A 40-minute connection in Dallas. Possible?

Have a good one. Please post an update afterwards to let us know what actually happened.

Ah well. Nothing like a mad dash through an airport. Hope everything runs to time and you get your connection. Have a good flight.

Thanks all for your help with this.

I tried to get the booking changed a moment ago but the airline wanted $550.00 out of me to change to an earlier flight from Orlando to Dallas. Needless to say, I decided not to go ahead with the change!

There is a later flight to Heathrow – flight 80 – but I wouldn’t be surprised if it is sold out by then. Looking at the seat map, there only seems to be a few available seats.

I’ll just put my skates on, hope there is no delay and be prepared to make a mad dash when I get to Dallas.

What makes you think the DFW-LHR flight departs from A? It will depart from D. As for the MCO-DFW flight, that could arrive into any terminal.

At the time of booking, it said ‘terminal change’ but gave no specific details. When looking at FlightStats.com, it said that the flights had operated in/out of terminals A and D. Not knowing that domestic flights could use any of the terminals at the airport, I assumed it would always be the same ones.

Thanks again,

Michael

What makes you think the DFW-LHR flight departs from A? It will depart from D. As for the MCO-DFW flight, that could arrive into any terminal.

Assuming your MCO-DFW is on time you will make the connection. Is there still a later flight to London after AA78? Sometimes there is one around 9pm. If not, then if you do miss the connection, you will have to resign yourself to flying home the following day, most likely DFW-ORD-LHR on the dayflight.

If your flight is delayed when you get to MCO, get the gate agents to rebook you onto a different service (via MIA, ORD or JFK) as they will be more than happy to do so.

Finally, make sure you get your AAdvantage miles for this trip too!

Minimum connection time Domestic-International at DFW is 40 minutes, so your connection is “legal”.

If you have booked a single itinerary MCO-DFW-LHR (on AA for example) then whilst tight, the connection should work as long as the MCO-DFW flight is on time – and if you miss the connection AA should look after you and rebook you. If you have an on-line connection with AA, make sure you get both boarding passes at MCO and on arrive at DFW take the “Skylink” train between the terminals (its airside, so no further security checks – just make sure you get on it going the right direction as D–>A is longer one way round the “circle” of terminals than it is the other way) – the longest Skylink journey between furthest points is about 10 minutes, and if you get it right D–> should be less than that. Whilst the view from the Skylink (of all the ramps) is interesting, do not mess about watching aeroplanes – make it a priority to get to your new gate in A.

If however you have booked two seperate tickets, then you’re on your own and I’d say that your chances are next to zero as you’ll have to check in again in DFW, which may also involve coming landside and re-clearing security.

Realistically? I’d say I’d be more worried about my checked bags making the connection than I would about making it in person, AS LONG AS the MCO-DFW flight is on time. And the other issue is that July is thunderstorm season in Florida so you could well pick up a delay out of MCO that could scupper things.

Andy

Agreed. 40mins is just pushing it too close to the line. AA (if thats who your flying with) must think its do-able though if they let you book it without it getting flagged up as an illegal connection.

I would say that you have little or no chance of making that connection given the sprawl that is DFW. Am even assuming you are travelling AA all the way and your baggage will be checked through to London. It would not take much of a departure delay or a long taxi at Orlando or DFW to cause problems – suggest you try to reschedule and get an earlier flight to DFW.