My newlywed niece and her husband are now aboard Air France en route to CDG terminal 2E. They are connecting with another Air France flight to Naples in terminal 2F, and then on to Sorrento and Capri where they will begin their honeymoon. They are scheduled to arrive in Paris at 8:35 AM, and their connecting Naples flight is scheduled for 9:35 AM. I'm afraid they'll never make that connection. I've looked at a map of the terminals, and it appears they will have to shuttle from one to another. If I can get a few suggestions from those experienced with CDG, I can email them on their Blackberry once they are able to access email. Wish I had known about this sooner.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32352 posts
gina,
I'm somewhat familiar with CDG, and will be there again in a month or so. With arrival at T2E, I believe they'll have to take a Shuttle Bus to T2F, after they clear Passport control.
Even though they're connecting with another Air France flight, I suspect they'll have to collect their luggage off the carousel when they arrive at CDG, as this will be their first stop in the Schengen zone?
I'm not sure one hour is going to be enough time to make the connection? It will probably be very close! Hopefully one of the others can provide you with more specific information.
One question on the Blackberry - I'm assuming it's a GSM model or one of the "world editions".
Good luck and congratulations to your niece and her new husband!
Posted by
OP
Alabama
108 posts
Ken,
Thanks for all the information. I was aware of passport control, but wasn't sure about customs. At this point, I don't think they have a chance of making their connection. I just checked their flight status, and now it states that the flight is scheduled to land at 9:05 AM, rather than 8:35 AM. What's puzzling to me is the flight actually left a few minutes early.
I'm assuming they knew the Blackberry had to be GSM capable for use in Europe. I'll try to get in touch with them later tomorrow to see how it all turned out. They will probably not be in an area of the airport with wifi access anyway.
One can't feel too badly for them. There is another flight out the next day, and who wouldn't want to be "stuck" in Paris for an extra 24 hours? I'm sure they'll get it all worked out. Thanks again.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
gina,, wow, this will make a great story one day,, but a bit hectic and exhausting for sure.
Did they use a travel agent to book those terrible flight connection times, or did they do it themselves online?
Posted by
OP
Alabama
108 posts
Update: Got an email this morning. The newlyweds actually made it to their connecting plane before take-off, but the doors were closed. They hopped a flight to Rome, and then to Naples, and should arrive on the Isle of Capri around 7:30 PM, which should be less than an hour from now, central time. What an adventure for them!!!
Posted by
OP
Alabama
108 posts
Pat, I'm not aware of the details. I can only assume that they got some kind of deal with points in order to fly first class...and hoped for the best on the connection to Naples. Maybe they at least got some sleep, since they were in first class. As for flying to Rome, then Naples, I'm sure they just wanted the fastest connections to their final destination.
They were originally scheduled to arrive in Naples at 11:50 AM (Italy time), then take a boat to Capri. As it's turned out now they will arrive in Capri at around 7:30 PM. I haven't heard from them again, so I'm not sure if they have actually made it to Capri at this point. It is a funny story, but they are young, and on their honeymoon, so as long as they have each other, I'm sure they won't stress over it.