My kid will be switching flights (Mass. to Las Vegas airport) there. Anything he should know? Is it confusing, large, etc? He's 16 and has only flown once, with his father. I'm beside myself! What should he do if there's a delay or even an overnight layover (this will be on Dec. 25/26). Any suggestions MOST appreciated!
2006-12-07 04:44:04 · 3 answers · asked by SieglindeDieNibelunge 5 in Travel ➔ Air Travel
Thanks for the details, folks! Based on this, we'll choose another flight, connecting in a smaller airport. Our kid is NOT well-traveled. Anyone know about the airports in Nashville or Cincinnati? Lots of flights seem to connect in Chicago, but that sounds way too big for him!
2006-12-08 05:10:24 · update #1
Dulles is a pretty big airport but it's not that hard to get around in. If your son is changing planes but not airlines, both his flights will probably be right in the same terminal. So it will just be a matter of walking down the hallway between gates. If he does not leave the secure area, he should be just fine.
If his layover is very long and he wants to step outside, he'll have to clear security again before reporting to the departing gate. The lines at Dulles can be very, very long at times so make sure he plans accordingly.
A map of the airport including the terminals and the airlines operating out of each terminal can be found at the link below.
If he has a very long layover and wants to kill a few hours, there is a branch of the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum very close to the airport. Ask at the Ground Transportation desk about a shuttle--- there used to be one--- or he can get there via taxi but he should make sure to arrange a Timed Call where the cab service sets an appointment to pick him up.
If he gets stuck overnight, there are several hotels that operate shuttles to Dulles but they do tend to #1 not be cheap ($90 a night and up) and #2 have no vacancy when lots of flights are being cancelled. There are lots of hotels that aren't too far away, though. I'd recommend he travel with a list of hotels in Manassas and Centerville, VA, with him in; if he needs to book a hotel on short notice, he should avoid the hotel courtesy phones as those properties are going to be the first to fill up when airport delays happen. Because he is 16, it is probably a good idea to do some research in advance, and get a list of area hotels that will accept your credit card online or via phone and let someone under 18 check in; most don't allow this but you can find some that do, if you arrange in advance. That way he won't have to spend the night in the airport.
2006-12-07 06:49:00 · answer #1 · answered by dcgirl 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dulles is very large and can be confusing. The only way to get between terminals is to ride on people movers. They are very large buses that transport to and from the main terminal.
Assuming he will have to change planes, the best to hope for is to have the planes in the same terminal. This type of transfer is very easy. He will just need to walk from arrival gate to departure gate.
If he has to go to a different terminal, make sure the layover time allows for the transfer. It could take up to 30-45 minutes. He will have to board one of the people movers to the main terminal and then transfer to another people mover going to the terminal where his departure gate is located. The information for the movers is above the door and most of the people are friendly enough to answer questions he may have. Hope this helps.
2006-12-07 04:53:59 · answer #2 · answered by Tater 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest that you notify the airline that your child will be traveling alone for the first time, they will usually have a flight attendant pay attention to the child and make sure that he gets on the right flight etc...
2006-12-07 05:26:18 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋