1 hour 45 minute lay over in Miami

Thomas_Holding

I am looking at flights in the summer and I found one with this stopover in Miami.
Does anyone think that this is possible?

eskbanker

Sounds tight, but where are you flying to/from, is it all on one airline/ticket, will you pre-clear immigration, etc?

Mark_d

If the airline or travel agent is selling you the ticket then it must be possible.  They are the ones taking the risk if you miss your connecting flight

marcia_

Mark_d said:

If the airline or travel agent is selling you the ticket then it must be possible.  They are the ones taking the risk if you miss your connecting flight

 Thats not entirely true. You missing your connection doesn't give rise to a refund so no risk to the travel agent. 

 The agent likely has no clue about connection times and will just book what you ask them ti. 

Kerrydreaming

The minimum connection time is 90 mins but this is only if everything goes right and there are no delays. You have to clear Customs at the point of entry to the USA with your baggage then on-wards to the next flight.I have clients who refuse to transfer via Miami no matter the cost as it is a nightmare especially if the flight arrival is early in the morning

Caz3121

Some connections work for some people but not others - a US citizen with Global entry and no checked baggage will probably make the connection with ease...others maybe not
My last two flights to Miami took 75 minutes to get through immigration and another took 3 hours (that one was problems with computers!) - Fortunately in both cases Miami was my final destination but there were many people panicking and in tears as they had missed their onward flight (no different queues for connections) If you miss the connection, the airline should move you to the next available flight, depending on destination, number of flights and spare seats will determine how long that wait might be

saajan_12

Need to be clear what 'airline is responsible' means and what remaining risks will be insured or just yours to bear. 

The airline might be responsible for getting you to the final destination and some of the monetary costs eg to re book you, reasonable interim food / accommodation. But that doesn't mean they will hold the next plane or pay for the knock on effects of arriving on a later flight, eg if you miss a booked ticket, or miss a booked tour / cruise departure or miss a day's work, lose a day's holiday, don't have crucial baggage to enjoy your holiday etc. There might be parts of that you can buy insurance for, but that'll also have limitations. 

So if you have somewhere critical to be soon after the flight, then maybe don't risk it. If you'd ideally like to travel on that flight but can manage if its a later one, then try your luck. 

DullGreyGuy

Mark_d said:

If the airline or travel agent is selling you the ticket then it must be possible.  They are the ones taking the risk if you miss your connecting flight

Only if its a straight through ticket and then its only the airline's. 

If you buy a "self transfer" set of tickets then its 100% down to you to ensure its doable and to deal with the consequences if you miss your transfer. 


Last time I checked the minimum recommended transfer for an international flight was 1:35 and that was if you have both flights with the same airline. Different airlines may add the need to transfer terminals which naturally adds more time. 

saajan_12 said:
don't have crucial baggage to enjoy your holiday etc. 

How would you not have baggage in the US? There are no airside transfers in the US so you always have to collect your bags and check in again so there's no case of your bags making it and you not... plus in this day and age they take bags off planes if the owner doesn't make it by the time the gate closes just in case someone is still wanting to blow the plane but had second thoughts of meeting their maker at the same time. 

TELLIT01

@DullGreyGuy I do know people who travel only with a backpack, so it is possible not to have checked baggage even when travelling to the USA.

Cheslea2010

I often travel business class with a 1hr 40min difference between flights. You virtually walk off one plane and onto the next. Not sure if flying eco might slow things down a bit as business provides express embark/disembarking and also quicker security.

Caz3121

Cheslea2010 said:

I often travel business class with a 1hr 40min difference between flights. You virtually walk off one plane and onto the next. Not sure if flying eco might slow things down a bit as business provides express embark/disembarking and also quicker security.

to transit the US you need to go through immigration on arrival - this is what slows things down considerable