Is 1 hr 15 min layover sufficient at Frankfurt airport for connecting flight to Biarritz with Lufthansa?

[ilbestro12]

Is 1 hr 15 minutes enough time for the layover at Frankfurt Airport until my flight to Biarritz? This is on Lifthansa. I am American so I assume I go through immigration at Frankfurt when I land

 

[Corned Beef]

What happens if it is not? Do you lose your flight and have to purchase another?

 

[J Willhaus]

If you are coming from the US you will go through a customs line in Frankfurt. Lines were long this summer both going and coming to Europe. I would not allow less time and make sure you have a backup plan if you miss your flight.

 

[Grousedoctor]

That’s not a lot of time for making your connection. If you are flying from the States and that’s your first stop, Frankfort will be where you clear customs. With only 1h15m between flights, you have to hope your flight is on time, that you deplane quickly, that Customs is not crowded, and that there is quick access to your next gate. If I were making flight reservations, and this has to do with my comfort levels, I would look for flights that gave me more connection time. If you do go with this combination of flights, I’d strongly recommend keeping your pack in the cabin with you. Checking a bag might only increase the time needed to get to your connecting flight. Good luck.

 

[Tincatinker]

Is 1 hr 15 minutes enough time for the layover at Frankfurt Airport until my flight to Biarritz? This is on Lifthansa. I am American so I assume I go through immigration at Frankfurt when I land

1 hr 15 m? Almost certainly not. If you are on a through-ticket that is the airlines problem. If the Biarritz flight is on a separate ticket I would change it to a later flight

 

[ilbestro12]

That’s not a lot of time for making your connection. If you are flying from the States and that’s your first stop, Frankfort will be where you clear customs. With only 1h15m between flights, you have to hope your flight is on time, that you deplane quickly, that Customs is not crowded, and that there is quick access to your next gate. If I were making flight reservations, and this has to do with my comfort levels, I would look for flights that gave me more connection time. If you do go with this combination of flights, I’d strongly recommend keeping your pack in the cabin with you. Checking a bag might only increase the time needed to get to your connecting flight. Good luck.

Why would checking a bag increase time needed? Doesn't it just go on the plane?

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

A couple of days before your flight go online and search for the plans of the airport so you won't waste any time getting from point A to point B.

Personally I wouldn't schedule myself for such a short time between flights.

 

[Grousedoctor]

Why would checking a bag increase time needed? Doesn't it just go on the plane?

It’s a matter of how quickly it comes off the carrousel. If your bag is one of the last, the short time between flights becomes even tighter. Plus, if it doesn’t arrive, that’s another whole set of problems. On an international Lufthansa flight, there won’tbe any overhead space issues that would prevent you from bringing a reasonable size pack into the cabin (I carry a 36L pack).

 

[Kitsambler]

In a word, no. I usually allow 4 hours in Frankfurt, and have a nice lunch. Not only do you have to clear immigration, you also have to go through security again. Plus, it's a huge airport, with little transport help (there is a small train but it doesn't necessarily go where you need). You'll be arriving in the international wing, and departing from the intra-Europe wing, and they're not near each other. Don't plan the start of your trip with a major stressor.

 

[J Willhaus]

We flew United/Lufthansa through Frankfurt last summer and did not have to retrieve our bag with poles and pocket knife until Madrid, however, I would allow at least 2 hours and more if all your flights are not both on Lufthansa. Lufthansa cancelled our flight home last summer and neither United or Lufthansa alerted us. I had been watching the flights and noticed a few days before. We could not get Lufthansa to help us with rebooking. We were hung up on a few times due to "long wait times" and eventually I was able to get United to rebook our tickets. We were referred to the App many times and were not able to rebook through that mode either. Just be prepared as air travel is not as fun or as smooth as it once was. I usually consider Lufthansa to be one of the better carriers, but last summer they were just as stressed as everyone else. Now we plan for the worst and hope for the best... Sorry to be a pessimist, but after two consecutive years of flight cancellations to Europe on different airlines, I feel it best to be prepared to seek alternate avenues if needed.

 

[ilbestro12]

We flew United/Lufthansa through Frankfurt last summer and did not have to retrieve our bag with poles and pocket knife until Madrid, however, I would allow at least 2 hours and more if all your flights are not both on Lufthansa. Lufthansa cancelled our flight home last summer and neither United or Lufthansa alerted us. I had been watching the flights and noticed a few days before. We could not get Lufthansa to help us with rebooking. We were hung up on a few times due to "long wait times" and eventually I was able to get United to rebook our tickets. We were referred to the App many times and were not able to rebook through that mode either. Just be prepared as air travel is not as fun or as smooth as it once was. I usually consider Lufthansa to be one of the better carriers, but last summer they were just as stressed as everyone else. Now we plan for the worst and hope for the best... Sorry to be a pessimist, but after two consecutive years of flight cancellations to Europe on different airlines, I feel it best to be prepared to seek alternate avenues if needed.

This is United to Chicago, then Lufthansa to Frankfurt, then Lufthansa to Biarritz. So Im not sure if they will hold the flight for me with only 1 hr 15 min to get through immigration.

 

[trecile]

This is United to Chicago, then Lufthansa to Frankfurt, then Lufthansa to Biarritz. So Im not sure if they will hold the flight for me with only 1 hr 15 min to get through immigration.

It sounds like you purchased this as one through ticket? And hopefully directly from the airline.

As @Tincatinker said if your flights are all on one ticket, and you miss your flight to Biarritz then the airline is responsible for getting you to Biarritz and will put you in the next flight with available seats.

Also, if on one ticket you don't have to worry about checked bags - you won't need to retrieve them until your final destination.

And the airline owes you a higher duty of care than in the US - if you are forced to spend the night they have to provide you a hotel and meals.

All of this changes if you booked the flight to Biarritz separately. In that case you would have to retrieve your luggage and recheck it before continuing on. If you miss your flight you would have to pay for a new one. The airline's responsibility ends when you arrive in Frankfurt if you have separate tickets.

And no, they will not hold the plane for you.

 

[ilbestro12]

It sounds like you purchased this as one through ticket? And hopefully directly from the airline.

As @Tincatinker said if your flights are all on one ticket, and you miss your flight to Biarritz then the airline is responsible for getting you to Biarritz and will put you in the next flight with available seats.

Also, if on one ticket you don't have to worry about checked bags - you won't need to retrieve them until your final destination.

And the airline owes you a higher duty of care than in the US - if you are forced to spend the night they have to provide you a hotel and meals.

All of this changes if you booked the flight to Biarritz separately. In that case you would have to retrieve your luggage and recheck it before continuing on. If you miss your flight you would have to pay for a new one. The airline's responsibility ends when you arrive in Frankfurt if you have separate tickets.

And no, they will not hold the plane for you.

Theoretically it is one ticket. The Google Flights link takes me to United's website and doesn't say anything about separate tickets which it usually does if u have to buy them separate. I haven't bought it yet.

I may just buy the more expensive Delta ticket since that has a long layover at Charles de Gaulle via Air France. Though I heard Air France fan be difficult to deal with.

 

[trecile]

Theoretically it is one ticket. The Google Flights link takes me to United's website and doesn't say anything about separate tickets which it usually does if u have to buy them separate.

If you purchase directly from United it should be one ticket.

 

[J Willhaus]

From Paris, you have good options for either flight to Biarritz or train. Train might be less pressure.

 

[J Willhaus]

If you purchase directly from United it should be one ticket.

Yes, it is one ticket, but United cannot help with the Lufthansa portions or at least they could not last year. Air France was also difficult to work with the year before and cancelled my husband's ticket. Delta did help him rebook eventually, but it was a hassle.

 

[Marbe2]

We flew United/Lufthansa through Frankfurt last summer and did not have to retrieve our bag with poles and pocket knife until Madrid, however, I would allow at least 2 hours and more if all your flights are not both on Lufthansa. Lufthansa cancelled our flight home last summer and neither United or Lufthansa alerted us. I had been watching the flights and noticed a few days before. We could not get Lufthansa to help us with rebooking. We were hung up on a few times due to "long wait times" and eventually I was able to get United to rebook our tickets. We were referred to the App many times and were not able to rebook through that mode either. Just be prepared as air travel is not as fun or as smooth as it once was. I usually consider Lufthansa to be one of the better carriers, but last summer they were just as stressed as everyone else. Now we plan for the worst and hope for the best... Sorry to be a pessimist, but after two consecutive years of flight cancellations to Europe on different airlines, I feel it best to be prepared to seek alternate avenues if needed.

The last time we flew United/Lufthansa to Bilbao, we we had a two hr layover. We were late getting in and no one made from our plane made the connection. If you have a connecting flight the airline is obligated to get you to your destination. Whether there is is availability or not is another question. I would book with a three hour window between connecting flights.

 

[peregrina2000]

I went from Lisbon to US in November. I guess I hadn’t paid enough attention to the details, because we had a 1 hr 10 min transfer in Heathrow. AND we were late on the flight from Lisbon. AND the cart that was supposed to come to take my husband was even later. AND he couldn’t even take us up to the security check-in because it was upstairs. AND my husband’s shoes went missing for a while because he went through a different line because of his pacemaker. And and and. As we got on the train to Terminal C, the lights were flashing that our flight was in final boarding. Can you believe we made it? And we are old. Ok, it was the transfer from hell, but we made it.

Just saying that you don’t know how the stars will align.

I would buy the best price/schedule direct from the airlines, on the airline’s website. Since the flight would then be all on one ticket I would definitely go for it and hope for the best.

 

[trecile]

I would buy the best price/schedule direct from the airlines, on the airline’s website. Since the flight would then be all on one ticket I would definitely go for it and hope for the best

I think that it depends on how seriously a delayed arrival will affect the rest of your plans.

If you will lose a pre-booked reservation or have to spend considerable time and money rearranging your itinerary you probably want a longer layover.

And don't forget travel insurance!

 

[Josefus]

I wouldn’t be too concerned about this.
My experience on connecting flights with LH in FRA is generally positive. If you can book a specific connection LH will take care of you. Generally the connection time from within Schengen to another destination is down to 45 min. From outside Schengen 1 hour. A problem may arise when the incoming flight is seriously delayed. Then it depends also a little bit on the number of passengers (and their “status “) who are booked on the same connection like you. But at least they are obligated to put you on the next available flight to your destination or, at very least, to provide you an accommodation for a night for free (yes, I once had to take this opportunity and finally got a 600 € cash back for being late on my destination. But I think that’s the law for EU citizens only).
¡Ultreia!

 

[dougfitz]

Why would checking a bag increase time needed? Doesn't it just go on the plane?

If this is the port of first arrival, luggage will be unloaded so passengers can complete the customs related arrival procedures.

 

[trecile]

If this is the port of first arrival, luggage will be unloaded so passengers can complete the customs related arrival procedures.

That's never happened when I've connected in Frankfurt. I didn't see my checked bags until my final destination.

There is a security check and passport control, but Customs is done at the final destination.

Here's information about transferring at FRA

Transferring at FRA

www.frankfurt-airport.com

 

[Josefus]

If this is the port of first arrival, luggage will be unloaded so passengers can complete the customs related arrival procedures.

If you arrive with LH or UA and proceeding with LH you don’t need to collect your luggage. It will be transferred to your connecting flight. You just have to pass the immigration (if arriving from outside Schengen).

 

[trecile]

You just have to pass the immigration (if arriving from outside Schengen).

Correct. Many people confuse Immigration with Customs. Immigration is interested in you, Customs is interested in your belongings.

 

[Skinnybiker]

Is 1 hr 15 minutes enough time for the layover at Frankfurt Airport until my flight to Biarritz? This is on Lifthansa. I am American so I assume I go through immigration at Frankfurt when I land

NFW, anyone flying internationally knows this is insufficient time for a transfer.

 

[Grousedoctor]

It certainly seems like the consensus is that 1h15m has its risks regarding making your connecting flight. As you haven’t yet purchased your ticket, CDG might be a good alternative. You also have the option of looking into train connections out of Paris to Bayonne and SJPP that same day if your flight arrives early. Although these days, I’m not a fan of the airlines in general. However, I have flow Air France over the years more than any other carrier to Europe without anything but the most minor of problems that could be expected from any airline on any day. Nonetheless, I have found that the early morning flights into CDG has offered me several good options as a traveler. The other thing I will mention to you is that of flying directly into Madrid (I know there are direct Chicago-Madrid flights). Several good options exist for then getting you on to Pamplona and ultimately to Saint Jean.

 

[Former member 102963]

Theoretically it is one ticket. The Google Flights link takes me to United's website and doesn't say anything about separate tickets which it usually does if u have to buy them separate. I haven't bought it yet.

I may just buy the more expensive Delta ticket since that has a long layover at Charles de Gaulle via Air France. Though I heard Air France fan be difficult to deal with.

You will certainly make the connection on the majority of occasions but of course not every time for the reasons outlined. LH will have a MCT (minimum connecting time) for Longhaul to Shorthaul flights at FRA which they will achieve on the vast majority of occasions, but obviously not all. If you are booked on a through ticket, they will need to look after you should you miss. I doubt if LH has has more than 1 direct flight a day to Biarritz, it may not even be daily, so it could either be overnighting or a reroute.

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Even on transfer within the Schengen zone with anything less than an hour I myself would get nervous at Frankfurt … even though I have a German passport. But in your case, coming from outside, with a non-European passport, I would add plenty of time on top.

 

[Robo]

Having flown hundreds of flights Domestically and Internationally, I would never leave such a short transfer time as 1 hr 15 mins. Anywhere.

Sure there will be those who say it worked for them.

But there are way too many variables for me not to be very worried with such a short transfer time.
(These comments are not specific to your airline or destination).........

1. Your flight might be delayed. Though if your second sector is with the same airline on the same ticket, they 'might' wait for you. A bit......
2. The baggage needs to be unloaded from the first flight, sorted, and reloaded to your second flight. Lots of opportunity for delays. it can sometimes involve a terminal change too.
3. If transiting from an International to a Domestic flight you need to pass through immigration, rather than at your final destination. Then back through security again for your next flight. More opportunity for delay.
4. Sometimes you need to collect checked luggage and re-check it. Hopefully not in this case if on same airline/ticket.

Maybe it's the old soldier in me.

But I always plan for what could go wrong, and then am pleasantly surprised if it doesn't.

Sometimes it does though.......... and might be something I had not even imagined.

 

[Robo]

That’s not a lot of time for making your connection. If you are flying from the States and that’s your first stop, Frankfort will be where you clear customs. With only 1h15m between flights, you have to hope your flight is on time, that you deplane quickly, that Customs is not crowded, and that there is quick access to your next gate. If I were making flight reservations, and this has to do with my comfort levels, I would look for flights that gave me more connection time. If you do go with this combination of flights, I’d strongly recommend keeping your pack in the cabin with you. Checking a bag might only increase the time needed to get to your connecting flight. Good luck.

100%. I wouldn't risk delays with checked luggage.

 

[dougfitz]

If you arrive with LH or UA and proceeding with LH you don’t need to collect your luggage. It will be transferred to your connecting flight. You just have to pass the immigration (if arriving from outside Schengen).

It sounds like they are managing this as an international transit, at least so far as checked luggage is concerned.
After you have passed through immigration, do they do an international departure, or a domestic one for the next leg?

 

[dick bird]

Is 1 hr 15 minutes enough time for the layover at Frankfurt Airport until my flight to Biarritz? This is on Lifthansa. I am American so I assume I go through immigration at Frankfurt when I land

Simple answer - no, or maybe, but probably not. Why risk it?

FYI, unlike the US, in most countries, international transit passengers don't have to go through all the customs and immigration procedures when flying on to another country, they just stay in the departure lounge until they board the onward flight; but 1hr 15 min is cutting it much too fine for a connection anywhere.

 

[trecile]

If you are flying from the States and that’s your first stop, Frankfort will be where you clear customs.

No, they will go through Immigration and a security check, but Customs will be at the final destination, so it's not necessary to collect any checked bags.

 

[Gwill21]

Having tried that on our way to a Camino walk a few years back and watching our connecting flight take off without us - I would say - definitely not. If you are going into Frankfort you should give yourself a minimum of 3 hours.

 

[Former member 102963]

Having tried that on our way to a Camino walk a few years back and watching our connecting flight take off without us - I would say - definitely not. If you are going into Frankfort you should give yourself a minimum of 3 hours.

Interesting to hear people stories. I don’t disagree with many things i have read, though I will stress that the vast majority of connections above the minimum connecting time will be achieved irrespective of people personal stories.

I guess it’s a trade off. If the journey being discussed is much cheaper than alternatives I can see the attraction, but if there are similarly priced options that you are more comfortable with I would head in that direction. Bus and rail connections in that part of Europe and so good I would generally advocate getting a direct flight to somewhere relatively close and then taking train or bus.

 

[Former member 102963]

I went from Lisbon to US in November. I guess I hadn’t paid enough attention to the details, because we had a 1 hr 10 min transfer in Heathrow. AND we were late on the flight from Lisbon. AND the cart that was supposed to come to take my husband was even later. AND he couldn’t even take us up to the security check-in because it was upstairs. AND my husband’s shoes went missing for a while because he went through a different line because of his pacemaker. And and and. As we got on the train to Terminal C, the lights were flashing that our flight was in final boarding. Can you believe we made it? And we are old. Ok, it was the transfer from hell, but we made it.

Just saying that you don’t know how the stars will align.

I would buy the best price/schedule direct from the airlines, on the airline’s website. Since the flight would then be all on one ticket I would definitely go for it and hope for the best.

Glad you made it! I assume that this was LHR T5 which is a good terminal generally to transfer over as it is quite new and was built very much with transfer traffic in mind. Many other airports were built back in the days when there was a greater proportion of ‘point to point’ traffic and whilst many have been developed to better manage transfer traffic, nothing quite beats being part of the original design!

 

[WalkingInGers]

Is 1 hr 15 minutes enough time for the layover at Frankfurt Airport until my flight to Biarritz? This is on Lifthansa. I am American so I assume I go through immigration at Frankfurt when I land

Frankfurt Airport is immense with many corridors. Imagine Madird Barajas Airport or Chicago O'Hare. One hour and 15 minutes? Frankly that is curtting it really short and you are on two different airlines. Heck no...the imponderables are late coming into FRA, customs and immigration lines. I would schedule 3 hours minimum so you don't sweat it out.

 

[Hans-Georg Goebel]

Is 1 hr 15 minutes enough time for the layover at Frankfurt Airport until my flight to Biarritz? This is on Lifthansa. I am American so I assume I go through immigration at Frankfurt when I land

I think that's too tight. Frankfurt is a spacious airport with sometimes long paths. From the aircraft exits to the baggage carousels, you can walk a good 15 minutes in the worst case. In October, we waited a good 30 minutes for our luggage. In addition, there are two terminals, so if you have to change terminals or check in again, you won't have enough time. This does not take into account any waiting times at the security checkpoint or passport control.

 

[Moniq]

Is 1 hr 15 minutes enough time for the layover at Frankfurt Airport until my flight to Biarritz? This is on Lifthansa. I am American so I assume I go through immigration at Frankfurt when I land

I think it’s too short. Frankfurt is a big airport and last summer lots of people couldn’t get their connecting flight!

 

[trecile]

In October, we waited a good 30 minutes for our luggage

Luggage will not need to be collected.

 

[CanadianBarb]

Is 1 hr 15 minutes enough time for the layover at Frankfurt Airport until my flight to Biarritz? This is on Lifthansa. I am American so I assume I go through immigration at Frankfurt when I land

I did this last September on my way to Madrid - it was a run through the airport but I made it! The key is to find the right line through immigration - Good luck and Buen Camino

 

[Bunny Hudson]

Is 1 hr 15 minutes enough time for the layover at Frankfurt Airport until my flight to Biarritz? This is on Lifthansa. I am American so I assume I go through immigration at Frankfurt when I land

Hi.
I am often at Frankfurt International airport.
It is huge - I mean, a very big walk from A to B to anywhere.
Give yourself a lot of time for everything there.
Bun

 

[Kathor1]

Interesting to hear people stories. I don’t disagree with many things i have read, though I will stress that the vast majority of connections above the minimum connecting time will be achieved irrespective of people personal stories.

I tend to agree. I've travelled numerous times through Frankfurt airport and yes, it is large, but it is not Heathrow ... and admittedly, I have never travelled from the USA to Frankfurt with a connection to an airport in France. However, I would not hesitate to book the flight in question which is apparently a Lufthansa operated flight ORD -> FRA -> BIQ.

As has been pointed out already, there is no luggage to be waited for or picked up at FRA for such a flight, let alone to be carried through security, the passenger remains in the transit zone and has to go only through passport control and Lufthansa would not sell such a ticket if the minimum connection time (MCT) were too short. Plus, Frankfurt is a LH home base which is always an advantage. I'd probably familiarise myself with my specific transit route and options. There is plenty of info about this on the FRA airport website.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

From the aircraft exits to the baggage carousels, you can walk a good 15 minutes in the worst case.

This comment is off topic to the thread but not to the quote (and short anyway). Sometime in the last few days I read of an airport that was getting many passenger complaints because there was too long of a wait for luggage to show up after the passengers got to the baggage claim area. The number of complaints went down a lot after the airport "fixed" the wait time problem by having the luggage sent to a claim area a longer walk away.

 

[Moniq]

Luggage will not need to be collected.

That helps, but still strictly. If you miss your flight you might need to book another one and pay for it as well

 

[Moniq]

I tend to agree. I've travelled numerous times through Frankfurt airport and yes, it is large, but it is not Heathrow ... and admittedly, I have never travelled from the USA to Frankfurt with a connection to an airport in France. However, I would not hesitate to book the flight in question which is apparently a Lufthansa operated flight ORD -> FRA -> BIQ.

As has been pointed out already, there is no luggage to be waited for or picked up at FRA for such a flight, let alone to be carried through security, the passenger remains in the transit zone and has to go only through passport control and Lufthansa would not sell such a ticket if the minimum connection time (MCT) were too short. Plus, Frankfurt is a LH home base which is always an advantage. I'd probably familiarise myself with my specific transit route and options. There is plenty of info about this on the FRA airport website.

It all depends on whether there is enough workmen. A couple of months my son nearly missed his flight and he had 4 hours!

 

[trecile]

That helps, but still strictly. If you miss your flight you might need to book another one and pay for it as well

Not when the flights are all purchased on one ticket. It's then up to the airline to get you to your final destination, and they also need to provide you with food and drink and a hotel if an overnight stay is required.

You are thinking of a situation where the flights are booked on separate tickets.

 

[peregrina2000]

I assume that this was LHR T5 which is a good terminal generally to transfer over as it is quite new and was built very much with transfer traffic in mind.

I cannot imagine that the route we took was designed for ease of transfer. We first had to go through a passport check, then up an escalator, then through security, then down one floor on an elevator, walk around a corner to another elevator, down to the train that took us near to our gate. I can’t remember the relationship between the train and the gate, but I assume we had to go up again. I know this is derailing the thread, but it was such an amazingly convoluted and stressful process that I kind of enjoy looking back at it. I am continually amazed at the fact that we made the transfer.

 

[Moniq]

Not when the flights are all purchased on one ticket. It's then up to the airline to get you to your final destination, and they also need to provide you with food and drink and a hotel if an overnight stay is required.

You are thinking of a situation where the flights are booked on separate tickets.

O that is good to know. What would happen if you miss your flight and can take one later in the day?

 

[Molly Cassidy]

O that is good to know. What would happen if you miss your flight and can take one later in the day?

They should put you on the next available flight.

 

[trecile]

O that is good to know. What would happen if you miss your flight and can take one later in the day?

The airline will put you on the next flight with available seats.

In 2018 my flight from Geneva to Biarritz was canceled due to weather. There were no more flights that day, so they bused us to a (very nice) hotel to spend the night. Dinner and breakfast were provided, and we flew to Biarritz in the morning.

 

[Former member 102963]

I cannot imagine that the route we took was designed for ease of transfer. We first had to go through a passport check, then up an escalator, then through security, then down one floor on an elevator, walk around a corner to another elevator, down to the train that took us near to our gate. I can’t remember the relationship between the train and the gate, but I assume we had to go up again. I know this is derailing the thread, but it was such an amazingly convoluted and stressful process that I kind of enjoy looking back at it. I am continually amazed at the fact that we made the transfer.

It was although I appreciate it may not always seem like that as it is a vast complex with a main building at which all necessary mandatory administrative processes are actioned and then 2 satellite terminals connected by an underground railway!

 

[Former member 102963]

The airline will put you on the next flight with available seats.

In 2018 my flight from Geneva to Biarritz was canceled due to weather. There were no more flights that day, so they bused us to a (very nice) hotel to spend the night. Dinner and breakfast were provided, and we flew to Biarritz in the morning.

I have not checked but guessing that if will at most be 1 a day and may not even be daily so guessing a range of options may be offered!

 

[Moniq]

They should put you on the next available flight.

If it is no problem with the rest of your plans I wouldn’t mind to miss a flight.

 

[trecile]

If it is no problem with the rest of your plans I wouldn’t mind to miss a flight.

That's always the issue - will there be any knock on effects if you have to take a later flight? In my case I had to take an expensive taxi to Irun because the bus and train options were going to be too late for me to start walking.

 

[Kathor1]

This may be useful to know: LH arrivals and departures at Frankfurt airport are organised in a similar way to Iberia flights at Madrid airport (at least I think it is the same in Madrid): All their own flights and those of their partner airlines arrive and depart from the same terminal. So no fussing around with buses and trains to get from one terminal to another one. For example, if your flight from the USA to FRA and then to Biarritz is on LH or UA, you don't have to change terminals. If, however, one of these legs is on Delta or British Airways or Air France or KLM or Iberia, then you have to go from T1 to T2 or vice versa which will cost you more time.

 

[Moniq]

That's always the issue - will there be any knock on effects if you have to take a later flight? In my case I had to take an expensive taxi to Irun because the bus and train options were going to be too late for me to start walking.

Mmm, I understand. That is not what you want.

 

[Roland49]

1:15 is not sufficient! You will have to reschedule your flightplan.
Even if everything is working fast, as international traveller you need 2-2,5hrs from international to pan-european flights. Frankfurt is the most busiest airport in Germany and is running low on staff.

Do yourself a favour and replan!

BC
Roland

 

[Former member 102963]

This may be useful to know: LH arrivals and departures at Frankfurt airport are organised in a similar way to Iberia flights at Madrid airport (at least I think it is the same in Madrid): All their own flights and those of their partner airlines arrive and depart from the same terminal. So no fussing around with buses and trains to get from one terminal to another one. For example, if your flight from the USA to FRA and then to Biarritz is on LH or UA, you don't have to change terminals. If, however, one of these legs is on Delta or British Airways or Air France or KLM or Iberia, then you have to go from T1 to T2 or vice versa which will cost you more time.

As always, thank you (again) for the being the person that gets us to the most salient point on the thread!

 

[Former member 102963]

1:15 is not sufficient! You will have to reschedule your flightplan.
Even if everything is working fast, as international traveller you need 2-2,5hrs from international to pan-european flights. Frankfurt is the most busiest airport in Germany and is running low on staff.

Do yourself a favour and replan!

BC
Roland

Trust me LH would revise their MCTs if this was the case!!!

 

[trecile]

Trust me LH would revise their MCTs if this was the case!!!

I agree. I have made a 1:15 connection in Frankfurt twice.
But if I had another option that gave me a bit more time, and didn't cost much more I'd prefer to have a longer connection.

 

[Former member 102963]

I agree. I have made a 1:15 connection in Frankfurt twice.

Simply put LH will sell a lot of their business with an MCT of 1-2 hrs. Same as all major airlines. If they fail to achieve the vast majority of these, the costs would be astronomicall, the operation would be unmanageable, and the business would grind to a halt!

 

[Former member 102963]

I agree. I have made a 1:15 connection in Frankfurt twice.
But if I had another option that gave me a bit more time, and didn't cost much more I'd prefer to have a longer connection.

Yes I agree! I am very cautious by nature so I prefer that too due to my personal trait!

 

[Roland49]

Trust me LH would revise their MCTs if this was the case!!!

AFAIK the MCT is calculated under "standard" conditions. Since 2 years there are no standard conditions anymore! Especially not on german airports. Trust me.

 

[Former member 102963]

AFAIK the MCT is calculated under "standard" conditions. Since 2 years there are no standard conditions anymore! Especially not on german airports. Trust me.

MCTs are constantly revised by both airlines and airport operators, and there will be a small army of analysts working on this. Thousands of people missing their connections is not tenable financially or logistically. It would lead to chaos on an unprecedented scale! There are lots of variables involved.

 

[mvanert]

Is 1 hr 15 minutes enough time for the layover at Frankfurt Airport until my flight to Biarritz? This is on Lifthansa. I am American so I assume I go through immigration at Frankfurt when I land

No.

 

[Kathor1]

My experience on connecting flights with LH in FRA is generally positive. If you can book a specific connection LH will take care of you. Generally the connection time from within Schengen to another destination is down to 45 min. From outside Schengen 1 hour. A problem may arise when the incoming flight is seriously delayed. [...] But at least they are obligated to put you on the next available flight to your destination or, at very least, to provide you an accommodation for a night for free (yes, I once had to take this opportunity and finally got a 600 € cash back for being late on my destination. But I think that’s the law for EU citizens only).

Good for you!

Actually, this applies to all passengers on flights starting in an EU airport as well as to all flights arriving in an EU airport and undertaken by an airline with main seat in the EU (which is obviously the case for Lufthansa). Depending on the length of the delay in hours and minutes until you arrive at your final destination, they must not only book you on a new flight to Biarritz but also provide, if necessary, free food, free hotel plus a compensation of between 250 to 600 € if your incoming flight is so late that you miss the connecting flight (on the same ticket!) when the connection time between the two flights has become shorter than the fixed MCT. Which is why they will see to it that you make it if at all possible, as @TravellingMan2022 has already pointed out. These are long-standing flight compensation rights.

 

[Kathor1]

gets us to the most salient point on the thread!

I tend to waffle a lot but occasionally I manage to cut to the chase.

So we are actually not talking about all possible connecting flights but about flight LH1550 from FRA to BIQ and a Star Alliance flight from Chicago to Frankfurt. LH1550 flight time is 15:25 to 17:35. Saturdays only. It is included in the LH summer flight plan starting on April 29, 2023. A new connection. Perhaps that is the reason why the price from Chicago to Biarritz is attractive? So there is actually not much choice. Either go with it and accept the given connection time of 1h 15 min proposed by the airline or plan completely differently with other airlines, other prices and/or other transit airports.

 

[Former member 92300]

Personally - I would never schedule a flight with such a short layover. Way too often the earlier flight doesn't leave on time and there is too little time to make connections (shorter only if same airline in same terminal connection). If I don't have to deal with going through TSA again and it is a domestic flight - I schedule no less than 1.5 hours for connections. For domestic flights where I have to go through TSA again - I give myself no less than 2 hours. If it is connecting to an international flight or I have to go through customs in between flights - I am more likely to give myself closer to 3 hours or more.

If both of your flights are purchased through the airline (not a booking site) and they are on one ticket - then if you do miss your flight the airline should take care of you and make sure you get on another flight. Still a huge hassle and will set back your arrival though.

If you buy your flights separately and/or you purchased through a booking site and not from the airline - you may end up having to buy a new ticket for your missed flight. So - if you are going to book separately or through a booking site - I would give yourself LOTS of time to make connections.

Also - I always make sure I give plenty of time to go TO my destination. Coming home I am more willing to risk shorter layovers because it won't be so bad if I am late getting home. If I am late getting TO my destination on the other hand I might be out hotel and transportation costs for the first day or even a couple days if it puts you behind schedule.

 

[Former member 102963]

Personally - I would never schedule a flight with such a short layover. Way too often the earlier flight doesn't leave on time and there is too little time to make connections (shorter only if same airline in same terminal connection). If I don't have to deal with going through TSA again and it is a domestic flight - I schedule no less than 1.5 hours for connections. For domestic flights where I have to go through TSA again - I give myself no less than 2 hours. If it is connecting to an international flight or I have to go through customs in between flights - I am more likely to give myself closer to 3 hours or more.

If both of your flights are purchased through the airline (not a booking site) and they are on one ticket - then if you do miss your flight the airline should take care of you and make sure you get on another flight. Still a huge hassle and will set back your arrival though.

If you buy your flights separately and/or you purchased through a booking site and not from the airline - you may end up having to buy a new ticket for your missed flight. So - if you are going to book separately or through a booking site - I would give yourself LOTS of time to make connections.

Also - I always make sure I give plenty of time to go TO my destination. Coming home I am more willing to risk shorter layovers because it won't be so bad if I am late getting home. If I am late getting TO my destination on the other hand I might be out hotel and transportation costs for the first day or even a couple days if it puts you behind schedule.

That’s fine. I think we have established that most of us prefer a long layover! That’s fine, I do too.But I just wanted to ensure that we also acknowledge that people with less connecting time but at MCT or above tend to overwhelmingly make their connections!

 

[NM99]

Is 1 hr 15 minutes enough time for the layover at Frankfurt Airport until my flight to Biarritz? This is on Lifthansa. I am American so I assume I go through immigration at Frankfurt when I land

Frankfurt airport is quite large and there are several terminals so you may need to transfer to a different terminal, which is done by shuttle bus, if I remember correctly. I live in Canada and we often travel to Spain (other parts) and have had very harried transits through Frankfurt when we have less than about 3 hours. It’s the one airport where I always insist on at least 3 hours to allow for delays and changing terminals. I’d rather sit around the airport (drinking a beer!) than be scrambling but that’s just my take.

 

[Former member 102963]

I tend to waffle a lot but occasionally I manage to cut to the chase.

So we are actually not talking about all possible connecting flights but about flight LH1550 from FRA to BIQ and a Star Alliance flight from Chicago to Frankfurt. LH1550 flight time is 15:25 to 17:35. Saturdays only. It is included in the LH summer flight plan starting on April 29, 2023. A new connection. Perhaps that is the reason why the price from Chicago to Biarritz is attractive? So there is actually not much choice. Either go with it and accept the given connection time of 1h 15 min proposed by the airline or plan completely differently with other airlines, other prices and/or other transit airports.

Thanks….you don’t waffle. Concise, to the point, well researched and you quote your source! Shame on me as I have been on a Flixbus for 7 hours today and should have looked up the schedule! Right that’s enough of me being nice for 2023!

Re the price I would guess that the fare would be ‘common rated’ initially with destinations in the same geo-area.. that is the same fare structure and levels. But with new routes, often the lower booking classes are opened up (as it is all a bit of an unknown with no previous booking history to work with) so the fare quote to the consumer will be lower than similar journies. A myriad of other considerations but I am sure I am already boring people to death as people don’t come to the forum for airline fare talk!

 

[peregrina2000]

I think you could take out the words “1.5 hours” and “connection” and insert “hiking poles” and “carry-on” in this thread — a lot of us like to dig in and insist that the world is one way when the reality is a bit different.

I think @TravellingMan2022 said it best — most of us would prefer (in my case, MUCH prefer) to have a longer layover, but the vast majority of ticketed passengers with these short layovers make them. If they didn’t, the airlines would quickly change the connection time, because every missed connection costs them money.

That’s a different question than whether you want to take the risk of being in that small percentage of people that doesn’t make the connection and whether it will cause a big cascading disruption for the rest of your travel plans.

I would not book a ticket with this layover if I were going on an around the world cruise. Just as I would never check my backpack on my way to the camino. Low odds, but catastrophic results. But if I’m heading home with no appointments, I’m willing to take my chances.

Not sure there is much more to say, but I know people dislike moderators closing threads unnecessarily, so I’ll just let this one fall to the bottom.

 

[Former member 102963]

I think you could take out the words “1.5 hours” and “connection” and insert “hiking poles” and “carry-on” in this thread — a lot of us like to dig in and insist that the world is one way when the reality is a bit different.

I think @TravellingMan2022 said it best — most of us would prefer (in my case, MUCH prefer) to have a longer layover, but the vast majority of ticketed passengers with these short layovers make them. If they didn’t, the airlines would quickly change the connection time, because every missed connection costs them money.

That’s a different question than whether you want to take the risk of being in that small percentage of people that doesn’t make the connection and whether it will cause a big cascading disruption for the rest of your travel plans.

I would not book a ticket with this layover if I were going on an around the world cruise. Just as I would never check my backpack on my way to the camino. Low odds, but catastrophic results. But if I’m heading home with no appointments, I’m willing to take my chances.

Not sure there is much more to say, but I know people dislike moderators closing threads unnecessarily, so I’ll just let this one fall to the bottom.

Perfectly summarised! I concur 100%!

 

[Former member 92300]

That’s fine. I think we have established that most of us prefer a long layover! That’s fine, I do too.But I just wanted to ensure that we also acknowledge that people with less connecting time but at MCT or above tend to overwhelmingly make their connections!

And when you don't - you have the domino affect - missed flight, missed train ticket, missed hotel reservations for the first night, maybe missed reservations for the second night, delayed start of your trip - in this case - the Camino. If you reserved in advance you may have to redo your reservations for several days. Some may be refundable or changeable - others are not. Depending on how long your hike was intended to be - you may end up totally stressed trying to get to SdC which may lead to rushing which may lead to injury... I could go on and on. The OP asked if they have enough time.... maybe... maybe not. I gave my recommendations which you can agree or not. But, I can't tell you how many people I have seen freaking out in the TSA re-screens and in the customs lines because they didn't give themselves enough time to make their connection. Some make it. Others don't. Is it really worth the stress when you can allow yourself a longer connection time? So that is why I replied to the OP as I did.

 

[Former member 102963]

And when you don't - you have the domino affect - missed flight, missed train ticket, missed hotel reservations for the first night, maybe missed reservations for the second night, delayed start of your trip - in this case - the Camino. If you reserved in advance you may have to redo your reservations for several days. Some may be refundable or changeable - others are not. Depending on how long your hike was intended to be - you may end up totally stressed trying to get to SdC which may lead to rushing which may lead to injury... I could go on and on. The OP asked if they have enough time.... maybe... maybe not. I gave my recommendations which you can agree or not. But, I can't tell you how many people I have seen freaking out in the TSA re-screens and in the customs lines because they didn't give themselves enough time to make their connection. Some make it. Others don't. Is it really worth the stress when you can allow yourself a longer connection time? So that is why I replied to the OP as I did.

It’s fine ! I totally get you! I suffer from paranoia and I get everywhere insanely early and plan for every eventuality. I also have an anxiety condition called catastrophisation which means I assume everything will go wrong and ramifications will be disproportionately huge. I would panic at a 1 hr 15 connection, and am not advocating it, but I also recognise that the vast majority of folks will make their connection and feel it is right to offer that into the discussion! I am just trying to balance the ‘you got no chance, you need 3 hours unless you are doomed’ versus the reality. Then the OP can make a judgement in terms of what they want to do. For many a short connecting time over a major hub is a selling point not a concern! We are all different !

 

[ilbestro12]

I think you could take out the words “1.5 hours” and “connection” and insert “hiking poles” and “carry-on” in this thread — a lot of us like to dig in and insist that the world is one way when the reality is a bit different.

I think @TravellingMan2022 said it best — most of us would prefer (in my case, MUCH prefer) to have a longer layover, but the vast majority of ticketed passengers with these short layovers make them. If they didn’t, the airlines would quickly change the connection time, because every missed connection costs them money.

That’s a different question than whether you want to take the risk of being in that small percentage of people that doesn’t make the connection and whether it will cause a big cascading disruption for the rest of your travel plans.

I would not book a ticket with this layover if I were going on an around the world cruise. Just as I would never check my backpack on my way to the camino. Low odds, but catastrophic results. But if I’m heading home with no appointments, I’m willing to take my chances.

Not sure there is much more to say, but I know people dislike moderators closing threads unnecessarily, so I’ll just let this one fall to the bottom.

Cool, thanks for all of the replies.

Im surprised that LH has all international and Schengen flights at the same terminal but they have that German efficiency i guess.

I think I will try to get the longer layover at Paris. If something messes up maybe I can take a train to St Jean for six hours.

 

[Josefus]

Im surprised that LH has all international and Schengen flights at the same terminal but they have that German efficiency i guess.

The trick is simply a different design of the arriving gates: If you, for instance, arrive from the US you have no choice and will be guided to passport control. In case you arrive from a Schengen country you may just walk away to the departure gate of the connecting flight.

 

[Former member 102963]

Cool, thanks for all of the replies.

Im surprised that LH has all international and Schengen flights at the same terminal but they have that German efficiency i guess.

I think I will try to get the longer layover at Paris. If something messes up maybe I can take a train to St Jean for six hours.

Many major airlines in Europe are tending to move to a model where most, if not all, their flights, are within the same terminal, especially as new airports and terminals are built. Revenue, cost, and customer service benefits are obvious to all I sure.

 

[Lurch]

I will not go they FRA if at all possible. Swiss Air lost my bags for a week on a flight from FRA to ZUR. Afterwards I read that this is common in Frankfurt. I prefer flights through Amsterdam or Copenhagen.

 

[Former member 102963]

I will not go they FRA if at all possible. Swiss Air lost my bags for a week on a flight from FRA to ZUR. Afterwards I read that this is common in Frankfurt. I prefer flights through Amsterdam or Copenhagen.

Amsterdam is a very good connecting airport for sure. They really focus their business on connecting traffic, I guess due in part to the small size of the Dutch market! Many UK folks outside of London choose AMS as their transfer point (instead of London) as the price and experience are very competitive!

 

[Anamiri]

Is 1 hr 15 minutes enough time for the layover at Frankfurt Airport until my flight to Biarritz? This is on Lifthansa. I am American so I assume I go through immigration at Frankfurt when I land

I have had to make a wild sprint around Frankfurt airport wearing a pack, and arriving at the gates hot, sweaty, having barely made the plane.
There was a delay in the plane landing for some unexpected reason, the timing was not meant to be so tight.

 

[RJZA]

Is 1 hr 15 minutes enough time for the layover at Frankfurt Airport until my flight to Biarritz? This is on Lifthansa. I am American so I assume I go through immigration at Frankfurt when I land

No chance, or at the very least it will be an exciting and an athletic hour! Not too sure on your checked luggage making it either. FRA not coping too well post covid. As an airport it isn't an "helpful" environment and LH delays plentiful. As suggested elsewhere, go via Paris with a relaxed TGV ride from CDG to Biarritz...

 

[dougfitz]

I would want to know more about what the flights are and whether there is a transition from the international flight to a domestic flight in Frankfurt, or the stopover is managed as an international transit. As mentioned earlier, the US appears to be the only country where an international transit requires passengers to collect their bags and go through customs. Clearly if the stopover also means the final leg is a domestic flight, then the same thing happens elsewhere.

So, if it continues as an international leg, I would trust the airline and accept that the transit time is sufficient. The shortest time I have had in-transit like this is 45 minutes, but at a much smaller airport than Frankfurt. Like the OP, I was concerned this wouldn't be sufficient. It was.

The alternative, having to transit to a domestic flight, would be more difficult to achieve. If both legs are on the one ticket, the airline will still be responsible for getting you to your destination, and are unlikely to propose a transit time that won't work for a reasonable amount of the time, but you are taking a greater risk.

The worst circumstance is that you are offered the flights on separate tickets. That puts the whole problem back to you if any delays result in you missing the later flight. As an aside, travel insurance policies generally have a minimum time between such flights before they cover the costs of missed connexions. It might be several hours. If you leave less time, they will avoid any associated accommodation and re-booking costs. Been there, suffered that.

 

[trecile]

Another thing to consider is if the airline (or their partner airlines) has any later flights to your final destination on the same day that you are traveling. If so, it might be worth more of a gamble, but if the next flight isn't until the next day, or possibly later on routes that they fly only a few days a week, then you would probably want to pass on a tight connection.

 

[hikentravel1234]

Is 1 hr 15 minutes enough time for the layover at Frankfurt Airport until my flight to Biarritz? This is on Lifthansa. I am American so I assume I go through immigration at Frankfurt when I land

Absolutely not. There are too many variables to consider, as previously described. If you use the same airline for all legs of the flight, and the leg leaving from Frankfurt has multiple flights that day, after your flight, then you could consider rolling the dice, and hope there are openings on the later flights if you do indeed miss your flight.

 

[Former member 102963]

Another thing to consider is if the airline (or their partner airlines) has any later flights to your final destination on the same day that you are traveling. If so, it might be worth more of a gamble, but if the next flight isn't until the next day, or possibly later on routes that they fly only a few days a week, then you would probably want to pass on a tight connection.

Exactly and I think the BIA flight in this case is very infrequent!

Actually if you are facing a tight connection it’s worth looking at your options before your travel. In times of disruption reservation systems will automatically most likely put you on the next available flight to that same airport/city as a first action. If you have a plan though and can get to speak to an agent you may be able to work something out.

So for example if you miss last flight of day to LAX from Frankfurt, but there is a flight to SFO and you live between the two that may be an option. If you are aware of that option and can get to speak to an agent you may be able to make that happen depending on a number of other variables!

Agents don’t tend to be walking atlases and if you have options and can be specific that may help as in times of mass disruption it can all get a bit fraught. Airlines have policies to manage disruption (and they will differ depending on major or minor disruption) but there does tend to be a degree of discretion and if an agent can put a passenger on a different flight of their choosing and save hotels cost that may be an equable solution!

So in this case if there was later flight to BIO and then an onward surface connection, that may be something to consider assuming LH/ Star Allinace has flights.

 

[Kathor1]

Im surprised that LH has all international and Schengen flights at the same terminal

This is not an unusual arrangement for EU airports. There are separate channels for arriving passengers, depending on whether the flight comes from a Schengen airport or not. Same for departing passengers. A large airport like FRA also has more than one immigration/emigration point for passport control.

I will try to get the longer layover at Paris. If something messes up maybe I can take a train to St Jean for six hours.

A good decision.

Just for the record, a number of replies did not address the specific situation that you described: A single ticket with LH and/or partner airlines. Which means that arrival and departure at FRA airport are in Terminal 1 and, as far as I can tell, are even confined to the area of the A/Z gates. This blog entry probably describes various scenarios for transit / connecting times more accurately:

The following assumes both flights arrive and depart from Terminal 1. For those with through checked baggage or no luggage, on a single ticket, I would recommend a minimum 1.5 hour connection time, even though airlines can book you with a shorter connection time. If you're on separate tickets but with no luggage or through checked luggage, I'd recommend a 2 hour or more connection time. And if for some reason you need to collect baggage in Frankfurt and recheck it, I'd recommend … don't. More seriously, in that case, I'd recommend a minimum 3 hour or more connection.​

​

And if you have to change terminals, say arriving in Terminal 2 from a Non-Schengen country and departing from Terminal 1, on separate tickets, I would add another 30-45 min. to the times above.​

 

[Former member 102963]

This is not an unusual arrangement for EU airports. There are separate channels for arriving passengers, depending on whether the flight comes from a Schengen airport or not. Same for departing passengers. A large airport like FRA also has more than one immigration/emigration point for passport control.


A good decision.

Just for the record, a number of replies did not address the specific situation that you described: A single ticket with LH and/or partner airlines where arrival and departure at FRA airport are in Terminal 1 and, as far as I can tell, are even confined to the area of the A/Z gates. This blog entry probably describes various scenarios for transit / connecting times more accurately:

The following assumes both flights arrive and depart from Terminal 1. For those with through checked baggage or no luggage, on a single ticket, I would recommend a minimum 1.5 hour connection time, even though airlines can book you with a shorter connection time. If you're on separate tickets but with no luggage or through checked luggage, I'd recommend a 2 hour or more connection time. And if for some reason you need to collect baggage in Frankfurt and recheck it, I'd recommend … don't. More seriously, in that case, I'd recommend a minimum 3 hour or more connection.​

​

And if you have to change terminals, say arriving in Terminal 2 from a Non-Schengen country and departing from Terminal 1, on separate tickets, I would add another 30-45 min. to the times above.​

Yep. Facial recognition also allows airlines and terminals more flexibility in passenger processing. For example at LHR T5 mixing international and domestic passengers through a common terminal as opposed to separate areas.

 

[VNwalking]

As many have said, I wouldn't - not unless a delay wouldn't matter. But if you'll have no bookings on the other end and a day or two of leeway, why not? It's going to be a connection within the same terminal, which makes it more likely you'll be successful.

About Paris, don't forget that most of the BIA flights leave from Orly, not CDG - so that's an interairport transfer with going through security again on top of everything. It's idiotic, but c'est la vie. I did this once with a 3½ hour cushion, and it worked fine. And. It's real pain in the butt.

Amsterdam is a much better bet. I made a 55 minute connection there once when the inbound flight was 10 minutes late - it was tight but I made it. There will be immigration, but thete are many lines.

 

[AnneO]

Just last week I had a 1-hour layover in Frankfurt due to my arriving flight from the US being late. We made our flight but our bags did not.

 

[Former member 102963]

Just last week I had a 1-hour layover in Frankfurt due to my arriving flight from the US being late. We made our flight but our bags did not.

Whilst this thread is still active probably worth
urging extra caution for folks flying from parts of Asia when flying to/ from Europe as there are some delays due to the fact that western Airlines cannot overfly Russian airspace due to the ongoing conflict. Alternative routings can add time to the length of journey, but also as certain airspace is congested, delays to departure may be more likely as clearances are awaited. Often it will be fine but it is something to be aware of in connections are tight!

 

[WalkingInGers]

Frankfurt Airport is immense with many corridors. Imagine Madird Barajas Airport or Chicago O'Hare. One hour and 15 minutes? Frankly that is curtting it really short and you are on two different airlines. Heck no...the imponderables are late coming into FRA, customs and immigration lines. I would schedule 3 hours minimum so you don't sweat it out.

The minimum connecting time between two airlines is 2 hours and that was before COVID AND with the SAME airline, And that is not taking into consideration of airport layout, customs, health formalities and immigration If applicable.

 

[Molly Cassidy]

The minimum connecting time between two airlines is 2 hours and that was before COVID AND with the SAME airline, And that is not taking into consideration of airport layout, customs, health formalities and immigration If applicable.

The minimum time I have seen for Frankfurt is 45 minutes.

 

[peregrina2000]

The minimum connecting time between two airlines is 2 hours and that was before COVID AND with the SAME airline,

The minimum time I have seen for Frankfurt is 45 minutes.

I think that @Molly Cassidy is right on this.



I also think that we can be confident that an airlines is not going to sell you a ticket with an illegal connection time. I assume there would be substantial legal consequences.

 

[Former member 102963]

The minimum connecting time between two airlines is 2 hours and that was before COVID AND with the SAME airline, And that is not taking into consideration of airport layout, customs, health formalities and immigration If applicable.

Source?

 

[WalkingInGers]

Source?

SATA

 

[trecile]

SATA

Link to source?

 

[Former member 102963]

Who is SATA? Do you mean IATA?

 

[Kathor1]

Just for info: MCT - "Minimum Connection Time" is a thing. Airports define it - not potential passengers and websites. What we make of it for our individual comfort and for our travelling plans, is a separate issue. I recommend some reading:

Minimum Connection Times at European Hubs: A Brief Guide​

Different airports have different guidance​

By Jake Hardiman​

Published December 25, 2022​

​

The following airports are covered: London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Amsterdam Schiphol, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Madrid Barajas.