What if I missed my flight due to rail delay?

[lincolnshire]

Some varying thoughts on how much time to allow for catching a plane, some agree with me others don,t as they are professionals at travelling by air maybe and have been very lucky unto now.

I look at it this way when all said and done what is going to be so critical at 7-00am in a morning if I am leaving home there is not much I can do and have to be up anywhere so my thoughts well might as well catch the earlier train and have done with. At least when I am there I can relax and wait and not be have the hassle if things go wrong.

Good luck to the travelling public that you will arrive on time.

 

[Bald Rick]

Luton security is a shambles compared to the other London Airports

A different experience to mine - I haven't queued more than a couple of minutes at Luton security for 3 years, I have taken approx 10 flights in that time.

 

[pdq]

I've seen (albeit only once) TPE get airport passengers off the train and into taxis at Huddersfield when there's been a major problem between there and Stalybridge.

 

[hwl]

A different experience to mine - I haven't queued more than a couple of minutes at Luton security for 3 years, I have taken approx 10 flights in that time.

I fly a several time a month - Try Heathrow T2 it sets a new benchmark.
Luton was quite bad this morning for a while - queue right to the top of the escalators (not as bad as LBG last night for the scrum factor!)

 

[Wolfie]

Arriving at an airport two hours in advance of departure is MORE than enough for any flight, and anyone suggesting that someone with a connecting train that arrives two hours and fifty minutes beforehand is cutting it fine and that they should re-examine their trains (as several people did above) is really stretching things beyond belief.

If I am checking in luggage, I generally aim to be at the airport 90 minutes before a flight departs (which incidentally is what Dublin Airport recommend). That allows sufficient time for security, shopping (if I wish) and for a snack.

The whole two hour thing is a complete myth - it is a ploy by the airports to get people to the airport early and to spend money there - that's the only reason.

With hand luggage only (and checked online), I (as someone who takes around 30 flights per annum) would suggest 60 minutes is suffice for a person travelling alone or with other adults. With luggage to check in, 90 minutes is suffice.

Obviously if you are travelling with children then you would allow additional time over and above this.

However, if travelling from significantly further afield, as the OP is, adding in an extra buffer is essential. For a journey such as the OP's I'd leave an additional 60 minutes cushion to allow for delays, which leaves them arriving 2.5 hours in advance.

The OP's train arrives 2 hours 50 minutes before the flight leaves - that is MORE than enough time.

my bold

I really must challenge this sweeping assertion.. try your tactic on flights to Israel for example and you will still be in the terminal when the plane has departed...

I fly a several time a month - Try Heathrow T2 it sets a new benchmark.
Luton was quite bad this morning for a while - queue right to the top of the escalators (not as bad as LBG last night for the scrum factor!)

The benchmark is City airport - it's never taken me more than 10mins to clear everything...

 

[Bletchleyite]

I really must challenge this sweeping assertion.. try your tactic on flights to Israel for example and you will still be in the terminal when the plane has departed...

"More than enough for any intra-EU shorthaul flight" is probably the correct statement.

Neil

 

[fowler9]

"More than enough for any intra-EU shorthaul flight" is probably the correct statement.

Neil

Yeah I would agree with that. Israel or a flight to the US or any flights on infrequent long haul routes like Auckland - Santiago I wouldn't recommend cutting it fine.

 

[pne]

I do wonder if codeshare flights with train companies could be an option for this? Clearly, some short flights aren't viable or environmentally friendly, and perhaps codesharing on some routes could be an answer? For example, Lufthansa could serve the Glasgow-Munich market via a codeshare with TPE. Your first "flight" would be a Glasgow-MIA train, connecting onto the plane. It would give passengers security in their tickets whilst opening up routes to new customers. I'm sure this happens elsewhere; don't Air France codeshare with TGV services?

Lufthansa already does this to a certain extent with Deutsche Bahn, with certain train routes being allocated LH flight numbers as well. I think there are only a handful of those, though.

 

[berneyarms]

my bold

I really must challenge this sweeping assertion.. try your tactic on flights to Israel for example and you will still be in the terminal when the plane has departed...

The benchmark is City airport - it's never taken me more than 10mins to clear everything...

Well we can all find an exception to the rule - and Israel is one, but in the context of the number of flights from airports in these islands it is a tiny percentage of flights each day.

To be fair I was thinking in terms of short haul flights, which account for the vast majority of flights from the various airports in Britain.

I will however alter my statement accordingly.

Arriving at an airport two hours in advance to check in bags is more than adequate for any shorthaul flight.

Arriving at an airport two and a half hours in advance is more than adequate for any long haul flight (excepting any destinations with enhanced security checks which have specific requirements).

At my local airport the minimum check in time is 45 minutes for shorthaul flights and 75 minutes for long haul (including the USA). I don't think allowing over an hour on top of that is as cutting it fine.

As I said above, I'd add an extra buffer on top of those times if travelling from further afield or with children.

Travelling with hand luggage only and checking in online would reduce those times.

 

[AlterEgo]

Just to add a data point re: CrossCountry's passenger charter:

If you have a flight to catch from an airport near to a station served by
CrossCountry trains, we will normally only consider providing
alternative transport if you planned your rail journey to arrive at the
airport station at least two hours before your latest flight check in
time. If you’re catching a ferry or cruise liner, we advise you to plan
your journey to aim to get to the relevant terminal two hours before
your latest check in time.

http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/media/93264/cc_pass_charter_brochure_november_2011.pdf

 

[whizzylizzy]

TPE advise 3 hours for Manchester Airport. Bear in mind its about another 15 minutes to get to the actual check in desks.
As PDQ said TPE do prioritise the rail replacement for people travelling to the airport. Always seek help from station staff ( or help point for unmanned stations) first.
For this particular journey if it is during the week, I would recommend a change at Huddersfield and not York. Its the same platform for the train change. Also a train swap at Huddersfield after 9am is better than an earlier one at York ( full of commuters to Leeds and beyond).

 

[Kryten2340]

TPE advise 3 hours for Manchester Airport. Bear in mind its about another 15 minutes to get to the actual check in desks.
As PDQ said TPE do prioritise the rail replacement for people travelling to the airport. Always seek help from station staff ( or help point for unmanned stations) first.
For this particular journey if it is during the week, I would recommend a change at Huddersfield and not York. Its the same platform for the train change. Also a train swap at Huddersfield after 9am is better than an earlier one at York ( full of commuters to Leeds and beyond).

It's on a Friday. I've previously been told to change at Northallerton for the same reason. Is this correct.

Thanks for the responses people. Admittedly I don't have travel insurance but i've shopped around it's a fiver for the weekend so I'll look to do this.

It is online check in and I have already done this and downloaded my boarding pass to Passbook on my iPhone. I'm only taking hand luggage so just a case of getting there and heading for the gate.

I've not booked the train myself and I probably would have gone for an earlier one had I been in charge of this.

 

[berneyarms]

Given you've no bags to check in, 2 hours 50 minutes is plenty of time.

 

[Flamingo]

The last time I was getting a train to catch a TransAtlantic flight, I needed to be at Heathrow airport by 11.00 (from Wales). I caught a train that got me there by 08.30. I wasn't taking chances, travel insurance or not.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The last time I was getting a train to catch a TransAtlantic flight, I needed to be at Heathrow airport by 11.00 (from Wales). I caught a train that got me there by 08.30. I wasn't taking chances, travel insurance or not.

And that decision of course depends how important your journey is, and what the chance of getting on another flight is. All your travel insurance can/will do is cough up for an alternative flight, and possibly a hotel in the meantime. If there isn't one for a week, your trip is still ruined.

So flying to a western European destination you're probably fine taking chances, as odds on you'll get another flight the same day. Transatlantic, OTOH, I think it makes more sense to leave more time as you did.

Neil

 

[Llanigraham]

The last time I was getting a train to catch a TransAtlantic flight, I needed to be at Heathrow airport by 11.00 (from Wales). I caught a train that got me there by 08.30. I wasn't taking chances, travel insurance or not.

We fly to Canada from Manchester in May, leaving at 1130, and to be doubley sure we are going up the night before!

 

[lincolnshire]

Thanks for the responses people. Admittedly I don't have travel insurance but i've shopped around it's a fiver for the weekend so I'll look to do this.

It is online check in and I have already done this and downloaded my boarding pass to Passbook on my iPhone. I'm only taking hand luggage so just a case of getting there and heading for the gate.

I've not booked the train myself and I probably would have gone for an earlier one had I been in charge of this.[/QUOTE]

Travelling without Travel Insurance is a bit risky, for a fiver its worth the peace of mind.

I think I myself would rather print out me boarding pass than rely on I.Phone, have seen these board people who spend a long time playing games en-route only to find when they need the phone to use as a phone its gone flat and maybe forgot to charge it last night etc.

If travelling big distances overseas and a morning flight always go and stop overnight to be on safe side as that big metal bird won,t wait for you if your late. Was at Heathrow once in late November, stopped the night there could see planes landing from hotel and following morning was thick fog, but we was still on the plane and ready to go with doors closed and gangway gone only to sit there for over an hour before we taxied away. So you could end ip arriving late and your planes still there but too late to board it.

Happy travelling be it by train or plane.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Is it a work trip? If so your employer will probably have insurance.

 

[whhistle]

Some companies will provide a taxi if it's likely you'll miss your flight.
However, some passengers think this is a right, which, of course, is wrong.

 

[londonbridge]

To be fair, probably most airlines don't penalise you for missing connections. British Airways and Virgin certainly don't, and will happily book you onto the next available flight if your inbound flight is delayed (assuming of course that you're flying with them or a partner airline, as the vast majority of people will be in these cases). Aer Lingus was great for me when I encountered a delay a while back, and booked me onto the next flight to Edinburgh when I missed a Glasgow connection. I suspect you're thinking about the likes of easyJet and Ryanair.

About fifteen years ago I went on a group tour to the US. A few weeks beforehand American airlines changed the return flights. The original schedule was an afternoon flight from Atlanta to Miami and then overnight to Gatwick, now it was an early morning flight from Atlanta to Miami, four hour stopover, afternoon Miami to Boston and then Boston-Gatwick. Got the first flight okay but the Miami-Boston flight was delayed to the extent that it became clear we would miss the connection. We were told the Boston flight would be held but we eventually arrived at Boston an hour late and found it had gone. There were around thirty people in the group and we were told that eight of us could get on a Virgin Atlantic flight leaving in half an hour and the rest would be spending the night in Boston airport. The eight of us then literallly ran down two floors, retrieved our bags which had now been unloaded, ran back up, checked in and got on the plane five-ten minutes before take off. Later I received compensation of $100 worth of American Airlines flight vouchers which I never used.

 

[Agent_c]

About fifteen years ago I went on a group tour to the US. A few weeks beforehand American airlines changed the return flights. The original schedule was an afternoon flight from Atlanta to Miami and then overnight to Gatwick, now it was an early morning flight from Atlanta to Miami, four hour stopover, afternoon Miami to Boston and then Boston-Gatwick. Got the first flight okay but the Miami-Boston flight was delayed to the extent that it became clear we would miss the connection. We were told the Boston flight would be held but we eventually arrived at Boston an hour late and found it had gone. There were around thirty people in the group and we were told that eight of us could get on a Virgin Atlantic flight leaving in half an hour and the rest would be spending the night in Boston airport. The eight of us then literallly ran down two floors, retrieved our bags which had now been unloaded, ran back up, checked in and got on the plane five-ten minutes before take off. Later I received compensation of $100 worth of American Airlines flight vouchers which I never used.

If only you'd have been on an EU airline... You'd have been rolling in compensation...

 

[fowler9]

About fifteen years ago I went on a group tour to the US. A few weeks beforehand American airlines changed the return flights. The original schedule was an afternoon flight from Atlanta to Miami and then overnight to Gatwick, now it was an early morning flight from Atlanta to Miami, four hour stopover, afternoon Miami to Boston and then Boston-Gatwick. Got the first flight okay but the Miami-Boston flight was delayed to the extent that it became clear we would miss the connection. We were told the Boston flight would be held but we eventually arrived at Boston an hour late and found it had gone. There were around thirty people in the group and we were told that eight of us could get on a Virgin Atlantic flight leaving in half an hour and the rest would be spending the night in Boston airport. The eight of us then literallly ran down two floors, retrieved our bags which had now been unloaded, ran back up, checked in and got on the plane five-ten minutes before take off. Later I received compensation of $100 worth of American Airlines flight vouchers which I never used.

Used an American airline once. Hopefully never will again. They think they are doing you a favour like your mum or dad giving you a lift.

 

[Kryten2340]

Regarding the change at York. Is this mandatory or can I change at Leeds? Real time trains shows both trains at platform 16A at Leeds whereas its platform 3 arrival at York and 9 departure. Obviously this could change I know.

 

[najaB]

Regarding the change at York. Is this mandatory or can I change at Leeds? Real time trains shows both trains at platform 16A at Leeds whereas its platform 3 arrival at York and 9 departure. Obviously this could change I know.

If you are on an Advance ticket, yes. Otherwise you can change where you choose to.

 

[Kryten2340]

If you are on an Advance ticket, yes. Otherwise you can change where you choose to.

Just out of curiosity why do itinerary planners state York as a change point on this route when at Leeds is a same platform interchange and the platforms are predicted in advance?

 

[LTJ87]

Note that First Great Western now offers "Rail & Fly" tickets with British Airways and Singapore Airlines;

http://londonairtravel.com/2014/12/...th-first-great-western-to-wales-and-the-west/

http://londonairtravel.com/2015/01/...th-first-great-western-to-wales-and-the-west/

 

[tsr]

Just out of curiosity why do itinerary planners state York as a change point on this route when at Leeds is a same platform interchange and the platforms are predicted in advance?

If this is the case, it's always worth asking staff (preferably the guard) if you can change earlier/later as needed, and have your ticket endorsed. Obviously they may say no, but quicker and easier connections are likely to be done with less rushing, and therefore pose fewer risks - which is always helpful.

 

[najaB]

Just out of curiosity why do itinerary planners state York as a change point on this route when at Leeds is a same platform interchange and the platforms are predicted in advance?

York is probably the first major station that both services stop at - the algorithm probably doesn't 'see' that both trains pass through Leeds later in the journey.

 

[Welshman]

Regarding the change at York. Is this mandatory or can I change at Leeds? Real time trains shows both trains at platform 16A at Leeds whereas its platform 3 arrival at York and 9 departure. Obviously this could change I know.

Even if the guard agrees to your changing at Leeds instead, you may run the risk of not accessing your reserved seat at Leeds, as someone who has boarded at York and finding your seat unoccupied may think you're not travelling, and be reluctant to give it up at Leeds.

This possibility is discussed in the "reserved seats" thread elsewhere.

 

[najaB]

Even if the guard agrees to your changing at Leeds instead, you may run the risk of not accessing your reserved seat at Leeds, as someone who has boarded at York and finding your seat unoccupied may think you're not travelling, and be reluctant to give it up at Leeds.

If Kryten2340 already has the tickets, a quick trip to his local booking office could sort that out - again, assuming that they aren't Advance tickets.