Im flying international with continental airlines. Couple of questions?
Im flying from mexico city airport to Ohare airport with a connection in IAH (houston airport). The connection is only 1 1/2 hours long and I’m scared I wont make it since once you are there you have to go through immigration, claim baggage, go through customs, re-check your baggage and go back through security all in time to find your gate.
So on to my questions.
1) If I miss my connection (for any reason like I didnt run fast enough to catch it or my flight to IAH was delayed) will they put me on the next available flight FOR FREE?
2) I want to try to get an earlier flight. So if there is an earlier flight and i talk to a continental agent will they let me go on the earlier flight if there are seats available for free? I looked online there is one earlier flight that leaves at 10:05 instead of 12:05 and lands in IAH at 1:00 pm which would give me plenty of time.
I hope i dont have to go through security again but you do have to go through baggage claim and pick up ur bags and put them through customs I dont know if i would have to go back through security im hoping not but most likely you have to…
yes same airlines =]
First of all, 1.5 hrs connection should be more than enough time. IMO, your biggest concern will be any flight delays, i.e. yr flight lands late at IAH. Typically, you should be through customs & immigration within 45-mins. The longest wait will be at immigration, where the lines get quite long. You will save a lot of time if you can be ahead of most of your fellow passengers. Your plane will arrive at Terminal E (all Continental int’l flights arrive in this terminal). It is a long walk to the immigration counters, so be prepared for this. Roll-aboard bags will be very beneficial.
Baggage claim normally doesn’t take that much time. In most cases, the bags should be on the carousel by the time you get through immigration. Make sure you know which carousel is being used for your flight. You will find the electronic display for this at the bottom of the escalator from immigration exit. Customs should normally be a breeze. Drop-off your checked baggage with the airline reps. They will be immediately to your right, once you exit customs.
Your flight to Chicago should depart from Terminal B, where all the Continental Express flights are based. I’m not 100% positive but I think you will have to leave the secured area to make the transfer. The "train" link to Terminal B is downstairs. The elevator is the best way to get there. It’s a short ride.
Terminal B is not a huge terminal so the lines for security are not too long. Make sure you know which gate you are departing from. Past security you can either go left or right.
To answer your questions, if you happen to miss your flight you should be able to get on the next available one (assuming there’s room) without any additional charge. You are an international passenger and would have paid a premium for your tickets compared to local travelers. For the same reason, if there are seats in the earlier flight, you should also be able to get on that flight without additional cost.
i would get to the airport early and see about standby for the earlier
flight - if you are the originally flight you should be okay
as i dont think you have go though security again at IAH (although i could be wrong) and I’m assume you are flying continental all the way
(same airline?)
just a word of warning that earlier flight is operated by
Continental flight 2646 operated by Express Jet Airlines, Inc. dba Continental Express. ( Not continental personal)
they are the ones who cause that mess in Rochester MN
a few months ago stranding their passengers on the airplane)
so you want to risk flying them ?
(plus its a smaller plane as well)
i checked wikpedia
they said there is a
inter-terminal transportation :
An above ground train called TerminaLink connects Terminals B, C, D, E and the International Arrivals Building (IAB) for those with connecting flights in different terminals and provides sterile airside connections. This allows passengers to travel within the airport without having to re-enter security. TerminaLink has three stops: Terminal B, Terminal C, and Terminals D/E including the IAB. Currently the airport is expanding the line to Terminal A at a cost of US $100 million, with construction beginning in early 2008.[33]
so that will help
References :
contintental airline website
wikepedia’
good luck!
Comment by travelmaster — September 15, 2009 @ 2:19 pm
First of all, 1.5 hrs connection should be more than enough time. IMO, your biggest concern will be any flight delays, i.e. yr flight lands late at IAH. Typically, you should be through customs & immigration within 45-mins. The longest wait will be at immigration, where the lines get quite long. You will save a lot of time if you can be ahead of most of your fellow passengers. Your plane will arrive at Terminal E (all Continental int’l flights arrive in this terminal). It is a long walk to the immigration counters, so be prepared for this. Roll-aboard bags will be very beneficial.
Baggage claim normally doesn’t take that much time. In most cases, the bags should be on the carousel by the time you get through immigration. Make sure you know which carousel is being used for your flight. You will find the electronic display for this at the bottom of the escalator from immigration exit. Customs should normally be a breeze. Drop-off your checked baggage with the airline reps. They will be immediately to your right, once you exit customs.
Your flight to Chicago should depart from Terminal B, where all the Continental Express flights are based. I’m not 100% positive but I think you will have to leave the secured area to make the transfer. The "train" link to Terminal B is downstairs. The elevator is the best way to get there. It’s a short ride.
Terminal B is not a huge terminal so the lines for security are not too long. Make sure you know which gate you are departing from. Past security you can either go left or right.
To answer your questions, if you happen to miss your flight you should be able to get on the next available one (assuming there’s room) without any additional charge. You are an international passenger and would have paid a premium for your tickets compared to local travelers. For the same reason, if there are seats in the earlier flight, you should also be able to get on that flight without additional cost.
References :
Frequent international traveler on Continental (IAH is home base).
Comment by Chumbawamba — September 15, 2009 @ 2:44 pm