I'm asking because we are thinking of trying the ploy that so many of us Americans are now using. Just get across the ocean and then get a cheap intra-European flight to a destination. Here's our history. We had one flight that came in several hours late due to a medical evacuation. Another time we were several hours late because of east coast storms. And, one time we had to land at Beauvais rather than CGD because all of CDG was closed due to a strike. So I guess we have about a 75% on time or early arrival history.

Here's why I'm asking. Our flight from the US gets into CDG at 11:30. There is a flight on a budget airline that we would like to take. It leaves the same day from CDG at 17:00. Would you risk this? I am interested in hearing other people's experiences.

Hi J,

I wouldn't worry about a 5-hr layover at CDG, assuning that you actually land at CDG.

I've had delays overnight on transatlantic flights, but it is far from typical. You've had worse than average luck with this, so I don't blame you for being a bit gun shy. But I agree with ira and I would roll the dice on your plan, assuming you're getting a great deal. Trying to build in extra time by delaying your journey onward until the next day might be more costly than what you stand to lose on your tickets if things go bad. Some might call this situation a good one for travel insurance but if you're talking about low-priced tickets, the premium to cover the whole trip might be high in comparison what you truly have at risk.

Your connection is fine. However, you may want to ask yourself whether the money you save is worth a whole day in transit, as it looks like you won't get to your destination until late in the evening.

I usually think of getting to Europe early in the morning, and therefore still have at least half a day for light touring on that first day. With your itinerary, that's no more.

Yes, you can risk it - very low chance of you not making that flight.

I've had far worse, and far more frequent troubles at O'Hare than I ever have to Europe.

I'm the type who likes to book one airline (or alliance) from my origin to my destination. That way when things happen, my connections are taken care of by the airline.

Unless the savings are significant, I won't book a discount airline for a flight immediately upon arrival from the US.

Just remember that alot of times you must leave out of a different airport(transportation costs to get to and from besides the time and frustration) and also the discount airlines charge high fees for checked bags.

Another way to look at it is to ask the question: What would it cost me to make last minute alternative arrangements if things do go bad and the budget flight is missed? I think that your proposal has reasonable odds of working. So far I have never been more than about an hour late in two dozen Atlantic crossings. My luck has not not always that great on other flights...one four hour trip took 12 hours.

All that time at the airport would drive me crazy. Whenever I do a trans-Atlantic to discount airline (or opposite) transfer I always do at least one overnight between flights but that's me.

Maybe I'm just lucky, but I fly fairly often and have never experienced more than a two hour delay on a transatlantic flight. That includes flying in some really poor weather.

I also am not a really big fan of hanging around airports. However, these are flights out of the same airport so I wouldn't have the transporation to a different airport expense or hassle. And, if we plan to use this type of strategy we always do it up front upon arrival so that we have zero risk of missing the really expensive transatlantic connection on the way home.

I would risk it - and not even think it's that much of a risk.

With 60+ flights to europe I have been seriously delayed only twice. Once PanAM double booked a flight and we had to wait 3+ hours for another plane - and another time BA had mechanical problems on the last flight out - so we were about 4 hours late.

I've never had more than a 1 hour delay for transatlantic flights.
You'll likely arrive in time.
The worse delays, by far, have all been domestic/USA flghts. The worst being 16 hours for Atlanta to New Orleans (a 50 minute flight).

Julies,
I fly to Europe from East Coast several times a year and my flight was never more than 20 minutes late. The only incident I know of is when my daughter flew to Paris and they had to land in Lille because of an ice storm. I am sure you'll be fine

One major thing to consider: Is your flight from the US to CDG a direct flight? If so, I wouldn't worry as much. If there's a connection before getting there, there's more to worry about. In Sept, I flew from Syracuse to Newark to Brussels to Venice. My flight to Newark was delayed due to the tail end of Hurricane Rita. It was a miracle I got to Newark on time (long story). The point is, if I missed that flight from Newark to Brussels, there was only one a day and I would have had to wait another 24 hours to get another one. That kind of connection would obviously make a big difference in your decision.

I don't think I've ever been that delayed on a trans-atlantic. I have been on domestic several times, usually connection/"weather" related.

I've also been delayed on a trans-pacific too. 7 extra hours trying to get home from Melbourne when our plane had been hail damaged on it's earlier flight. But the delay there was only because the Qantas only had so many long haul 747's to swap into position.

If it were winter conditions at either end or if you had a US connection to add a wrinkle to it, I might think differently, but as described, I'd probably take the risk.

only once, January 2003, we were flying SFO direct to CDG, our flight to Paris was delayed 5 hours due to icing on the plane..when we did get to Paris, yep, it was snowing alright, fricking freezing in fact!!

In five flights from Seattle or Portland to Europe, I've experienced two overnight delays. One night's delay was caused by BA mechanical problems which caused our flight to be delayed until the next day. The other trip's delay of one night was caused by bad weather on the east coast which delayed our flight from the west coast long enough that we missed our connection.

If it were me, I'd plan on spending the first night in Paris instead of flying out a few hours after arrival.