Airport check-in/connection times for intra-europe flights
 

I'm currently booking a flight for July from CDG-FCO via Munich, Frankfurt, or Hamburg on Lufthansa (using points). The most desirable time - 8:40am-12:15am only allows a 35 minute layover. This seems very short. Other options allow 90 minutes or longer but we will arrive much later in the day. Has anyone had experience with this quick connection?

Also, how early should we go to the airport for check-in? I've been told everything from 1 hour to 3 hours.

Anyone???

I haven't done these connections. But CDG is a large airport, and apparently it has bad signage (I can't say, because I've only been there as an arrival airport). On most any airline at any airport, the 35-minute connection would be very problematic, and at CDG, it basically seems impossible. The reports here are that if you are lucky enough to manage a very short connection time, your luggage usually does not come on the same flight. On the other hand, if you miss this connection, and it's a legal connection, the airline should put you on its next flight.

So I'd consider doing this if taking carry-on luggage only.

Can you do online check-in? For CDG, I would probably allow 2.5 hours in advance, in case of a delay in arriving there, and to allow time to get to the right queue.

According to the Lufthansa website (amazing thing this internet doodah) checkin with an eticket at CDG closes 30 mins before takeoff.

Stories about connecting complications at CDG are totally beside the point. CDG is a complete bitch to change planes at: it's perfectly straightforward to arrive at or depart from, as long as you get to the right bit in the first place. Security queues for people arriving at the airport from Paris, to European destinations, are somewhere between trivial and 5-10 mins. There's no outgoing passport control for flights to Germany. Get to the airport an hour before takeoff and you'll have ample time to marvel at how awful CDG's shopping and eating facilities are. Allow any longer and you'll discover the hard way how little there is to do there, and how uncomfortable CDG is to spend hours twiddling your thumbs.

If Lufthansa are selling you the connection at MUC, HAM or FRA, it's legal. However tight (and 35 mins IS a tad tight), they' put you on the next flight if you miss the connection. Frankfurt has the most diversions.

Thanks for the replies. I did visit the Lufthansa web page and was surprised by the 30 minute e-tix check-in time. And yes, LH is selling the 35 min connection time as legal. That's why I wondered if anyone was actually successful at making these connections. I'm not sure if we should risk it or not. There are 3 of us and we will have checked baggage and carry-ons.

cem, as I understand it you're originting from CDG and connecting through FRA, MUC or HAM, so you won't have the usual problems of connecting in CDG. Connections in FRA and MUC are pretty easy (with MUC being the best imo - very modern, efficient and easy to maneuver). I haven't been through HAM so can't comment on it. We've had a connection in as little as 35 min., but on international flight. We made it, but it was tight (and our bags made it as well). Since you're not on an international connection, I think you should be OK, although I prefer something closer to 50 min to be entirely comfortable. One advantage is that there are several flights to FCO from FRA or MUC - if you miss one, LH should be able to accommodate you on a later flight. The other advantage is you're on LH, which we've always found to be pretty efficient and time conscious. I'd check LH's site for checkin info, but I'd think you'd want to be at CDG at least 1.5 hrs prior to flight.

If time gets short, Lufthansa will escort you to your connecting flight - with priority at security checks.

And keep in mind: If Lufthansa sells a ticket with such a short layover then they are responsible to carry you to your destination. BTW, if you will miss your flight to FCO because your incoming flight is late than you will be booked on the next. I know that at least from Frankfurt and Munich, Lufthansa flights to FCO will leave every 90 minutes or so.

Hi C,

0:35 hr is a very tight connection anywhere. You might have a very, very short time to get from your arrival gate to your departure gate before they start boarding

If you miss your plane, you will be put on the next flight.

Why not just book the next flight and not be stressed about making the short connection?

>Other options allow 90 minutes or longer but we will arrive much later in the day.

True, but you will have more time in Paris. :)

>Since you're not on an international connection,...

Hmmmm. I thought that going from France to Italy via Germany was an international connection. :)

((I))