When is a layover stop too short?
April 8, 2015 1:41 PM Subscribe
I was booked via Travelocity to fly through Washington Regan with about 36 minutes between flights...same airline, same terminal, different aircraft. I thought that was cutting it close. Since then the airline has changed flight times and now there would be only 30 minutes between flights. Do I stand any chance asking for an earlier first leg? They have a flight every hour. Complication: Non-refundable ticket.
Keep in mind boarding starts 30 minutes before the flight time.
Are there options on the other end for moving your connecting flight back? (Like, if you miss the connection, will there be another flight they can put you on or will you be sol?) How important is it that you arrive at your final destination on time?
I don't think I've ever flown through Regan so I don't have specific advice to give you for that. Generally my connections go through ATL which can be a total shitshow, and 30 minutes would be way too close. Probably impossible unless the gates were literally right next to each other.
In your situation I'd be calling to switch to an earlier flight so this is a non-issue. Explain it and they should do a change no problem. (Escalate it up the customer service chain if they want to charge you.)
posted by phunniemee at 1:51 PM on April 8, 2015
Are there options on the other end for moving your connecting flight back? (Like, if you miss the connection, will there be another flight they can put you on or will you be sol?) How important is it that you arrive at your final destination on time?
I don't think I've ever flown through Regan so I don't have specific advice to give you for that. Generally my connections go through ATL which can be a total shitshow, and 30 minutes would be way too close. Probably impossible unless the gates were literally right next to each other.
In your situation I'd be calling to switch to an earlier flight so this is a non-issue. Explain it and they should do a change no problem. (Escalate it up the customer service chain if they want to charge you.)
posted by phunniemee at 1:51 PM on April 8, 2015
I've made connections that are that tight, but it requires everything to fall into place perfectly. No delays, not being seated at the back of the aircraft (so it takes 20 minutes to deplane), no gate changes to screw you up, etc. I find it very stressful and avoid it at all costs (and I'm a very seasoned business traveler, so I don't generally get stressed by normal travel stuff).
posted by primethyme at 1:52 PM on April 8, 2015
posted by primethyme at 1:52 PM on April 8, 2015
Yeah, do it through a call, rather than trying to do it online. If that fails, talk to the gate agent at your (first) departure airport and explain the issue. If your first flight is running late they may be able to rebook you on the spot. Or if your second flight is running late, you may have perfect timing after all.
posted by craven_morhead at 1:52 PM on April 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by craven_morhead at 1:52 PM on April 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Sorry I forgot. The connecting flight is the only flight that goes directly to my destination. Any other flight would require another stop in ATL. But from these responses it seems the airline may /should be able to make a switch.
posted by Gungho at 1:57 PM on April 8, 2015
posted by Gungho at 1:57 PM on April 8, 2015
National* is a small airport with only one concourse, don't worry, you'll probably be fine.
*DC native here -- we never use that new, other name for DCA
posted by Rash at 2:15 PM on April 8, 2015 [8 favorites]
*DC native here -- we never use that new, other name for DCA
posted by Rash at 2:15 PM on April 8, 2015 [8 favorites]
Regan is a small airport, but even then I find anything less than an hour uncomfortably tight. If you've got even a small delay landing, your transfer could be in jeopardy. In a bigger airport, especially one of the hubs like Atlanta or Chicago, bump that to 90 minutes minimum.
Regan has 3-4 gate areas. Walking from gate 1 to gate 35 takes 20 minutes or so, so you might be hustling. If you're nearer, it might be an easy stroll.
posted by bonehead at 2:21 PM on April 8, 2015
Regan has 3-4 gate areas. Walking from gate 1 to gate 35 takes 20 minutes or so, so you might be hustling. If you're nearer, it might be an easy stroll.
posted by bonehead at 2:21 PM on April 8, 2015
Believe it or not, US Airways (now American) had an official minimum connection time of 25 minutes at DCA last time I changed there. You'll probably be fine.
posted by Lame_username at 2:22 PM on April 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Lame_username at 2:22 PM on April 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Walking from gate 1 to gate 35 takes 20 minutes or so, so you might be hustling.
You will also need to go through security screening again, since each gate area has it's own security checkpoint. Depending on how well TSA is working that day and the time of your arrival, that might be enough to make you miss your flight - I barely missed a flight due to slow security screening and I'd arrived at DCA 1.5 hours before the flight. Unless your connecting flight is in the exact same gate area, I would try to change to get more time. (Even then I'd be nervous - this is really tight.)
posted by longdaysjourney at 2:51 PM on April 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
You will also need to go through security screening again, since each gate area has it's own security checkpoint. Depending on how well TSA is working that day and the time of your arrival, that might be enough to make you miss your flight - I barely missed a flight due to slow security screening and I'd arrived at DCA 1.5 hours before the flight. Unless your connecting flight is in the exact same gate area, I would try to change to get more time. (Even then I'd be nervous - this is really tight.)
posted by longdaysjourney at 2:51 PM on April 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
I had a connecting flight that was supposed to have a 30 minute layover... and then my first flight had a half hour delay :( We let the flight crew know about our connecting flight and they called ahead for us, to have the other flight hold the doors. Fortunately gate-to-gate was very close inside the terminal.
posted by lizbunny at 2:57 PM on April 8, 2015
posted by lizbunny at 2:57 PM on April 8, 2015
DCA is small, and assuming your post is correct that you are not changing terminals, then it will be no problem.
Also, when are you flying / where are you going to? If you miss your connection they will attempt to put you on the next flight, and unless you're flying through DCA on, say, Friday evening when it gets crowded with folks fleeing DC, there's probably going to be space on the flight. Given that you say there are flights every hour, you're extremely likely to at least get rebooked onto one within the next few hours.
On the other side of the equation, trying to change your ticket now will involve a lot of sweet-talking phone reps or paying a change fee. FWIW I'd definitely stick with your original ticket.
One complication is there's always some chance your checked bags don't make it or that you have to gate check your carry-on if it doesn't fit under the seat in front of you (because everyone else will have already boarded your connecting flight so overhead bins will be full). I'd try to plan for that and make sure you have the things you need for the flight in a carry-on that will fit under the seat in front of you.
posted by _Silky_ at 3:18 PM on April 8, 2015
Also, when are you flying / where are you going to? If you miss your connection they will attempt to put you on the next flight, and unless you're flying through DCA on, say, Friday evening when it gets crowded with folks fleeing DC, there's probably going to be space on the flight. Given that you say there are flights every hour, you're extremely likely to at least get rebooked onto one within the next few hours.
On the other side of the equation, trying to change your ticket now will involve a lot of sweet-talking phone reps or paying a change fee. FWIW I'd definitely stick with your original ticket.
One complication is there's always some chance your checked bags don't make it or that you have to gate check your carry-on if it doesn't fit under the seat in front of you (because everyone else will have already boarded your connecting flight so overhead bins will be full). I'd try to plan for that and make sure you have the things you need for the flight in a carry-on that will fit under the seat in front of you.
posted by _Silky_ at 3:18 PM on April 8, 2015
First, I would call them as that will cost you nothing.. With a flight every hour, it's very likely that you'll be able to get the phone rep to switch you for free. If you fail to get the response you want, try calling again the next day.
If that fails (assuming that you have a 1 stop flight: SOURCE --> DCA --> DEST), pack so that you don't have to check a bag and show up extra early for your first flight (like 3 or more hours). Go to the gate agent and explain your situation (know the flight numbers that you'd be interested in) and ASK POLITELY if you can be moved up. If there is space on the intervening 2+ flights, and you don't have bags that need handling, and you are not an entitled asshole, a non-asshole gate agent will usually be willing to move you onto an earlier flight, or at least let you Standby for an earlier flight so that if space does open up you can get on.
It costs the airline nothing to put you on an earlier flight if you make it easy for them, but it does cost them some in administrative hassle (and your goodwill towards them) if you miss your connection.
posted by sparklemotion at 3:28 PM on April 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
If that fails (assuming that you have a 1 stop flight: SOURCE --> DCA --> DEST), pack so that you don't have to check a bag and show up extra early for your first flight (like 3 or more hours). Go to the gate agent and explain your situation (know the flight numbers that you'd be interested in) and ASK POLITELY if you can be moved up. If there is space on the intervening 2+ flights, and you don't have bags that need handling, and you are not an entitled asshole, a non-asshole gate agent will usually be willing to move you onto an earlier flight, or at least let you Standby for an earlier flight so that if space does open up you can get on.
It costs the airline nothing to put you on an earlier flight if you make it easy for them, but it does cost them some in administrative hassle (and your goodwill towards them) if you miss your connection.
posted by sparklemotion at 3:28 PM on April 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Just to respond to this answer - if you're staying on the same airline, you generally won't need to go through security again. In DCA, there is separate security for each pier, but not for each gate. So there are four security checkpoints, the 1-9; 10-22; 23-34; and 35-45 - as shown on this map.
I agree that 30 minutes is a tight timeline, but if it's same airline and gates in the same set, you would probably be ok.
posted by mercredi at 3:37 PM on April 8, 2015
I agree that 30 minutes is a tight timeline, but if it's same airline and gates in the same set, you would probably be ok.
posted by mercredi at 3:37 PM on April 8, 2015
Mid-flight, mention the problem to the flight attendant. Remind him or her right before you land. They will be able to call ahead to let your connecting flight know that you are on your way. If the gates are too far apart, ask to have transportation waiting for you when you depart. Bring cash to tip the golf cart driver.
posted by myselfasme at 4:11 PM on April 8, 2015
posted by myselfasme at 4:11 PM on April 8, 2015
Same terminal, same airline, at Reagan? 30 minutes ought to be OK. If the incoming flight is late, the airline will typically just put you on the next flight.
posted by Kadin2048 at 6:34 PM on April 8, 2015
posted by Kadin2048 at 6:34 PM on April 8, 2015
This CNN article describes your situation: Watch out for flight changes, tight connections. From what Lame_username said, your reduced connection time is probably still above the minimum, making it unlikely that the airline would waive their ticket change fee for that reason alone. But it doesn't hurt to ask, especially since there are no later flights out of DCA for your destination. The airline may have more seats available on one of their earlier flights for the first leg, which might improve your odds of getting the change fee waived. (Note: I'm only guessing here)
posted by Snerd at 6:41 PM on April 8, 2015
posted by Snerd at 6:41 PM on April 8, 2015
It will probably be fine but it wouldn't hurt to call and check. National is a small airport. If it's the same airline, the planes might be next to each other. I flew in and out of DCA three weeks ago and the boarding areas were all so close, I was kind of stunned people don't get on the wrong flight all the time.
Sure, it's possible that your flights are are on completely different ends of the airport but that would be surprising. Also, since it's the same airline, I think they'll make it work, and there's also a good chance that someone else on your flight will have to make the same connection. But call the airline just to check.
That all said, I'd try not to check a bag.
posted by kat518 at 6:26 AM on April 9, 2015
Sure, it's possible that your flights are are on completely different ends of the airport but that would be surprising. Also, since it's the same airline, I think they'll make it work, and there's also a good chance that someone else on your flight will have to make the same connection. But call the airline just to check.
That all said, I'd try not to check a bag.
posted by kat518 at 6:26 AM on April 9, 2015
DCA is a tiny airport. You should have no trouble with that connection time.
posted by tckma at 11:44 AM on April 9, 2015
posted by tckma at 11:44 AM on April 9, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks all... So far the airline says 30 minutes is enough time, and wants $200.00 to change the flight now, or $75.00 to change on the day of the flight depending on seat availability. They suggest I try and get TravelOcity to do a change.
posted by Gungho at 7:55 AM on April 23, 2015
posted by Gungho at 7:55 AM on April 23, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by eas98 at 1:49 PM on April 8, 2015 [4 favorites]