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How long to allow for layover at CDG going from MRS to ATL

How long to allow for layover at CDG going from MRS to ATL

Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 07:30 AM
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How long to allow for layover at CDG going from MRS to ATL

I'm about to pull the trigger on buying airline tickets for our France trip next year. I'm down to deciding between two options on the return flight from MRS to ATL. Option 1 leaves MRS at 10:50 with a 1:35 layover at CDG. Option 2 also leaves at 10:50 but has a 3:50 layover.

I could be wrong but I think the MRS flight (Airfrance) arrives in terminal 2 and the ATL flight (Delta) leaves from terminal 2. I'm leaning toward Option 1 but I'm not sure that both flights are in terminal 2 and I'm not familiar with CDG enough to know if 1:35 is a reasonable amount of time to allow if they are in different terminals? I know it's not a lot of time but I'd sure rather be headed home than sitting in CDG for a couple of extra hours if I don't need to. As always, thanks in advance for your thoughts/ideas/opinions.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 07:43 AM
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I always err on the side of longer layovers - delays, cancellations, weather can cause havoc with air travel and suddenly 1:35 becomes too short and the flight home is missed.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 07:47 AM
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I agree with cmeyer but if you're inclined to take a chance, I'm quite sure that your Delta flight to ATL will be from Terminal 2. We fly Delta and are routinely in and out of Terminal 2. It has good shopping but terrible food options.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 07:53 AM
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Book the short connection time (a layover is when you spend the night in transit). Since AF and DL are both members of Skyteam, if you miss the first flight, they'll put you on the second one automatically... or pay you money and put you on a different airline. However, if I am not mistaken, there are 4 flights a day from CDG to ATL. (2 on DL and 2 on AF, all in codeshare)
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 08:30 AM
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Oops, sorry about the wrong terminology - it is connection times not a layover - I knew better. And thanks for the quick replies. I usually err on the side of caution too but like kerouac says, both airlines are Skyteam members and I think as long as we make the 10:50 flight in Marseilles, we should be good. I thought 1:35 should be enough time but I've never had a connecting flight at CDG so just wanted to make sure there was nothing crazy that might affect the time it takes to get from one flight to the next. Thanks again.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 08:57 AM
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It depends on how risk averse you are. If there is any delay from Marseilles (fog, problem with equipment ) you will not have enough time at CDG (I always allow at least 2 hours for connections and 3 hours if the flight originates there and you have full psssport check and security to go through).

Will it be a disaster if the next flight they can get you on doesn't leave until the next day (how many flights to ATL leave after yours?)
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 09:14 AM
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In case you are not aware of, the terminal 2 is an ENORMOUS collection of different terminals. It is not just one building. Other airports might have given different numbers to these 9 terminals, but CDG decided to call all of them "terminal 2".

Just look at the map: http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/e...aris-CDG/maps/
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 10:23 AM
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Yes - they will put you on the next available flight . . . but what if that flights (and the next and . . .) are full.

At many airports 90 mins is fine. But at CDG longer is better iMO. Though I agree, the food options are awful.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 11:09 AM
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We take at least two flights from CDG back to the US (SFO) every year. Almost always, in July & Sept. The flights are usually 100% full. "Next" flight may be a few days away and perhaps no adjacent seats if there are multiple "yous" flying.

We always allow at least 2 hrs between connections where customs/security is not an issue. As I recall, you'll need to go through France "exit" customs - which is usually fast - but anything can happen in a "line".

Stu Dudley
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 12:03 PM
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Greg makes a good point...terminal 2 is huge with various arrivals and departures ..2F, 2E, 2A.. etc..
In some cases one has to take a bus or a short train ride to get to the right area.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 12:28 PM
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When airlines allow a connecting time of 1h35, they are putting themselves (their money) at risk, not you. Naturally, all airlines are delighted if you leave huge amounts of time between flights, because it takes all pressure off them and ensures that you will be neither upgraded or compensated monetarily.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 01:31 PM
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I'd also think about any bags that need to be transferred from your first flight to the one home. We rarely check a bag anymore; just too risky that it won't make it with us. OF course, coming home, that might not be a concern. If AF or Delta close the boarding doors 20-30 minutes ahead of departure, you really only have an hour; subtract the 10-20minutes between landing and arriving at the gate, time to deplane and get to your flight in a very large place and you will be cutting it close. Just sayin....depends on your appetite for risk.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 01:48 PM
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The minimum connecting time for gates within Aerogare 2 (A-G) is 90 minutes. This is determined by the IATA (Int'l Air Transport Assn.). In the first scenario, you've got 5 minutes to spare. So, how lucky do you feel?

FWIW, we connected at CDG in both directions last month. I had purchased the Air France tickets in July. Within 2 months, AF cancelled one flight and then changed the departure time of another. In the end, to get flights that actually made sense, we changed our final destination and refused to pay change fees because the airline had made our original itinerary unworkable.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 02:22 PM
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Both Delta and AF fly out of terminal 2. United flies out of terminal 1.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 02:56 PM
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We fly in and out of Marseille all the time, usually connecting in Amsterdam and sometimes CDG.

Given your two choices, I would book this. (I wouldn't book one hour but I would book an hour and a half.) Your bags will move faster than you will. But I'd be prepared to hustle when you get off your first flight (no bathroom stop) and head directly for your next flight.

If there are any issues with your flight, you'll be rebooked.

That said, if you have any kind of mobility issues or can't walk fast, I'd take the later flight and enjoy a longer layover.

Kathy
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 03:38 PM
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If you can, select a seat at the front of the first flight....( for the shorter version).
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Old Nov 23rd, 2014, 08:42 AM
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Wow. Thanks for all your replies. You've given me a lot to think about. I'll let you know what I eventually decide and I will report back on what actually happened. Thanks again.
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Old Nov 23rd, 2014, 11:26 AM
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Ditto the comment about the complexity of Terminal 2. The last time I went through, changing from 2E to 2A required a shuttle bus ride complete with its own security check. Trans-Atlantic flights often close the cabin door a half hour before the scheduled takeoff time, too. And I once had a rush transfer in CdG which I made safely but my luggage didn't. It's little wonder Amsterdam, which truly is a single terminal however spread out, is a preferable trans-Atlantic gateway.
Nevertheless, I'd try the 90-minute change, sharing Kerouac's faith in the system.
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Old Nov 23rd, 2014, 12:37 PM
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In any case, the short flights always know exactly who is connecting to a long haul flight, and there is a huge amount of money at stake due to EU passenger protection rules. That's why the short flights inform you well ahead of arrival what gate the connection passengers need to go to and they put personnel at the arrival gate to drag you there if necessary.
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Old Nov 24th, 2014, 08:09 AM
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Air France will ticket a 60 min connection at CDG including passport control. So the legal connection time is 60 minutes.

Here's an example of a 60 minute ticket, Delta to Air France, T2-E to T2-F. You would be doing the opposite but I think the procedure is the same, passport control is between the terminals and is for transiting passengers.


AF 9301
5:14 PM Minneapolis, St Paul International Airport - 8:35 AM (+1 Day) Paris, Charles de Gaulle
Operated by Delta Non-stop flight
Aircraft : Airbus A330-300Class : Economy

AZ 7339
9:35 AM (+1 Day) Paris, Charles de Gaulle - 11:50 AM (+1 Day) Naples, International Airport
Operated by Air France Non-stop flight
Aircraft : Airbus A321Class : Economy

I have no idea why airfrance.us would list their own flight as an Alitalia codeshare.

Doesn't mean a short layover is a good idea, though.

Skyteam flights are all definitely T2.
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