than you probably did pre-COVID, and be prepared for the possibility of delays/issues.
posted by photo guy at 10:43 AM on July 15, 2022
I’ve got global entry, but my husband doesn’t. Our recent CDG-JFK flight was 30min late, but we still made our 2hr connection to the next flight: because we were on American for both flights, we got “express connection” passes, which were honestly faster to use than global entry would have been anyhow. (There’s a finite number of global entry kiosks available so there can still be a line).
The main delay was waiting for luggage. If you can avoid checking luggage, do it. (You’ll have to clear customs at the first entry point to the US so that means picking up your checked bags and rechecking them).
Oh and as another random piece of advice, in the era of covid it’s a good idea to bring at least an extra ten days of prescription meds with you; if you get exposed at a bad time you may have to reschedule your return flight for that much later. If you get travel insurance verify that it will cover flight cost and hotel if you get covid trapped. Also know how to actually use any travel or overseas health insurance you have.
posted by nat at 12:29 PM on July 15, 2022
The main delay was waiting for luggage. If you can avoid checking luggage, do it. (You’ll have to clear customs at the first entry point to the US so that means picking up your checked bags and rechecking them).
Oh and as another random piece of advice, in the era of covid it’s a good idea to bring at least an extra ten days of prescription meds with you; if you get exposed at a bad time you may have to reschedule your return flight for that much later. If you get travel insurance verify that it will cover flight cost and hotel if you get covid trapped. Also know how to actually use any travel or overseas health insurance you have.
posted by nat at 12:29 PM on July 15, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 1:15 PM on July 14, 2022