Washington Connection Time
 

I'm flying into Washington from London Heathrow (on the way through to New Orleans), and would like some advice as to how long to leave between landing and the next flight out - taking into account having to clear immigration, customs, etc.

Washington-Dulles right? Well I will allow at least two hours to clear immigration, customs, and re-check your baggage to your domestic flight. Dulles has the worst arrival terminal to clear immigration. You are first transported from the plane to the immigration building. Then transported again from the immigration building to the main terminal for your connecting flight. So, do allow at least two hours.

Greetings. First, I'm guessing that you're flying into Dulles International Airport. If so, the next question is on what day will you be trying to clear customs. If its a holiday or perhaps even a weekend day, I would guess that the worse case scenario is two hours. I would recommend either 90 minutes to clear customs or, if entering on a particularity crazy day 120 minutes.

Thanks for your replies - sounds worrying for my itinery (arriving on a Saturday afternoon, with 2:15 between the connecting flights). I have an option to connect through Chicago - would this be any easier? Cheers!

If I may inquire, what is the date of your arrival?

The dates of travel are important, not only because of holiday and day-of-week issues but also because Chicago is more vulnerable to weather-related issues at some times of year.

Also, please reassure us that both your flights are Dulles-based; there are 3 airports that serve the Washington DC area.

Regardless, 2 hours is cutting it close.

Yep, both flights are Dulles based - flying with United. Looking at arriving on either Friday 22nd April or Saturday 23rd April. What do you reckon?!

That should not be a crazy period as all school spring breaks around DC are earlier than your proposed arrival dates as is Easter. Personally, I think 2 hours should be plenty, but that also assumes an on time arrival of your flight. Perhaps you should check and see how many other flights United has to N'awlins that day in case you miss your flight before you make your guess as to how much time to leave.

Thanks, skipop - I might chance it with Washington DC, the flight isn't due to land until 19:30, so I assume that the 'rush-hour' would be over by then...?! The only downside is that there isn't another flight 'till the next day. Still, if UAL, Expedia et al are pairing up these flights, am I assuming they're giving enough time for the connection?

I was with you up until that last assumption.

Yeah, I think I was pushing that last one, too! Anyway, thanks for your advice - I'll have another go at trying to figure out United's timetable! Cheers!