We booked a United flight (operated by Lufthansa) from Washington, DC to Istanbul with a 3.5 hour layover in Frankfurt but just received notice that a new departure time will only allow a 1 hour layover, a connection that will be impossible to make. There are 3 flights leaving Frankfurt later in the day for Istanbul. We are trying to decide whether to trust our luck that we can be rebooked onto one of these flights, or deposit the money we paid for the flight into our account and book a direct flight on Turkish Airlines with points.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
7232 posts
Depends on your preferences.
A one-hour connection in Frankfurt is indeed tight, but it's also possible you could make the connection. And as you point out, if you misconnect, you have 3 more chances that day (I assume those are on Lufthansa?) so ultimately not a big deal.
While personally I'd much rather fly on Turkish Airlines than either United or Lufthansa, how are the cost comparisons?
How likely is it that you would be able actually use the credit with United before it expires?
If you would prefer flying on Turkish (I assume on a nonstop from Dulles to Istanbul), you might be able to just cancel your United booking for a refund, rather than for a credit for a future flight (I don't know that for sure but there's no risk in asking). If yes, then do so and go book the nonstop on Turkish (double check availability, price and other details to be sure first before you cancel your existing ticket).
Posted by
11 posts
We're planning a trip to Turkey, which brought me to the RS forum. I have experience flying through Frankfurt and I can tell you that it's a massive airport. If you're changing airlines/terminals, you'd want to allow plenty of time. In addition to that, since you're coming from the U.S., you'll need to go through passport control. Personally, I think an hour is too tight for my comfort level. If you miss your connection, you'll stand in a long line and have to deal with everything that entails. Not exactly a relaxing way to start a vacation.
Posted by
PA
3004 posts
Since they have rebooked you into something that is unacceptable, you should be allowed to get on the phone with them and have them directly rebook you with a later flight to Istanbul. They made the change so they must allow you to be accommodated. As in, you never would have bought these tickets with a one hour connection.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
3433 posts
Lufthansa put you on a flight with a one-hour connection in Frankfurt?! Really? Even Lufthansa knows that is ridiculous.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
7732 posts
In addition to that, since you're coming from the U.S., you'll need to
go through passport control.
No, you don't have to go through immigration if you're connecting from a non-Schengen flight to another non-Schengen flight.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
9521 posts
Everything else aside, I would always choose to travel on Turkish Airlines over United. A direct flight is always nice as well.