We booked flights a few months ago going from ALB > DCA > MIA > int’l destination via American Airlines. About a month later American emailed us that multiple of our flights had changed, so now instead of an hour layover at DCA, we have 32 minutes. We called a few weeks ago and they said it would be on us if we missed the flight, and they could give us travel credit but no money back. They said we should keep checking back to see if a better flight comes up but none has. Is it realistic to still try to make this? It’s a domestic switch and we bought the flights all on the same ticket. I can’t believe it’s not on them to help us still get to our destination if we miss it because of their change. I’m also worried about our checked bag not making the second flight, even if we do. We looked at flight alternatives but everything either really messes with our schedule or is way more expensive than the original flight. How have you dealt with this in the past? What would you ask for if calling the airline again? Thank you in advance!
American uses three different areas at DCA airport. The time you need to change the gates could be anything from 1 minute to probably up to 15 minutes. If you’re lucky it’s just the next gate, if not you need to walk (run) a bit.
Definitely let the flight attend on your way to DCA know that you’re on a tight schedule. Most times they make an announcement that the other passengers should let the ones with tight connections out first.
Also as you go on an international flight, they probably have to check your passport anyway at check-in counter. I would let the personal at check-in know about the tight connection and ask if you could get a seat more in front of the plane.
The last thing you could ask upfront is for a flight change to a non-stop connection to MIA or a flight via a different airport than DCA, like PHL, CLT. You should look that up before you call them.
@Holland
Not PHL…Lots of missed connections there.
@Holland
You can also ask the attendants to contact the gate at DCA and inform them that the flight was switched by the airline and you have a very tight turnaround. I’ve been on flights that were held for passengers in this situation. But they won’t know to hold if nobody tells them.
@Rowen
Your use of “non” and “un” and the affirmative forms of “There is” and “It is” is quite confusing, to be honest.
I wouldn’t ask for a refund, I’d just call them and ask for a better route with a longer layover. They have other options.
If you keep the 30 minutes, it’s likely the bag will end up on a later flight. That’s not a huge deal, if it doesn’t arrive at the carousel let the airline know and give them the address to your accommodation so they can deliver it. And pack whatever you need for the first 24 hours in your carry on.
Usually when people melt down about a “lost” bag, it’s just delayed an 99% of the time arrives within a day. If you insist, they will deliver it to you when it arrives.
You go and if you miss the connection they will put you on the next flight. AA has a bunch of flights DCA-MIA.
Before you panic, look at the DCA arrivals and departures information for the same day of the week as you are flying (e.g. today if you’re flying on a Sunday). It is not 100% reliable, but oftentimes the same flights use the same gates. So if the flight you’re arriving on typically arrives at an adjacent gate, you will probably make the connection as long as there are no flight delays for your flight (either on departure or arriving). I would be surprised if your bag makes it, but I’ve been surprised before. A look at today’s flights show Albany flights arriving at E gates and Miami flights departing from D gates. It is possible, but I wouldn’t want to risk it.
I typically like a 60 minute minimum connection time for any domestic to domestic connection and 90 minutes if my connection involves a change of terminal, going through security/customs/immigration.
I find it strange that AA thinks this is a legal connection time.
I’m not familiar with the DCA airport so I can’t say what potential problems that would entail, but it sounds like 30 mins is the required layover time for that airport (if it were higher, they wouldn’t have been able to book you on this itinerary). That means that, as long as your inbound flight is on time, they did their part correctly and technically aren’t responsible if you miss it, but they are also responsible for making sure your bag gets on the plane as well. Make sure you let the flight attendant know about your very short connection and they might be able to help you make sure you get there on time, or hold them up to wait for you.
When your flights change, AA gives you the option to adjust them for free, and that’s something you should’ve investigated when you first got the notification that they changed. It does suck when the other alternatives are not as good as your original itinerary, but you’re still limited to the flights that exist.
@Sky
I once had 30 minute layover in ATL and I made it. I’m sure most people such as yourself is aware of the size of ATL. That was my most stressful layover ever.
Brooke said:
@Sky
I once had 30 minute layover in ATL and I made it. I’m sure most people such as yourself is aware of the size of ATL. That was my most stressful layover ever.
Honestly with the planetrain I’ve never had issues getting around ATL quickly but I expect it could be problematic if it’s not running for some reason (I have had that happen in Miami). I definitely understand that stress though! Even as an able solo traveler who usually preps well, I still don’t try to have ANY layover under an hour.
@Sky
Usually if I’m flying into ATL it’s from ROA in VA and even if I book an hour plus layover my about 80% of the time I’m sitting on the runway just taxing and am always late taking off. I’ve gotten used to those tight layovers unfortunately. If I could avoid flying out of ROA I would.
Just an FYI…I’ve made 30-minute connections with my bag arriving. If I’m following your itinerary that’s New York, to Arlington VA (small airport) to Miami. You will be fine. What I usually do is about 15 minutes before landing I use the bathroom so I don’t have any reason to stop when getting off my flight and immediately go to my gate. Trust me you got this.
Tell them this schedule is unacceptably tight. I never schedule layovers for less than an hour. At half an hour, you could easily miss your connection before you even get off the first plane.
Rayne said:
Tell them this schedule is unacceptably tight. I never schedule layovers for less than an hour. At half an hour, you could easily miss your connection before you even get off the first plane.
Right. They’re going to change their flight schedule because you called.
@Ash
No, but they could put OP on any number of different flights, including through different hubs or on partner airlines.
Rayne said:
@Ash
No, but they could put OP on any number of different flights, including through different hubs or on partner airlines.
They have the option to do that.
Is it 30 minutes from boarding time? Or is it 30 minutes from flight departure? Since doors close earlier…
I would mention it to the crew so they can hopefully make sure you are first to get off…
Since it’s domestic transfer I’d say it’s doable but definitely stressful. You will need to run and not get lost essentially…
Edit: regarding checked bags, there’s a non-zero chance of it happening… but it’s also not uncommon for all passengers to be boarded before the bags arrive. Not much comfort but pack everything you need in your carry on and hopefully you have a travel card that will cover necessary expenses… I don’t remember AA policies but they might also be obligated to cover…
See if you can get on an earlier flight to DCA.
I think you’ll make it. If you get to the gate for your flight out of DC too late, they will definitely rebook you.