Do you think a 32 minute layover in Houston is enough?

[candacebot]

I did a 40-min there once and it was one of the most stressful times of my life! Since then I try to schedule 2 hours-plus, I will take an extra hour waiting in the departure lounge over the extra grey hairs and missing out on a precious day of vacation.

 

[tcmstr]

Where are you seeing this connection? UA's MCT (Minimum Connection time) at IAH for Domestic -> International is 60 minutes. There are some exceptions that can bring it down to 35, but I'm not seeing anything that would permit such a ticket to be booked.

Unless, of course, you're booking with an OTA that's selling you separate tickets (which I will always advise against)

 

[Altamira]

As a retired airline pilot whose primary airport for departures and arrivals is IAH, I would not try to make that connection when leaving on a vacation, with no backup until the next day. The chances of missing your connection are overwhelming, especially if you have to change terminals. Yes, you should go to Houston a day early if necessary, not only to reduce your stress level, but if you miss your flight connection, the passengers currently booked on the flight for the following day might well have priority over you. Betting you can make that tight of a connection is a fool's bet.

 

[Todd C.]

tcmstr - It's a ticket United sold me on their website. UA1104 arrives from Denver at 11:32 AM and UA1549 leaves for Cozumel at 12:04 PM.

I booked it a couple months ago & didn't really focus on the layover time. I assume they think it's going to work since they booked the ticket. But when I noticed that 32 minute window, I lost a little sleep. Even if we make it, I'm wondering if the checked luggage will.

On the plus side...it's practically a non-stop flight!

I was about to call them & discuss changing it (and eating 4 change fees), but I thought I'd get some input here first. Thanks to everybody for their thoughts/experiences.

 

[Zman96]

Where are you sitting on the flight to Houston? I have made a 35 minute connection there to Cozumel and it was close. They had changed times, which is why it got so tight. We had the Cancun flight as a backup.

 

[pjhansman]

Chances of making the connection ......... poor

Chances of luggage making the connection ........ worse

 

[KeithG]

tcmstr - It's a ticket United sold me on their website. UA1104 arrives from Denver at 11:32 AM and UA1549 leaves for Cozumel at 12:04 PM.

I booked it a couple months ago & didn't really focus on the layover time. I assume they think it's going to work since they booked the ticket. But when I noticed that 32 minute window, I lost a little sleep. Even if we make it, I'm wondering if the checked luggage will.

On the plus side...it's practically a non-stop flight!

I was about to call them & discuss changing it (and eating 4 change fees), but I thought I'd get some input here first. Thanks to everybody for their thoughts/experiences.

Not enough time especially with a terminal change. United should never have booked something that close so they should eat any change fees.

Note that the 32 minutes is from when the airplane pulls up to the gate until the next plane pushes from the gate. It may take you 5 minutes to get off the first plane if you are sitting at the back.

A change of terminal will require a ride on the skyway train shuttle. Goods news is that this is in the secure zone and you will not need to go through security. Bad news is that it is a long walk from the skyway to terminal E gates.

Have you looked at your return tickets? On return you will have to wait for and reclaim luggage and then recheck it and then go through security again. Security can easily be a 45 minute wait if you do not have TSA precheck.

 

[jfcl01]

Would an hour be enough (asking for a friend)....

 

[KeithG]

Would an hour be enough (asking for a friend)....

Depends, how late do you think your arrival plane will be?

 

[Skittl1321]

tcmstr - It's a ticket United sold me on their website. UA1104 arrives from Denver at 11:32 AM and UA1549 leaves for Cozumel at 12:04 PM.

I booked it a couple months ago & didn't really focus on the layover time. I assume they think it's going to work since they booked the ticket. But when I noticed that 32 minute window, I lost a little sleep. Even if we make it, I'm wondering if the checked luggage will.

On the plus side...it's practically a non-stop flight!

I was about to call them & discuss changing it (and eating 4 change fees), but I thought I'd get some input here first. Thanks to everybody for their thoughts/experiences.

They should eat the change fee if it breaks their own minimum connection time rule.

I wonder if the flights changed after you booked them. That happens too.