Flying Question......

[PaintballCLE]

So not to sound dumb but i have never bought airfare through a non-airline website. I was looking at expedia.com for my flight to San Diego for the game in December and most of the airfare is in the $600-800 range. They have one for only $349 but it has a layover in Dallas of only 28 minutes. The problem is this: I Fly from Cleveland to Dallas on american airlines, have a 28 min layover, then fly to San Diego on Delta. Is tehre any possible way to change airlines in 28 minutes? Would I have to go get my luggage and recheck it with Delta? or do they transfer it that fast to another airline?

I fly occasionally so i know the basics, but have never taken a multi carrier flight. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[That One Guy]

There is no way in hell I'd take a flight with only a 28 minute layover. If the flight is delayed, gets in a few minutes late, or simply too far away... you'll miss your flight and be at the bottom of the priority list for getting on a new flight. People would be boarding the 2nd flight before you were even off the first - ignoring commute time.

Give youself 2 hours or so between flights if you can... you'll sit a bit but by the time you go to the bathroom, grab a bite... then get ready to board, you'll be happy you did.

[Sassy]

Ugh...I wouldn't chance that.
United had 3 hours to transfer my luggage on their own airline when I went to Cleveland...needless to say I got there before my luggage did (after they assured me it was plenty of time.)

28 minutes even if you are on time and sitting in the front of the plane isn't enough time in my opinion...you could be sitting on the runway or even at the gate and depending on where your gate is...well...you'd be screwed.

[loborugger]

Having gone thru Dallas, I have found at times that it takes damn near an hour to make it from one American flight to the next... that doesnt take into account changing airlines. I wouldnt hold my breath on that one working.

[PaintballCLE]

yeah thats for the advice..... i was thinking there was no way that would work, but i just cant beleive they would offer it if it couldn't be done....

[That One Guy]

yeah thats for the advice..... i was thinking there was no way that would work, but i just cant beleive they would offer it if it couldn't be done....

They'll happily take your money and stick you on standby. Heck, I believe that may just be the corporate motto for Continental. "Take their money now, go ahead and fly em if you get a chance."

[Sassy]

American is terminal 2
Delta is commuter terminal...there's no way...why would they even schedule that?

http://www.san.org/airport/terminals/terminal_maps.asp

[Sassy]

Do you change time zones? They really only allow 28 minutes?

[That One Guy]

Do you change time zones? They really only allow 28 minutes?

I can't imagine they'd put landing time in one time zone but takeoff in another, right?

[Sassy]

True...I was just curious.

[PaintballCLE]

i do change time zones.......I leave cleveland at 7:30 Am arive in dallas at 8:52 AM (so they must already have the time change in there) Then the delta flight leaves at 9:20 am

I was thinking about that too..... but with those times it seems like they already have that figured in. Alright i guess ill keep looking for something else.

[Sassy]

Yep...that would be right.

[Sassy]

Just for info...I suppose it depends on where you're taking off from and arriving to. But, I have found it cheaper to book directly through the airlines. I am taking United through Denver on the way out and United through Chicago n the way back...but going through Northwest was 400 more...and then a couple of days later...United was up there too. That's why we got our tickets/hotels as soon as the schedule came out.

[Hogan11]

I never accept a layover that's less than one hour, period.

[Bronco Billy]

Hogan's right. Even with 1 hour you might be rushing if the plane arrives a little late and have to go to another terminal for and check in with another airline.

Kev, have you looked at flying into Vegas or LAX? You may have cheaper / more options.

Looking at Southwest, it looks like Detroit to San Diego is cheaper mid $400's. Did you try Detroit - San Diego on Expedia?

[elsid13]

You won't make the transfer. You need about an hour to transfer planes in Dallas due to the layout and the tram.

[theAPAOps5]

Yeah buddy you shouldn't have made that reservation. 30 minutes is never enough time to switch airlines. Airports lease blocks of gates to airlines. So each airline kind of has its own zone. One could be a terminal completely on the other side of the airport as where you are connecting.

You don't have to worry about your bags they will transer between airlines.

My suggestion to you is this. About a day before the flight call Delta and see if there room on the next flight to San Diego and if they can bump you there. It might be 4 hours between flights but Dallas airport is cool so walk around.

All is not lost though. Dallas always has delays. So you might make it on time but your Delta flight might be delayed from its earlier flight.

Finally, if you miss your connection they usually just put you on the next flight. So all is not lost.

[Peoples Champ]

I would do it, save that kind of money, even if something goes wrong, I am sure they would help you out with some perk for your second flight, you can always talk your way into something.

[PaintballCLE]

Hogan's right. Even with 1 hour you might be rushing if the plane arrives a little late and have to go to another terminal for and check in with another airline.

Kev, have you looked at flying into Vegas or LAX? You may have cheaper / more options.

Looking at Southwest, it looks like Detroit to San Diego is cheaper mid $400's. Did you try Detroit - San Diego on Expedia?

yeah i was thinking about looking into flying into vegas... maybe i could take an extra few days there :~ohyah!: Its pretty cheap to fly to phoenix.... but i ahve no idea how close that is to SD.....its like 500 bucks cheaper though so that might still be worth it.

[Bronco Jamus]

You can make it if you carry on. Don't check bags. I still wouldn't do it, but it's possible.

[theAPAOps5]

yeah i was thinking about looking into flying into vegas... maybe i could take an extra few days there :~ohyah!: Its pretty cheap to fly to phoenix.... but i ahve no idea how close that is to SD.....its like 500 bucks cheaper though so that might still be worth it.

My in-laws live in Phoenix and head over to San Diego. Its not that far of a drive.

[StuPedaso]

Southwest is cheaper than that and reliable.

[Ratboy]

That's a good deal. I would take the chance. Just run ;)

[Tombstone RJ]

So not to sound dumb but i have never bought airfare through a non-airline website. I was looking at expedia.com for my flight to San Diego for the game in December and most of the airfare is in the $600-800 range. They have one for only $349 but it has a layover in Dallas of only 28 minutes. The problem is this: I Fly from Cleveland to Dallas on american airlines, have a 28 min layover, then fly to San Diego on Delta. Is tehre any possible way to change airlines in 28 minutes? Would I have to go get my luggage and recheck it with Delta? or do they transfer it that fast to another airline?

I fly occasionally so i know the basics, but have never taken a multi carrier flight. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Carry-on luggage is the only way to go in your case. If your not staying more that a few days, then just do carry-on and run like hell thru the airport to make your connecting flight.

One other problem I see is that if your AA is late into Dallas, you may miss your Delta flight...

[Binkythefrog]

The San Diego game is a little ways away, so I think you should check out this:

www.farecaster.com (http://www.farecaster.com)

It gives you a good idea what to expect with prices in the near future and tells you if you should wait or not. I am sure that there will be sales between now and the game so that you can get a good price.

I also like www.kayak.com (http://www.kayak.com)

[smalltowngrll]

In smaller airports like SLC where I change over (same airline, though) I've done as little as 35 minutes with no problems several times.

Typically when you check in, they know that the flight is going to be delayed so they can re-route you.

BUT, going into a larger airport like Dallas, I wouldn't even chance it. An hour would be the ideal.

[Sassy]

Dallas Airport Terminal:

http://www.dfwairport.com/terminals/terminal-d.php

[worm]

I have missed connections at DFW even when I have over an hour. It is a poorly designed airport.

BUT the flight is CHEAP. I would book it....and worst case...go stand-by on the next flight. The time will go quick.

Thats what that girl sitting in the bar is for.

Put some uncertainty into your life! You may be surprised by what happens.

[Sassy]

But make sure you have enough time that if you get bumped...that you still make the game in Diego!!!

I have been bumped off a 9 am flight before (at O'Hare) and have not gotten into Rochester until 10 at night...and that was the last flight out.

I also have barely gotten onto a 9 pm flight from Minneapolis to Diego...and the next flight the next am would have made me miss the game anyway...so that's something to think about too unless you have an extra day before the game.