Hi all,
Planning a trip to Greece late December into early January. I have found a great Delta flight out of Chicago (ORD) but the layover in Paris (CDG) is only one hour. It can be booked directly through the Delta website. Is that layover too short? What happens if we miss our flight in Paris - will Delta rebook us at no cost?
Thanks,
Sharon
Delta will rebook at no charge if you book it all as one ticket. It does seem a bit short. If it were me, I'd book it and then when hold times go down, I'd think about having a conversation with Delta.
If there are no French labor strikes.......after having been caught in the big Dec 2019 strikes in France, [included airlines, buses, trains, et al] I resolved never to fly in/out of France.
But- whatever you decide, safe and wonderful travels!
Looking at the next Air France flight to Athens, it is at 8:40 pm and gets you to Athens at 12:55 am the next day. Or there is a flight on TAROM, a partner airline, at noon connecting in Bucharest that gets to Athens at 9:35 pm. Not very good options. Definitely look for alternatives.
I would look to see if there are other flights that day scheduled. I would not want to be on last or only flight of the day with a connection that tight. My daughter missed her flight to Spain in Atlanta due to her flight to Atlanta being late. She was put on next plane but that was next day.
Summer 2018 we had a one hour layover at CDG. When we arrived in Paris on time we thought okay we can make it. We ran through the airport and arrived at the connecting gate 15 minutes early. Much to our surprise and amazement we were told that the gates close 15 minutes before the flight is scheduled to take off and we weren't allowed to board. No other flights that night and we had to stay over. From that point on we always make sure we have several hours to connect to another flight.
One hour seems definitely too short, even with a EU passport and working automatic border control gates I would not risk it, so with a foreign passport...
My most vivid travel memory is of my first trip abroad, connecting through CDG--originally had a 2 hr layover but flight delays shortened it to 1 hr and there I was, a stranger in a strange land, adrift in a milling throng of equally confused people, no discernible lines, no adequate signs, but somehow I managed to get the attention of an employee who led me quickly to security, made a call, got me through and off I went running to my gate in my socks, arriving in a sweaty, disheveled heap. Never again. If I have to go through CDG I plan 3 hrs at least.
When calculating the available time (which in a tight connection is like calculating the odds) remember that the clock starts when the plane lands, not when you enter the terminal. And some flights want all passengers inside the connecting flight up to a half hour before what is stated. And even if you make it, your checked bags may not. And you will only be seated on the next flight if there are empty seats available. And your carry-on luggage requires another security check in a central hall, not the gate, for the second flight.
What's your gambling instinct tell you?
Hi all,
Thanks so much for all the information! Since my gambling instincts are not good - I'll find another flight.
:) Sharon
Sharon .... good idea 1 hour is too short ... heck I look for at least 3 hours for CDG
