CDG and Connection Times
 

We are flying Business class from JFK to Paris then to Rome and on to Florence - I know - we will be exhausted!

We arrive at CDG in Terminal 2E at 7:25am and depart to Rome at 8:50am from Terminal 2F. Would you tell me what you recommend for trying not to miss our connections? I was through this airport about 10 years ago for a trip to Paris and do not remember it being difficult at all.

Also, for our return we have a night layover. For an 8:25 am flight (we will be at the Hilton CDG) when do you recommend we get back to the airport?

I am never exhausted after flying business class. You should have no problem with the connection.

Thank you. Do you know whether we will be able to check our luggage all the way through to Florence? Also, can you tell me anything about immigration? Do we go through immigration in Paris or in Florence? I can't seem to figure this out despite lots of effort to help myself.

Hi P,

You should have no trouble with your CDG connection.

Call your NYC/Rome carrier for checking luggage.

You will go through Passport Control in Paris.

((I))

OOPS,

I miscalculated.

You have 85 min to make your CDG connection.

Do not be surprised if you don't make it.

Is your JFK/FLR flight on one ticket? If it is, you will be put on the next available plane.

((I))

If you use the same airline or ones with interlining agreement (usually in same global alliance), your luggage will be through checked. You will have to clear passport check at CDG as you will be entering the Schengen zone.
At 2E you will be transferred from your aircraft to terminal by bus. You then clear passport control and enter the public area, walk to 2F and clear security and walk to your gate.

CDG is not a great place to make quick connections. Many planes don't even park at gates and passengers have to take buses from out on the tarmac to arrivals.

You might make the flight, you might not and there is a pretty good chance your luggage won't.

Not much you can do to speed things up - it'll go OK -- or it won't. So don't knock yourself out. They will put you on the next flight if you miss your connection (assuming this is all on one booking)

For the sake of your nerves, assume you won’t make the connection. I had a similar connection “challenge,” didn’t make that healthy assumption, and got needlessly frazzled.

Your situation, as evidenced by the number of posts on the subject, is common.

P.S. Even if you make the connection, your luggage may not.

One question and one comment after reading both threads by the same OP:

Question: Why not fly CDG-FLR direct rather than having to go through Rome?

Comment: If not in a hurry, get a later flight. Flying business class on AF, you should be able to use a lounge and shower in Paris. Enjoy your ticket rather than hurry through CDG.

I do believe I need to call the travel agent...

I would assume that you are flying on Skyteam airlines (AF, DL, AZ...). They will do everything in their power to allow you to make your connection, including delaying the next flight if necessary (well, up to a certain extent). Just let them take care of everything and don't worry. Your baggage should make the connection with no problem.

Thanks to all of you and your advice/comments, I am now avoiding the Rome connection all together. We are now booked to arrive at CDG at 7:25am and leave at 9:55am direct to Florence. Thank you all!!

Found this interesting tidbit on "Yahoo Answers" --


Between British Airways, Air France, KLM and Lufthansa, which is the best airline?

Best Answer - Chosen By Voters

I've flown them all and they are all very good, much better than say Delta or United. But only Air France truly impressed me. Why? We arrived Paris late from Atlanta needing to make a connecting flight. An Air France agent met us at the plane's door and personally led us, by van and by foot, through a huge airport and thousands of people, personally took us through customs without having to wait in line or even show our passports, and then directly to our connecting flight, which took off about 2 minutes later.

Wow. I will be in good hands then.

You can't always count on an AF agent meeting you at the door with a tight connection. It happens, sometimes. Best to be prepared to do it yourself.