Anyany AIRTRAN experts out there? Need opinion QUICK please on connection time ?

[riu girl]

Please let me know your opinion as to whether this is a long enough connections time or not. 50 minutes, winter time from BUF-CUN on AIRTRAN. 50 minute Layover is in ATL. This is the only flight to Cancun for the day and if we miss it we will have to wait until the next day.

thanks

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It should be enough time, although you could run into weather problems leaving from Buffalo in the winter. If your flight is delayed leaving, you will miss your connection in Atlanta.

 

[ancestry]

The connection time is long enough as long as your first flight is on time. You can get off of one plane and on to another in Atlanta (even if you have to change gate areas) in 50 minutes without a problem.

If your first flight is delayed for any reason (weather, mechanical problems, back up on the run way, etc) then it may not be enough time -- but honestly that is the case with flying almost anywhere.

 

[Lewisc]

I agree withe PP, weather delays could be a big issue. I'd be pro-active. Any sign of bad weather see if airtran will let you fly to Atlanta the night before. Hotel in Atlanta would be at your expense. Of course other passengers may have the same idea.

I'd be more comfortable with an airline that offered more then one flight to Cancun. How much extra would it cost to book with a different airline? You live in Canada? You could have weather issues driving to Buffalo. I'd research airfare from Canada. I assume you'll pay more but you'll probably eliminate a hotel in Buffalo the night before and a possible hotel in Atlanta.


Some hotels offer very attractive package deals with airfare. They don't want to discount the hotel rates so they bundle the discount against airfare.

This could happen with any airline but other airlines may have more then one flight a day to Cancun. Other airlines might accommodate you on another airline. The OP said they may have to wait until the next day in Atlanta. Not true. They'll be waiting until Airtran has available seats. Enough available seats for her family. May be an issue if she's flying during peak (Presidents week) travel time. Maybe an issue if many people miss the flight to Cancun and not every passenger can be accommodated.

edited to add Airtran only flies to Cancun from Atlanta and Baltimore. Most of the country connects in Atlanta. Very good chance the flight the next day will be booked.

***The flight from Atlanta to Cancun lands at 11:02. The return flight from Cancun to Atlanta leaves at 12:02. Aitran can't hold the flight from Atlanta to Cancun for more then a few minutes without disrupting their schedule the rest of the day. *****

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If you are too concerned out the connection time, you might want to go ahead and purchase a seat in the front of the plane. By the time you land, get parked at the gate and then have to wait for everyone ahead of you to get off the plane you, it might eat up valuable time for you to make it to your connection.

Also keep in mind that the time quoted for your connecting flight is the time the flight will be taking off and that board process will close usually 10-15 minutes prior to the flight time.