How long of a layover domestic to international flight?

A 2 hour layover is sort of the sweet spot when I travel. (Other than Heathrow or Chucky D) Anything can happen I guess, but I would feel comfortable booking the flight. Carry on or checked really doesn't impact you since you are flying on one ticket.

I agree with James. 2 hour connection.

I would be nervous with just 2 hours. If my time in Europe was short, I might look for other options for the transatlantic flight. The possibility of missing the flight and giving up a day at my destination would be too much for me. Perhaps you could transfer in another city with a 4 hour layover? You may be able to get the airline to switch that for you at no cost.

I like a 4 hour layover and I want to NOT be on the last flight from my city to the intl flight city. In the 4 hours, I can freshen up, get dinner so I can sleep during the in flight dinner, and take a long walk. I would rather be bored than feel rushed.

It will be interesting to see what more people would do.

I'm not familiar with Philadelphia airport, but their web site confirms that you stay entirely on the secure side when transferring flights. American Eagle usually uses terminal F and you may take the shuttle bus between terminals. Two hours still sounds like plenty of time but you of course want to keep the group organized and on-task.

The American Eagle/Republic flight should arrive at Concourse B in PHL, and international go out of Concourse A west (A has two sections, east and west, but that isn't always specified; just go by gate number). You won't have to go through security again - they are connected by walkways. It's not an impossible walk from B to A (you could have to walk all the way from Concourse E to A! ). If everything is on time, two hours should be plenty, as long as you don't dwell. I know, with two kids it's not as easy to move fast.

I always ask in cases like this what the backup plan is in case of a delay. AA is responsible for getting you to London (if you bought the ticket from them), but you still want to get there the same day and not be stuck at PHL overnight or something.

If you are late into PHL, what then? Is there a later flight on to London you'd get on? Or is there a better connection from Memphis if you are say late leaving and can change before you fly out? Just look at flight schedules (ignore prices and availability) for AA-partner flights that would get you to London from Memphis (or later from PHL) the same day maybe an hour or two later, with at most one connection if possible. These are the likely flight choices you'd have in case of a delay.

Having carry-on bags only will make things much easier to switch up if you need to change last minute due to a delay: no one will have to go find your bags somewhere to put you on another flight. This has made last-minute flight changes much easier for me more than once.

Having carry-on bags only will make things much easier to switch up if
you need to change last minute due to a delay: no one will have to go
find your bags somewhere to put you on another flight. This has made
last-minute flight changes much easier for me more than once.

Two kids and a bunch of carry-on vs letting the airline redirect your bags. Yup, sounds better.

As for the 2 hours, its a matter of personal tolerance combined with all of the other factors; cost, connections in Europe, etc.... I would do tow hour. I feel great with 2.5 hours and I start getting depressed with 3 hours. BUT, like mentioned above, I prefer when the situation permits, ensuring that there is at least one flight after mine that will still make the connection. But that isnt always possible. Put too many restrictions on it, be too insecure, and you will have to stay home, cause in my experience the perfect flight doesnt exist. still, what ever you choose will be the right choice .... for you.

Who did you book the tickets through? Can they put you on a flight via another city (other than Philadelphia)? BA and AA have flights to London out of many cities. Get on the American website and look for flights from Memphis to London and find some options you like. Then ask the agent if they can get you on your preferred flight since they canceled the one you booked.

Generally 2 hours is enough, but the downside would be that a missed connection would likely mean that you wouldn’t be able to get out until the next day.

Assuming that the first flight is on time (of course), a two hour connection should be perfect for domestic to international at PHL. It's a big airport, but plenty of signs to follow.

I understand your dilemma. I am not familiar with the Philadelphia airport. I recommend remembering that international flights usually begin boarding an hour before departure, so if your flight from Memphis is delayed an hour, you will arrive at your international gate after boarding begins. That would be cutting it close.

PS I presume you know that British Air has a daily non-stop flight from Nashville to London Heathrow?

I did book directly through American. The tickets are premium economy. There are a couple of earlier flights to London out of Philadelphia. I will try to call them and see if I can do the 6am flight and then one of the later afternoon flights to London. It still gives me about a 9 hour layover.

Does anyone know if British Air will refund the fee I paid to pick seats if they rebook me on an AA flight and not a BA flight?

Presuming your flight into PHL is anywhere close to being on time you won't have any problems. Your luggage is checked through to London so the layover is going to be like any other (domestic) connection except for one final check by the gate agent at PHL to make sure you have your passports physically on your persons and that they are valid.

Or a 4:30pm flight arriving at 8pm and having a 2 hour layover. Is
that 2 hours long enough?

No to both of these!

What are you going to do if the 4:30pm flight is delayed? Delays are often the product of a domino effect. Delays in other cities (maybe due to weather like thunderstorms) can affect the aircraft and/or crew landing in Memphis to fly you to Philly. Do you want that kind of a risk or stress? I never would. It's one thing if that were an early morning flight with a 2 hour layover but not in the late afternoon. Too may things can go wrong to delay flights as the day progresses.

I can't stress enough how I recommend you DO NOT DO THIS.

They cancelled the flight on you. You have options. Did you look at the American Airlines website yet? I don't know which date in May you are traveling but I picked several dates both weekends and weekday and there is a 10:58am departing MEM arriving at PHL at 2:30. This is certainly better than the 6am and gives you wiggle room if there are delays. Look at the date you are traveling to see if this flight is scheduled.

My advice: Call American Airlines and tell the agent that since AA canceled your original flight to PHL (mention that flight #), you are requesting 3 seats on the 10:58am flight. Tell the agent that flight #. Make this as EASY as possible for that agent by having flight #s. Be as nice as possible. If the agent refuses to do it, thank the person for his/her time then hang up. Call the customer service # again until you find an agent who will make the change AT NO COST TO YOU. This might take a few calls. Remind this agent that your flight to PHL was cancelled and that you are flying with 2 minors so 6am won't work nor will the 4:30 as it will be impossible to make that connection with young boys. Just tell the agent that very nicely. (Don't talk about how great your boys can sprint! LOL). Be super nice & appreciative.

So.....no need for 6am or 4:30. Pick "Door #3" (am I dating myself by saying that?) which is the midmorning flight assuming it is scheduled on your day of travel.

My date is May 27th. The only nonstop Memphis to Philadelphia is the 6am or the 4:30pm. There is no 10:58 flight that day.

I’ve worked the past few nights. I’m off tomorrow and will call about changing flights. My best option looks to be the 6am flight and see if the can put me on an earlier flight to LHR. Or see if I can route through another city instead.

My date is May 27th. The only nonstop Memphis to Philadelphia is the
6am or the 4:30pm. There is no 10:58 flight that day.

I’ve worked the past few nights. I’m off tomorrow and will call about
changing flights. My best option looks to be the 6am flight and see if
the can put me on an earlier flight to LHR. Or see if I can route
through another city instead.

Ahhhh, I see that. Your best option may be NOT to go through PHL.

Go to American's website to see what's out there and plug in a one-way itinerary between Memphis (MEM) and Heathrow for May 27. Ignore the airfare. You will see options to connect in Charlotte (CLT), Miami (MIA) and Chicago O'Hare (ORD). Pick 2-3 itineraries that work for you. I say that because one of your choices could be oversold in either the first leg or in premium economy to LHR.

You said you are flying on Premium Economy across the Atlantic. That's great! Both BA and AA do offer comparable Premium Economy. Again, since AA cancelled the PHL leg on you, you have choices. To see how the PE product compares on both BA & AA, here is The Points Guy PE Review which I hope is helpful.

Once you have selected which outbound itineraries you want, have the flight #s in hand so you can tell the agent when you call. Again, be super nice. If the agent can't help, say thank you, hang up and call back. Do this until you reach someone who will make the change for you AT NO COST. Make sure that the itinerary home stays the same. Also select the seats with the agent.

So it's up to you. The late afternoon to PHL is too risky. If you prefer to layover in PHL to take the BA flight, you'll have to get to arrive at the departure terminal at MEM between 4-4:30am and then spend 13 hours waiting at PHL.

You are off today. Look at the AA website, call AA with suggested itineraries and good luck!

Any update, Melissa?