FCO connection time

Old Jun 29th, 2016, 01:39 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
FCO connection time

I've booked separate tickets - ATH to FCO and FCO to ATL. We're on Aegean Air arriving at 10am into FCO and DL departing at 12:15pm. We'll have to claim checked bags, transfer to T5 and recheck/go thru security. We're in first class and my husband is Diamond with DL and I've found that to help greatly anywhere we travel. Anyone with recent experience?
BPT2 is offline  
Old Jun 29th, 2016, 04:11 PM
  #2  
J62
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,905
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I flew into FCO on an intra-Europe flight about 1mo ago and it took me 1hr 10min to get my bags after arrival. I'm thankful I didn't have to then go check-in for another flight - I would have not made the 1hr baggage cut-off time.

But why do you say you must claim your bags? Have you confirmed that Aegean and Alitalia do NOT have an interline baggage agreement?
J62 is offline  
Old Jun 29th, 2016, 04:31 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, I asked DL today and apparently last fall they ended baggage agreements with about everyone but SkyTeam airlines. I had no idea! Can I ask which part made it take so long? Were you just standing at baggage claim waiting for your bags arrive or was it getting off the plane & to baggage claim? Thanks for your help!
BPT2 is offline  
Old Jun 29th, 2016, 04:46 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 61,800
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The answers you got on TA and here are not going to be different, I bet.
It's probably not enough time.
You can give yourself a better shot by not checking bags, or by taking a different flight, which on your TA post you indicated was an option..
jubilada is offline  
Old Jun 29th, 2016, 04:47 PM
  #5  
J62
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,905
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
sorry - you did say Delta..

Yes, waiting for bags at baggage claim. and waiting. I can't tell you if that is typical or not - just my own experience.
J62 is offline  
Old Jun 29th, 2016, 04:53 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Delta put a kibosh to luggage transfer for multiple ticket trip, at least for Delta -> any airline direction pro.delta.com/content/agency/us/en/products-and-services/baggage/delta-s-through-check-baggage-policy-.html I don't know if they are still in effect nor if it also applies to Aegean --> Delta direction.

FCO luggage retrieval has been chronically slow. It has been taking about an hour to get my luggage whether flying from the U.S. or from Athens on Aegean, just like what you are doing. That leaves 1 hr 15 minutes to departure. That leaves little margin to comply with checked in 60 min and at gate 45 min before flight. http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...uirements.html. They would probably work with premium ticket holders, but I don't think they are obliged any more to gets you on the plane if you miss the cut off times. Delta has no obligation to accommodate you if Aegean caused delay further shortening the layover time.

You didn't want to take: ATH-AMS-ATL KLM/Delta; ATH-FCO-ATL Alitalia/Delta; or ATH-CDG-ATL AF/Delta combinations that could have been bought as single tickets?
greg is offline  
Old Jun 29th, 2016, 07:48 PM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks everyone. I'm going to rebook & get the earlier flight to FCO. I appreciate some of the really helpful responses here.
BPT2 is offline  
Old Jul 1st, 2016, 05:16 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,919
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You need to allow at least three hours after collecting your bags, so I would allow a minimum of five hours, to allow for late arrival of your first flight and slow baggage collection. In fact, I wouldn't dream of buying two independent tickets for the same day when the second flight is a transatlantic flight. It would cost a fortune to get a new ticket to Atlanta at the last minute. Check the price of today's flight to get an idea.
bvlenci is offline  
Old Jul 1st, 2016, 12:34 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
For any flight from CDG to the US you should be checking your luggage in 3 hours in advance - this means landing at least 1.5 hours minimum before that. The last couple of times I have been through CDG getting luggage has take at least an hour and once (I think some sort of slow down) almost 2 hours. (The baggage area was packed with passengers and luggage was coming down each carousel only 2 or 3 pieces at a time.)
nytraveler is offline  
Old Jul 1st, 2016, 12:48 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,030
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Also, not mentioned, is the physical distance involved. We did that route a few years ago but don't remember the time it took but it was more than two hours and we used it all. After you get your luggage, you exit the terminal, walk right to the bus pick up point to T-5. T-5 is terminal in name only. It is a processing area for direct flights going to the US. You go through check-in, immigration departure, and security screening and then are bused back to T-3 for the departing flight. Even under the best of situations, it just takes time. I would get a wider window.
fmpden is offline  
Old Jul 1st, 2016, 04:00 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 36,776
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 11 Posts
>>>After you get your luggage, you exit the terminal, walk right to the bus pick up point to T-5. T-5 is terminal in name only.>>then are bused back to T-3
kybourbon is online now  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
H_X
Air Travel
15
Mar 1st, 2014 02:43 AM
Rcjardim
United States
5
Jul 9th, 2012 05:04 PM
UNCSarah
Air Travel
33
May 5th, 2010 08:51 AM
Sally30
Air Travel
6
Feb 10th, 2010 07:02 PM
sfonorth
Air Travel
8
Sep 27th, 2007 12:28 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -