Flight Connections

[Bam]

Hey, this is my first time travelling by air, and I've been searching long and hard for the best price on open-jaw tickets from NY-London and then Rome-NY.

The best I've found, by far, is $485 (tax/fees included) from statravel.com.

The only concern I have is that the flights are not direct, and I'm afraid that I might miss my connecting flight due to time constraints.

I'd be departing JFK and arriving at Frankfurt Intl. at 5:30 AM, then departing from there at 7:25 AM to London Heathrow. That gives me 2 hours, and I'm not sure that is enough time to get through customs, etc.

On the return flight I'll depart Rome and arrive at Frankfurt Intl. at 12:05 PM and my next flight departs at 1:30 PM. That gives me less than 1.5 hours.

I've never been on an airplane before so it's tough for me to gauge whether or not this is doable. I could purchase direct tickets, but the cheapest I've found is $609 (tax/fees included).

What do you think?

Thanks a lot.

-Bam

[LHR02]

Wow Bam.....those are all pretty big airports and you have very minimal connection times. Let me ask you this....are they all on the same airline? If they are, then at least you won't likely be faced with trying to head off to another terminal altogether which will help a great deal. If they are on different airlines....I'd almost have to say a 1.5 hour connection time in Frankfurt is going to be dicidedly 'iffy'. Just know you are likely going to feel incredibly stressed and rushed and try and go with it. For sure let the flight attendants/gate attendants know up front what your potential connection problems may be. They will usually find out what gate you need to go to and will let the next flight know you are in the terminal and on the way. Is there no way to schedule a slightly later flight in the second leg of each and still retain your price....which is quite fantastic by the way! Great shopping!

[Bam]

dustoffmom,

All of the flights are via Luftansa airlines.

I'm really apprehensive about the layovers since this will be my first time navigating airports. I'm scared I'll miss my flights.

I might be able to play around with my dates and find flights with longer layover times. How much time do you think is safe for a changeover at Frankfurt (this is where both my changeovers are)?

I'm still searching for direct flights for under $550, but no luck yet.

Thanks so much for your advice.

-Bam

[LHR02]

Well, I'd like a minimum of 2 hours...but Frankfurt IS Lufthansa's airport and they have their own terminals....virtually every other airline lands/uses a seperate one. If memory serves, all others are "A" and Luft is B & C....one international, one 'local' so to speak. When you check in for your flight be sure and let them know you will be fighting a rather tight connection...they will likely act oh so bored and offer no help at all ;D but a note will/should be made for the flight crew. When the flight is nearing landing they will normally make announcements of 'ongoing' flights and which terminal/gate it is departing from. Don't guess....there will be folks standing around to answer questions once you deplane...find one and ask them specifically how best to get to your next gate. You don't have time to be making wrong turns. Don't be shy....involve anyone and everyone in your potential problem. It likely will be just fine....and at least if your first flight is delayed and you miss the second....THEY are responsible for getting you on the next available outbound flight at no cost to you. And that is ANY airlines...the next available seat they have to give to you.

BTW....had a similar thing happen my last trip to Italy....flight to Milan was horribly delayed leaving Atlanta....we landed almost 2 hours late...and 5 minutes (!) before my flight to Venice was due to leave. They sped me through customs and were paging me regularly throughout the terminal to come to gate whatever....but they held that flight for almost 20 minutes till I got there. On Alitalia.....unbelievable service! BUT....I complained and kept doing so the entire trip into to Milan to the flight crew and they surely knew I was not going to be brushed off. ;D

Ammended to add......be determined, be no nonsense....but do always, always be polite and not angry! Those folks take more crap in a day than most of us do in a year and being a jerk will get you nothing.

[LHR02]

Oh, and don't sweat navigating airports girl! That's a snap. They are all well marked with common 'picture' signs, but even easier, just get off the plane and follow the crowd. They will take you directly to immigration, luggage and customs. ;D And that's fine if you have no rush....in your case you might need to use employees to speed you through these stops.

[Bam]

Thanks for the advice.

The best alternative I've found is $560 (tax/fees included) direct from Newark-London, and on the return trip -- Rome to Heathrow w/ a connection time of 2 hours 45 mins. then back to Newark. British airways.

Newark is more convenient than JFK for me, too. So this option might be worth the extra $75 and peace of mind.

-Bam

[LHR02]

If the $75 is not going to 'break the bank' then I say go for this. Nearly 3 hours should be plenty for Heathrow and the reduction in stress for you will be enormous! Heathrow is one of the world's easiest airports to navigate...IMHO....and I have always had good service from BA. If it will work for you then I say go for this option instead. Your 'heart' will likely thank you! ;D

[Bam]

Thanks again, you were extremly helpful. I think I'm gonna go with BA.

Now I just have to book my trains and hostels!