Is this enough connection time in PHL?

Question

So, my job is having me fly to Syracuse next week. I was just given my travel arrangements, and the airline gods have not been kind. I have a 5:50 am flight from ORD to PHL on US Airways. It arrives at 8:50. According to their website, the flight is on time 80% of the time. It arrives in terminal C, and I have to connect to a 9:25 am flight in terminal B. Is this doable? By the way the airport map looks, it looks as if it is fairly close. I just want to make sure before I call the travel department. Thanks!

Answer 1

I used to travel frequently for business and I would not accept such a connection. I've also worked in the travel business and would advise customers against accepting such a connection.

An on time rating of 80% does not literally mean that the flight  arrives on schedule 80% of the time. In the world of airlines, "on time" means "within 15 minutes of schedule". Therefore, it can routinely arrive 14 minutes late and still be "on time". Any delay will be a disaster when you have only 35 minutes.

You may also want to consider that load factors are very high on many flights. If you miss your connecting flight, there may be no room for you on the next flight. If that happens, you could have to wait for hours to get a seat to Syracuse. I strongly recommend changing your flights now.

Answer 2

Yes, you should be given both BPs in Chicago.

If the inbound flight is late, no harm in asking the flight attendant to give you updated info on your connection - it may also be late, or may have had a gate change.  If you don't do this, at least check the monitor as soon as you get off of your first flight to check for a gate change.

Answer 3

Its 35 min, which is very tight.

Since the airline sold the ticket with a legal connection, they believe that you will make it. Ussualy flights in the morning are the most on time flights of the day, so as long as the weather isnt bad in Chicago, you should be ok. You wont however have any time in Philly to waste, you will probably be boarding by about the time you get to the gate.

Answer 4

That is tight but definitely doable. Just hope there are no delays and also be prepared to run if you really want to make the flight if there are minor delays.

Answer 5

It is a very tight connection as everyone has said.  If you cannot change your flight, then see if you can sit in the front of the plane.  That way as soon as the plane reaches the gate, you can be one of the first people off.  If you sit in the back of the plane, then most likely you will miss your connection.  It takes a lot of time for people to deplane as they are getting their bags from the overhead bins.