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Delta changed my flights - do you think I have enough time at CDG?

I don't like to fly through Paris but I got an awesome fare through Delta on a trip to Israel. So I booked us with a 4.5 hour layover there. Now Delta informs me that they've changed my flights and I've got 3 hours at CDG now.

I'm flying Business Class Seattle to Paris. Then it's AirFrance to Tel Aviv, also Business Class.

We will not have checked bags. This is a single ticket, purchased from Delta.

Is 3 hours enough time or should I ask Delta to rebook it?

Posted by
4100 posts

A three hour connection time at CDG seems to be very reasonable to me. You can look at the two flights today and see which terminals they use and see if the terminals are connected by the new shuttle but I’d feel very comfortable with 3 hours, same ticket, business class and carryon. We used CDG twice last year and will fly through there again this year. Things seem to have improved there at least when there isn’t a strike to worry about but that is for another post...

Posted by
23626 posts

The fall back position is that Delta is responsible for you should you miss the connection since it is a single ticket. If your original flight is on time you should have plenty of time.

Posted by
3961 posts

Valerie, we haven't connected through CDG (Delta) for 3 years. At the time we had a 3.5 hr. layover. We spent the entire time in Passport Control. By 3 hours the flight was boarding. Fortunately Delta held the plane for several of us. As mentioned upthread perhaps things have changed at CDG? It certainly is convenient if you fly Sea Tac to CDG on Delta. Glad to hear you got a great fare on Delta! All the best in your decision.

Posted by
1631 posts

We made our connection this past Good Friday -- 1 hour 50 minutes. Had time to hit the washroom and buy some snacks, and arrived at the gate just prior to boarding. We made sure to get seats at the front of the plane for the first leg and really moved in the airport.

Posted by
2679 posts

So I looked at those recent connections and Delta and AirFrance both are currently using 2E for those flights.

And one other thing - this is not a high-season trip - it's in mid-November, if that factors in at all.

Thanks!

Posted by
2790 posts

You should be fine. Plus I think they have a fast track type line at immigration for Business Class. Ask your Flight Attendant for a pass

Posted by
975 posts

You should not have an issue, if everything is somewhat on time. Other than going through a security check, not passport control, no issues.

Here is a blurb from the CDG website:

TRAVELLING WITHIN NON-SCHENGEN COUNTRIES
Example : London to Delhi via Paris-CDG
– You must pass through security check ; no passport control nor visa needed.

Posted by
5837 posts

A three hour layover is better than a 4.5 hour layover in my opinion. My threshold is 1.5 hours is tight, 2 hours adequate unless you arriving flight suffers a major delay. Since you are apparently booked through Delta arriving CDG and departing CDG you are their problem. That said, good to know alternate flights if you do have a miss.

Checked on not check bags are also not a problem. If your checked bags miss the connection, the airlines will deliver the delayed bags. I have been with large groups where our final destination is a multiple hour bus ride from the airport and few delayed bags got delivered to our destination hotel.

Posted by
2679 posts

All right - thanks to everyone. I'm going to leave the flights are they are:)

Posted by
3984 posts

I agree that you should not have an issue. You will have access the No 1 Priority Line for passport control. No need to ask for a pass -- your boarding pass is enough.

Posted by
10193 posts

do you think I have enough time at CDG?

Yes I do. And they have to get you onward if for some reason you miss the flight.