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Lisbon to Austin changing planes in Boston question

I am not an experienced traveler. I have minimal experience flying international.

I have an international trip planned in October flying from Austin TX to London and returning home from Lisbon to Austin changing planes in Boston.

I was told by members in this forum to expect the airlines to change my flights several times before my trip and that is what is happening.

When I booked my flight home, I had about a 6 hour layover in Boston which was fine with me. Then Delta c hanged it to about 4 1/2 hours and that was ok but now Delta has changed it to about 2 1/2 hours. That concerns me.

I am supposed to arrive in Boston about 3:20 pm. My flight from Boston to Austin leaves about 5:40 pm.

Is that enough time to comfortably change planes?

I have Global Entry. I won't check a bag, just carry on

I have flown to and from Logan many times but only domestically and never Delta / Virgin. I have never changed planes in Boston.

I know that many many members on this Forum are very experienced international travelers and probably have flown from Lisbon to Boston where you changed planes.

What do you think?

Posted by
14811 posts

As long as your plane arrives around it's scheduled arrival time, you'll even have time for a cup of coffee or something to eat.

Have you used Global Entry in the past?

Posted by
4256 posts

By October they may have changed back to the 6 1/2 hr layover.

Posted by
5687 posts

Should be plenty of time. Is there a later flight on to Austin from Boston in case your inbound is very late and you miss your connection? If so, I'd feel even better about it.

Posted by
891 posts

Look at it this way. If Delta is delayed and you miss your flight, they are on the hook for food, lodging and a new flight. 2.5 hours should be fine.

Posted by
603 posts

You don't indicate whether the Lisbon => Boston flight is on Delta or a partner. I did some research on this for a flight back to the States upcoming in November - your Lisbon flight may arrive at the international terminal, then you will have to walk across the airport on a sky bridge after clearing immigration to Delta/Terminal A, and clear security again.

Since you know your flight numbers, you can look at arrivals now to verify where you'll arrive. The BOS web sites aren't the best providing information regarding connecting from international to domestic, but I saw enough that I feel comfortable with my 2:30 layover - and my flight from Rome is typically early. Plus it's Delta's problem if you miss your connection.

bostonphil7 - your saga continues.

Posted by
1900 posts

Frank II

I have used TSA Pre but only got Global Entry for this upcoming trip and those that might follow. TSA Pre is part of Global Entry but domestic.

Cala

By October, there may be a 20 hour layover with the way things change.

Markow

I booked through Delta. I am being put on Virgin going to London but uncertain as to whether I am flying back Delta or Virgin. I will have to go check.

Posted by
1900 posts

Thanks for all your replies.

Feel better knowing that Delta will be responsible for me if I miss the plane because they did not give me enough time during a layover. Boston is my home town so would not mind overnighting. I love Boston.

Posted by
1900 posts

Markow

I believe that Lisbon to Boston and then on to Austin is on Delta

Saw nothing that said Operated by Virgin Atlantic

Posted by
14811 posts

You are on a Delta flight between Lisbon and Boston. Virgin Atlantic doesn't fly that route.

Thank you for explaining Global Entry. I've only had it for nearly 10 years. (BTW, with Global Entry you get TSA Pre.)

The reason I asked was because it didn't seem like you had ever used it. Watch this video to learn how to use it. (Make note....do not follow the crowd. Follow the signs to Global Entry.)

https://youtu.be/EnxfsZrnPv0

You will be through in minutes. Last January, from stepping off the airplane, walking to passport control, using the kiosk, seeing an officer, walking through customs and out the door into the main terminal--8 minutes.

Two and a half hours will be enough time.

Posted by
891 posts

Delta has a code share arrangement with Virgin Atlantic. I did a dummy booking on Google Flights and the same Delta flights can be booked on VA. As Frank II has stated these are all Delta operated flights. Since you have Global Entry you are good to go.

Posted by
1900 posts

Frank II

Thanks for the video. This flight in October will only be my SECOND international flight.

I have flown many times domestically and I have gone to ports in Mexico, Central America and Canada but only on a cruise ship.

I flew to and from Copenhagen in 2019 to take a Baltic Cruise and that has been it.

Posted by
60 posts

We recently flew back from LIS to SFO via BOS on Delta with a 3 hour connection. While we made it, it was a bit of a nail biter because the aircraft parked on the tarmac instead of at a gate so that we had to be bussed to the building and then walked landside from Terminal E to Terminal A (which was a very long walk). Also had to go through TSA check at Terminal A.

Global Entry and TSA Pre certainly helped and may even have made the connection possible.

OP, you don't have checked bags, so you're even less likely to miss your connection.

Posted by
1900 posts

unmesh

it sounds like you had a glitch with your flight from Lisbon to Boston. It sounds like an unusual situation and a nightmare.

Of course, I could have a glitch too. No telling