Time for flight changes

Are these both on the same ticket??

I guess this question would be better answered in Transportation forum because in Germany forum it is imo less likely that somebody can answer it.

Since this has been paid for already the only option would be to change it. If the ticket has a lot of restrictions (usually the least expensive) it is going to cost at minimum $200 dollars to change it for a longer connection time.

I see that Delta does sell that as a single ticket, so it would seem it is doable. The key being that it is a single ticket journey.

Ease off the panic button, but look at what other flights Delta ( or its partners) have from DTW to Frankfurt, in case you first leg gets there late.

Assume this is on Delta. What is the date?

Can you give us your flight schedule and whether or not you are on one ticket?

41 minutes may be "legal", and certainly if both legs are booked on the same airline, they would have to look after you if the connection is missed (Hotel room/ meal/rebook), but anything less than an hour, I don't chance it.

On a 3 segment flight itinerary to Europe, I would rather have a missed connection due to not enough time happen in Europe rather than still within the US where the chances are if you miss the transatlantic flight, you won't get out for another 24 hours. I would want no less than 2 hours for that domestic connection to the transatlantic flight.

When is this flight? She should see if there is an earlier flight in the day from Indianapolis and ask to be on that...I have had similar situations several times and the change has always been accommodated at no expense, but I would even be willing to pay for the improvement if necessary.

Bottom line: I see those kinds of tight connections all the time, and I have never booked one that short. Never, even though it is evidently permitted...no way would I agree to that.

As the day goes on, you are more likely to have a Midwest storm or other weather that delays your flight or an earlier flight, or even a different incoming flight that affects your flight. So take an earlier flight from IND and hangout at the DTW airport. I’ve made many flights to Europe from IND-DTW-Europe and know the weather, airports, delays. I have had connections where the transatlantic was next to the incoming commuter flight from IND and others that were at the other end of the airport.
Your DIL is a sweetie to book for you, but she isn’t thinking of the weather, that you are older than she is and don’t move as fast, that you may be sitting in the back of that little IND plane and be late getting off. And you have to be boarded in your transatlantic flight 20 minutes before take off. So go earlier, hangout, and relax while waiting.

I've had many short connections in my day but this one would give me pause. If I had a backup plan (like renting a car from the Indy airport and driving to the Detroit airport) and if as I suspect this flight is routinely early since its travel time is padded, then maybe I'd do it. Even then I'd be watching like a hawk on the travel day to see if I needed to punt and drive to Detroit.

Good luck!

It’s a five hour drive. There are flights every two hours.

With the info available it looks like you are on DL 3872 then DL 86 with 41 minutes in Detroit

There is an earlier option DL 3879 then DL 86 which gives you 4+ hrs in Detroit. The fare , (when I looked) was identical.

See if you can get the earlier flight, especially if you will be checking bags. Hopefully Delta will not charge for the change, given they have a risk of the expense if you don't make it on the 41 minute connection.

Good luck and happy travels

Your daughter-in-law whom you say flies a lot did you a real disservice. 41 minutes is not nearly enough time because your flight to Frankfurt could close 20 to 30 minutes prior to takeoff. If your inbound flight to DTW is delayed because of weather or any other reason & you miss your flight, there is no guarantee you’ll get a seat on the next flight to Frankfurt whenever that flight is if that flight is oversold. Keep in mind if you have checked a bag all the way to Frankfurt, such a tight connection might mean you make the flight to Frankfurt, but your luggage does not.

Change your inbound to DTW to an earlier flight that day.

Delta is very generous with its block times, the time from pushing back from the departure gate to the time of arrival at the arrival gate. The Indianapolis to Detroit flight currently around the time slot you have routinely arrives at the Detroit gate 20 minutes early. Rarely, it lands a few minutes late. The flight from Detroit to Frankfurt routinely departs the gate 10-20 minutes late. The odds are strongly in your favor that things will work out. Source: FlightRadar24.

Having said that, I would want a bit more of a cushion.

Thank you all. I will see what I can do with an earlier flight. The tickets were booked with Delta on the same one. I also worried about the luggage as well as us making that flight. Her (daughter in law) problem is she can get off work a little early for the flight she booked, but she didn't want to push it asking to get off work even earlier. I may have to call her employer and beg for lienience.