airport transfers

[MHandMB 0]

Hi, all!

My fiance is supposed to be coming on Friday (!!!) and will be going through JFK. I am leaving plenty of time for him to get through customs for his connecting flight, but unfortunately, he must connect AGAIN in order to get home to Charleston. I am looking at flights either through Dulles or Detroit. Both layovers are about 45 minutes. Will he be pushing it to make the connection? Are either of these airports really hard to navigate? I know I wouldn't send him through Atlanta with that amount of time because it's just too big, but I am not familiar with Dulles or Detroit airports. Is this doable?

Thanks for your help!

[beaner0500 0]

Dulles is kind of a pain because most of the terminals require a shuttle bus ride. So I personally would feel comfortable if I had at least an hour and a half in between connections. The airport isn't difficult to navigate per se, just takes some time if you have to switch terminals.

[spunky66 0]

I know getting through NWA terminal in DTW is pretty easy and 45 minutes should be no sweat

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Dulles is much closer, so doable; Detroit is overshooting and almost as far west (for practical purposes) as O'Hare.

[blackbettie 0]

I once had a layover of 90 minutes in Dulles, but as it was my POE, I also had to go through customs and everything there.

So in the end, I had to take off my (high-heeled) shoes and run as fast as I could and damn, 3 minutes later and I would have missed my plane. It wasn't too difficult to navigate but like beaner already said, I'd also feel more comfortable with a little more time.

Maybe check first if he'd have to switch terminals and then decide. If yes, then allow him a little more time, if no then it should be ok.

[zyggy 9]

I once had a layover of 90 minutes in Dulles, but as it was my POE, I also had to go through customs and everything there.

So in the end, I had to take off my (high-heeled) shoes and run as fast as I could and damn, 3 minutes later and I would have missed my plane. It wasn't too difficult to navigate but like beaner already said, I'd also feel more comfortable with a little more time.

Maybe check first if he'd have to switch terminals and then decide. If yes, then allow him a little more time, if no then it should be ok.

If the flight is through Northwest, the change in flight would be very easy... the Northwest Terminal is very easy to navigate.. it's in one straight line...

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Another idea, though admittedly a bit lousy: how about he take a flight from La Guardia to Charleston?

There are busses which run JFK-LGA (so add several hours--mostly for the Van Wyck Expressway traffic ), but this has the virtue of the transfer being from within the same region as landing.

[Fuzzness 2]

The Northwest terminal in Detroit is one of the easiest terminals to navigate. just ride the treadmill things. but I would give more than 45 minutes for connecting for any airport. You should allow for delays.

if he smokes, the fox sportsbar is located in the middle of the terminal. their food is way overpriced and not that great, but it sure beats going outside for a smoke.

[desert_fox 32]

As long as you dont change airline companies you should be allright. If they are willing to issue the ticket, then you are protected. Many times they wont issue tickets for short connecting times.

Seems like the long way around...NY to Dallas and back to Charleston??

[Saddle Bronc 124]

As long as you dont change airline companies you should be allright. If they are willing to issue the ticket, then you are protected. Many times they wont issue tickets for short connecting times.

Seems like the long way around...NY to Dallas and back to Charleston??

The OP actually stated "Dulles" which has the code "IAD" and services Washington DC (from out in the fringes of Fairfax County--borderline to Loudoun), not Dallas-Fort-Worth (DFW).

[~ Karima ~ 0]

Alot also has to do with what airline you are traveling on. I have 2 out of 3 times flown back JFK-IAD(dulles)-ATL. When you leave JFK, most of the time it is just a stop thru IAD and not necessarily a connection, at least that is how it was for me. There was a stop of 45 mins, but you do not change planes. This is something you can check with the airline carrier when booking the ticket. If he will just be "stopping" thru there is nothing to worry about as he won't have to even get off the plane. Most people got off, but a few were continuing on to ATL.

[desert_fox 32]

As long as you dont change airline companies you should be allright. If they are willing to issue the ticket, then you are protected. Many times they wont issue tickets for short connecting times.

Seems like the long way around...NY to Dallas and back to Charleston??

The OP actually stated "Dulles" which has the code "IAD" and services Washington DC (from out in the fringes of Fairfax County--borderline to Loudoun), not Dallas-Fort-Worth (DFW).

I think that I need new glasses.

[meddykomp 0]

Definitely check to see if this is just a stop or an actual change of plane for both. If it's a change of plane, Detroit is pretty easy if you are not going through customs. Even walking I could go through all terminals in 20 minutes and they have a train to make it more convenient. Chances are that there wont even need to be a change in terminals anyway.