DEN 38 min layover on United-January

Hi all,

Just received notification from United on a flight change resulting in a 38 min layover in DEN for January flight. Original layover was 1 1/2 hrs. Is this doable? We will have our 4 month old (at the time) granddaughter with us which will slow us down a bit trying to de-board and get to connecting gate in a rush. I assume United will work with me but I wanted to ask for thoughts here first.

To add, original flight times have only changed slightly, not by 2+ hours to qualify for a refund.

Mark

Not really if you'll be changing terminals, need to use the bathroom, or arrive a few minutes late. I'd call and ask them see what they offer.

It'll prolly take you at least 10 minutes to deplane, and the gate for your next leg closes 15 minutes before departure. So, at best you'll have 13 minutes to get there. Not gonna happen.

I did once make such a connection at O'Hare, but that was with a full-trot, gate to gate.
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Do consider that the airlines also pad the travel time. They always seem to arrive early these days as long as they take off on time. Even with that, 38 minutes is pretty short for just about any airport. They will already have started boarding the next plane by that time. I would look at your options online and then call United and tell them what new flights you want instead. Even consider different airports.

I don't know where you're flying to or from but for me Denver has always been an easy airport to get through. I have always been in the B concourse. It's long but straight and they have moving sidewalks. Yes, that's a short amount of time but with no delays you should make it. I always pick a seat as close to the front when I have a short connection time. Many times, my departure gate was only five or six gates away from the arrival gate.

On the other hand, I had one change on me, not in Denver and I called United and they found me a better connection, no charge. That connection time was changed to 30 minutes. Give them a call, they are easy to work with.

At minimum you want an hour connection time, more in the winter. I don't know why airlines sell tickets with less time. I travel from O'Hare and allow two hours in the winter going anywhere since weather delays are common. United will rebook you for no charge if you call and explain the situation.

You should call UA to see if there are other options.

You probably have a better chance getting to your next flight than your bags will.

United in Denver is regularly late (especially in winter). If I were alone (so I could run), and I got a seat at the front of the plane (to get off first), I might risk it. But I would recommend calling and at least inquiring if they'd switch your schedule.

I agree with calling UA for another option. There is so much that can disrupt your time and besides, travel can be stressful enough without having this weighing on you between now and your trip. I will say it is very likely that your arriving and connecting flights are in the same concourse, otherwise their computer systems probably wouldn't allow it as a connection option. You might ask them and get that clarification.

*When you call and someone answers, listen to the tone of their voice. If they sound gruff, frustrated, irritated, then don't say a word and hang up, then call back and get someone else. Call back until someone who sounds friendly answers the phone. Seriously.

* I have found if you can express your self calmly, respectfully, no blaming, no complaining, just honest "Is there any way you can help me??" type of thing then people will really try to help you out.

Are you by chance a UA frequent flyer member? That can make a difference regarding how far they will go to help you vs 'Sorry there is nothing I can do unless you pay us money' type of answer. If you aren't, join before you call them. Seriously.

They might, might offer to move you to the front of coach. Would that work for you?

They might, might offer to move you into first class - I doubt it, but they might. Would that work for you?

If they won't change your seat but will change your flight, or if you really want a flight change instead, maybe say things like "I know this sounds strange and probably no one ever asks this, but could you please help me to make my travel take longer on a flight I have hahaha!" something like that can always make a positive difference. If you can get them to see your situation with understanding then often people will go out of their way to help you.

Good luck!!! Let us know how it goes!!

LilyPond said:

They might, might offer to move you to the front of coach. Would that work for you?

They might, might offer to move you into first class - I doubt it, but they might. Would that work for you?

Click to expand...

Forget this suggestion. No one will offer to move you to either of these sections without you paying extra--unless you have status that gives you E+ benefits or upgrade-to-first-class instruments, assuming there are seats and upgrades available.

Just call them and ask for other options. It should not cost you anything to change, that is if there are other options.

Update

I did call United and declined the proposed flight changes. I was offered to switch, even one day before or after at no charge. This would have worked for us but I didn't see anything that was appealing. All I saw was ridiculously short layovers or extremely long ones. They refunded the tickets. Bad part is that I got them for a great price. But now maybe I can find some nonstop flights, even if I have to pay a little (hopefully not a lot) more. I will say that the hold times were very very long both of the times I contacted them concerning this matter.

Mark

When faced with a choice between a layover that's too long or too short, I choose too long.
I manage to while away the time reading or playing games on a tablet.
I once spent a few hours napping in a chair, after setting an alarm.
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