Potential problem w/ connecting flights at CDG
 

Air France recently notified us that, instead of a 2 hour difference between our arrival (from Nice) and our departure to the US, we now have 1.5 hours. I am concerned that, since we have to change terminals & probably go through security again, there will not be enough time. Do I have reason to worry?

What airline are you connecting to?

If both flights are on the same AF tix you should be ok - they have to see to it that you make it or make up to you, and they can be quite good at chaperoning pax through CDG. But alert the crew before landing.

Actually 1.5 hrs is fine as long as you are on one ticket. But you do have to get moving as soon as you are off the plane (no stopping for food, shopping, etc).
We had just under 90 min recently on AF. Immigration was fairly fast but security took a LONG time. They searched EVERY single carry-on for US flights. We walk very fast. Even so, it took us about 70 minutes to get from first plane to next boarding gate.

If on AF, they do a really good job getting people with short connections (less than 1 hr) onto the next flight (crew standing by airplane exit to escort people onwards).

I know this goes against lots of opinions, but if you want to get thru the airport very quickly, minimize your carry-ons. Security took a REALLY long time because of the searches.

I had aconnection at CDG all on Air FRnace and there was no one from the airline at the doorway or anywhere in isght. The security lines were horrendous and this was 3 years ago bfeor the increasde security.

You may alos be brought o the terminal, as were we, by bus which took us about 1/2 hour alone. Our luggage followed us 3 days later
Good luck.

David J

Hi H,

AF does this to everyone (almost).

Your plane might land somewhere so far out in left field that you can't see the terminal.

You could be taken by shuttle to CDG2, marched through long corridors and up and down stairs, where despite what they might tell you, you will go through passport control.

Then be prepared for a stressful dash through the airport, the frustration of standing on long slow lines at security, unhelpful staff and a 50% chance of missing your connection.

Do not panic, do not get angry, do not shout, do not weep - the staff gets bonus points if you do that.

If you miss your plane, they will put you on the next one.

If you are lucky, your connecting flight will be delayed long enough for you to board.

There should be Tee shirts with the saying "I survived CDG".

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

Thanks for the responses, everyone. Both of our flights are on Air France, so I'll count that as a plus. I will research the terminals, put together a plan of action, and hope the flight from Nice gets in on time.

Ira,

Perhaps you could start a tee-shirt company with that slogan? I'd buy!

I recently posted with a similar question ("What if I miss my flight at CDG?") so you can search that, if you haven't already and read what the many responses that I received. I have a 90 minute connection time on my outbound NYC-Paris-Rome and only a 45 minute connection on the return trip home.

One response that I did get stated that luggage cannot be placed on a plane without the passenger (although I guess if it is true then it would only be placed on a plane by mistake or if it has been misplaced and is being sent back to you?...)

Anyway your concern seems to be quite common among travelers. I got reservations through AirFrance via Delta because I was trying to use a FFlyer ticket and it was the only partner airline we could find on the dates that I needed. If I would have read all of these posts on CDG and AirFrance as carefully as I read other posts I probably never would have booked with AirFrance or paid more attention to the connection times. I was just too focused on getting to Rome (understandable)...

About 3 years ago we made a tight connection from Vienna to NYC at CDG but this is before I was tuned into the situation at CDG. I remember just making it to our flight and I also remember that as we were boarding the plane I was the one pulled to the side to be searched by security.