35 Minute Layover In Atlanta Doable??

[MartyM]

SWA or ATA yes, maybe.

Delta, NO! If your plane is late getting in, every few minutes that your plane is late, Delta will move your gate. The gate could get closer to your connecting gate, or it might go far away.

I'd be leery about any of the bigger airlines. Their share of the concourses is so huge that you could have to walk a long way, ride a train, then walk another long way.

Also, if you are checking luggage, those bags will likely not make the connection with you if the planes are far away. If I were going to risk the short layover, I'd make sure that I wasn't checking anything at all, or nothing I needed on the first day of the trip.

 

[Butterbunkins]

If your first plane isn’t late, if the gates are right next to each other and if you don’t have to stop in the bathroom (I always do) you should be fine. If your first leg is at all late I don’t see you making it except if there is a large number of people on your plane and will be catching the next plane and then they might hold it.

Once I had an hour layover which should have been fine, but my first plane was a half an hour late and we had to go from one end of one terminal to the furthest end of another terminal and we had to run to make it. And we were one of the first ones off the plane. I never want to have to do that again!

I have never been to the Atlanta airport so I have no idea the layout or how big it is. My incident was at SLC.

 

[sam_gordon]

Regarding the discussion of what the Atlanta airport is like...

There are 7 terminals (I'm pretty sure this is the correct order)...
T
A
B
C
D
E
F (International)

Each terminal has ~35 gates with Gate 1 on one end and gate 35 on the other.
You get between terminals underground (either walking, moving sidewalks, or a tram).
The entry/exit to the underground path is at the middle of each terminal.

According to Wiki, Delta has gates in ALL terminals, so you could be going from C2 to A34.

ETA: We're flying through Atlanta Friday with a 61 minute layover. We'll probably be going from Terminal A or B to Terminal E. I'll try to come back here and let you know how long it takes us.

 

[1Grumpy9]

Two years ago I took a flight from BWI to MCO with a stop at ATL on Airtran. It was the year of the monster snow storms in the Baltimore area so I changed my flight to be the first one out at 5:00am. Well, we never left BWI until 5:20am and I was supposed to have 55 mins in between my flights (which I thought was plenty of time). Since we were late we had to wait for a gate and half of the plane that were to make connecting flights missed their flights. I was one of them...I had to sit in Atlanta for another 3 hrs.

To make a long story short, I wouldn't schedule a connecting flight less than 50 mins apart for Atlanta. I was trying to get to MCO as fast as possible (to get out of the snow), but it was an EPIC FAIL for me on that one...I finally got to Orlando at 2:00pm!!! I left my house at 9:00pm the night before because of the snow and slept in the airport fearing the road conditions and flights going in and out.

 

[sam_gordon]

FWIW: we deplaned in Atl about 1030a. Gate T8(?). We wer at gate E15 by 11, w/bathroom break & stop at delta counter.

 

[tabbytrekker]

Oh, poor you.

Like others, I would say it is doable (I'm pretty sure a recent family friend accomplished a goal like yours) however not advisable. But I'm not a fan of short layovers no matter what the airport.

I have flown through Atlanta I believe twice because after those experiences I avoid it like the plague. I believe it took over a half hour after landing in Atlanta to just taxi to the runway one of my trips.

 

[MrMarv]

The only airline I'd even consider with a 35 minute layover is Southwest.

I've done it in Phoenix, Nashville, Indy & Chicago Midway, and have never had any issues, except when my flight from LAX arrives early (15-20 minutes ealy is pretty common from LAX/PHX) and I have to sit on the runway because no gates are available!!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

"Doable" depends on the specific plane you are riding in on. It can happen but the probability of missing the connection is high.

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 .

Did you at least talk to one and two levels higher up in the supervisory ranks about choosing new flights?

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.

Were you really non-revenue, such as flying on buddy passes? If so, all bets are off.

Otherwise you should ask for specific compensation in your letter, and send it again (not rewritten) if you don't get a reply. Couda' got'n lost in the mail.

Putting a paying customer to the back of the standby line can be considered failure to endeavor to transport the customer which is a violation of the contract of carriage.

 

[cel_disney]

As a frequent business traveler thru ATL, it IS doable..but limit carry-ons, don't plan to get food or snacks (bring them or buy them in your originating airport or on board). And get seats as close to the front of your first flight as possible.

Your luggage will make it to MCO so don't worry about that too much....If you were planning to carry it with you, be one of the last to board your first flight so they are hopefully out of room and will allow you to check it to your final destination....

 

[bzzelady]

Were you really non-revenue, such as flying on buddy passes? If so, all bets are off.

Otherwise you should ask for specific compensation in your letter, and send it again (not rewritten) if you don't get a reply. Couda' got'n lost in the mail.

Putting a paying customer to the back of the standby line can be considered failure to endeavor to transport the customer which is a violation of the contract of carriage.

We were flying on the residuals from previously cancelled tickets, which we purchased on a cash basis. We had to cancel the original trip because my father's ALS progressed and DCL could not guarantee me that they could meet his dietary needs (pureed/chopped) so we cancelled our Alaska cruise. I was absolutely in shock when the counter agent made the "since you are not a revenue customer" (and yes, that was her exact comment).
So please tell me...do you consider that a paying customer?

 

[seashoreCM]

If you buy tickets and have to change or cancel, after deducting the change fee and applying what remains to new tickets and using them within the time frame and deadlines (typically 365 days after original purchase) for ticketing and flying, this should make you a revenue passenger.

I suppose that there are certain kinds of courtesy vouchers that might be issued after you were unable to use tickets by the deadline and these vouchers may be treated similarly to buddy passes or employee passes or other space available travel.

 

[goofy4tink]

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

That has been my AirTran experience as well...and I always have to move between C and D!!! And, add to that the fact that the gates are always the more distant ones!!
But...I have found it to be doable if you stay focused and don't dilly dally. You have to watch the signage. And there have been times when the tram wasn't there that I just walked to the next terminal.
Also, I would ask at your originating gate if there is any way you can get off the plane before the masses do. You could spend up to 15 mins just waiting for those in the front of the plane to get their stuff together and off the plane.

 

[bzzelady]

If you buy tickets and have to change or cancel, after deducting the change fee and applying what remains to new tickets and using them within the time frame and deadlines (typically 365 days after original purchase) for ticketing and flying, this should make you a revenue passenger.

I suppose that there are certain kinds of courtesy vouchers that might be issued after you were unable to use tickets by the deadline and these vouchers may be treated similarly to buddy passes or employee passes or other space available travel.

No...there was no courtesy extension on the remaining funds and we used them within the deadlines. We simply arrived late on a Delta flight from MCO and despite running with carry on luggage and omitting the bathroom stop, we still missed the connection three concourses over. I was just stunned when the counter girl said, "We can't you into PHL today" while standby customers with status were being taken onto flights.

I think based on what you are telling me, that I am going to redraft that letter and send it again. Do you think that I should copy the FAA in on it?

 

[daisy8869]

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.

The last time I flew Delta, I had a 48 minute window to change planes in ATL. My flight arrived 15 minutes late because of a fueling issue.I had to go four terminals away. I ran and literally saw them close the door to the plane as I arrived at the gate. This was at 1pm. I did not leave ATL until 6:30am the next day. 12 hours of waiting on standby, one very unsafe hotel voucher later. I had to beg/plead for that hotel voucher by the way.

I had purchased an economy ticket from the Delta website. I spent over three hours on the phone trying to get them to do something or put me on another carrier's flight. Nothing worked. They did not give a damn since I did not have any type of frequent flier "status".

Oh and the 6:30am flight was not even a direct connection like my missed flight. I flew from ATL to Chicago then back to Indy.

I will never fly Delta again. Ever.

Good luck with your 35 minute window.

 

[seashoreCM]

No...there was no courtesy extension on the remaining funds and we used them within the deadlines. We simply arrived late on a Delta flight from MCO and despite running with carry on luggage and omitting the bathroom stop, we still missed the connection three concourses over. I was just stunned when the counter girl said, "We can't you into PHL today" while standby customers with status were being taken onto flights.

I think based on what you are telling me, that I am going to redraft that letter and send it again. Do you think that I should copy the FAA in on it?

Don't copy the FAA yet but first resend the letter to the same person/location just to be sure the first letter did not get lost. The next letter after that should be sent "to the CEO".

The airline should be putting you on before standbys who simply wanted the convenience of an earlier flight or who are beginning their trips in that city.

The airline may give you vouchers (fifty dollars or less per person is not satisfactory). You must use the vouchers in order for the impact on the airline to sink in.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

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.

I believe, if I recall, ATL was/is 45 minutes, I put the was, because it could have changed, but then again, why it would, who knows, because IMO, less than 45 minutes is a very risky gamble.

 

[cel_disney]

I believe, if I recall, ATL was/is 45 minutes, I put the was, because it could have changed, but then again, why it would, who knows, because IMO, less than 45 minutes is a very risky gamble.

35 is the new connection time for ATL last I checked...

 

[maxiesmom]

35 is the new connection time for ATL last I checked...

Wow, that is just crazy! No way,no how, would I attempt a 35 minute connecting flight in ATL. More times than now, after the first flight lands we taxi around for at least 20 minutes. Imho, anything under an hour is risky at best.

 

[snesguy]

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.

I haven't gone through ATL in ages but if you are not comfortable with the 35 minute layover try going to delta.com and select the advanced booking page, then multi-city booking, then put your flight in as two flights per direction on the multi-city booking page. If they do it correctly and you don't have too long a layover it should price the same as the original 35 minute connection.

Example:

Simple booking:
SFO -> MCO (turns up a flight with ~ 50 minute connection in ATL)

Advanced / Multi-City booking:
SFO -> ATL (I pick the same departure out of SFO)
ATL -> MCO (I pick a flight with a bigger connection time, 1 hour 50 minute connection)

This prices the same as the original tight connection.

You can extend this multi-city booking to a round trip by booking 3 or 4 flights, like:

Flight 1: SFO -> ATL
Flight 2: ATL -> MCO
Flight 3: MCO -> SFO (if putting in one flight here gives me a good connection I'm good)

Or:
Flight 1: SFO -> ATL
Flight 2: ATL -> MCO
Flight 3: MCO -> ATL
Flight 4: ATL -> SFO

So long as the connections don't exceed a certain time limit and the flights you pick have seats available in the same fare buckets the multi-city booking should price the same as the simple booking and you can get yourself a comfortable connection time.

I've done bookings like this on United and I just made a quick attempt to see if works on Delta and it looks like it does.

 

[kathie859]

You'll be much calmer with a longer layover window. There's no way I'd attempt a 35 minute in ATL I'd be a mess! Travel is stressful enough so don't add more to it