UPDATED QUESTIONS about flight connections please (Update from previous post)

Are both flights on United? Is there a later flight that day if you happen to miss your connection?

Connecting passengers use a separate immigration area in the C terminal so you won’t need to take the mobile lounge over to the main terminal like people terminating their flight at Dulles. Since I always terminate my flight at Dulles, I’ve never been through the immigration area in the C terminal. However, I do have Global Entry and that goes quickly in the main terminal and I’ve never waited long for luggage. I think 1 1/2 hours with Global Entry is do-able if your flight arrives on time, but it will be tight. If it were me, I’d want to know if there is a later flight that evening or if I’d get stuck overnight if I missed my connection.

Thank you Laura. Sounds like it ‘s doable if all the stars align. But rather than hoping they do, I’d be wise to look at alternatives. Maybe the connection at IAH? Although I have to change terminals, I have 3hr 45 mins layover. That should be enough time, right?
All flights are on United.

Only to second what Laura said, if you are arriving on United to the C/D terminal and have a connecting flight, you can use the United mid-field immigration facilities -- just follow the signs. Only United passengers with connections will be using this facility, while all others terminating at IAD or making connections on other airlines will use the main immigration hall. Once you clear immigration and leave the facility, you will pop back up into the C/D Terminal.

Thanks VAP for the directions. I get lost easily.

Response to Updated Question: Since SFO is now my bigger home airport I can’t tell you about connection times and distances very accurately. What I do look at when I’m unfamiliar with a particular routing is to look up which gates were used on a previous day for the same flights on FlightAware.com. There should be a good map of SFO and it’s various gates/terminals online too. I like the idea of a backup flight, even with a 5h layover if you miss the flight with the 2+ hour layover.

I would go with the SFO connection. Primary reason is that you get to enjoy the international flight longer v/s having to endure another 4-5 hours in domestic economy if you connect in IAD. Also, one thing to factor in is that a lot of international flights arrive early due to the schedule padding - if this is the case, you have ample time to make the connection in SFO and there are later flights if you miss it.

I would go with the SFO connection. Primary reason is that you get to enjoy the international flight longer v/s having to endure another 4-5 hours in domestic economy if you connect in IAD. Also, one thing to factor in is that a lot of international flights arrive early due to the schedule padding - if this is the case, you have ample time to make the connection in SFO and there are later flights if you miss it.

Edit - maybe SFO is not an option - i may have misread your question. In which case IAD should work just fine. Also, you won't have too much to walk if you are in the mid-field terminal (assuming C gates - though the D gates may involve a bit of a hike)- just need to get through Security.

Thanks Mona and Arnold. I’ll look at the SFO map for approximate gate locations. If it’s isn’t too far to hustle through immigration and make them connection, it’ll work. Glad I have Global Entry.
Arnold, I just read your edit. Thanks for the additional info.

SFO is a very pleasant and easy airport. The terminals are connected by an AirTrain which means you don’t have to walk between them. Also, United uses T3 (E and F gates) which is adjacent to the International terminal where you will arrive. Here is the map:

https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/airport/maps/sfo.html

And I agree with the above points about staying on the international flight longer and having a shorter flight to Arizona at the end.

I should give our recent experience of returning to SFO from international flights with Global Entry. It has been extremely quick with a lot of facial scanning screens available and working.

Thank you Lola and Monica for the info. That really helps my comfort level.