Gatwick Connection

If your flight is on time you should have no problems.

your cutting it very close so dont be surprised if you miss it.

We won't be checking bags, if that helps. I read that you won't have to go trough customs or security. Is that correct?

Yes, not having to check luggage is in your favor. However, two key factors are the time it takes to get a boarding pass and the minimum check-in time your airline requires for your Gatwick-DFW flight. I presume that you will be asked to check in 2-3 hours ahead of time for a UK-to-US flight. Here is a link to a page on the Gatwick site that may be helpful: http://tinyurl.com/2q5647.

This answer can be repeated a hundred times a month in this column. There is no way to answer time required. There are too many variables.

Arrival time of your flight, number of people going through security at the time you go through. Speed of inspectors working on your luggage. Distance between gates.

Whether you can ask someone how to find your departure gate. And others. If you know the answers to those questions you can always predict whether you have enough time between flights.

My advice is to always run as fast as you can and pray.

If time is running short and you are in a line, especially at an airline check-in line, don't be afraid to jump ahead and ask nicely if you can be taken care of right away because you have a connecting flight in a certain amount of minutes. Airport security may or may not care. But airline personnel will almost always rush you through, rather than go through the hassle of rebooking you on a later flight. I've found that asking nicely and looking desperate can sometimes work wonders.

When connecting at LGW on a trip from mainland Europe to the states, you do not have to formally enter the UK - follow the signs for connections. But you will have to check in with the airline at their transfer desk. American (since you're from Dallas, I'm guessing) has such a desk. You will get the security grilling, and then check in with the airline.

Remember, in the UK, you are allowed only one carry-on bag, and it must be small enough to fit through the sizer or they will make you check it. This can be done without being admitted to the UK, at the airline transfer desk.

You will go through the UK security screening! No exceptions. It's a royal pain.

And hour and a half is possible. Not comfortable, but possible. I hope you aren't connecting to the last flight of the day.

Well, I suppose that, from everyones answers, it would be best to find another route. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get to DFW from Italy easily(not FCO since it will be an open jaw) on American?

Josh...is the Venice-LGW leg the AA flight that they code-share with British Airways? If so, you should get your boarding passes in Venice straight thru. Maybe call AA and ask them about it...and what happens if you get stuck with a late flight, security, etc. If they post it as a good connection, they should think you have enough time to make the flight. As well, BA flights from Venice, and AA flights to the U-S, both use the North terminal at Gatwick...so at least you won't have to change terminals!

The only other option might be leaving from Bologna...there to LGW (2:05 wait) then direct to DFW. You'd have to leave Bologna at about 7 am, so you'd need a hotel at the airport for the night before, but you'd be back home by 2:30 pm Dallas time.

Josh

If you are taking the BA flight from Venice, you will still have to go through the security grilling and get another boarding pass from American, even if BA in Venice issues you one. The security ID checker will just send you back. 90 minutes should be enough. BA and AA are in the same terminal at LGW. I've done it in 45. I would say go for it.

Open jaw is the way to go.

Jim