CLT connection to LHR
 

I've never been to CLT, so I'd like to ask if regular users of CLT think a 65 minutes connection time is doable for flight arriving from MSY (New Orleans) and departing CLT to LHR (London Heathrow) on a Saturday or Sunday evening. Is it correct that I wouldn't have to clear security as there's only one terminal?

I've never booked with that tight of a connection, but this flight on USAirways would save me at least $200 so I'm very tempted. Also all other departure and arrival times on this flight are attractive on top of the price differential.

Is this "Connection Suicide" just waiting to happen? Thanks in advance for replies.

Not a problem, assuming both flights are on the same ticket.

"assuming both flights are on the same ticket"

Meaning both legs outbound are same airline, not marketed by one airline and flown by a partner? I want to be sure I'm understanding you correctly.

No, it means that both flights are on a single ticket. You didn't buy one ticket MSY-CLT-MSY and a separate ticket CLT-LHR-CLT. They could be different airlines, but as long as the whole trip was issued on one ticket, you are protected. If your incoming flight is late, they are obligated to get you on the next available flight to London. From the way you're describing it, it sounds like you're looking at "all one ticket."

If they were two separate tickets, and your inbound flight to CLT is late, then you become a no-show for the flight to London and you lose it, period.

That's the issue here.

Meaning you didn't buy one ticket to CLT and a second from CLT to London. I'm assuming both legs are on US Airways and bought at the same time?

(As opposed to, say, flying to CLT on a Southwest ticket, then flying to London on one bought from US. In that case you'd have to collect bags and re-clear security at CLT, which would make 65 min. impossible.)

No matter what airport, I would never leave a 65 minute connection for an international flight. Too many problems if flights are late.

Thanks Gardy and Jeff for straightening me out on the one ticket. Yes, entire trip is one ticket. And Gardyloo, I trust your judgement on this (us long-time Fodorites know some stuff!), so if I end up taking this route, I'll come back to this thread and post the results.

newtome, you might just be right - like I said, never have I booked this tight a connection. So if I do it and bomb, you can say I told you so! ;)

CLT is easy to get around and there is no separate international terminal. And there are lots of moving walkways. Shouldn't be a problem if your flight is on time or close to it.

Thanks Brian. With your screen name, if anybody should know it would be you! I think I'll go for it!

In such case both flights will be on same ticket