artsnletters

I'm about to pull the trigger on some frequent flyer flights. One leg would have me changing from one Lufthansa flight (ATH to FRA) to another (FRA to SFO) in an hour and 10 minutes. Is that enough time?

J62

Outbound to the US 70min is a very tight connection. Doable, but no room for error.

artsnletters

Actually, just looked again, and the connection is between a Lufthansa and a United flight (on one ticket). Does that change your answer? United is selling the flight, so they must figure you'll make the connection, but it does seem tight.

Betsy

That's cutting it really close for FRA. Have you been through that airport before? If not, print out a map so you know exactly where to go. If I remember correctly I had to go through security twice on a connection through the airport.

I'm checking daily for availability in business class on an FRA->SFO flight in spring of 2014. There are non-stops that leave 2:00 pm and 5:25 pm. All the one- and two-stop flights leave earlier than the 5:25 non-stop, so the 5:25 pm flight would be your best bet. If your ATH flight is late, would UA/LH cover a hotel for you? If you do have a tight connection, let the flight attendant know on the ATH-FRA leg, so can be off the plane first. Hit the ground running and don't stop until you reach your gate. Good luck and let us know the outcome.

wanderfrau

It will be tight, but it is certainly possible. Much will depend on if your ATH flight is on time, how crowded the flight is, how many people are in the airport, and how quickly you move. Good luck!

Hez

Is there another flight that day? If you miss the connection they will just put you on the next flight so if there's another one a few hours later it's no drama.

Frankfurt is a big airport which can be quite confusing, but I think the general policy is 60 minutes minimum so 70 theoretically should be fine. I agree to have a map though and if at all possible find out what gates you are arriving and departing from.

Here's a link to the map - http://www.frankfurt-airport.com/con...minal_1_2.html

StCirq

Really tight, IMO. I hate that airport. You can walk what seems like miles to get to your next flight, and the TSAs are merciless.

artsnletters

There wasn't another flight I could book with my miles, so I went with this one. It's on a Friday, and I don't have to be back to work until Monday, so presumably if I miss it I should still be home in time to not miss any work. If I end up having to foot the overnight bill, I will deal, but if I'm on a single ticket, doesn't it become their problem?

How does one go about finding out what gates you arrive at and depart from? Obviously it's too soon to do this now (flights aren't until May), but it will be good to know how when it's closer to the time.

artsnletters

And thanks for the link, Hez. It is the first bookmark in my new Greece Trip folder!

Hez

Usually your departing gate will be printed on your boarding card. For the arrival gate you can ask one of the stewards on the plane.

J62

Your arrival gate is likely meaningless. At FRA many planes park on the tarmac and passengers are bussed to the terminal. You will have to hoof it a long way to get to the terminal from which US bound flights depart regardless of where your ATH flight arrives.

FRA airport is good about expediting passengers with a tight connection, so don't just get in the back of a long security line without seeing if you can get in a faster lane. Ask an airport agent if they can help. They are used to dealing with harried passengers, and a little politeness can go a long way.

sparkchaser

The FRA-SFO flight will probably close boarding about 20 min before flight time.

It's doable but definitely not ideal. It will ultimately depend on these factors:

1. Whether the flight from ATH lands on-time.

2. How fast you can deplane.

3. Whether or not you stop at the bathroom.

4. Whether or not Lufthansa is striking that day.


As others have said, if you miss your connection then you will get put on the next flight, even if it is the next day or on another Star Alliance partner. Not ideal but definitely better than being stranded.

greg

I have done a FCO-FRA, then FRA-SFO this March. Lufthansa was the operating carrier for both. Although I had about 2 hrs, the whole process took perhaps less than 40min. What surprised me was that there was no carry-on security check at FRA this time. I only had to go through a metal detector at FCO. Of course, the security procedure at FRA changes all the time. One time, I had to go through two metal detectors at FRA. The printed departure gate info at FRA has also been meaningless. They are at least good at keeping you in the same concourse when they change the gates. I take seriously only the gate info displayed on the digital displays one hour before the flight departures. You can check the FRA web site right now to see "usual" kind of gate changes they do. But, again, you might get bused for one or both of your leg.

MarthaT

I have the same situation in December. I am coming from Berlin to Frankfurt and have 60 minutes for flight to Washington DC.
I know I will be running!!!

johnnyomalley

If you miss your flight it is United's responsibility to get you to your destination, they sold you the ticket with a 70 minute connection time. Not just on another United flight, but any carrier with the Star Alliance.

I would proactively research what your options are, should you miss your flight. Then you would be able to tell the agent what routing you want without depending on them.

artsnletters

Martha, please come back and let me know how it went!

I will definitely know my alternate options in advance so I can push for what I want. I hope flying on miles doesn't result in less attentiveness from United.

If I can't get out until the next day, do they pay for my hotel?

sparkchaser

<i>If I can't get out until the next day, do they pay for my hotel?</i>

Yes; HOWEVER, they probably won't if there was ample time to make your connection and you dilly dallied to get a free overnight in Frankfurt.

I recently missed a connection due to my arriving flight being almost two hours late. I was given meal vouchers, a hotel voucher, and a ticket for the first flight in the morning.

flpab

We had a 45 min connection in May and made it. The good thing was the flight to Florence was a bit late. I was seated ahead of my friends and when they came off the plane a person was there directing people with a connecting flight to come with her and they arrived before me. (LOOK for that person)I stood waiting for them so was a little pissed. I finally took off running and made it through security and immigration Put everything in a bin, everything! They were a little crazy at security.

artsnletters

sparkchaser, there is <i>no way</i> I would dilly dally for a free night in Frankfurt. Munich maybe, but not Frankfurt!

lavandula

Tell the ground crew when you leave the plane and you might get whisked down the rabbit warrens of the airport to make your flight on time. I have seen it at Frankfurt before, and when travelling with small children you quite often get escorted so as to bypass queues. I think your chances of making the flight are quite good at Frankfurt - but - gates are far apart and it's a huge airport, so forget the shopping and just make your way to the gate.

Lavandula