41 minute lay over at ATL. WOULD YOU?

[sam_gordon]

My only concern would be when is the next flight to your destination. If this is to MCO than I wouldn't have a problem booking it, worst case you miss your scheduled flight and DL puts you on the next flight to MCO, they pretty much run hourly. If it's ex-MCO I would consider when the next flight is. I'm flying through Atlanta on my way home in October, if I miss my connection I've got 14 hours overnight until the next one.

This is a good point. Delta has been good (at least to me) on getting me on the next flight when I've missed connections. How long you need to wait for that flight will depend on not only when the next flight is scheduled, but if there's room on it.

 

[Robbydj13]

This is a good point. Delta has been good (at least to me) on getting me on the next flight when I've missed connections. How long you need to wait for that flight will depend on not only when the next flight is scheduled, but if there's room on it.

That’s also another reason I typically schedule longer layovers. It allows me to leisure about the airport but also gives me some peace of mind that even with a delay I’ll still make my connection.

 

[sam_gordon]

That’s also another reason I typically schedule longer layovers. It allows me to leisure about the airport but also gives me some peace of mind that even with a delay I’ll still make my connection.

I prefer at least an hour layover, generally 90 minutes - 2 hours. But price doesn't always work out. The handful of times I've missed connections weren't because the connections were extremely short, but delays ate into it.

 

[Robbydj13]

I prefer at least an hour layover, generally 90 minutes - 2 hours. But price doesn't always work out. The handful of times I've missed connections weren't because the connections were extremely short, but delays ate into it.

True.m and fair point. Although I typically fly southwest when possible, so with no reserved seating I prefer the extra time to be able to board first and utilize my priority boarding. That doesn’t work sometimes if the connection is short timewise.

 

[kandlsutton]

I’m in the minority, but I wouldn't risk it. We were delayed out of RDU due to weather and had to switch concourses for a connecting flight to DFW. Of course nobody followed the request to remain seated to allow those with tight connections to deplane first. After running through the airport, climbing stairs since escalator was backed up, we just missed our connection. Waited ALL DAY to be moved to another flight. I ALWAYS avoid ATL because it is so busy.

 

[MrKnight]

If you don't me asking, what is your departure city? If its a major airport, it is very likely that multiple airlines service the route to MCO and you could have other direct non-stop options. IMHO, I try to avoid layovers at all costs, especially if there are multiple direct non-stop options to a major airport/destination like MCO, there is really no need for layovers with so many flight options available..

 

[Cheburashka]

Now that JetBlue no longer flies out of my city & cancelled our flights, I'm looking at booking an American flight that has a 42 minute stopover in DFW. It's the only flight that works for our schedule, because we're cruising the next day and we can't leave early on our departure flight day, because my son will have midterms. People on these boards sometimes talk as if vacation time is unlimited ("just add a day to your vacation- it's more fun anyway"), but some people operate on rigid schedules & have to take a certain flight because that's all that will work. It helps to fly first class if you can (the more reasonable first class rates that are now sometimes available really help), because they take pretty good care of you when something goes wrong with the flight. I'm sure if we missed our connection, they would either find some way to get us to Orlando that evening, or else send us there first thing in the morning the next day. But I don't have a lot of other options but to just trust at this point, and I'm not a worrier by nature (have had way too many serious problems in life to fret excessively over a possible missed flight), so I'm just going to go with it.

 

[spiders]

First class doesn't mean anything if you are trying to get onto another flight that you aren't confirmed on. They are not going to involuntarily deny boarding to someone to accommodate you. They just end up creating two passengers with misconnects rather than just keeping one delayed, albeit longer.

 

[EACarlson]

First class doesn't mean anything if you are trying to get onto another flight that you aren't confirmed on. They are not going to involuntarily deny boarding to someone to accommodate you. They just end up creating two passengers with misconnects rather than just keeping one delayed, albeit longer.

First class can matter when trying to get on the next flight. The airline is going to have those passengers in F higher on the priority list than those in Y. They are going to give more if you are stuck overnight and may be willing to pay more to other pax for voluntary denied boarding compensation. They will not IDB someone but they will always ask for VDBs if they've got passengers trying to get on the flight. Since @Cheburashka lists the city pairs, AA offers 12 flights daily DFW-MCO. As long as there are at least two more flights that day I wouldn't have any issue booking a short connection at DFW, even with a cruise the next day.

 

[_19disnA]

If the last flight of the day I would not choose that one. Atlanta is a HUGE airport and you just never know how far you have to walk to your connecting flight. Might get lucky and the gate is right next to where you arrive, but could also be a difference concourse. OP mentions landing at 7:44 am which means you likely have gotten up very early to begin your travels. Lots of things can go wrong when traveling that you have no control over such as bad weather, maintenance issues, etc. I agree you need to know the general layout of the airport and determine your connecting gate as soon as you land. Running through some crowded airport to make your next connection isn't my idea of a good start to the vacation.

 

[RamblingMad]

I’m looking at flights for October. We usually go with Southwest but my flights would be $2000 for 2 people. $500 each way! There’s a flight with decent times and in our price range that has a 41 minute lay over in Atlanta. We would be going from a Delta flight to another Delta flight. Carry ons only, no kids, just 2 adults. Early morning-land at 7:44 am take off at 8:25 am. What do you think? Too close? Would you do it?

Too close.

 

[Cheburashka]

First class doesn't mean anything if you are trying to get onto another flight that you aren't confirmed on.

Yes, it absolutely does help. You can get immediate assistance from an agent to switch flights, rather than waiting in an endless line and having to wait behind a lot of others who also want to switch.

More importantly, first class usually has a lot more availability than coach, because first class rarely sells out in cash. This means that there is almost always space available for a first class passenger on the next flight out, whereas coach often lacks availability because it's sold out. It's easy and free for them to not give someone a gate upgrade in order to accomodate a paying first class passenger whose original flight didn't make the connection.

I've experienced this multiple times. Knowing that we'll be accommodated if there is a problem with our flight is one of my primary reasons for flying first class, and it has paid off.

 

[heathere3]

It's VERY tight. It won't be a problem if everything goes smoothly. It basically comes down to your personal risk tolerance. For us, I wouldn't take that connection unless I didn't mind getting stranded in ATL. YMMV.

 

[heresabe]

I think you will be ok as long as you book your flights directly via Delta.

 

[Robbydj13]

Its 100% what you feel comfortable with, obviously. WE are all different with different preferences. I only schedule longer layovers, and others prefer shorter. Obviously with a tight window in one of the busiest airports in the world, there can be issues. As long as you understand that and can live with it, then its good.

 

[sam_gordon]

It's VERY tight. It won't be a problem if everything goes smoothly. It basically comes down to your personal risk tolerance. For us, I wouldn't take that connection unless I didn't mind getting stranded in ATL. YMMV.

I've been "stranded" (had to wait until the next day for a flight out) in ATL once... the Saturday after 9/11/01. That was kind of extreme circumstances.

I'd accept the 41 minute layover depending on what the other options are (wait time AND cost). Are my choices 41 minutes vs. 5 hours? Give me the 41 minutes. Is the shorter time $100+/person cheaper? Sign me up. $25pp and a 90-120 minute layover? Yea, I'd probably pay extra for that.

 

[DebbieB]

I’ve done it many times, never missed a connection (although my luggage did once). Check when the next flight is. They typically have flights to Orlando every hour or two. If you would miss it, they might be able to get you on the next one.

 

[Cheburashka]

I think you will be ok as long as you book your flights directly via Delta.

Good point. You wouldn't want to have to deal with a travel agency if any issues arose. Delta will be right there at the airport to help you if you need them.

Honestly, these days I don't see why anyone books flights through an agency. There are no perks for doing so. 3rd party websites are pretty draconian to book through, so that should be avoided, as well.

 

[macraven]

Twice I did the Chattanooga to Atlanta to Orlando and never again
I hate changing concourses with either the 35 or 41 minute connection
I’m old, slow, travel solo and use a cane

I stick with the 60+ minute connections

 

[sam_gordon]

Twice I did the Chattanooga to Atlanta to Orlando and never again
I hate changing concourses with either the 35 or 41 minute connection
I’m old, slow, travel solo and use a cane

I stick with the 60+ minute connections

The bolded is a key factor when deciding on a close connection. If there is anything naturally slowing your travel party down, go for the longer connection.