Connecting Flights in Memphis

[bcc99]

Hi, all. I got a great deal on my roundtrip air from Indy to Fort Lauderdale in September on Northwest...the next-best fare was on USAirways, and I wasn't keen on doing that after reading the thread here! Anyway, I was looking at my itinerary and noticed that the layovers in Memphis are only 30 minutes long. While I trust NWA to know how close they can schedule a connection without it being a problem, this seems awfully short. If anybody has connected in Memphis, I'd love to hear your thoughts--is the terminal building hard to navigate, is MEM a super-busy hub like DFW or O'Hare, should I sit close to the front of the plane and wear running shoes, etc. Thanks!

[DaddySteve]

I change in MEM quite a bit (live in the FLA Panhandle).....the NW flights use a large "Y" shaped part of the terminal....if you're on NW Airlink (commuter) then you might want to use the shuttle since the Airlink planes usually arrive at parts of the terminal that are a ways away :( BUT I bet you're on regular NW planes and though you should try to get off quickly you should be okay....running shoes, maybe not, but no HIGH heels, you might have to jog. Check out the NWA.com site, click "travel tools" and then "airport maps".....then you might also check on flight arrivals/departures for the flights you're scheduled on and see where they "USUALLY" park (you can check yesterday/today/tomorrow)......and I'd check to see they have another flight to your destination that will still work for you IF you miss the connection. I know, TOO much info. but, like you, I hate any connect that short!! Does that come from 30+ years as a tour escort? Maybe! Anyway, good luck and have a terrific vacation.

 

Steve:)

[bcc99]

Thanks, Steve! The terminal map is a big help. While I was on NWA.com, I noticed that their minimum recommended connect time at MEM is 25 minutes (gives me a whole 5 minutes to spare!). Looks like I won't be stopping at Starbucks in between gates... :rolleyes:

[SWEETNLOW2005]

I fly in and out of there all the time. Yuo will make your flight with no problem.

[Fabulous2B50]

Used to live in Memphis, thank God I live in Nashville now. Be glad you will have a short time in that dingy, dirty airport. It is not that busy a place, but it is so dirty and very poorly lighted!

[bcc99]

Fabulous2B50--isn't BNA a great airport? Started and ended a lot of wonderful trips there, and it's one of the nicer terminal buildings I've seen.