Ridiculously short connection times (between flights)

[Jumpin Jack Flash]

What's the shortest connection time you've had between 2 legged flights to or from LOS ?

The shortest I can remember was 90 mins and that was pretty tight.  But I've just booked flights with Qatar Airways and notice the connection time between leg1 and leg 2 is just 45 mins

I've been thru Doha many times, its a great airport, but I don't think 45 mins is doable for a connection. 

[LeoTex]

The shortest for me was 55 minutes in Seoul.

Flying Korean Air from Bangkok to Inchon and then Delta to Atlanta.

Had to go to the transfer desk to get a boarding pass in Inchon, then through security and to the gate.

When I got to gate they were boarding and when I got to Atlanta, my luggage made it.

LeoTex 

[Bonkabit]

2 hours ago, Jumpin Jack Flash said:

I've just booked flights with Qatar Airways and notice the connection time between leg1 and leg 2 is just 45 mins

When you are on your first plane, ask to speak to the chief steward; show him your tickets and point out the short connection time. Do the same at first check-in.

This has happened to me more than once: each time I have been escorted first off the plane and guided to the gate for my next flight.

Once (Vienna, Schwechat), the first plane ran late so I missed the connection. Austrian Air put me into a four-star hotel, dinner, bed and breakfast, plus bag of toiletries, underwear, socks; continued to Bangkok next morning. Total delay about 15 hours.

 

[eddydb]

50 minutes in HKG on my way to BKK several times.  I've never had a problem getting to the connection.  The one time my flight was delayed, they had a person waiting to walk me from the plane to my next gate.  I could have made it faster by myself, but I knew they would be holding the plane if need be.  

I'm always more worried about my luggage making it, but never had a problem.  

[LarryDarrell]

One hour at Inchon.  Can't remember if it was KAL or Asiana.  But the connection was on the same airline and booked directly with the airline.  It was an approved itinerary that they published so I was confident that they would hold the plane for me (within reason).  I'd never book anything that tight across airlines, but that's just my personal preference.

[striderman]

it is not in the airlines interests for you or others making the same connection to miss the flight.

[ricktoronto]

4 hours ago, Jumpin Jack Flash said:

What's the shortest connection time you've had between 2 legged flights to or from LOS ?

The shortest I can remember was 90 mins and that was pretty tight.  But I've just booked flights with Qatar Airways and notice the connection time between leg1 and leg 2 is just 45 mins

I've been thru Doha many times, its a great airport, but I don't think 45 mins is doable for a connection. 

It's legal, the minimum International to International (II) where QR is the same carrier is 45 minutes

STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.
ONLINE    .20  1.00  1.00  1.00
OFFLINE   .20  1.00  1.00  1.00
** OR * ARE ALL
QR-QR II  1.25 FLT 3500 - 6999 - ALL  ALL - CANADA  
QR-QR II  1.25 FLT 3500 - 6999 - ALL  ALL - UNITED STATES  
QR-QR II  1.00 ALL  - FLT 3500 - 6999 
QR-QR II  1.00 FLT 3500 - 6999 - ALL  
QR-QR II  1.00 ALL - CANADA  
QR-QR II  1.00 ALL - UNITED STATES  
QR-QR II   .45 
**-QR II  1.25 ALL - CANADA  
**-QR II  1.25 ALL - UNITED STATES  
**-QR II  1.00

[OoJohnnyoO]

Flew MAS, Syd-Bkk with a 60min connection at KUL. Actually done it 2 trips in a row because their prices were ridiculously cheap not long after that plane went missing and the other was shot down.

Both times had no issues with the connection, however, the 2nd trip my bag missed the connecting flight. It was sent on the next flight, then forwarded to my hotel in Pattaya.

[chelseafan]

5 hours ago, Jumpin Jack Flash said:

What's the shortest connection time you've had between 2 legged flights to or from LOS ?

The shortest I can remember was 90 mins and that was pretty tight.  But I've just booked flights with Qatar Airways and notice the connection time between leg1 and leg 2 is just 45 mins

I've been thru Doha many times, its a great airport, but I don't think 45 mins is doable for a connection. 

70mins. LHR > DXB > BKK with Emirates.

Luckily the plane landed a little early so I was able to get to the lounge in Dubai for a quick smoke.

 

[Buddy Edgewood]

I don't know Doha airport, so I'm sorry I can't say if you'll you make your connection with only 55 minutes in between.  However, to help you have a smoother, worry free trip, I would highly suggest only taking carry-on luggage+backpack.  There's nothing worse than getting to your holiday destination and your checked luggage is somewhere else.  Pretty much everything you could possibly need is available in Pattaya.  Except for condoms that fit properly, bring your own.

[Jumpin Jack Flash]

Since its the same airline (Qatar), I'm reasonably confident they will have a contingency plan if the first flight is delayed. They are selling the flights after all, and I won't be the only passenger in this position.

But, as someone pointed out, I'm more worried about my hold luggage not getting on the connecting fight. I've never experienced missing luggage and that would spoil my trip (esp since I only have 2 days in Pats). 

[ZRHuser]

They will usually wait for connecting passengers for some time. I remember sitting for one hour in a Oman Air plane in Muscat, waiting for people from a Oman Air flight running late. Thanks god I was in Business, so I just had some more Champagner waiting for takeoff. 

[Straw]

On 06/05/2019 at 00:12, Jumpin Jack Flash said:

What's the shortest connection time you've had between 2 legged flights to or from LOS ?

The shortest I can remember was 90 mins and that was pretty tight.  But I've just booked flights with Qatar Airways and notice the connection time between leg1 and leg 2 is just 45 mins

I've been thru Doha many times, its a great airport, but I don't think 45 mins is doable for a connection. 

Have been on the minimum connection time twice on qatar which you're now on. If the airline list it as viable thats all you need to know.

Contrary to popular belief (at all airports) ground handling do know the short connections and deal accordingly. The 2nd sector wont go without you rest assured unless you deliberately disappear off to a bar or something

[Rambuttri village]

Doha seems to come up as conversations on many forums especially the short connection times. IMO 45 minutes is doable as I think Doha is especially geared up for short connection times. Qatar are very well organised and Doha one of the most efficient airports I've passed through. Last time I passed through with a 70 minute stay over easily making my ongoing plane and can't even recall going through a scanner.

[Kandinski]

On 06/05/2019 at 04:02, LeoTex said:

The shortest for me was 55 minutes in Seoul.

Flying Korean Air from Bangkok to Inchon and then Delta to Atlanta.

Had to go to the transfer desk to get a boarding pass in Inchon, then through security and to the gate.

When I got to gate they were boarding and when I got to Atlanta, my luggage made it.

LeoTex 

Koreans are bloody efficient.

 

5 minutes ago, Rambuttri village said:

Doha seems to come up as conversations on many forums especially the short connection times. IMO 45 minutes is doable as I think Doha is especially geared up for short connection times. Qatar are very well organised and Doha one of the most efficient airports I've passed through. Last time I passed through with a 70 minute stay over easily making my ongoing plane and can't even recall going through a scanner.

45 min may be doable but e.g. terms and condition for most travel insurance state 90 minute transfer if shit get sour and luggage and pax dont make the transfere

[Red Rooster]

I flew Quatar on my 2nd trip, 55 minute connection between flights with no problem, in fact I had a 20 minute wait before boarding.

[dingbat22]

On 06/05/2019 at 00:12, Jumpin Jack Flash said:

What's the shortest connection time you've had between 2 legged flights to or from LOS ?

The shortest I can remember was 90 mins and that was pretty tight.  But I've just booked flights with Qatar Airways and notice the connection time between leg1 and leg 2 is just 45 mins

I've been thru Doha many times, its a great airport, but I don't think 45 mins is doable for a connection. 

On short connections like this, there is a very good chance checked luggage might not make the connection. If you are checking in luggage make sure you have at least 3 to 4 days of change of clothing in your carry on bag

[Paling]

On 06/05/2019 at 06:20, Jumpin Jack Flash said:

But, as someone pointed out, I'm more worried about my hold luggage not getting on the connecting fight. I've never experienced missing luggage and that would spoil my trip (esp since I only have 2 days in Pats).

In the last 10 years, they have missed placed my luggage 5 times. South Africa twice, once in Germany, one in Spain and once in the UK. It have always turned up within the next 24 hrs. On one occasion they had to drive 500km to catch-up with me.

Very annoying experience...

 

[cheetzie]

SLHR - Vienna - BKK with Austrian airlines where the transfer time was 35 mins. I did this twice where the first time we all made the flight in Vienna. Sadly, the second time the flight from LHR was delayed  90 minutes so we all ended up in a 4 start hotel somewhere in the centre of Vienna for 7 hours until the next morning's flight to BKK.

[Jumpin Jack Flash]

2 hours ago, dingbat22 said:

On short connections like this, there is a very good chance checked luggage might not make the connection. If you are checking in luggage make sure you have at least 3 to 4 days of change of clothing in your carry on bag

That was my main worry, although if the 2nd flight is made to wait for connecting passengers (as has been suggested not only on here but on travel forums I've looked at), then surely its made to wait for connecting luggage also. 

I will of course pack enough clothes in carry-on luggage, to get by for 2 or 3 days, but I'll be missing some essentials that are too heavy to include in the very limited 7kg allowance. 

[blue1878]

I live in the north of England and back in 1994 me and my mate got a good deal with Eva air who at the time were flying out of Gatwick.  The deal we got included a shuttle flight from Manchester to Gatwick.  When we originally booked there was about 2 hours between the shuttle flight landing and the long haul flight taking off.

Anyway I cannot remember why but just before we were due to fly flight times changed and there was less than 30 minutes between flights.  The shuttle fight landed in the North terminal (I think) and the long haul took off from the South Terminal.  So me and my mate and one other person once we had got of the shuttle flight had to quickly walk from one terminal to the other terminal and straight to the boarding gate.  We were the las 3 to board the flight. And the baggage made it as well

[dingbat22]

12 hours ago, Jumpin Jack Flash said:

That was my main worry, although if the 2nd flight is made to wait for connecting passengers (as has been suggested not only on here but on travel forums I've looked at), then surely its made to wait for connecting luggage also. 

I will of course pack enough clothes in carry-on luggage, to get by for 2 or 3 days, but I'll be missing some essentials that are too heavy to include in the very limited 7kg allowance. 

Prepare for the worse, and hope for the best

[Ru4Real]

15 hours ago, dingbat22 said:

On short connections like this, there is a very good chance checked luggage might not make the connection.

Very little chance. If there was, the airlines wouldn't schedule it so.

[usexpat46]

If you're making a connection through Shanghi you'll need at least 2 hours.  You have to go thru immigration and get a visa even though you're only making a connection, then go and collect any checked luggage and pass thru customs.  Then go to your connecting flight airline and recheck your luggage,, go thru Immigration and then pass thru security before heading to your gate. You'll use up 2 pages in your passport in you're flying R/T thru Shanghi.

[regyai]

With the caveat that bookings are all on the same ticket

 

The airline is liable and foots the bill if connections are missed / luggage delayed

 

So if it's not 'doable' they're not issuing the ticket

 

(all airports I believe have a declared transit time that the airlines use to determine what is 'doable')