Transiting through Gatwick.

ScouseMouse

Has anyone changed planes in Gatwick?

On holiday next year, we are flying EI into LGW and then Virgin to Orlando.

EI is a friday morning flight, due into Gatwick about 10:10 with Virgin leaving at 11:15.

Does this seem tight?

We will be checked straight through with luggage, on one ticket, with boarding cards issued in Dublin. Both flights operate from the same terminal.

Travel agent says its fine, but I dont think it leaves any margin for delays.

Thanks all

flyingpopeye

Yes, you are correct in relation to the flight being from the same terminal - South, which should mean you will be ok in relation to the connecting Virgin flight.
The only thing you will need to be cautious of is if there are any delays in your flight from Dublin. Soon as you get off the plane - get looking at the flight status screens and look for the gate that the Orlando flight is departing from. At least you won't have to go through immigration.

bkehoe

Won't he have to go through security at Gatwick before getting access to the boarding gates? Could take a while. Realistically he only has 40 mins to get from his arrival gate, to flight connections security, back to the departing gate before they close the boarding gate.

While in theory it works fine I certainly wouldn't be comfortable with this and would prefer approx 2 hours to allow for delays.

Davidth88

Personally I would feel that is too tight , I would allow at least two hours.

ScouseMouse

It looks tight to me, but the travel agent says its fine.

We are on a virgin ticket all the way so they know who we are, where we are, when we arrive etc etc.

There is a second orlando flight at 1pm. Hope I dont end up on it !!

penexpers

I don't think airlines would sell connections unless a large majority of people make the connection. It's not in their interest to have to rebook you.

I remember stressing about a 1 hour transit time through CDG (it was actually 40 minutes in the end because of delays) but it was fine. I even had time to get a coffee.

McNulty737

You should be fine, Gatwick is a very good airport in terms of efficiency - it's extremely busy but they have probably the best air traffic controllers in the world which really cuts down delays. Also the Virgin flight should wait for you if its a direct connection between the two companies.

Lapin

McNulty737 wrote: »

Also the Virgin flight should wait for you if its a direct connection between the two companies.

I wouldn't bet on that.

yaeger

Far too tight... No room for delays and they are likely and that will ruin your trip...
Travel agent will say anything to get you going.

If it was my holiday... I would;nt leave it this tight...thats just me.

castie

Just did a 1 hr 5 mins connection in LHR terminal one on Wednesday.
Arrived with Air NZ from Hong Kong and departed from Heathrow with EI.
Was at the gate 35 mins before departure.

On my way out to Hong Kong from Sydney in September we were delayed 20 mins due to late arrival of an aircraft with connecting passengers so there is a chance they would delay also but im guessing that is not a given.

ScouseMouse

Our luggage will be through checked, but I guess they could stick it on the later flight if they needed.

We will have our boarding cards and seat numbers issued by EI in DUB. It would be difficult but not impossible to go without us. I guess we will have to wait and see.

LXFlyer

Why don't you simply take the flight before that, EI 230 at 0640, arrive LGW at 0810 and avoid any concern of missing the flight?

Tenger

superscouse wrote: »

On holiday next year, we are flying EI into LGW and then Virgin to Orlando.
Has anyone changed planes in Gatwick?

EI is a friday morning flight, due into Gatwick about 10:10 with Virgin leaving at 11:15.

Does this seem tight?l

Personally I would prefer a longer transfer. All it takes is a 20 min slot/tech delay to mess up the connection. All things going well it should work out fine.

The Virgin flight will not 'wait' for you. An aircraft would only wait for a large group of delayed pax (>20) as re-routing that amount is harder than waiting. Don't believe the travel agent.

Now saying all that as you are on a through ticket if you do happen to miss the Virgin flight you will be re-routed.Most probably put on a later flight.

bkehoe

If you're travelling with kids then can they run?

Take the earlier EI flight or the later Virgin flight. We'd prefer not to hear about your night in the Hilton at Gatwick courtesy of Virgin in a few months.