layover at CDG, 1 1/2 hours or 4 1/2 hours
 

We will be travelling from LAX on AirFrance to Budapest via CDG. It seems a 4 1/2 hour layover is all that's available. What to do with this time?

On the way back via Prague, the choices are 1 1/2 hour or 4 1/2 hour layover. DH is all for the 1 1/2 and feels that since Delta is booking this (FF miles, Business class) they know what they're doing and we should book the 1 1/2, I am inclined to disagree.

Any thoughts?
Lynnie

Oops, almost forgot, the flights put us at CDG at 11:30 a.m.

Hi L,

>DH ... feels that since Delta is booking this ... they know what they're doing ..<

And AF says 45 min is OK.

1:30 hr is barely enough time to make a connection at CDG, if you are lucky.

I'd rather read a book and have some coffee for 3 hr than dash through the airport and miss my plane.

((I))

If you are through-ticketed then take the 1h30m layover. If anything goes wrong you'd just end up on the later flight anyway

If you aren't through-ticketed then take the longer layover

I agree with Ira, after many trips though this airport I would choose the longer layover, through ticketed on not. I have had the gate slammed in my face too often to risk it.

There are some nice snack shops on the upper levels, have a sandwich and coffee and relax, isn't that better than running like mad to make a connection that you may not make anyway.

If it's a Delta codeshare or something, I'd definitely take the first one and if I miss, hope for the second flight. However, if you have to fly "standby" on that second flight, you might lose any priority seating privileges like the exit row, bulk head. But if you have regular seats anyway, I'd risk the 1 hr 45 min connection. I hate waiting around airports -- unless there's really good duty free shopping.

< I hate waiting around airports >

That was my thought - I don't want to "enjoy" CDG a moment more than I have to

THanks for the input. My real risk is that if we miss the 1st flight (we do have through tickets) we may not get the business class seats on the second, and DH would be beside himself. I think I'll just take the longer layover instead of risking a coach seat on a long flight. (Business class is the only way I can ever get him to agree to travel)

Possibly lose 2 hours business class against having to spend 4h30m at CDG.

I'd know what I'd choose

Yes, CDG IS a "unique" and often "careless" airport....as well as Air France!. However we have experienced both and would do it again.

Given your explanation of business class seats, I think you have made the right dicision of taking the longer layover. Much more relaxed, even though you'll get home 3 hrs. later.
However, you won't have customs in Paris and AF often books, like someone else said, 45 min connections...(then they get in trouble and have to make all sorts of adjustments(:<) sometimes! And though Delta booked it, you are STILL on an Air France flight leaving Prague !!!!!(hopefully on time)

Sounds like you have a nice trip planned. You said "via" Prague,...does that mean you are flying AF Budapest-Prague-Paris on the same day. OR are you enjoying Budapest and then taking the train (or driving car) to Prague for a visit there of a few days? The latter sounds more likely. It will be wonderful. What time of year are you going.
WE've been to Budapest, but not Prague, and would love to read a report when you return. (AND to find out how your layover in Paris went)

..I don't get as bothered re layovers when I am flying business. The lounge is usually part of the package..somehow Roissy isn't as bad if I can sit in a relativly quiet place and have coffee..and if it is really bad I resort ot a good stiff drink!

"If you are through-ticketed then take the 1h30m layover. If anything goes wrong you'd just end up on the later flight anyway"

If anything goes wrong,you will have to go the the AF ticket counter where they could not care less about your Delta status. IF there are any Business (AF "Affaires" class) seats available on that later flight, you will be behind AF ticketed passengers in the pecking order.

They start boarding international flights one hour before takeoff. Now you're down to 3 1/2 hours. Coming from Prague, you will have a few hoops to jump through that will eat up much of that time. And this is assuming your flight from Prague arrives on time.

You've definately made the right decision in my book. CDG to LAX is about 10 hours. Definately worth the airport wait.

alanRow, what you chose and what actually happens at CDG are often two diffent things.

Tell DH that once he's changed planes at CDG, he will NEVER choose that option again.

Hmmmm.."beside himself".....sounds like a video camera and a real UTube moment

Whenever you have preferred/premium seating at stake for a long flight, it *never* pays to risk it for a shorter layover.

You might want to check out whether you have access to all Delta partner lounges when flying international -- the Asian airlines usually have better lounges so I always head to Cathay Pacific, for instance, when I'm flying American Air.

I too think you've made the wrong direction. I've been on a flight with a short connection time. Think about if your flight from LA were to leave late. You would spend the whole flight worried about your connection. I've been there and its not a fun way to begin your vacation. I would just assume grab a magazine or a book and find a good cafe. It would be worth the piece of mind.

Tracy

Yikes....I meant to say RIGHT decision!! Sorry about that!

Tracy

And you will have access to the Air France Lounge. I forgot about that.
All you need is a boarding pass in First or Business on a skyteam airline. The new one in terminal 2 is great. Flat panel TVs and intimate seating. Go for it.

Thanks again, I am booking the flight, complete with layover, at 8pm tonight when the ff tickets open up.

Mari, we are staying in Budapest for 3 days, then on a Danube river cruise (Gate 1 travel if anyone has any info it would be much appreciated) then 3 days in Prague. This does not take place until October 2007, but I want to be sure to get the seats/flights I want at the 90k miles per ticket, so I need to book the air today.

I finished my reservation with Delta last night and fyi they now fly Prague to Atlanta non stop, thus alleviating the need to have a layover at CDG.

Hallelujah!

You know, I keep reading about all these bad experiences about CDG, and in 25 years of flying in and out of that airport, I can never recall one problem; this past trip in September I changed my ticket TWICE in Paris at the Air France ticket office at Opera, and then the larger one at l'Invalides (which is where they have a Delta counter inside as well) and they could NOT have been more pleasant, and more helpful-really, really helpful, because my itinerary had gotten all messed up due to the cancellation of my Alitalia flight, and the substitution of a Lufthansa flight instead. They straightened it all out, and emailed my new itinerary to me later that evening-I didn't even have to wait around for them to do it-they told me to go, and they'd handle it- and that's exactly what they did.

I was at CDG again in September, and although there's a fair amount of construction going on, I didn't find it unpleasant at all-FAR, FAR better than Frankfurt-where I have have to make murderous minimum connection times, frantically running through terminals and up exit stairwells because of Lufthansa minimum connection times from Terminals 1 to 2. awful, awful-will NEVER do that again-and their airport doesn't even have the nice little cafes/eateries that CDG has, either.

Hi, I vote for the longer layover. On our last three flights since 2004 with Air France we've had to dash through the terminals. Also the ongoing construction has caused the AF planes to park far on the tarmacs necessitating shuttle bus rides that seem to go on forever. Yes. It's best to while away your time with a longer layover than to stress out with a shorter one.

Call me crazy, but I don't mind hanging around airports for a few extra hours, I don't understand the big problem people have with it.

I'd rather have a few cocktails in the bar any day and avoid "airport/flight anxiety" syndrome.

I agree with suze -- I don't mind a few extra hours in an airport. And when I am a paying passenger (which I am more and more often as 'airline employee travel' becomes more and more difficult), I am delighted by the various compensations that one gets when missing a connection due to another airline's fault. So I always make sure that I have an extra day of vacation for the return portion in case something goes wrong.

that said... i don't mean the 5-12(!) hour kind of layover that i read some people choosing (without realizing by mistake in planning, is my usual impression).

but that 3-5 hour range is OK by me. Airports are world-class people-watching. Throw in a little shopping and reading, some drinks and a meal. I'm sure it might be different for traveling for business, but since I'm always on vacation when I'm in airports, it's all part of the fun imo.

That's exactly how I understood it.

I don't mind long layovers either.

The hallelujah was for getting a direct flight. That's a bonus no matter which airline you use, but in the case of CDG, Delta is relegated to the outer limits of the airport. Even though they use Air France gates to check you in, the good gate slots (the ones actually attached to the main building) are used by AF.

With the collapse of the new terminal a couple of years ago, it's a real challenge to get from one flight to another if you're using Delta. Once you check in at the gate, you get on a bus. The bus may or may not leave as soon as it is full and it may or may not let you get off once it reaches the plane out on the tarmac.

Last year, we waited on the bus for an airline employee for what seemed like forever. Then after we finally got driven out to the plane we waited over 30 minutes while it was being serviced. They wouldn't even open the door.

WOW...LynnieD: All these ideas! and what a wonderful "suprise" to find out that on May 2, 2007 Delta will have a non stop flight Atlanta to Prague and return. And you are going in October, so that should work out perfect. What a bonus to your trip!!! Will certainly make things easier.
I notice they have a few other non stop flights to Europe.
The flight to Budapest is still through CDG, but it will work out fine, I'm sure.
I know you are glad to have your ticket "under your belt"....I guess you got the FF points you wanted.???
Congratulations!

I've posted this before but for those people who have never had a problem at CDG consider yourself blessed. We flew to Rome through there once and coming and going it was a comedy of errors. Heads up on the putting you on the next flight. We were told they needed at least 2 hours to transfer out luggage when the door to the plane was slammed in our faces. Then the luggage never made it anyway! Don't even get me started on the connection home!

Thanks all,

Linda, yes I am thrilled to get the business class tickets at the 90k miles on the exact flights we want. For some reason I don't much care about being hung up in Paris for a few hours or even having to catch a later onward flight to Budapest on the way there. On the way home, I know DH will get very grouchy if things don't go according to Hoyle, so I'd just as soon take no chances.

Happy Days for Lynnie!!!!

We returned from Prague in May on what I think is the same flight through CDG. It was a nail-biter. The shuttle goes all... the...way... around... the... airport if you know what I'm saying. It takes forEVER. We did barely make it, but someone else on the shuttle said he never had made it. I would definitely rather make it a leisurely wait (I'm not psyched about being in the airport longer than required either) than take the risk. BTW, do you really think Delta knows what they're doing?

Our shuttle took so long driving around that passengers new to this were asking if they'd be taking the shuttle to their destination.