Jocelyn_P

Our flight is Verona--> London--> Dallas--> Lubbock. We'll have "carry-on luggage" but it will be too heavy by BA standards to take on the plane, so it will likely be checked. Do I have to go through security again when going from one terminal to another at Gatwick? I've done that route before but I was in a post-vacation fog and don't remember much from that day!

Ryan

I've heard a slightly different version of the serenity prayer:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
wisdom to know the difference: and the ability to call the person who screwed it up in the first place an as*hole.!

mkdiebold

I earn my "miles" by using my Mastercard, putting all expenses including my son's college tuition on it. The card (Capital One) allows you to use the miles on any airlines on any day at any time. Forget the individual airlines! They give frequent flyers their leftovers!

mcgeezer

After I read this I reviewed my own upcoming flight to Prague and I now see that I have about 65 minutes to change planes. I almost started to worry until but then why bother making trouble before it't time? I have to trust that many people each day make these flights, as I have in the past and have been fine. You will too.
Trouble enters through the door that fear has opened. Like you said, "take a deep breath, relax and not stress about what could happen."

Mimmel

I've got FFmiles on USair & I've never been able to use them for Travel to Europe. All the seats fill up at least 11 mo ahead for the summer months & we've never known our schedule that far in advance.
Question: I fly to Milan,where I change planes for Venice - All on
Alitalia. I have 80 min between flights. Should I be concerned? Do I go through customs in Milan or in Venice?

CalgirlSusan

mkdiebold, I'm not sure what you mean by the individual airlines giving their frequent flyers their leftovers. Are you suggesting that United or American would give a Capital One user a free flight, but would deny that same flight to their own FF holder? I don't think so.

Jocelyn_P

Calgirl, from what I understand, Capital One pays for the flight. To the airline, it's a paying customer.

Betsy

Deb, here's a strategy that you may be able to use. I've been in the position of wanting to change an FF flight and was able to do it by phoning often, even daily, as new FF seats can open up at any time if the passenger load isn't as heavy as expected. Study the flight schedule, and when you phone know the number of the flight(s) that would be acceptable to you. Buona fortuna.

CarolA

I find that I can often change a frequent flyer ticket at the last minute when changes in the weeks and months in advance were not possible. My theory is that Delta realizes that there is no way they are selling that full fare ticket and lets me change.

The other option (one I have used in the US) is to show up for an earlier flight from Florence and see if they will let you on it. Sometimes it works, but with 4 people it might be rough.

Surfergirl

Debby,
You shouldn't sweat it. We're doing the same thing this summer, except taking the train back to Paris. We have a short layover in Paris from LAX to Paris. In speaking with the Air France reservationist, she told me that both the plane from LA to Paris and the plane from Paris to Rome is in terminal 2 at CDG, so you won't have a problem from that end (also, Air France or one of its affiliates leaves for Rome every 2 hours).
Keep in mind that on the way back, unless you're taking the last flight out on Air France that day, they actually have 3 flights per day from Paris to LAX, and they will arrange for you to get on the next flight back. They may even upgrade you if they don't have the room in economy. They're quite good about that.

Therese

I've made numerous connections at CDG in under an hour, some requiring sprints or shuttle rides between terminals. I've never missed one, though I did have checked luggage arrive a few hours later on one occasion.

For all the chaos that CDG seems to embrace, it ends up working pretty well in the end. Have a great trip!

sera

I had a bad experience with this. My AF flight out of Rome left late and by the time we got to paris, my flight home had left -- and it was the last flight to NY that day! And I really needed to get home. Just be prepared.

historytraveler

Airlines will book flights within what they consider the legal limit ( 45/55 mins, for international flight) and as another Fordorite stated this means they take no responsibility for a missed flight. Their intent is to book you on a flight of their chosing not yours. I refuse to accept any less than 2 hours between international flights. I believe arrival times for planes reflect the time the flight actually lands;you then have to taxi to the gate which can take what seems like forever, then disembark, and if you are at the back of the plane, it'll can be excruciatingly slow. Then one has to find the correct terminal and gate, and frequently go through security.

Your best bet is to be prepared for the worst.Know what steps to take and acquaint yourself with a plan of the terminals, so you'll know exactly where to go. And remember that the worst thing is not missing your flight. Prepare, relax and enjoy.

P_M

Jocelyn, you'll be fine, you have more than enough time. I have gone through Gatwick many times and it's not nearly as big as Heathrow. Just 2 months ago I was there and my first flight was delayed leaving me only 25 minutes to get to my next plane. Both my luggage and I made it. Just remember when you first arrive into Gatwick, do not stand in the long line going through customs, look for the sign for transfers. You will go through security there but it's not bad. Then you will go up an escalator to the main area. From there look for signs to the train to the other termianl. The ride to the other terminal is about 5 minutes and the trains leave very frequently. You will not only make your connection, you will have time to relax and visit the nice shops at Gatwick. Have a great trip.

AAFrequentFlyer

Most of you people worry way too much about the small stuff. The OP is ticketed, so if anything goes wrong the airline will take care of them. RELAX! As Patrick said sometime back, think of it as a possible extra day of vacation if something goes wrong, and surprisingly boring if you just walk over to the connecting plane and it's still there, waiting for you!
You're on vacation!!! Don't sweat the small stuff!

Jocelyn_P

AAFrequentFlyer, are you back??? Can't wait for the trip report!