FCO Minimum Transit Time

Status
Not open for further replies.

MikedOut

Intern
Joined
Dec 28, 2007
Posts
67
Hi all, would appreciate if anyone is able to provide any advice on minimum connection times in Rome. We'll be flying in on Cathay arriving in FCO (T3) at 7:35am on a Monday morning. We then need to get to a connecting domestic Alitalia flight (T1) departing at 10:45am. Looking at the website we need to be checked in (with bags) at least 40mins before, so 10:00. Any views on whether 2.5hours (max) would be sufficient? TIA
 
Last edited:
If you're on one ticket that will be fine. If separate tickets, I'd leave a little more time if possible. You'll make the flight if everything runs on time, but if the CX flight is delayed then possibly not.
 
A few assumptions (unless you care to provide more info) however:

Given its a domestic flight you’re connecting onto, and presuming its not separately ticketed, that sounds like heaps as you’ll get moved to the next flight in the event the CX flight is delayed.

If separately ticketed, would be worth considering a later flight (again this will depend on frequency on the route you are flying).
 
I've just done something similar. Came into T3 on QR, out of T1 on Alitalia, separate ticket.

My experience: Immigration 20 mins incl walk there (but could be longer), bags another 15 mins. 5-10 min walk to T1. I was checking in at AZ 45 mins after I got of the QR flight (but was in J on QR, so got in front of all our plane, at least).

So, 2.5 hrs should be OK IF NO DELAYS to your inbound flight - I allowed 4 :). Check the average arrival time of your inbound flight on FR24 or similar to see if its regularly late.

if your Alitalia flight is critical to be caught, then take the next one, if practicable.

ps I would encourage you (and everyone) to avoid the concept of 'minimum connection time'. That's if everything goes well, which it often does not. Always have to allow for a long immigration time and delays in bags, and in the USA especially, security.
 
avoid the concept of 'minimum connection time'

I wouldn't so much avoid it, but rather point out what it actually is - with emphasis on connection. In the technical sense, rather than what most people assume, this means same ticket. So it is the minimum time allowed to have the flights on that same ticket. It is what the airlines use to determine what level of risk they will accept in protecting you (and not what level of risk or stress you want to take on in trying to successfully make the connecting flight).

Anything not on the same ticket is not a connection, so MCT is not something that is applicable to that situation.
 
Thanks all. I should have included that we are on separate tickets and this was what was causing me the most angst, I hate the worry of things coming apart if our inbound flight gets delayed or we get held up in immigration/customs etc.. Mrs MikedOut is saying we have plenty of time for the 10:45 but I think I'll make an executive decision and book us on the following flight (11:50am).
 
ps I would encourage you (and everyone) to avoid the concept of 'minimum connection time'. That's if everything goes well, which it often does not. Always have to allow for a long immigration time and delays in bags, and in the USA especially, security.
Agreed; I use the acronym "MST" - Minimum Sensible Time.

This can vary depending on circumstances, such as Int-->Dom, Separate tickets etc.
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

Status
Not open for further replies.

Enhance your AFF viewing experience!!

From just $6 we'll remove all advertisements so that you can enjoy a cleaner and uninterupted viewing experience.

And you'll be supporting us so that we can continue to provide this valuable resource :)


Sample AFF with no advertisements? More..
Back
Top