Connecting Flight time
 

I am traveling to Melbourne from Karachi with family (wife, 6 years old son and 8 months old daughter) with no prior experience of traveling with children.

My connecting flights are Karachi to Kuala Lumpur and then Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne. Here is the timings:

11:20 PM Karachi 8:00 AM Kuala Lumpur (Non-stop)
9:55 AM Kuala Lumpur 9:10 PM MEL Melbourne (Non-stop)

So, there is around 1 hour 55 minutes gap between two flights. Is this connection time enough as I am traveling with my children including infant.

Regards,

Re: Connecting Flight time
 

It should be sufficient. It probably will not allow you to wander a lot in duty free shops though :).

Re: Connecting Flight time
 

Should be fine. Hopefully the children will sleep on the flight from Karachi to KL then your son can watch a movie or play a little on the flight from KL to Melbourne before another nap.

Be sure to ask for bulkhead seats and a bassinet for your baby so you and your wife don't have to have her on your lap for the whole time.

Re: Connecting Flight time
 

Are the flights with the same carrier?
If yes, luggage will all go through automatically, but might be different if using different airlines for each leg of the journey or one way tickets with the same carrier??

You may be 'held' in transit for just a short period. If you think about it, roughly 30 mins to get off the plane and get into the terminal, it will be almost time to start boarding again.
I personally would walk around/stand (not sit) and general exercise while I was off the plane.
Who's the airline?

Re: Connecting Flight time
 

Thank you guys for your replies.

I think the idea of bassinet is great. Let me talk with my travel agent. I am using Malaysia Airlines only, so there would be no change of airlines.

So I guess, we have enough time, not to miss the connecting flight.

Anybody have experience of Kula Lumpur Airport? I am asking because, may be my wife will return back after a month with kids and she have to wait for 12 hours for the connecting flight. Since, I will not be joining her and she has to take care of both the kids alone, so I am thinking are there any special areas (for families) where she can stay for that 12 hours long connecting flight.

Re: Connecting Flight time
 

Sorry, my 'puter won't let me open the page, but this is the KL airport homepage. It will have a list of the facilities available.

I haven't used the one in KL, but I have used the transit hotel in Singpore. If she has a long wait it might be worth booking a room for a few hours where she can lay the kids down for a rest in bed, give them a bath, take a quick shower and change clothes, etc. She doesn't even have to clear customs - the airport hotels are gateside. I'm sure there will also be a play area for you son to have a bit of a run around and burn off some 6 year old energy.

Re: Connecting Flight time
 

I believe it may be wiser to say if both flights are on the same ticket the baggage will go to the final destination.

Both flights could be on the same carrier but ticketed separately.

If this is the case and both tickets are not presented at the originating airport to the agent then baggage is likely to only be ticketed to the destination of the first flight only.

Re: Connecting Flight time
 

I am the type of person who always arrives at the airport very early and don't mind longer stop overs, but 12 hours is really a bit much for anyone, regardless of "family areas". You need to either look for better flights or be arranging a hotel room for them.

Re: Connecting Flight time
 

KL is a big airport, lots of money spent on developing it- then almost all airlines moved to use Singapore as their hub.

So as a consequence, KL is lovely and quiet.
Bags come through quickly - although as both flights are MAS, they will probably check your bags through.

We find transfers at KL very quick and easy. Only hassle I don't like is the gate bag scanner. It means they check everything at the gate when you really want to be more relaxed.

Is your 8month old breast fed or formula fed? If formula -be prepared for lots of questions about water/bottles etc you are carrying. If breast fed, life is so much easier!

Re: Connecting Flight time
 

As both sectors are with the same airline then there is no problem with connection time. As your baggage will be transferred to the connection flight immediately upon landing the connecting flight will not leave without you if your bags are onboard.