Scary flight connection time at DFW?
 

Flight arrives at DFW at 9:45 am; connecting flight to Fresno is at 10:25 am; 40 minutes total! As of today, when I checked out this route, the arriving flight gate was in terminal A, departing terminal C. I haven't been to DFW in so long, I'm wondering how manageable this will be ... questioned the agent, and she says it's a legal connection. Comments?

DFW has a new internal tram system that is close and quick. Appreciating that 40 minutes is tight, if you are on time the transit is no problem.

While nobody likes to miss a connection, I'd keep the tight schedule and make them book me on the next flight rather than voluntarily sit around for several hours.

When we transferred between terminals at DFW last year the train system was VERY fast and the trains seemed to come frequently.

Thanks, guys, for your info. stumpworks, I went to the dfw airport and read and printed all the info on the SkyTram. I feel a wee bit better. Will the flight attendants ever let you out ahead of the crowd in they know you have such a tight connection? We are in row 17 on a M80 ... maybe if I mention it, she would pull us out first????

duh ... meant the dfw airport WEBSITE! :p

"Will the flight attendants ever let you out ahead of the crowd in they know you have such a tight connection?"

I wouldn't count on it because 40 minutes is more than doable at DFW. If it will ease your mind, you could ask to be seated closer to the front. I've made terminal changes at DFW in a lot less time than 40 minutes and I still had time for the bathroom and a stop for coffee or a snack. Unless you are delayed, you'll be FINE!! :-)

For additional peace of mind, check the flight schedule for flights between DFW and Fresno. Since you're connecting flight is in the morning, I am willing to bet there are a couple more flights out later that day. If you miss your 10:25 flight, you could get on a later flight.

Just to clarify, when I bought coffee or a snack it was to take on the plane. There was not time to linger in a cafe. ((c))

Time of deplaning between Row 7 and Row 17 is likely less than 2 minutes. Don't stress over it.

If you need to take the train, find a seat to sit down. Or hang on tight. It's really really very fast.

Gates can vary, but all terminals are connected by that train.

Back in December I connected at DFW in about 5 minutes from A do D concourse - but that's because I was running at full speed, having already spent three days at airports trying to get home for the holidays and was determined NOT to make it four by being stuck at DFW! Not the way I recommend you connect but by comparison, 40 minutes sounds like an eternity!

Just keep an eye on the arrival time of the inbound flight you're on. If you are, say, a half hour late or something, ask the flight attendant if you can get off first. Also, as suggested above, know in advance the flight numbers and departure times of the later flights leaving for Fresno that day in case you miss your connection - a good idea even if you had more than 40 minutes to connect, at any airport.

It is the other people on the plane who probably won't let you get off before they do because everyone thinks their time is the most valuable!

Dukey is absolutely right.

If your plane is on-time, you and everybody will be okay. If the plane is late, there will be dozens of people in the same situation as yours.

As I said, it only takes a couple of minutes.

Don't do it Elsie. If you don't have 60 minutes period then don't do it. Find an earlier flight and more time to transfer. It ain't worth it. You miss your flight and you are in for a lot of trouble, waiting, and you will for sure lose your luggage.

Biggest problem you might encounter is not the connection time but your originating flight could very easily be delayed on the trip to DFW. Don't chance it. Once was enough for me.

I've never lost my luggage after missing a connection. At worst my luggage makes the connection and I don't, and it's just waiting for me when I get to my destination.

Unless it's a busy travel time, as long as there's another flight after the scheduled flight you are on, I wouldn't worry too much about it, honestly. Most probably you will make the connection just fine.

You could also check the on-time record of this particular flight (your inbound to DFW) to see if it is chronically late or usually late.

You guys are the best ... :) Thanks for all the replies. The inbound flight to DFW is on time 68% of the time, and it's at 7:30 am. I've printed out everything I can about the airport, terminal maps, etc., and I will talk to a flight attendant just in case she might help. There are several flights later in the day, but they include going to L.A., and getting on a puddle-jumper, which I don't want!!! Thanks again, for all your insight,

I will say that while most flights I've taken into DFW were "on time", by the time they taxied to the gate and we got off the plane, we have often been at least a half hour after that "on time" time. Twice in recent memory I would have surely missed my connections if the next flights hadn't been late in departing.

OKAY!!! Patrick, your comment prodded me to talk to AA one more time; discovered I could get a flight out of here at 6:00 a.m., have a 2-hour layover in Dallas. YES!!! Okay, problem solved. New ticket on the way! :-) Thanks again, everyone.