35 Minute Layover In Atlanta Doable??

[hinodis]

Both flights that we are looking at have a 35 minute layover in Atlanta Has anyone ever cut it this close before? I Though that a layover had to be a certain amount of time. It is a plane change, I checked.

 

[vicki_c]

Unless the gates are almost next to each other, no, IMO.

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

My family just did a 38 minute layover in Atlanta a few weeks ago. I didn't schedule it that way, but our flights kept getting moved closer and closer together and Delta wouldn't let us change for free

Anyway, we made it fine even with 4 kids and changing terminals, but it is not something I would purposely try to do.

 

[Alexander]

It is going to be very, very close. That is if your first leg arrives on time. We once had connecting flights on AirTran in Atlanta with something like 35 minutes. It was the last flight of the day, so I called to inquire what would happen should we not make the connection. They had no answer for me other than to change our flight to a non-stop from a closer airport. It worked out very well for us in the end.

 

[DebbieB]

Is it Delta, AirTran or Southwest? AirTran and Southwest gates are close together. Delta can be far apart. I had a mad dash one time when my first flight was late and I made it but my luggage didn't. It was on the next plane.

35 minutes is probably a legal connection.

 

[bdoyledimou]

we had a Airtran flight arrive in Terminal A with our departure in terminal E (i think) and we had to hustle and get on the train and just barely made it. it was crazy !

 

[DebbieB]

we had a Airtran flight arrive in Terminal A with our departure in terminal E (i think) and we had to hustle and get on the train and just barely made it. it was crazy !

That sounds like Delta because AirTran is C and part of D. Delta has flights on all on concourses (T, A to F).

 

[bzzelady]

If it's Delta, I would not even consider it. Gates can be too far apart to make that connection.

My experience last August. Originally 90 minute layover in Atlanta 1100-1230to connect for PHL-coming from MCO . MCO flight was an hour late getting in. We arrived at the gate as our flight to PHL was leaving.

Delta would not put us on a flight to PHL that day......now keep in mind that the missed connection was from a late Delta flight and not our own fault we were told that since we were no longer "revenue" customers, that we went to the back of the standby line

During that time, it was obvious that Skymiles frequent customers were getting seats on other flights to PHL.

Long story short...we ended up flying into BWI late that evening and renting a car to drive back to our car at PHL. Delta did not even acknowledge the complaint letter I sent. I will never fly with them again.

 

[maxiesmom]

We did it once, but I don't think I would ever do it again. It was just too stressful! Worrying about the first flight getting in on time, worrying it would take forever to get off of the plane, and then worrying about finding the next gate and having to haul rear to get to the next gate.

Our connecting time was actually 46 minutes, and we needed every one of those minutes, even with the first plane landing early. Not fun!

 

[Lisa71]

Doable with running shoes and a great attitude..and on time planes. We flew from CA to OH (Dayton) for a wedding with a plane change in Dallas....Plane was a few minutes late, and due to a storm part of the runway was closed. Ran super fast from one end of the airport to the other (literally) made it with a few minutes, then they decided "You need random screening"..DH as seated and I was not. I got on the last minute, full bladder and all, then we were held on the ground an hour due to the lightening..and I had to go the whole time. Oh, so not fun. Best of luck!

 

[LilyWDW]

I wouldn't do it. The stress alone would make the whole thing unbearable for me.

 

[TandEsMommy]

I've done it on a Delta flight with 2 adults and 3 kids...but like PPs have said, it isn't fun. Bring as few carryons as possible, especially if you will have little ones in tow. We skipped gate checking the stroller specifically because our connection times were so short. We did arrive about 10 minutes late, but it was announced that for those of us with short connections, the outgoing flights would be held for an extra 10 minutes. We were among the last to board.

Are you stuck flying with Delta? Other airlines (American specifically, IME) are much better about accommodating you on alternate flights if you miss a connection for reasons out of your control.

If you do miss the connection, don't expect much out of any airline as far as lodgings, etc. Since late flights are often blamed on weather or "operational" factors (runway not open at the airport, etc etc), and those reasons are specifically excluded from the reasons they deem their responsibility, you will often get nothing more than a "Sorry for your inconvenience" and a suggestion of a nearby hotel.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Hopefully you are seated in the front of the plane that is landing in ATL. If you have to wait on rows and rows of people ahead of you to collect their belongings and get off the plane your 35 minute layover could be severally shortened. Pray that you are not late landing especially in ATL because it is a possibility since that is a very busy airport.

And don't count on making a potty stop.

 

[sam_gordon]

I've done it with three kids (one with a car seat). I think we got in a few minutes early, had to go from the end of one terminal to a midpoint on another terminal (you don't know those facts until a couple days before if at all).

It wasn't my ideal choice of flights, but it was the best of the options.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I would say there are a lot of factors here.

DH and I flew through ATL in March (on the way down, we had direct coming back). It was just the 2 of us and we flew AirTran. We knew we'd have an almost 3 hour layover in ATL. I knew we'd have plenty of time to get to our next gate. I don't know a lot about the ATL airport (only been through there one other time), so imagine my surprise when we got off our plane and found that our departure gate was 3 down from the one where we landed! In this type of situation, a 35 minute layover would have been MORE than sufficient.

However, if you're flying Delta or another airline that uses multiple terminals and have small kids, a 35 minute layover could be next to impossible.

So I'd say, take into account your airline and family situation and make a decision from there.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I'd be willing to do this early in the morning, but later in the day I get more and more worried. I've misconnected to the last flight of the night home too many times (although, I have some humorous stories from it).

 

[Lumiere Lover]

We have had Delta flights right next to each other, and on opposite sides of the airport. If you can run, and are interested in a quick layover, give it a try. We made it with two kids, but they were teenagers. You have to remember that the plane leaving knows which plane you are on, as long as your flights are with the same airline. We had our Delta flight hold for people that were coming in late from another Delta flight in Atlanta. It will be what makes you feel at ease. Just remember, Atlanta is a huge airport.

 

[Alexander]

It's not only the huge that makes it hard to get from gate to gate, there are tons and tons of people. Sometimes running through the airport is very difficult if there are a lot of people around.

We have flown Delta and AirTran into Atlanta and never had a close gate. Yes you may only have to go from Terminal C to Terminal D, but those terminals are loooooong and if your first plane pulls up near the end, it takes a while just to get to the center of the terminal to go to another one.

And please don't forget where you are seated on your first flight. If you are near the back of the plane, it could be 10-15 minutes from the time they begin deplaning to the time you get off. Your 35 minutes just became 20.

 

[mybabesuz]

We flew Delta in April and had an hour and 19 minute layover in ATL

We got off the plane, hit the bathrooms, and had to walk clear across the airport.

We got to the gate about 5 minutes before boarding.

Don't forget boarding time is 30 minutes before departure time.

I would not do it.

 

[rluey29]

Our first trip to Disney on our trip home we had a short lay over at atlanta. We had to run from one end of the airport to the other, no stops for restrooms, we were the last ones on the plane, they were closing the doors as we entered. It was so stressful. Our luggage didn't make it and was delivered to us about 3 days later.