Flight connections in Europe. AMS vs. CDG
 

Given the choice would you choose:

KLM
Chicago--AMS--Toulouse with a 1-1/2 connection in AMS

OR

AF
Chicago--CDG--Toulouse with a 1-1/2 hour connection

We've flown AF many times, but never with a tight connection at CDG
Never flown KLM, but have changed in AMS but with a longer layover.

Which do you think would be our best chance of making that short connection?

I think I'd rather transit in AMS than CDG. The airport doesn't seem as drawn out at CDG.

Here's AMS' map from Ifly.
http://www.ifly.com/amsterdam-schiph...-Main-Terminal

CDG
http://www.ifly.com/paris-charles-de...t/terminal-map

Even on the map it seems intuitively simpler.

AMS pushed you right on through without any delay.

No contest, AMS is a clear winner. It is far more efficient and you are far more likely to actually make your connection there. CDG is a pain even on a good day but it is worthwhile if you spend at least one night in Paris; on the other hand, it is not worth the trouble if you are just passing through. Rather than repeat myself, see my comments on AM vs. CDG in the KLM/Delta thread under recent activity.

sumrcr and other posters---I do appreciate comments from the frequent flyers on Fodors. After all been there- done that is great advice.
The KLM/Delta post is the one that prompted me to ask. It does seem that AMS would be a better choice to change in but the KLM negative flying experiences are daunting. We do prefer Air France.


Last year we flew to Paris on American and it was a horrible experience. The seats felt like cardboard and there were a few drop down tv's in the center rows with 1 movie, no individual seat monitors with choices. For an 8 hr. flight, it was miserable. We don't want to repeat that.

Our other choice would be AF with a 4-1/2 connection at CDG to Toulouse. 4-1/2 hrs. added to our extremely long day means we'll be up 20+ hrs--yikes!
Decisions, decisions.

AMS is the better airport by far. Air France is (for me at least) the much better airline over KLM. But I'd make this choice by airport, so AMS wins.

I agree with Doug on this. I would not rank Air France, Delta and KLM as 1,2,3 but rather 2a, 2b,2c. At least in coach, there is marginal but not much difference among the three. In terms of airports and the likelihood of making connections, I would rate AMS as a 1 and CDG a 5. But, to each his own. If you do go with AF to CDG and miss your connecting flight, go to the AF office immediately and ask to be put on the one 4.5 hours later. Regardless, the trip will be worth the trouble.

If needed, where is the Air France office located? We would be arriving at 2E and picking up the Toulouse flight at 2F.

TPAYT - why do you now want the AF office?

Hey, it's an 8-11 hour flight. I don't think I would choose based on amenities, but rather on FF miles and price.

Having flown Biz and First most of my life, is it really worth the difference for the period of time you're in the air to take coach?

If I were paying, I would not pay about $4,000 more to fly Biz over coach. That comes to about $200 / hour RT that I could be spending in something more useful. For every 'amenity' that you get in Biz, is it worth the $200/hr?

If all goes well, you will make your connection and not need to rebook. We were not that fortunate our last time at CDG, in Terminal F, as I recall, but we asked airport personnel and they directed us to an office in the interior of the terminal.

A couple of years ago we had an hour and a half change at CDG and made it with no problems. We arrived on Alitalia and departed on Delta; we had to change terminals but don't recall which they were. I know it was a long walk.

Last year we had a 50 minute change in AMS and by practically running through the airport we made it as well. The problem was landing at the end of one concourse and departing from the end of another. They let us use the priority security line when I told them about the tight connection.

I'd favor AMS as well, but I certainly would never want to try to duplicate what we did last year.

My luck at CDG has always been good when it comes to connections. Whenever I've had a tight connection they let me go to the front of the security line. You can walk from 2E to 2F but it's kind of long and not good if you have a short connection. Furthermore they do have some of the worst airport food I've ever seen at a major airport. It is the one place in Paris where you can (and probably will) get a bad meal.

Although I don't dislike CDG as much as some people, I would still go for AMS if all else is equal.

Either is fine. AMS is better, but CDG is better than the reputation. If there were a price difference or one left at a better time, I'd choose based upon that. All else being equal, I'd choose AMS.

AMS is the easier airport to get around however if you are flying AF then they will move heaven and earth to get you to your connecting flight.

alanRow---just what we needed to hear.

I'll let all of you know what we decide.

I've only been thru each one time myself, but AMS seemed by far the more organized and easy airport to deal with.