We are a family of four traveling through Detroit/Paris/Marseille around the first of August. I've read on the web that international flights are overbooked this year. Have any of you who have already been to France this year had any problems with being bumped or anything else I should be worried about? Also, we have a one and a half hour turn in Paris and have to change terminals. Do you think we will have any problems getting through security etc. on time?

I'd appreciate hearing about your experience.

Get your searts/boarding passes as soon as possible and get to the airport early - so if someone is bumped it isn't you.

Can;t comment on the turn around in Paris - have not done that in a couple of years.

I'm a travel agent who books only international flights. Flights this summer are absolutely packed! There are pretty much no seats to be found. (At least not for any reasonable fares anyway) I book a lot of Air France and their minimum connecting time in CDG is 45 minutes. On my last trip through there to Lisbon I had 2 hours to connect-waaaay too much time. However 45 minutes is not really possible when changing terminals. (from the US to Europe you can't just run to the next flight-you have to go through a small immigration check. The return flight you go through security.)So I concluded that 1:15 minutes is the ideal amount of time. As long as your incoming flight is not late you'll be more than ok. NYtraveler is correct-get your seats reserved early and check in early. We are recommending 3 hours early this summer since the flights are full. If you miss your flight seats on alternate flights are going to be hard to come by. Have fun!

90 minutes <b>should</b> be enough -- however you are talking about CDG so all bets are off. CDG is a mess. IF your flight is on time, and IF your arriving plane gets a gate right away, and IF immigration/security lines are reasonable that should be plenty of time.

But if you land even a few minutes late, or if they park you out on the tarmac and bus you to the termnial - you could very easily miss the Marseilles flight. They will put you on a later flight - so no good worrying about it . . . . .

I have friends who missed their connection to Rome at CDG despite having two-hours. Another friend just got back and told me that she hopes she never flies to Charles de Gaulle again. Said it was a nightmare. Additionally, Air France lost their luggage, and they didn't get it for three days. Be warned. Pack your carry-on as if they are going to lose your luggage!

&lt;&lt; Pack your carry-on as if they are going to lose your luggage! &gt;&gt;

Regardless of airline you should ALWAYS do that

I haven't had to deal with connecting flights in Paris/CDG, but it's my home airport these days. About one out of every three trips, there is a security alert in the airport that results in security closing down part of the airport so that they can investigate a suspicious package/suitcase and then blow it up in a controlled explosion. Sometimes these aren't a problem (e.g. you might not have made it through security yet, but neither have the crew for your next flight), but sometimes they can be (you're on one side of the blocked off section, and all the other passengers, crew and plane are on the other side).

Yes, the U.S. airlines are charging $5 for booze in economy!!

Hi FF,

It' been my experience that:

You are unlikely to be bumped from your Detroit/Paris flight.

You have a 50% chance of making your Paris/Marseille connection.

If that happens, don't get upset. They will put you on the next flight.

I got bumped flying out of London even though I was 2 hours early. I never had a choice in the matter either. I was compensated and stuck on the next flight thankfully.

Just make sure you have a backup plan. It's good to be flexible.

AF is pretty strict with carryon rules, and may weigh them (13kg). That may not be enough for a European trip, so you have to check luggage.

Thanks everyone, I feel better about the flight out of Detroit. We fortunately/unfortunately have SEVEN hours to wait in Detroit so we will definitely get checked in early -- it was either 7 or 2. So many airlines are cutting flights.

lol Wally34949! You don't know how much I look forward to getting that little bottle of wine after finally getting myself on the way to France! Guess I better pack some cash.

One more thing, does anyone know which terminal Northwest goes into at CDG? I think it used to be E before the collapse.

I hope this isn't too many questions. It's great having help from such experienced travelers.

Yes, flights are packed and we've heard stories about families being split up at the last minute by harried ground personnel who wouldn't listen to pleadings.

Prepare for all eventualities - even for being asked at the last minute to be split up with some of our party having to take a later flight.

Everybody must know where you'll be staying, have a cheatsheet with all reservation data etc., map printouts from the internet, an ATM card each, the necessities in individual carry-on rather than checked bags - just be ready so if the word comes in a might rush with no time to think it over or talk it over - you're ready.

Also consider the benefits of getting bumped if you have prepared - about $800 in vouchers for the next trip - if you're prepared and nobody gets hurt, why not?

WK

NW50 from DTW is arriving at 2E currently.

You can look at your flight on Orbitz to see the sold seats (on your flight.) We are flying to Paris next month, from Detroit. Air France---the plane is only about 1/2 full!! I am going to check near the day we are leaving---I may be able to find a sleeping spot, like in the old days!

I meant to type *concourse* instead of terminal. Thank you rkkwan for that info.

lindam, lucky you! I do remember those good old days of stretching out across 3 seats for a nice sleep. Unfortunately our flight was full in December! I hope you enjoy your trip.

Thanks so much for all the good advice.

(I hope this doesn't post twice -- first post got &quot;lost&quot; somewhere -- newbie here obviously)

FYI: Looking at seat maps won't tell you how full the flight is, because many airlines hold a significant number of seats for assignment at check-in.