Safe Layover Time for Connecting Flight to Europe

If this is a single ticket, then I would be fine with 2h25.

Check flight stats to see if your first flight is usually delayed. I fly out of O'Hare in Chicago. In the summer, afternoon and early evening flights are frequently delayed 1-2 hours for a variety of reasons. With the current runway and terminal construction, many flights are experiencing 30 minutes of taxiing before take-off.

We’ve connected thru Frankfurt numerous times. I can only think of one time several years ago that we didn’t make a 2 hour connection and that was because of morning fog closing the airport for hours on a day in early May. Because we were on a single ticket, Lufthansa got us on the next available flight.

We had a 2 hour layover from Israel in Frankfurt--connecting to Dulles. American could not even get the people loaded and seated promptly. Most missed connecting flights in Dulles--for us into Huntsville. The next AA plane from Dulles with any available seats was 2 days later because they just fly commuter jets and they were full. We had to spend the night in Virginia and catch a plane to Atlanta where we rented a car for the 200 mile drive home.

I swore off flying American Airlines and their smaller jets. Our flights on Delta are on full size jets into Huntsville and there is less risk of getting booted with them.

Take the 2:25 hour flight on Delta. If there is any problem it sounds as if there is a later flight into ATL--perfect.

I think some people are confused.

You are asking about the layover time in ATL on the way to FRA.....correct?

You have two hours and 25 minutes in Atlanta and you’re worried that’s not enough time. What are you planning to do? Seriously that’s plenty of time.

Sorry, I was thinking backwards. You are okay in Atlanta for connections.

Yes, I am talking about the layover time in Atlanta to catch a connecting flight to Frankfurt.

Yes, one ticket on Delta though I will probably be checking in a suitcase, regardless of size (different issue--don't go there).

And yes, I prefaced by question by saying it was seemingly foolish and driven by paranoia and a personal rule, certainly arbitrary and likely unnecessary, of three hours to catch in the US my connecting flight to Europe when I begin my trip.

Coming back home, I'll take my chances on catching my connecting flight in the US--if I miss it or if my bag is delayed, the consequences are not great.

But flying to Europe--especially here where I am flying to Frankfurt and then immediately catching a train to Nuremberg--the consequences of a missed connecting flight are greater.

We probably play it much too safe with airport times--I just saw an analysis by Nate Silver on why for domestic flights he never arrives at the airport more than an hour before his flight. Anyway, thanks to all for responding.

2 hours and 25 minutes should be enough time. However, if the flight is during July or August, and the connection is during the afternoon. you might want to consider the 4 hour option. That time of the year Atlanta has a good many afternoon thunderstorms that cause delays. Don't mean to be negative, just offering food for thought.

Since this is on one ticket, when you check your bag in at your originating airport, it will be tagged through to Frankfurt. You wont have to pick it up in Atlanta.

In Atlanta, all you have to do is go to your departure gate. There are no exit formalities in the US.

Again, thanks to all. Frank, a concern is that I make the connecting flight but my checked-in suitcase does not.

However, upon reflection, my bottom line is this: Barring an exceptional weather event or aircraft mechanical failure, nearly two and a half hours will be more than enough time. And in the event of such an exceptional event, even four hours might not be enough time.

Under two hours, I would opt for four hours because if I were to miss the connecting flight (or my suitcase does), I lose at least a day--there is only probably only one flight a day from Atlanta (and other US Delta hubs) to Frankfurt, and also my seat on a subsequent flight might not be one that I otherwise would have chosen. But with travel, a thousand bad things can happen, and there are no guarantees that some event will not cause cancellation of or will disrupt your trip. The odds say two hours and 25 minutes is plenty of time.

RJ, I do not think you are foolish. I think it was an excellent question. You could say you are paranoid. So what? (I am in that club.) Who wants to risk missing a day of your vacation because you missed a connection? Of

Of course 2.5 hours is plenty of time to make the connection. IF your first flight isn’t delayed. That’s the concern, as you well know.

I like to have a three-hour layover on the way over, and I’m fine with four or even five. I’ve had my first flight delayed numerous times, and a long layover keeps me from freaking out. If I end up waiting a few hours for my second flight, I read and stroll around the airport for exercise. It doesn’t bother me a bit. I’m just excited about starting my vacation.

On the way home I try for two hours. I’m in no mood to wait around on the way home, and the consequences of missing a flight aren’t as big a deal.

All that said, while I would be inclined to go for the four hour layover, I think 2.5 hours is not a bad choice.