Dulles Airport Experts

[JMSH]

Travelling Buffalo to Aruba via Washington/Dulles Feb. 1,2009. Layover time in Washington is 1 hour. Will that be adequate to make connections?

 

[Dave M]

I wouldn't risk it. In theory, it's plenty of time, even though you might well have to take the shuttle to a different terminal. However, a bit of snow or a slightly delayed aircraft from Buffalo could put your travel plans in disarray. Thus, I would take an earlier flight from Buffalo, even though you might have to wait several hours in Dulles for your connection.

 

[JMSH]

Well it is the first flight out of Buffalo at 6:05am. United Airlines changed the time out of Washington from 9:30am to 8:30am and hence now our layover is only 1 hour as oppose to 2 hours. I might see about flying out the night before from Buffalo and stay over in Washington. In view of the fact that the airline made the change I would think I could make this adjustment at no cost.

 

[lprstn]

Dulles is a large airport, it would depend on where the gates are in relation to each other. I'd say 2 hours is a comforatable layover time at the larger airports.

 

[Luanne]

Younger dd flies in and out of Dulles several times a year getting back and forth to school. Even changing terminals she's made it easily in an hour, and sometimes even less. She even has time to stop and buy something to eat.

 

[Jimster]

Dulles

I fly in and out of Dulles 5 or 6 times a year. As mentioned above it is a very big airport and 1 hour doesn't seem like enough time. While yours is a connecting flight and not likely to be subject to this, I was once denied boarding because i did not check in 45 minutes ahead of time. Dulles and National are more picky than most airports since 9/11 because DC was a target. They have/had specific regulations unique to them. If you have too much time there you can always take the free shuttle to the air/space museum annex.

 

[somerville]

As long as your flight out of Buffalo is on time, you should not have a problem making your connection, even if you have to change terminals. Most United flights use the C and D terminals, which are in the same building. Many of the United Express flights use the A terminal. The shuttles between the terminals run every few minutes.