We land in Frankfurt from the U.S. on a United Airlines flight, and have only 50 minutes to catch a connecting Lufthansa flight to Naples. When we get off in Frankfurt, will we have to go through passport control/security? What suggestions do you have to accomplish this herculean feat?
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8931 posts
Select seats as close to the front of the plane as you can on the United flight.
Use the restroom on the plane about 40 minutes before landing so that you don't have to make a pit stop on the ground.
Download the Apps for these airlines. Use them to keep track of arrival and departure gates and even a map of the airport to help you make the transfer.
Have a back up plan. Know what the next flight is if you miss this one or even what flight would be available the next day. Be prepared that you could miss this connection and know that things will still work out.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1165 posts
You might also mention your tight margins to the airplane staff when you board. Especially if you are not alone they may ask people without time concerns to remain seated and allow people with concerns to deplane first. Depending on the airline and the crew I have seen them work to make requests happen for people.
Compliance with these requests may vary - especially after a long flight - but I've seen this work on flights that are arriving late so people with tight connections were given top priority. If find that other travelers usually have sympathy since we've all been on the wrong side of a situation at some point.
And I'm not advocating bribery but my wife brought cookies for the crews of our last international flight and while we didn't have any special requests they were incredibly grateful.
I'm just saying,
=Tod
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7261 posts
Esther-
We had a similar flight change a few years ago. United to Rome thru Frankfurt with about a 1.5 hour layover.
Our flight left EWR late- about 40 min IIRC- so I had resigned to missing our connecting flight and figured we'd get there when we got there. We landed at least 40 min late, so had about 50 min like you.
But much to my surprise we made it with actually enough time for a pit stop. United was very good at getting us to next gate on time. You won't be the only passenger heading towards that Naples (or other) flight.
We got to the next gate desk- checked in and I went to the restroom. Still had a few min to sit before we boarded next flight on time. I was pleasantly amazed.
Our luggage made it as well.
Follow Carol's advice and know that United is responsible for getting you to Naples. Usually on next flight , hopefully not next day!
Not much you can control so it's not worth stressing over. Travel/flying is stressful enough.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
Let the flight crew know about your connection time. Passport control shouldn't take too long. There's often an employee asking those in line if anyone has a short connection, and moving them to the front or a separate shorter line. If the trip is on a single ticket, Lufthansa will get you to Naples on the next flight with seats if you miss the connection. Good advice about the restrooms. Hopefully you'll have time for another pit stop at the gate for your Naples flight.