Flying into Venice

Two hours will be plenty of time. I once managed a connection with just an hour, but it was a close call.

Yes, it is fine. That is of course assuming that this is all on one ticket. Just be aware that if you are delayed, the airline will get you to Venice on the next available flight. You may want to verify what options are available by the same airline later in the day, just so you know what to expect if the worst happens.

Should I be concerned about a late departure in Houston that would result in less than the 2 hr layover?

Also, if I end up booking a flight with a connection at another airport, what would be your choices in order and how long a layover in each one should I allow.

Thank you

This can vary and we all have our preferences for airports. If you book all on one ticket, the airline will provide you a “legal connection time” that they consider reasonable, so in the case of a delay they will put you on a later flight. I’d go with the two hour Munich flight and not worry about things that could but will probably not happen.
We don’t know all of your options but if you list them, we can rank them.

The other options were LHR , CDG, and FRA.

Thank you

Many of like to avoid LHR and CDG, but with a long layover I’d have less concern — like three hours or so, but I’d only do that for a huge deal. Frankfurt can be a nightmare and you’d want more than two hours. I think Munich is your best bet!

Munich has been easy for me on my transfers there. Based on comments on this forum, I have avoided LHR and CDG.

My preference on connection times is to have at least one hour longer than the airport's minimum--i.e., if I see tickets with 50-minute connections, I want at least 1 hr. 50 min. I'd prefer over 2 hours, but often you have to choose between a connection a bit shorter than you'd like or something like 4-1/2 hours.

I went through MUC in December - two hours is more than enough time - you may have time for a meal. If you are on a Star Alliance flight, I believe the minimum connection time is 40 mins.

As others have mentioned, if both flights are on the same ticket you should be ok. You can check to see what other flights are available from the connecting airport to Venice later in the day. Depending on the airline, if it's part of a larger alliance , they will have more options for getting you on a later flight.

I found 2 flights flying from the Houston, TX into MUC, then on to VCE on United/Air Dolomit. Both arrive at 9:45am (2:45am US time). They have either a 1)Flight option A- 2hr or 2)Flight option B- 5.5hr layover at MUC. This will be booked all on one ticket. There are 5 direct flights that day from MUC to VCE on Air Dolomiti/Lufthausa at 8:20am, 10:10am, 11:50am (Flight option A) 3:20pm (Flight option B) , 6:30pm, 9:30pm.

Should I take the Flight option A with the 2 hour layover and assume if I missed that connection I could take the 3:20p 6:30p or 9:30p flight to VCE?

Thank you

Yes Flight option A

If you miss the airlines will put you on next flight that has seats available

Munich or Amsterdam

To be honest, if your departing flight from the US is delayed, there really is no reasonable transfer that can account for that.

I recently flew to Frankfurt from Atlanta, issues with the plane caused a two hour delay, doesn't happen often, but it can. While I did not have a connecting flight, I did miss a train, that is just the breaks. If you try to be "safe" then you usually find yourself sitting in an airport waiting, while flights take off to your destination, and you wishing you could just get there to relax.

2 hours is plenty of time, Munich is a fine airport to transfer, just go with it.

Still looking at flights.

Coming back to the US, I am looking at flying out of Florence to Munich, but the layover is only 1hr 20 min. From then we would fly to Houston. Is that layover too short going back into the US?

I am looking at flying out of Florence to Munich, but the layover is only 1hr 20 min

If you're on Lufthansa/Star Alliance you will be fine. You will go through a Schengen exit check along the way - just follow the signs to your departure gate.

I would be flying United.Is that within that alliance?

United is a Star Alliance partner.