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Inboud Philadelphia layover time 1:35 hrs

I have a planned return from CDG to PHL on AA755 and continuing on AA706 the middle of April 2023.
Is 1hr 35min sufficient time to deplane (row 30) and clear immigration without having to be an Olympic sprinter?
I don't anticipate having anything to declare with customs.
Thanks,
Phil

Posted by
152 posts

My husband and I had about that amount of time in Philadelphia when flying in from Munich in 2017. I can't say we were required to be Olympic sprinters. However, we had no time at all to dawdle. It was very tight. Tighter than I would prefer. But it worked. There was no time for a restroom stop. As I recall, our outgoing flight was delayed a bit so we had a little time to relax and use the restroom before we boarded. I believe that was the flight where we were seated in the very last row of the aircraft. If it is possible to take an ongoing flight which allows for more connecting time, I would take it.

Posted by
2337 posts

Do you have Global Entry? Checked luggage? It's a fair walk to the immigration hall, then you will have to walk to (probably) B or C terminal for a domestic AA flight.

I find waiting for luggage is slow at PHL.

Posted by
5687 posts

Phil, even if I told you 1:35 was plenty of time (maybe - I'm familiar with PHL and I'd take this connection, though I usually don't check bags), there's always a chance you'll be late and miss your connection anyway. I always ask what would happen if so - what are my options for getting home the same day? Just a later flight the same day? A connecting flight? Or would I probably be stuck in Philly overnight?

Weigh that against other options you have to fly home from CDG. If there's a flight that gets you home just an hour later through Chicago or Dallas or something with a longer layover, maybe I'd choose that instead. Maybe.

Posted by
24 posts

LIZinPA - We don't have Global Entry and will have one checked bag so 1:35 seems undoable.
Andrew H - Yes, those are all valid so I'll look to fly non-stop round trip to/from maybe LHR instead.

Posted by
2347 posts

I would csll.the airline. If this is one ticket on the same airline which it appears to be on American I believe they are obligated to get you to your final destination with least problems. They transfer your luggage to next flight you don't have to get it yourself. Also if you miss your second flight due to the timing etc they must get you on another flight at no charge be sure you check this out yourself please.

Posted by
5687 posts

Phil. 1:35 at PHL does not seem undoable with a checked bag, though it might be a little tight. If you have a smart phone, you can get the The Customs and Border Conttrol Mobile Passport Control App which can speed up your passage through immigration as well. I'd probably get the app whether you connect at PHL or not.

Posted by
271 posts

Sorry. Slim and none. :(
PHL is my "home" airport and it's not speedy for entry nor exit. After re-entry with customs and border patrol you'll need to retrieve your luggage and hand it over to the airline (AA) in a nearby transfer/check-in area for connecting passengers/customers. Then, you need to get to the gate in either Terminal A East or West, B or C. All are within walking distance but not within your time frame.
I'd suggest looking at a later connection (sorry, I'm not certain of your final destination) or looking at another AA hub for getting home.

Posted by
152 posts

I need to add to my post above, my husband and I both had checked bags. After reading posts posted after mine I now recall that it was a bit of a process to get through all the tasks required and determine where we needed to go next. But we made our connection. I do think we were lucky. Would have been much better to take a later flight but there wasn't one and we really had to be at our final destination the next morning.

Traveler Girl

Posted by
2337 posts

There is incorrect information above about the need to pick up your bag vs. checking through to final destination.
If flying from CDG to PHL you will have to retrieve your checked bag and recheck it for the domestic flight.

Posted by
2267 posts

Calling the airline would be of little/ no use. All they’d tell you is that this is a “legal” connection time, which we already know, because otherwise it wouldn’t be offered. That doesn’t mean it’s a prudent one.

Other commentators have mentioned the distance to the regular domestic gates, but if the connection is to American Eagle you’d be walking practically to New Jersey for those gates. I’d look at other options, and maybe only book with having assessed backup plans.

Posted by
24 posts

Thanks all and in particular:
Andrew H - Wow! An app from .gov that helps us citizens. What will they think of next? Kidding aside I downloaded the app and it appears to be quite useful. Thanks for the heads up.
Craig - You've told me more about PHL than I could find anywhere online. Local knowledge is most welcome.
LIZinPA - you are correct in that we would have to retrieve bag(s) and do the entire security process again.
Scudder - I called AA (note to self - make sure they didn't take miles off my account LOL!) and agent said essentially what you note. It was suggested that I change my 'level of comfort' to business/first class and then it was believed 1:35 was enough time. Nice of AA to offer that option!

I'm now looking at other options which could include Iceland as a multi-day stopover. In the meantime the value of the $ decreases against the £ and Euro!

A final note: I first flew through DFW, ORD or ATL (time has muddied this a bit) in the '78-79 time frame. When I deplaned for a connecting domestic flight I asked the gate agent where my connecting gate was. He/she replied and as I started to leave the agent added 'and you better run'. Agent was correct - I made it to the door with just seconds to spare. I don't run anymore!

Posted by
24 posts

I thank everyone for their help and input. Plans have now been finalized to fly round trip non-stop to CDG and avoid some of the hassle.