We are looking at flights from Seattel to Paris and I've found an Aer Lingus flight that gives us a 1 hour 40 minute layover on the inbound flight. Is that enough? I've only been to DUB airport once but that was my final destination so no idea how much time is needed to get through security/immigration. I know in FRA that would be almost impossible. How is DUB?
Outbound, the layover is 1 hour 15 minutes. Would that be do-able?
Thanks in advance!
The thing to remember about your return is DUB is a US preclearance facility. So you go through Ireland's equivalent of TSA; then a separate preclearance for US bound flights. So factor in extra time needed.
You should not have to go through immigration at DUB, since it is not in Schengen. It has been a few years, but I had similar time going to Germany through DUB, and I had time to get a cup of coffee at the gate before boarding. There should be a later flight to CDG if there is some sort of delay inbound.
Is there a reason you're not considering a non-stop flight from SEA to CDG? There are a few direct flights daily from SEA, either via Air France or Delta. Although there are some flight itineraries where this cannot be avoided, having a connecting flight anywhere usually increases the likelihood of complications (e.g., flight delay, checked bags that don't make it to the connecting flight, even if you do).
The layover times for either flight you're considering are very unforgiving, particularly your return (CDG-DUB-SEA) flight, as KD points out. I'm assuming that even connecting flights through DUB will require time to go through immigration (unlike what Sam suggests). Passengers departing DUB to the US go through immigration there rather than in your arriving US airport, hence KD's point about needing extra time for that. Who knows how long it will take to go through passport control/immigration at DUB? I doubt 1.25 hours is enough.
I would pay a higher fare for a non-stop CDG-SEA flight to avoid the way-too-tight transit time via DUB.
Assuming this is all one ticket you should be fine on the way to Paris. On the way out you should stay airside and go straight to the next gate using the transfer corridor just before DUB immigration. As noted above, you will pre-clear US immigration in DUB on the way home. But only US immigration. You should still be airside. But it will be tighter. I would see if on the way back you can get an earlier flight since Aer Lingus only has one flight/day to SEA. Here's the Dublin flight connections guide: https://www.dublinairport.com/docs/default-source/flight-timetables-and-schedules/flight-connection-guide.pdf?sfvrsn=f0c30938_2. By the way, Dublin has Mobile Passport Control so that should expedite US preclearance.
We flew Aer Lingus 10/23 from CDG thru Dublin to Newark and it was a very tight connection. We had to run to plane and we were last on the flight too short for us. You might have better experience. Best of luck!
Couple things...
First, lets be sure about our terminology: usually the "outbound" is the leg leaving home, taking you to your destination. The "inbound" is a little ambiguous - so I prefer the term "return" for coming home. OK, onward...
DUB is not a huge airport and is fairly easy to connect through, but it can get extremely backed up at times, if many flights have arrived around the same time. I've been in really, really long lines there to get through preclearance. You will want to be on your "A" game, getting off your first flight quickly (sit as close to the door as you can) and move swiftly through the airport to make your connection.
This bit is important: Yes, if you are on a single ticket, Aer Lingus is responsible for getting you to your destination (or home), so if your inbound flight is late and you mis-connect, you won't be stuck with a worthless ticket and a need to buy a new one (if on two separate tickets, that's a risk). But...if you misconnect, they need to put you on the next available flight. With Aer Lingus, coming back from DUB to SEA, the next available flight may be the following day. Because (unless they've added greater frequency), Aer Lingus only has a single flight from DUB to SEA per day (you might check their schedule, it varies seasonally - they may have 2 flights per day in peak summer season, less than daily in winter). So, the risk if you mis-connect is that you might get a free bonus night in Dublin. There are worse things that can happen to you, but maybe you have important stuff waiting for you and getting home one day later might throw a wrench into your plans. Note that going TO Europe, Aer Lingus has multiple flights every day (maybe not multiple flights to CDG, but they'll have more/better options). They also have partners that they MIGHT be able to rebook you on (either way) so it's not necessarily a show-stopper, but they'll have fewer options than a bigger airline like United, Lufthansa or Delta would (bigger airlines = more planes, more ways to get you home).
Non-stops from SEA to Europe are great, but often more expensive (maybe a lot more expensive than a one-stop on Aer Lingus).
Are you using Alaska miles for the flight? (just a guess...)
BTW: If you do have time to kill in DUB, check out the chocolate restaurant.
I appreciate all the replies. We were considering this flight option as it saves over $500 on our round-trip but such tight connection times make me apprehensive. Even if Aer Lingus had to put us up overnight if we mis-connected (oh, no...a night in Dublin LOL) I think we'll need to discuss whether the financial savings is worth the anxiety.
Thank you to everyone. Bon voyage a tous!
My mother is flying from SEA to London and has a quick connection (1hr)with Aer Lingus in DUB. Believe me the cheap ticket is worth it!!!
The simple answer is, always give yourself a minimum of 1-1.5 hr for a plane connection. If you are a family of 4 (small children) make it for the longer 1.5hr. If you have any slow walkers among you then you will Absolutely want the longer 1.5hr. Otherwise you will be fine!
By the way from SEA always be prepared to buy a European air ticket Dec to March 1st for the Spring of the next year. I have been flying out of that airport over 20 years and that is the cheapest time to purchase, soooo many sales.
Dublin Airport has a Flight Connections Guide.
