I'm booking a leg from SEA-MAD on Delta, but the flight has one connection at CDG and it is only an hour long. It sounds short to me, but both of my flights are the same airline, so I'm presuming they are in the same terminal. Is a one-hour connection at CDG doable? If I miss it, am I automatically placed on the next flight? Just trying to balance my dislike for sitting at airports with the potential of missing the connection and having to wait much longer...
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
If your luggage is checked through to Madrid, you'll probably be ok. Delta is pretty much clumped together, just don't poke between gates. And, yes, they'll stick you on the next one if you miss, especially if it's because first leg was a late arrival.
Posted by
OP
Edmonds, WA, USA
88 posts
Hi all, thanks so much for your help! I guess I misspoke. I am buying the tickets from Delta, but it is Air France that would be operating both of the legs. The flight numbers are: SEA-MAD Delta 8401 (operated by AF) and MAD-CDG Delta 8374 (also operated by AF). The changeover would be 8:30-9:30 if time of day makes a difference. There is a later flight on the same day, but it has a four-hour layover and sounds like it would put me in Madrid at a busier time.
Also, on the luggage note, I had a couple of other questions:
(1) If I check a bag, will it automatically go to Madrid? I've seen people in the past have to collect their checked bags at connections. I've never checked one before, so I never paid much attention in the past to where/why that happened.
(2) On a related note, on the way home, I will have an overnight layover, so I'll probably leave the airport. Can I check a bag through to the final destination with a long layover then too (20-ish hours), or would I have to pick it up and cart it back to the airport for the flight home?
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
You need to check with Delta to find out for sure who is operating the CDG-MAD leg. It could be Air France or another carrier which would not necessarily be in the same terminal as your arrival. Unless the gates are very close the one hour is very tight.
Posted by
Freedonia
16303 posts
And remember, in Paris, you will go through Passport Control. There could be a line.
(This is where she enters Schengen.)
No customs until Madrid so if checking a bag, check it through to Madrid.
You will not be automatically placed on the next flight. You will be placed on the next "available" flight.
If you would share your flight numbers with us and approximately when the flight is taking place, we can see who operates the flights and where you need to go once you arrive.
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
It looks like both flights will use Terminal 2E which simplifies things. When you check in at SEA be sure they check your bag to MAD and you will not have to pick it up at CDG. On the return when you check in at MAD check it through to SEA and they will do the transfer without you having to pick it up.