45 minutes between flights in Frankfort?
 

Flying from Rome (Lufthansa) with a connecting flight in Frankfurt. I just looked at the tickets and we have 45 minutes between flights, though it looks like they both arrive/depart in the same terminal-how big is the airport there?

Frankfurt is one of the easiest airports for making connections, and if Lufthansa sold you the tickets, they presumably know that you can make the connection in 45 minutes.

The following page from the Frankfurt Airport Web site can tell you more:

http://www1.frankfurt-airport.com/cm...9.transfer.htm

If you are arriving on an international flight from outside the EEC, then you will need to go thru immigrations. If that is the case, you will need to hustle!

Oh I see your are flying FROM Rome. If you are connecting to a flight outside the EEC, then you will really need to hustle, especially if you are going to the USA because you will need to go thru a passport check, carry on screening and you will also need to be security screened again.

Ricardab: S/he SAID s/he was flying from Rome, which is in Italy, which is in the EEC. So why confuse the issue?

Yeah I read between the lines, i am at work and very busy.

...and while we're all piling in...

Flying to or from an EU destination has no significance in whether you go through immigration at Frankfurt either.

Flying to or from a Schengen destination does. But not all EU countries are in Schengen, and not all Schengen countries are in the EU.

So not only is Richard sowing unnecessary confusion, he's basing it on duff data.

Just double check that your luggage is checked through to the final desination.

then try to get a seat at the front of the plane (so you don;t waste 20 minutes waiting for others to drag off half the contents of their dens).

It might also be worthwhile to ask Lufthansa what they do if your plane from Rome is late. Do they hold the flight you're scheduled for? Do they have another, later flight to the same desination? Or another way to get you there - even via connections?

Since its' all Lufthansa they are responsible for you - but I would consider taking an earlier flight from Rome unless Lufthansa has a later flight to your final desination - just for peace of mind.

(That said - I have made shorter connections there - but have missed longer ones.)

duff data?

I didn't want to go as far as to assume the person was connecting to or from a destination within the United States. I fly thru Frankfurt on most every flight I take to any destination in Europe. If you are coming FROM the USA, you will have to wait in line to pass thru the Passport check. Depending on flights arriving this can be a long line.

If you are connecting to a destination in the USA, you have to go through a passport check and a security screening. This is a screeninh which is located within the secure area. This means xraying your carry ons, being questioned and perhaps felt up (my favorite part).

I have had this check at Heathrow, Frankfurt and Copenhagen. The gate area for USA flight is usally a secure area with the "secure area".

P.S. If you do a search using the words "Franfurt Security" you will see that a lot of people mention the "double" security check for flights to the USA.

I just booked a flight on Lufthansa from London to Newark via Frankfurt and instead of taking the flight Lufthansa recommended which has a 1 hr layover, I opted for a flight an hour earlier which give me time for flexibility.

Remember when you flight shows a 1 hr layover, its not really a full hour. Usually a flight LANDS at the time shown on the schedule. That does not include getting to the gate, deplaning and the time before the departing plane shuts the door. As you know many airlines shut their door 5-10 minutes before the actual "departure" time.

One good thing, many airlines with connecting flights (such as Lufthansa) know you are coming and will wait if they know your arriving flight has landed. Should they put your luggage on the plane and you don't make it, then the luggage has to be removed because you must travel on the same flight as your luggage. Its easier to wait for you then remove your luggage.

I guess I have to call United and make sure they will do all this (hold plane, know connection is only 45 minutes, etc) I booked through United, but it's operated (at least on the way home) by Lufthansa!

I was going to mention, if you are traveling "Star Alliance", which you are, then the communication between the connections is very good. Remember, airlines plan their schedules so flights work in sync. Don't worry because if you miss the connection due to weather or other unforseeable mishaps, they will be sure to get you home.

It sound like your entire return ticket is on Lufthansa? It will comfort you to know that you are flying on one of the worlds most efficient airlines. OK, they aren't the friendliest but they will be sure to get you where you are going safely. Usually that is on time too!

Also, when you deplane at Frankfurt from Rome there is always an agent at the gate to greet you. If you have any concerns, speak with her and I am sure she will offer the best advise or call ahead to tell them you are coming.