Chicago to London thru Boston

I do not recall much about Boston, but all you are doing is getting from one gate to another. I do see that there is a direct link between terminals A and E, so you are not having to trudge through 5 terminals if that is what you were imagining.

On the return, in Detroit, you will have to go through immigration, pick u and recheck any checked bags, and go through security, but in the half dozen times I have been through Detroit, it is easy and quick. McNamara terminal is basically all Delta, and the flights seemed timed so 5 do not show up at once. Under a half hour was pretty typical as I recall.

Thank you for the reply. I have learned that in Boston, there is a shuttle between Terminals A and E, used only by Delta. Taking the shuttle apparently means not having to pass thru security again. Has anyone had any experience with this shuttle?

well, I will tell you about my recent experience with a layover in Boston.

I flew on Delta from Lisbon to Austin with having to change planes in Boston. I had a 2 hour and 15 minute layover in Boston. I did not think that it would be enough time but I was at the gate to Austin one hour before leaving.

So I landed in Boston and went through immigration. Had to get my luggage because it had been checked, rechecked it to Austin. Can not remember but I think that I had to go through security and was at the gate to Austin with one hour to spare.

And of course, I had to go from Terminal E to Terminal A.

Can no longer remember exact order of what I did.

That was my experience but I think that you are still cutting it close .

If your flight is on time, 1 hour & 45 minutes is certainly enough time.

Your risk is what to do if your inbound into BOS is very late or cancelled. Is there a later flight to LHR from BOS in case you miss your connection? If not, I would take an earlier flight to BOS.

As for Detroit, do you have global entry? Having that will make immigration a breeze.

Hello,

I flew Delta Milwaukee > Boston > Rome last June and had a 2-hour connection time. My first plane was delayed giving me only 1 hour to connect. It was the perfect amount of time for me to change terminals and go through TSA again. I had time to use the restroom and boarding started not long after I settled at the gate. I was traveling carry on only - I'm not sure if you check bags if you have to collect and recheck them.

Last year July I flew Delta home from Paris through Detroit. Again carry on only. It was super quick to get through customs but I was in Business class so I was at the front of the pack. :) That said, I think 90 minutes should be plenty of time.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for the replies! If I hadn’t read about the Delta shuttle, I wouldn’t even consider this option. The flight delay is what gives me pause and is the reason I generally choose direct flights. This flight is about half the cost of a direct flight, thus tempting. I’m hoping to hear from someone who’s used the Delta shuttle.

I do have global entry, so Detroit doesn’t concern me as much. Plus, at that point a delay isn’t as big a deal.

Sue, in Boston did you walk from A to E? I have read it’s a 10 minute walk but then you go through security again. With the shuttle, you bypass security. Like you, I’m carryon only.

I was just through Boston, but in the direction opposite to that which you are asking about.

Yes, Delta offers a shuttle from the domestic terminal to the international, but it only works for international departures. It might be at or near gate A11. With the shuttle you should have adequate time to make your connection, as you'll remain airside.

It's a different story for international arrivals - as I just did returning from Rome - you go through immigration [took very little time early afternoon], claim your bags if checked, walk past customs, then drop the bag at the transfer desk. You then have the choice of an incredibly long walk, using moving sidewalks, across the airport via a skybridge going through a number of parking garages, to reach the domestic terminal, or, go out to the street and take the terminal shuttle to domestic. Then you must go through security again - people were joking that the Precheck line was longer than the standard security line - but only a short wait. Note that the immigration process seemed archaic after the high-tech kiosks in place in Rome. It took a bit over an hour to reach my gate in the A terminal, but some of that was spent waiting for my bag.

Mark, that sounds like a nightmare! I’m glad my return isn’t thru Boston!

Well I know that everyone on here thinks spending hours at an airport is wonderful because we have to assume the worst but I’ve connected at BOS plenty of times. IMHO You have plenty of time with the shuttle. Heck I’ve walked the route and gone back through security in about 45 minutes

All the post about collecting luggage etc do not apply to you. You just get on the shuttle

the cost difference this time around is significant.

May I ask how significant?

I got a great deal on a flight with British Airways for next year. Chicago to London. $753 roundtrip. With 3 airlines flying nonstop Chicago to London, I’d take another look at those prices. There is no way I would chose a connecting flight if I didn’t have to.

. May I ask how significant?

The OP indicated half the cost

I’d say that’s significant

And it’s entirely possible that your fare has no relevance to the dates OP needs to travel

Carol, thanks for the words of encouragement. If this were a winter flight out of Chicago I wouldn’t think about it, but May I’m hoping is ok. Good to know you’ve had positive experiences.

Carrie, two of us can fly Comfort plus RT for around 2K total. I’ve compared that to what seems comparable on American, United and BA and they don’t come close even when comparing Economy tickets. Glad you found a good fare!

I won't do a connecting flight with less than a 2.5 hour layover. Too many issues too many times. I would just do a direct flight.

And it’s entirely possible that your fare has no relevance to the
dates OP needs to travel

I just wanted to let the OP know that it’s possible to get a good price on a nonstop flight from Chicago to London. Of course, travel dates and how far in advance one is booking will impact price.

British Airways currently has a Black Friday sale going on right now. It might be worth giving them another look. I find a connecting flight to be more stressful, but I understand some don’t mind them if they can save some money. And that’s great. It's not my trip. 😊