Hello community!
While looking for tickets for December for travel from LHR - AUK, I found a routing on LH on Google Flights that was bookable direct with LH, but did not show up at all on the LH website when doing a search directly on there (I didn't know Google could do this, but have since read up and you all probably know it's quite common). Well, the route was significantly cheaper than I could find elsewhere, still booked out directly on the LH website, so it's all legit and avoided a change in the US, so I went for it.
LHR - FRA - PVG - AUK
Final leg is on Air New Zealand.l
The only hesitation I had and still have isthat it includes a 65 minute transfer in FRA, and I'm worried that won't be long enough. I know it abides by LH's minimum transfer time at FRA, but I keep having nightmares of bus gates, December de-icing delays... oh, and I'm travelling with my wife, a 5-year-old and a 6-month-old, just to add to the fun, so we're wondering too about logistics of using a buggy (stroller if you're reading from across the pond). I know at LHR they let you take the buggy to the gate and then check it in there, so does that mean we won't see it again until AUK? (Yes, I'm expecting a witty retort from @1990 about how we'll be lucky if we ever see it again, since we're on LH!! 😉 ), or will they try to give it back to us at each change?
So, my qiestions:
1. What are our chances of making this specific transfer? Do flights from the UK and flights to China arrive and depart from the same part of the airport so we just walk straight from one gate to the other, or will we have to go through security/passport control?
2. Any tips for travelling with a buggy? Can we specify to just send it right through to AUK if we check it in at the gate?
3. If we do miss the connecting flight, does this mean LH is on the hook for finding us an alternative routing?
Thanks team!
Bah! Thanks for thinking of me.
Woah, what an itinerary...London to New Zealand via Frankfurt and Shanghai! Jimmy, you're a braver soul than I. A 65-minute FRA connection in December with a 5-year-old and a 6-month-old is Olympic-level sport.
Fortunately, originating at LHR means UK261 has your back for duty of care if (when) de-icing delays cause a miss, though weather delay would not include cash compensation like maintenance or staffing issues would. Since LH and Air New Zealand only run those routes out of PVG once a day, missing it means getting stuck. I once got stranded in PEK and put in an Air China airport hotel... with no windows... (was it... a prison? They let me leave, eventually, at least.)
As for the buggy... Oof. To borrow from Tolkien, it’s headed straight to the shadow realm. (I got more.) 'One does not simply...' gate-check a stroller at Frankfurt and see it again on the other side. You'll be lucky if it re-emerges in Auckland by the Fourth Age! (Sorry, couldn't resist with the NZ routing). I'm sure it'll be fine... (get comprehensive travel insurance, just in case.)
As for the occasional 'Lufthansa hate' on here, I have a theory: half of them are just bitter they missed out on a First Class rubber duck, or holiday roast goose. Sure, their labor shell games and "Luftkafka" Allegris layouts leave a sour taste, but they're still world-class and generally get the job done (unless it hits the 11 PM curfew...).
No matter what, hope you and yours have an amazing, safe journey, and a wonderful time down under!
@1990_ Thanks for the entertaining reply (you never fail to please!)
That fact of LH and ANZ only running these routes once a day is something I had thought about. Do airlines ever then re-route you on a different airline in a scenario like this, or would they insist we wait the day until their flight the next day?
We have an onward flight to Christchurch booked 26 hours after we're due to land in Auckland... eek!
Yeah I have never had cause to experience Lufthansa hate either, having flown with them several times and only ever had good experiences. I'm mostly looking forward to this trip and hoping it works as it's scheduled for a 747-400 outbound and 747-8 inbound. I know that the actual passenger experience is nothing to shout about in economy, but I want my kids to be able to say they flew on a Queen of the skies before it's too late!
@jimmy-k My pleasure! And, I'm totally with you; great idea to share that experience with the family on the 747 while it's still around. Some of my earliest memories flying are on a Swiss 747 to Zürich. (I think it was a 747-300 on ATL-ZRH at the time.)
On the re-routes with alternative carriers, it's often a mixed bag. I recall one time where a European carrier initially attempted to re-route me on a non-partner, Asian airline, which was an interesting choice (but I think they were overwhelmed after having to re-route 250+ passengers.) In that situation, I did lose a night at my destination, and I ultimately sought my own flight alternatives, but you never know what you'll get in those circumstances (they could simply put you on their metal, next available flight, a mere day later.) If it's true IROPS (weather, mechanical, etc.) they do tend to try to *eventually* get you to where you're going, but the first offer may not be a great one.
If you did miss the separate ticket to CHC, ideally that's a refundable booking, or something you could change (even with a nominal fee), if needed. Might be good to re-check the fine-print on that one. Again, more reasons to have a comprehensive insurance policy, just in case (for purchasing new tickets, if the delay is a covered reason, and it can also help with loss of prepaid accommodations, if that's an issue, too.)
No matter what, I'm rooting for you. Hope this all works out!
@1990_ Thanks so much for taking the time to reply and your positive support! The Swiss 747 trips sound like something out of my childhood dreams! The furthest we ever got in the glory days was a package holiday to Majorca (not to be sniffed at, of course!).
We have full travel insurance already in place as an annual policy, so I need to check the conditions of that; I'm glad you highlighted that so I can be as prepared as possible.
I'm so grateful for all the replies from all the posters. This is exactly how I imagine @BenSchlappig imagined this community space; you guys have made a genuinely discernable difference to my mindset in planning what is literally a trip of a lifetime and I'm very grateful.
@jimmy-k Aww! That's very kind. (And, I'm yet to visit the Balearic islands, so I do need to get there someday.)
I'll admit, at first, I was skeptical of the site changes and even resisted registering an account, as I typically just commented as a Guest, but I must say, it's been a great improvement and think most others agree. (Well done, @lucky, @jeremy, @howie)
@jimmy-k Wife and I flew LH from FRA-SIN, AND ON TO NZ via AZ in April. Yeah, they say it's doable, but....... Our flt left FRA 40 min late. Sitting in FC, got talk to captain. Said he doubted we we would make connection, but will try his best. We landed 40 min late. It was easy connecting to shuttle train from term 2 to 3, and fast. We then ran to check-in counter. Barely able speak to agent. She smiled and said the AZ flt will be one hour late.
She gave us boarding passes with advice. Don't try that again. She said many people miss that connection, although I believe there is a later SQ flt.
Okay, I have no experience since Comets were phased out (I exaggerate - slightly), and theoretically arriving and departing would both be in the 'international' part of the airport, not the Schengen part, but there's a current article in the WaPo about 'worst airports for connections' that has this observation:
“One airport I almost never have a great time connecting at is Frankfurt. It has a high percentage of bus gates, which suck up time,” said Scott Laird, a seasoned traveler and freelance writer. “What seems to make Frankfurt worse is that Lufthansa has a habit of pretending nothing is wrong and schedules hour-long connections that depend heavily on magical thinking.”
The article listed Denver as the worst US airport, but that's not relevant to this thread. 🙂
@mike-c Thanks for the info... doesn't fill me with confidence! OK, I think I have to start planning for the worst, or praying that your tiny hope of non-Schengen to non-Schengen transfer makes the difference in this case!
65 minutes at FRA is one of those connections I’d happily attempt by myself and absolutely hate with a 5-year-old and a 6-month-old! Since LHR and PVG are both non-Schengen you at least avoid entering the Schengen area, but FRA can throw a bus gate, long walk or another security check at you just to keep things interesting. The good news is that it’s all on one ticket, so if LH sells the connection they’re responsible for getting you to Auckland if you miss it. Personally I’d keep the booking given how much cheaper it was, but I’d go into it assuming 65 minutes means moving with purpose rather than stopping for a pretzel.
@seat1a Thanks for the advice. OK, we'll make sure we have our running shoes on when we travel!
Hi! In line with what people have already responded, my take: I have done short connections in FRA many times. Based on my connections (which were different to yours and included entering Schengen), I always had to go through passport control and security, which is a big time problem for non-EU passport holders (does not apply to me but seems to appy to your family). Since you do not enter the Schengen area, you might or might not have to go through security and passport control, it does not seem to be possible to figure that out long in advance. However, LH is on the hook to sort it out if there is an issue and there are many service desks in FRA. If one is particular busy you can walk to another one. And the staff is really good there and much friendlier than MUC.
@texxx_ Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. Let's hope indeed we don't have to go through too many checks. I appreciate the tip about the service desks too. Hoping some Frankfurt friendliness gets us through on time.
If arriving at B gates and departing from Z gates which are both in the large old Terminal 1, you will need about 50 to 60 minutes, including Skytrain and transfer security. If arriving at Z gates, 20 to 30 minutes are sufficient. I would bet on B to Z because most LHR flights arrive at B (seldom at the B bus gates) and not at Z and most 747 depart at Z. Thus, there is little time left for something to go wrong.
@atlin This is really useful knowledge. Thanks so much.
*reaches for floor plan of FRA and starts memorising*