PHL connecting time

I'd take the 2 hour layover. Alternatively take the 5 hour layover, take the train into the center city area, get a Philly Cheese Steak in the Reading Terminal Market and walk around town before returning to PHL.

I've flown into/out of PHL numerous times. I assume you are flying AA all the way? They use Terminal A for both domestic and international flights. But there's an "east" and a "west" section of Terminal A - it alone is pretty big. You might wind up having to walk a little ways between A gates...or maybe not far at all, depending on which gates they wind up with by then.

Two hours is plenty of time to connect if your inbound from LAX lands on time. If not...what options are there to fly out to LIS the same night? Probably not many. I always check these contingencies when making connections. The Lisbon flight leaves pretty late out of PHL - a few hours later than the Madrid flight (I took the Madrid flight earlier this year from PHL headed to Lisbon and was originally on the direct flight to Lisbon). If it were reversed, I'd say you could just get put on the later flight and connect to Lisbon...but I'm not sure you have that option. Maybe a flight to London and London to Lisbon?

I'd probably not chance it and just take the earlier one. Then you won't have to stress over getting to Lisbon the same day. You MIGHT be able to squeeze in a quick train into center city Philly say to the Reading Terminal Market (about 30 min by train each way, two trains an hour) if your earlier LAX flight arrives on time.

Thanks Edgar!

We'll have our carry-on rollers with us, so I doubt we want to leave the airport.
However... A Philly Cheese Steak sounds pretty good!

Thanks Andrew!

Two hours is plenty of time to connect if your inbound from LAX lands on time. If not...what options are there to fly out to LIS the same night?

There does not appear to be another direct flight to Lisbon that same night. The flight departs at 9:35PM.

I suppose if we were flying first class we could go to the lounge and take a nap! That would be nice!

I'll probably choose the two hour layover... Or toss a coin! ;-)

Most critical question (unaddressed so far): is this all on one ticket, or two?

If two separate bookings, no way I'd take the 2 hour connection (with award flights, they're only required to get you on the next available flight that has a free award seat - not necessarily the next flight - which could be days or weeks).

If a single ticket all the way through...you need to figure out, what happens/how bad would it be, if your inbound flight is 2 hours late and you miss the connection? When would they get you to Lisbon, and what impact would that have on your trip?

Hi David,

Most critical question (unaddressed so far): is this all on one ticket, or two?

This is all on one ticket; LAX to Lisbon with a connection in Philadelphia.

I've updated my post, thanks!

If a single ticket all the way through...you need to figure out, what happens/how bad would it be, if your inbound flight is 2 hours late and you miss the connection? When would they get you to Lisbon, and what impact would that have on your trip?

I would hate to miss our connection! So...

Given the lack of later flights to Lisbon, I'd say take the 5 hour layover; anyhow, in my opinion the Philadelphia Airport is really pretty entertaining, as airports go. Lots of good window shopping. Once, I splurged and ate at Legal Seafoods. I'd hate to be anxious about delaying getting to Lisbon by so much.

Given the lack of later flights to Lisbon, I'd say take the 5 hour layover

I agree, that's what I'd do. 5 hours in an airport ain't a big deal (I've killed a lot more hours in airports than that!). OTOH, if I miss my connection and wind up arriving in my destination a day late, that's more of an big deal for me.

If you can get biz class tix with your miles, take the earlier LAX-PHL option and enjoy the lounge.

Every airline lounge I have checked is closed overnight so staying there is not an option if you miss the connection and have to wait til the next day to get a plane.

I would totally book the 5 hour layover. I am a stress puppy for making connections, especially if I know I'll be spending an extra day in the US if I miss that plane. If you're on time from LA, there's plenty to do in Philly while you wait. It's actually my favorite airport for "hanging out" (fun stuff, eh?).

Edgar does not live in Philadelphia, I do. A 5 hour layover will not - repeat - not allow for time to go into center city, go to Reading Terminal market and get a cheesesteak, and walk around. The airport train runs on 1/2 hour intervals and it is 30 minutes between Reading Terminal and the airport. That is upwards of 2 hours of your 5 right there, without counting on deboarding time, getting to the train (a bit of a walk), and arrival back for security at least 2 hours ahead of your flight. And also assumes no issues delaying the airport trains. Nor would cabs work, as with midday traffic never faster than the train and often much slower. You will already be airside when you arrive, 2 hours will be fine, unless there is a substantial issue on your first flight, in which case this now becomes your airline's problem. If your peace of mind is a concern on this, then simply take the 5 hour layover.

Priscilla,
I just wanted to add, have a wonderful time in Portugal! Based on your previous posts, I'm sure you'll love it.

Larry:

Edgar does not live in Philadelphia, I do. A 5 hour layover will not - repeat - not allow for time to go into center city, go to Reading Terminal market and get a cheesesteak, and walk around. The airport train runs on 1/2 hour intervals and it is 30 minutes between Reading Terminal and the airport. That is upwards of 2 hours of your 5 right there, without counting on deboarding time, getting to the train (a bit of a walk), and arrival back for security at least 2 hours ahead of your flight.

I'd probably do it. I have been in/out of PHL dozens of times and taken the Septa R1 most of them. Sure, you wouldn't be able to linger long, but three hours should be enough for a quick run into center city, and two hours arrival at PHL before the flight should be plenty. With global entry or TSE-PRE, I'd get back through security quickly, most likely.

Andrew, you don't live here either. Let me see how confident you would be about that schedule after you have lived here and relied on SEPTA and its problems on a daily basis. And as is so often pointed out in these discussions, a 5 hour layover is not 5 hours of available time.

And while on the topic--note that the flight to Lisbon is 9:35PM. Reading Terminal Market closes at 6PM. With a 5 hour layover landing at 4:35, and dealing with downtown rush hour, likely not even get there before it closes. Awful lot of trouble to go through for 1 Cheese Steak, and not even from any of the good Cheese Steak places.

I would hate to miss our connection! So...

It sounds like you would feel more comfortable with the 5 hour layover so why not do what makes you feel more comfortable? Perhaps you can buy a day pass to the airline club associated with your airline at PHL so you can wait in better comfort and enjoy something to eat and drink. Perhaps take a shower too.

As for cheesesteak, while it's not as good as going to Pat's in South Philly, there is a Tony Luke's in Terminal F and a Geno's at the B/C terminal connector according to Visit Philly. For exact locations, check here.

Andrew, you don't live here either.

So what? Why does living there give you some special advantage? I visit all the time, and I'm quite familiar with Septa. I follow Septa on Facebook and have read about their regular issues. The R1 (airport train to center city) seems to be more reliable than other parts of the system. I've run for the R1 more times than I can count. (Did you know I can make it from the end of the E concourse dragging my bags to the Septa stop in seven minutes? The R1 may run every 30 min, the trains I connect to don't after a certain hour.)

If I were doing this, I'd work it backward: what's the latest time I need to be back at PHL? What train gets me back there? That tells me how much time I have.

Thanks everyone for your helpful responses!

After much consideration, I've decided to go for the 5 hour layover at PHL.
I even called AA, and of course, the agent told me that the 2 hour connection is valid...
But why take the risk of missing our flight to Lisbon?

Joe32F, If I had enough miles to afford a "biz class tix", I definitely would! ; )

DebVT, I'm sure my daughter and I will enjoy window shopping, thanks!

Larry,
Even if I had enough time to leave the airport, I wouldn't want to risk getting stuck in airport security, or whatever.

lnbsig,
Thanks for your good wishes!

Continental,

Thanks for the helpful link!

Happy Travels!

Good call. Larry is right. You do not have time to go anywhere worthwhile. Philly public transportation can be a mess and traffic has choke points. I lived there for half my life and still visit frequently. Once again, Larry is right.