Songdoc

I'm looking at flights from Florence, Italy to Nashville, TN in March '14 (probably March 12th or 13th). United seems to have the only decent options.

One of the itineraries gives me 1:05 to change planes in Frankfurt, and 2:15 in Chicago.

The other option gives me 1:50 in Newark.

I'm no concerned about Frankfurt, but I'm guessing I'll have to collect luggage and clear customs then re-check the bags through to Nashville at ORD or EWR. Does that really seem like enough time? I called United and the agent said that if it's offered on the website then it's sufficient time. She also said to typically allow 2 hours (and the change in EWR is only 1:50).

I seem to recall an instance of horrendous lines and missing a flight with what had seemed like more than enough time, but can't recall if there was some extenuating circumstance.

Whaddya think???

Thanks!

RoamsAround

We've done a 1 hour international connection in Frankfurt a couple times and it was "tight" but doable (in both instances our inbound flight arrived "on time"). I'd be more comfortable with a little extra cushion.

As for 2:15 in Chicago you should be fine - we usually do a minimum of 1:30 when connecting from an international flight to a US domestic flight at any US airport (JFK, ATL, MIA, DFW, ORD) and almost always have plenty of time.

By the way, in 30+ years of international we've never missed a flight with a 90 minute or more connection so I wouldn't be too concerned about 1:50 in Newark either.

Songdoc

Well ... that's reassuring. Looks like we'll be going through Chicago on 3/13 -- but will only have 2 hours -- not 2:15.

I just spent considerable time booking the flights online ... only to receive an "error" message at the end. GRRR ... I hope the price hasn't gone up when I try again.

Thanks!

rkkwan

Re: 2 hrs at ORD. Way more than enough if you have Global Entry. Adequate if US citizen or resident without Global Entry. Tight but generally still okay if visitor.

Cowboy1968

If you have all your flights on "one ticket", you will not have to re-check your luggage in Frankfurt. It will be checked through to your final destination, and you won't have to re-check until your first airport in the US.
As PP said, 1hr in Frankfurt is not extremely comfortable, but doable. Esp. since all Star Alliance flights are handled at one V-shaped pier.

Songdoc

Thanks so much for the info. Due to incredible aggravation with United Airlines’ website and customer support, I booked a different itinerary through Expedia. I prefer not to use a third-party site because I once had a big headache when flights were changed, but this multi-airline itinerary saved me almost $500 on two tix—and was a better schedule, so I’ll take my chances and keep my fingers crossed!

I’ll have a 1:25 layover in Munich, and 3:10 in Charlotte, NC, and I'm figuring it'll be fine.

Cowboy1968

Munich is my "home" airport which I use 3-4 times a month.
A 1:25hr layover is more than enough (unless your incoming plane is late, of course).

Most flights from Italy are handled with smaller aircrafts, so usually you'll be take to Terminal 2 by bus (assuming you fly all Star Alliance airlines).
If so, you will see huge signs for Gates G and H, taking you one level up by escalator immediately after you entered the terminal building from the bus stop.
To get to the H gates from where the non-Schengen flights depart, you will go another level up where you go through passport control. Which should not take longer than 0-5 minutes.
The extra security checkpoints for flights to North America are near the respective gates. This can take more time than passport control, so you should not idle too long in the general departure area right after passport control but follow signs for your gate to make it thru that checkpoint.
After that you won't find more than a ridiculously overpriced snackbar and a small duty free shop, though.

Sal9001

You will probably be okay in Newark depending on how many international flights arrive around your arrival time. We were there FRiday and spent about 30 minutes waiting for passport control and another 30 minutes for security screening.

The HOWEVER is that 5 minutes after we got in line for passport control the snake line went from 6 curls of the snake to 15. I don't know that we would have made it had our plane been a few minutes later or if we had been seated in the back of the plane.

Last year we waited almost an hour for passport control; can't remember how long security was after that. I would be uneasy with an only 1 hour 50 minutes.

Songdoc

Cowboy1968: Thanks SO much for the great info.

Sal9001: I think you missed my subsequent post (above). Won't be doing the tight Newark connection. But thanks for your response!