Thursday, January 21, 2010

How long does it take to catch a connecting flight

How long does it take to catch a connecting flight?
I have am flying to Minneapolis and have a 40 minute break in memphis. is this enough time to get on the flight and if not about how long should the stop be?
Air Travel - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Yes 40 is enough time, as the airline computer would not let you book a ticket otherwise.
2 :
you should be fine. just get to your next gate before stopping at starbucks
3 :
Barely. In the future make sure you leave at least an hour (plus a little). If your inbound has any delays you could be hustling. The good news is Memphis is a fairly small airport so you should be OK even with 20 or 30 minutes. But don't do that to yourself again. I fly all the time and shoot for 1-1/2 hours on connections.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Is there a penalty if you voluntarily miss your flight

Is there a penalty if you voluntarily miss your flight?
NWA canceled one of my flights, and since I'm using Expedia there are certain rules that the reschedule has to follow: it has to be memphis to las vegas and has to be on northwest. My final destination is LAX. I've found a new flight that is memphis to las vegas, connecting in LAX. It obviously would be silly to then catch the rest of the flight to las vegas only to fly back to LAX. Is it a problem to book this mem-las (via lax) flight and then just miss the last 2 legs? If it's okay, what is the 'responsible' way to do this? Do I just not check-in for the rest of the flights I'm not taking? I was told by Expedia that since the last leg of the flight is through UA, it was all booked as a UA ticket, so I can't take any different route to LAX except via that UA flight(las vegas). As far as they're concerned, they have to get me to Las Vegas only, since the rest of the trip was unchanged(LAS to LAX). Thanks all! It's moot anyway. I called Expedia again and they say I must have a MEM-LAS-LAX route, and the first leg must be NW and the last must be UA. So I am really left with just one option...a flight 11hrs earlier than I originally planned.
Air Travel - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I think you've misunderstood something. If LAX is your ticketed destination, you would NOT have to go through Las Vegas on your rebooked flight.
2 :
If you choose to miss a flight, any remaining flights on the itinerary are automatically cancelled, so what you are proposing to do would only work if you were trying not to get back to Memphis. The conditions of carriage on many airlines also specifically prohibit this kind of ticketing (called "throwaway ticketing"), and list a number of penalties that, while seldom issued, can be levied against the passenger, such as charging the difference between what was paid and what was actually flown. However, if NW cancelled one of your flights, either they or Expedia should work with you to get a routing that works for you. The reasoning behind your post and the restrictions that you claim to exist regarding the rebooking, however, make little sense -- perhaps you could clarify why you believe you must rebook a MEM-LAS flight on NW, if your final destination is actually LAX.
3 :
Are you sure about your original routing? ie. was it MEM-LAS-LAX? it would not make sense to have a route MEM-LAX-LAS-LAX, unless there was a break between the last leg from LAS-LAX? As for stopping doing MEM-LAX, you hae two potential problems, your luggage is checked through to LAX, but on the later LAS-LAX flight, so you'll need to wait for it to arrive! And if you just take carry-on but have a return ticket, all legs after MEM-LAX are likely to be cancelled as you'll be listed as a no show!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Flight question: Is 45 minutes enough time

Flight question: Is 45 minutes enough time..?
for my checked bags to make it onto my connecting flight? On my way home from my trip, I cannot find any flights with longer connecting times (that don't cost hundreds $$ more). Here is what will happening: I'll be flying on Delta airlines. I have multiple connecting flights (no option for a direct flight with this trip). One of my connecting flights is in Memphis, which isn't a problem (I have a 2 hour layover in Memphis, which should be okay), but the next one is in Minneapolis, and only gives 45 minutes before my flight for home in Albany takes off. Flying under the same airline, I am confident that I can make each connecting flight, as I've already printed out maps, and highlighted where I need to be (with the exception of exact gate number, but Delta's planes will all be in the same terminal - or so I was told). And, if there is a problem, I've been told that Delta will take care of me because they booked the flights. Now my main concern here is my luggage. I will be checking a bag straight through to my destination, but I'm wondering, is 45 minutes enough time for my luggage to get from one plane to the other?
Air Travel - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
if you make your connections and all and you don't get flagged that means the connections can be made. and if you don't make it you can go complaint ask for coupons for drinks and food.
2 :
Yes. I live in Minneapolis and the MSP airport is one of the most efficient airline in the United States. It is not up to you, but up to the airline staff to make sure that your luggage gets to the other plane. If you are completely in doubt, you can try to call and ask if 45 minutes is enough a the MSP airport, but I think you are fine. Good luck!
3 :
45 minutes is enough time for your luggage to be transferred. I took an international connecting flight over 3 dozen times that had a 40 minute layover and never once had my luggage delayed or lost. Sure there's a chance your luggage can get lost or delayed, but from my experiences 45 minutes is plenty of time for luggage to be transferred.
4 :
It should not be a problem as you are flying the same airline throughout all your schedule. Airline computer systems are very sophisticated and it will flag missing or late bags to the loading crew. If you bag does miss a flight the responsibility of the airline is to get that bag to you as fast as possible and to compensate you for the delay. Compensation depends on the country but is normally guaged to be enough to purchase a change of clothes and emergency toiletries.

Friday, January 1, 2010

How's this for a great return flight home? Greensboro, NC to Charlotte to Memphis to Atlanta to Pensacola then

How's this for a great return flight home? Greensboro, NC to Charlotte to Memphis to Atlanta to Pensacola then
1 1/2 hour drive.
Polls & Surveys - 11 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
why wouldn't u just drive?
2 :
I live in Greensboro and it seems like all flights out of here are messed up. Especially that 20 minute flight to Charlotte. You can drive faster than it takes to board and de-board. What were you doing here?
3 :
Welcome back to Bama Sexy !!!!! What a flight plan !!! :o)
4 :
Seriously, just drive.
5 :
yah that sucks! less than 300 miles and 4 different flights!
6 :
Who booked that trip ? You should never, NEVER let your ex do your travel planning ! When will your bags arrive?
7 :
poor baby, you must be tired, you need a back rub?
8 :
that's really effed up.... but hey, you didn't have to pay for it right?
9 :
Geez!!! Shoot me in the head...There is nothing worse than take-offs and landings...I won't do anything that is not a straight flight...Was there business in each city or just layovers? YUCK!!!!
10 :
A cute girl and a nine hour road trip would have been more fun.
11 :
Sounds to me like you are in some HOT places. And I thought Southwest Airlines made no sense. You still get free drinks and peanuts though don't you? Sounds like a meal to me and you can't get that if you were driving.

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