I need to use a non-protected connection through Lisbon in May. The major flight from Lisbon to LAX is booked and paid for, and I sure don't want to miss that one. It leaves at 5 am.
I need to get to that flight from Madeira, on s separate ticket. There are many flights per day and some that don't get into Lisbon until 11pm or so. I'd love to spend as much time in Madeira as possible, and as little time in Lisbon as possible. One of the latest flights would be great. I'd just skip getting a hotel room in Lisbon and hang out at the airport until my very early flight the next morning.
My dilemma is that I worry about the flight from Madeira getting canceled or grossly delayed - and then missing the flight to LAX. I'm thinking that perhaps I need to take an earlier flight, and one that is not the very last flight for the day. Then, if one flight gets canceled, there will probably be later ones available. It means more time in Lisbon and probably a hotel room that I'll have to leave at o'dark thirty to make the 5am flight.
Any suggestions?