AirTran Connection - Minimum Time in ATL?

[Elmo007]

I am considering flying Airtan through Atlanta. What is the minimum connection time that you would suggest? The flight I am looking at has a 38 minute window. Is that enough? Has anyone had experience with them when a connection is missed? I will be flying in February to NYC.

Thanks

 

[Mirabelle]

We had a 35 minute connection at Atlanta. I called AirTran because I was concerned that we wouldn't make it. They told me that it was a legal connection and we could do it. We ran to our connecting flight and the only reason that we made the connection was because our connecting flight was late. Since that experience, people have told me that 45-60 minutes is a more realistic time between flights in Atlanta.

Good luck!

 

[dudspizza]

I think 38 minutes is doable, but it is going to be very tight.

I had a similar connection in DFW last April. I think it was 41 minutes. My flight was 20 minutes late leaving, hence 20 minutes or so late. That means the connecting flight had started to board before I was even off of my plane. I was in 1st class, but there was some others way in the back that were making the same connection. I got off the plane, checked the departures board to see if there had been a gate change from what was announced by the flight attendant (there was!) and off I ran to the connecting gate. I got there and they were boarding with most people already on board! I sat down and finally relaxed... about 5 minutes later the other guys on that same connection got onto the aircraft, so everyone made it.

I guess you have to go with what you feel comfortable with. I would do it again, but there can be some stress involved. I have a 47 minute connection in ATL using Airtran in March. I am confident everything will be fine.....

Duds

 

[msmayor]

My daughter flies through Atlanta every time she travels to/from college, and I always make sure she has at least 50 minutes to make her connection. She's never missed, but its been tight more often than not.

Considering you're flying in February to NY, a time when weather can play a MAJOR factor into flying to/from the northeast, I would not be comfortable at all with a 38 minute connection.

 

[Elmo007]

Whenever LGA is involved I worry about connections. February just adds to it

 

[keishashadow]

I am considering flying Airtan through Atlanta. What is the minimum connection time that you would suggest? The flight I am looking at has a 38 minute window. Is that enough? Has anyone had experience with them when a connection is missed? I will be flying in February to NYC.

Thanks

i have yet to have a connecting flight on AT thru ATL in same terminal

i'd only take the chance if you're flying early enough to catch a later flight jik if you miss the connection and don't have small children in tow.

that said, due to weather issues we were running very late for possible connection home. I alerted gate personel upon debarking 1st leg & they did notify next crew and they did hold plane for us, but Im thinking that's rare as ATL is so busy.

 

[newdrama12]

I would give at least an hour in between.

 

[sam_gordon]

Are you solo or with family? If you're with family, I'd say 'No Way'. Solo, 'maybe'. One advantage is it's your return trip (right?). In theory, Feb. weather shouldn't delay the flight out of Orlando.

If you decide to chance it, bring a list of later connecting flights. If you're scheduled for the last connecting flight for the night, be prepared to spend the night at the airport.

If you DO miss your connection AND the next connection won't be until the next day, go to the counter (not the gate agent) and ask for a hotel voucher. Be polite but firm "AT scheduled the 38 minute layover in Feb. AT should be responsible for hotel." You probably won't get anywhere, but you never know.

 

[dudspizza]

i have yet to have a connecting flight on AT thru ATL in same terminal

i'd only take the chance if you're flying early enough to catch a later flight jik if you miss the connection and don't have small children in tow.

that said, due to weather issues we were running very late for possible connection home. I alerted gate personel upon debarking 1st leg & they did notify next crew and they did hold plane for us, but Im thinking that's rare as ATL is so busy.

I track my upcoming flights that are going through ATL. I swear a bunch of them land at like C1, C3, etc... which is way on the end of the C terminal and then the connection is D1 so you have to go to the middle of the terminal, down to the train, up to the gate level on D and then all the way to the end of D...... I did see yesterday one landing at C4 and connecting to a flight at C2. I double I'll be so lucky...

Duds

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I believe the legal connection for ATL is 45 minutes for domestic flights.

EDIT: Actually it's 55 minutes.

 

[sam_gordon]

I believe the legal connection for ATL is 45 minutes for domestic flights.

EDIT: Actually it's 55 minutes.

Source?

Not that I doubt you, but the source would be handy for the OP (or anyone fighting a tight connection) to have when talking to an airline.

 

[keishashadow]

I track my upcoming flights that are going through ATL. I swear a bunch of them land at like C1, C3, etc... which is way on the end of the C terminal and then the connection is D1 so you have to go to the middle of the terminal, down to the train, up to the gate level on D and then all the way to the end of D...... I did see yesterday one landing at C4 and connecting to a flight at C2. I double I'll be so lucky...

Duds

may the force be with you!

ive been there more times than i care to remember doing my best not to waddle while i ran after a week on the disney dining plan.

It became even more challenging when AT instituted the checked bag fees and we went 'heavy' on carryons when flying them.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Source?

Not that I doubt you, but the source would be handy for the OP (or anyone fighting a tight connection) to have when talking to an airline.

http://airtravel.about.com/od/airports/a/minimumconnect.htm

Unfortunately for the general traveler, detailed information like this is not that easy to get to. SABRE has MCT and TravelPro as DCT (I believe).

 

[alwaysmom]

We managed just fine with the short connection time. We did need to head to a different concourse. I was really nervous as we had never been to ATL. Me, DH & 2 DS's boogied off the plane with carry-ons and headed straight to the other terminal. Of course there were no delays. Had plenty of time to hit restrooms once there & sit a bit. Do as previous poster said and research the gates for that flight so that you have an idea of where you may need to go. We did use the train to get to the other concourse.

 

[dudspizza]

We managed just fine with the short connection time. We did need to head to a different concourse. I was really nervous as we had never been to ATL. Me, DH & 2 DS's boogied off the plane with carry-ons and headed straight to the other terminal. Of course there were no delays. Had plenty of time to hit restrooms once there & sit a bit. Do as previous poster said and research the gates for that flight so that you have an idea of where you may need to go. We did use the train to get to the other concourse.

Any time I have a connection, I research where the connecting gates may be. I have the airports bookmarked and check out the terminal maps. It really helped me last year when I connected in Dallas and had a very tight connection... knowing where I had to go, at least in my head helped me get there quickly.....

 

[dudspizza]

On a totally different note... my 14DD has informed me that we MUST find a sign that says Atlanta while at the airport. I have told her with 47 or so minutes to connect, we will be finding the next gate first, then if there is time we'll find an Atlanta sign..... you see, Justin Bieber lives in Atlanta.... so she HAS to have a picture saying she was in Atlanta!

Duds

 

[Greyhound22]

Crap, now I'm really worried. My DD's have never flown and we get into Atlanta at 8:20 on Christmas Night and depart for Orlando at 9:00. That is only a 40 minute layover.

 

[dudspizza]

Crap, now I'm really worried. My DD's have never flown and we get into Atlanta at 8:20 on Christmas Night and depart for Orlando at 9:00. That is only a 40 minute layover.

Best thing to do is have a plan just in case the first plane was late and you miss your connection. Stay calm and focus on getting things done...... if everything is on time, you should have no problem making your connection...

Duds

 

[Greyhound22]

Best thing to do is have a plan just in case the first plane was late and you miss your connection. Stay calm and focus on getting things done...... if everything is on time, you should have no problem making your connection...

Duds

OK, thanks for the advice. I know there is another flight leaving an hour later. I'm hoping that Christmas Evening won't be very busy??? Maybe, that will help is make our connecting flight.

 

[LadyBeBop]

OK, thanks for the advice. I know there is another flight leaving an hour later. I'm hoping that Christmas Evening won't be very busy??? Maybe, that will help is make our connecting flight.

Christmas shouldn't be. Most people are usually where they want to be already. My daughter worked for the airlines for about a year. The year she worked Christmas, she worked her shift, then took a comped flight down to meet up with family. The flight was nearly empty.

Which airline are you flying? If Delta (and it probably is), I can ask my daughter about the gate situation. I'm pretty sure Delta flies out of two terminals in Atlanta.