Transfer time from overseas flight

Question

Delta has posted a one-ticket connection of one hour twenty minute arriving from Europe and then continuing on in the U.S.

Do you believe that that is possible and doable?

My understanding is that the arriving passenger has to deplane, go through and clear customs, collect the checked bag, hand it back to Delta and get to the gate 20-30 minutes before scheduled departure.

Answer

For an international-to-domestic connection at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), a 1 hour 20 minute connection is technically possible but quite tight, especially coming from Europe. Here’s what you need to consider:

When arriving from an international flight, U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires that you:

Deplane and proceed to U.S. Customs and Immigration for entry clearance.
Collect your checked luggage (even if it’s tagged to your final destination).
Drop your luggage at the designated transfer point for connecting flights.
Go through TSA security screening for domestic departures.
Walk to your departure gate and be at the gate at least 20–30 minutes before boarding.

Even in an efficient airport like DTW, this process can easily take 60–90 minutes depending on:

Arrival terminal and gate location versus departure gate location.
Customs line wait times (which can be longer if multiple flights arrive at the same time).
Time needed for luggage retrieval and recheck.
TSA security wait times, which vary throughout the day.

Practical advice:

If your international flight arrives on time and lines are short, 1 hour 20 minutes is feasible but leaves very little margin for delays.
If there’s any delay on your international flight, you risk missing the connection.
Many travelers in this situation opt for at least a 2-hour connection for international-to-domestic transfers to reduce stress and risk.
Check with Delta if they provide “through check” for bags and if their staff can expedite connections. Some airlines have procedures to assist passengers with tight international connections.

In summary, while doable under ideal circumstances, a 1 hour 20 minute connection from Europe to a U.S. domestic flight in Detroit is tight and risky. If possible, consider a longer layover to avoid missing your connection due to customs, security, or luggage delays.