In my excitement at buying airline tickets, I stupidly allowed us only 35 mins connection time between our return flight from Shannon and connection home to Florida. If we preclear customs at Shannon, does anyone think it is possible to make our connecting flight with only 35 minutes to spare? Unfortunately there is only one direct flight back to Florida, a ticket change will cost $1000. (kicking myself!)
If your luggage is booked through to the connecting flight, your luggage may also miss the connection. In case your luggage makes the connection and you do not, make sure to pack overnight essentials in your carryon.
Even with adequate time, we missed our connecting flight in Boston with no more flights that day to our final destination. However, because of a mechanical delay at Shannon, Aer Lingus gave us vouchers at the airport hotel in Boston and we were able to book a flight the next morning to complete our trip home.
It was not the worst thing that can happen. Even if you have to pay for a hotel at your connecting airport it will be less expensive than changing your flight. Everything will work itself out. So enjoy your trip and stop kicking yourself.
more info...we are flying United from Shannon to Newark and then 35 mins later United from Newark to Fort Myers. If I understand the preclearance process correctly, upon arriving in Newark we should be able to go directly to our flight to Florida ( skipping customs and our luggage should be booked thru to our destination). I am unfamiliar with Newark and wonder if we can get from one gate to the other in the 35 minute window. Since United allowed me to book the flights, are they responsible if we miss the connection?? Thanks for any advice!
You will clear US Customs at Shannon so no delays when you arrive at Newark, Newark only has three terminals, you will probably be using Terminal C (International), even if your Florida flight is from another terminal they have an Air Train (tram) to get from one terminal to another.
You will be rushed, but should be fine, at Newark.
If you bought the tickets as Round Trip from Ft Meyers, then United would be responsible for delays.
Sign up for Alerts and / or keep checking to make sure that United doesn't make changes to departure times. Continental used to be quite bad about doing THAT (Delta is another!). We had RT from Sarasota one year and just about a month before departure, Continental changed our flight and ADDED an 8.5 Hour layover in Newark on our Return flight.
Several calls later, they agreed to let us change our tickets so that we flew Out of Sarasota, but In to Ft Meyers -- which cut our layover back to 1 3/4 hours. That was a pretty unique situation, but it shows that the airline WILL work with you.
You should be fine. Newark has moving sidewalks, as well.
Bob
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Bob
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