Booking a flight with a stop in it.

[Cattlegod]

I'm about to book a flight from Detroit to Portland. In order to get a good rate, all flights seem to stop in denver, CO. Now, the question is, how much time is enough time? I found a good flight for 290 bucks round trip and there is only 45 mins between the flights. same carrier - frontier airlines.

Other carriers are about the same price (10-15 bucks more) and have between 30 mins - 2 hours between flights.

Bottom line - How much time is OK between a flight?

edit: What happens if the flight arrives late and makes me miss the next one?

EDIT 2 - Ok, How many days before the flight should I buy my ticket? I heard 21 days is ideal.

 

[meltdown75]

hmm. we flew out of Detroit en route to Cancun and stopped in Memphis for about an hour each way. It wasn't bad really - if you have to stop, at least you have time to check out some shops (if the airport has any) or grab some grub / beer / grab newspaper, etc.

 

[Mojoed]

This is highly subjective. I never get bored, so I could wait for hours. Longest I've ever waited on a stop over was like 90 minutes.

It's really up to you how long you feel like waiting, and how much your time is worth.

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: meltdown75
hmm. we flew out of Detroit en route to Cancun and stopped in Memphis for about an hour each way. It wasn't bad really - if you have to stop, at least you have time to check out some shops (if the airport has any) or grab some grub / beer / grab newspaper, etc.

true, i guess my biggest worry is the first flight is late and makes me miss my next flight from denver to portland.

 

[alien42]

give yourself enough time in case the first flight is late. i had a short layover in amsterdam turn into a 9 hour layover due to a late first flight.

then again it doesnt matter as i am sure there are plenty of flights in your case and there were only two per day in my case so scratch everything i just said

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: alien42
give yourself enough time in case the first flight is late. i had a short layover in amsterdam turn into a 9 hour layover due to a late first flight.

yikes, that is what i am worried about.

 

[CycloWizard]

It depends. If you're with the same carrier, they should set you up so you have more than enough time to make the next plane, even if your arriving flight is a little late. It also depends on the airport. A good rule of thumb, IMO, is about 30-45 minutes unless you're going to a really large/busy airport, in which case I'd allow more time. If your arriving flight is late and you miss your connection, the airline should work to get you to your destination ASAP on another flight. Of course, YMMV.

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: CycloWizard
It depends. If you're with the same carrier, they should set you up so you have more than enough time to make the next plane, even if your arriving flight is a little late. It also depends on the airport. A good rule of thumb, IMO, is about 30-45 minutes unless you're going to a really large/busy airport, in which case I'd allow more time. If your arriving flight is late and you miss your connection, the airline should work to get you to your destination ASAP on another flight. Of course, YMMV.

ok cool, that is what i had hoped they would do, just pop me on the next flight to there.

 

[alien42]

Originally posted by: Cattlegod

Originally posted by: alien42
give yourself enough time in case the first flight is late. i had a short layover in amsterdam turn into a 9 hour layover due to a late first flight.

yikes, that is what i am worried about.

i updated that post once i thought about it. since it is in the US if you do miss the second flight they will just put you on the next one they can so unless its a busy holiday no big deal.

 

[chimmytime]

Also depends if you're on the same airplane, some stops are just to pick up more passengers.

I can't say how soon you should book your flight, except do it as soon as possible if you want Southwest, or Jetblue deals, because they only alot certain amount of seats to the really cheap price, and they go up as they fill up.

 

[sciencewhiz]

I like to have an hour between flights. Most of the time you can easily make it with only a half hour layover, but be wary if traveling during a high traffic weekend or during a time when weather can be a problem.

Both times I've missed flights due to weather it's been relatively painless.

 

[Tylanner]

an hour in Ohare is like heaven

 

[rgwalt]

1 hour is ideal. I would go less than 45 minutes. If a flight is late and you miss your connection, they will rebook you on the next available flight, or put you up for the night if necessary.

R

 

[vi edit]

45 minutes in Denver would be sufficient so long as your incoming flight wasn't more than 20 minutes behind.

Any more than that and you'll be pushing it. Denver is very easy to get around.