Make Tight Airline Connections

Sometimes in order to find cheap traveldeals, such as cheapfares, cheap airplane tickets, discounttravel deals, cheap vacation packages, discount hotel rooms, or cheap auto rentals, youneed to be willing to accept connecting flights vs. flying directly to yourdestination. Short airport connectionsare not a problem so long as you can make your next flight.

The following are tips on how to avoid being stranded atthe gate when facing a tight connection, according to Smarter Travel:

• Reservean aisle seat toward the front of the plane. If such a seat is unavailable online, check in at the airline airportcounter and explain why you would like to be seated close to the front. The earlier you arrive at the airport, andthe nicer you act, the more likely you will be able to secure the desired seat.

• If theagent at the ticket counter is unable to help you, politely explain yoursituation to a flight attendant who often will be sympathetic about avoidingmissed connections. Wait to ask afterall the passengers have been seated and when your flight attendant does notappear to be overly busy.

• Bebetter prepared to move quickly to your flight at your connecting airport bydownloading or printing a map of that airport which shows all of theterminals. If your connecting airport isyour first entry point on an international city, map out baggage carousels,customs, and immigration areas. Makecertain you confirm your next flights gate number when you deplane on an airlinescreen at the airport.

• If atall possible, do not check a bag. Thisway you can save time otherwise spent waiting for your bag on a never endingconveyor belt loop if you luggage has not been checked all the way through toyour final destination. Also, by notchecking a bag you do not risk that bag not making it onto your connectingflight in time.

• Facedwith short overnight connections, you would be wise to not risk missing yournext flight by going to an airport hotel. Instead see if by the hour sleep pods are available at your connectingairport. Alternatively considerpurchasing a day pass to an airport lounge.

• Useyour time wisely at your connecting airport by not wasting any searching forfood. Instead pack a protein bar orother easily portable snacks. Make afinal bathroom visit shortly before your plane starts to descend so that you donot have to spend time looking for and using an airport bathroom.

• Moveto the front of security checkpoints by applying to a preclearance securityservice such as CLEAR. Once approved youwill be able to save time at all security checkpoints where such a program isaccepted. Security clearance programsare available at select U.S. (with more being added all of the time) andinternational airports.

• Rememberthat legal flight connection times, as defined by the airlines, are notalways sufficient. On domestic flights aminimum of 45 minutes between flights is needed. However if your connection is through a verybusy/big airport (such as Chicago OHare), especially during the winter months,look for at least a 75 minute layover.

  On international flights, look for aminimum of two hours, or more if you have checked a bag that will need to berechecked post customs at your connecting airport.

• Do notleisurely stroll to your connecting flight. Gate doors usually close 10 to 30 minutes prior to a flights scheduleddeparture. Once closed, airport doorswill not open to board late passengers even if the plane is still at thegate. Do your best to arrive at yourgate at the boarding time (printed on your boarding pass) and not the departuretime.

• If forwhatever reason you miss your connecting flight, call the airlineimmediately. Usually airlines willreschedule you on the next available flight at no cost if your tight connectiontime was responsible for you missing your flight. If you were unable to make your connectingflight because of factors outside of your control, request compensation, suchas a flight voucher.