Anyone ever had layover in Atlanta using Airtran?

[mckinley]

We are flying airtran, up until today they had not changed our flight at all. We was flying from St.louis to Atlanta (stopping but not switching planes) then to Orlando. Flying back we was direct flight no stops. Now they have us changing planes at Atlanta going down w/ 45 minutes layover & different flight numbers as well. My ? is with our layover will our next flight be in the same vicinity as were we land. I don't want to have to be in a big rush to get to the next place to board again. Also dh would be not so grouchy if we didn't have to move to far before reboarding. I am not telling him they changed our flights till near our date of departure.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I just flew a few weeks ago and I had to change concourses to catch my airtran connections with a 45 minute layover. I had just enough time to get off and make my way to the other concourse.

 

[tcmata]

We have had layovers in Atlanta and unfortunately, we always have to change concourses! As the other poster said, it's just about enough time to get from one concourse to the other and board. Just be prepared!

 

[JEWLSVERN]

I've had layovers in Atlanta also and the new plane was just a few gates away in the same vicinity. Atlanta is Air Trans hub so they have there own "wing".

 

[LastminuteLouLou]

When we flew last November we really had to scramble to make it from our incoming flight to our outgoing flight. They had loaded everyone else and were waiting on us. Of course then we spent an hour in queue on the tarmack, but....

45 minutes is probably OK if you get dropped off where you're *supposed* to get dropped off. If not, have your running shoes on and ask one of those "helper guys" for assistance!

Best of luck!
Beth

P.S. I completely understand about not telling cranky husband until it gets a little closer!

 

[keishashadow]

when u deplane in ATL get updated info from gate personnel as to which concourse u r heading and don't delay

we've had 30 min connections and made it from one furthest gate to the next

jmho, w/AT, ur flight times could be changed more than once anyway.

btw, have u checked into other flights that day? if more convenient/NS; call AT & ask to be switched 'gratis'

 

[starwood]

Air Tran stranded us in Atlanta. We were late leaving Tampa because of storms. When we arrived in Atlanta our connection had left. This was Saturday night. They told us they couldn't get us on another flight to Newark until Tuesday evening! We ened up spending the night in Atlanta and taking a flight Sunday morning to Baltimore and renting a car and driving the rest of the way home. That is why we will never ever fly Air Tran again.

 

[Gary M]

Earlier this year DW and I flew Air Tran from Indy to Atlanta then New Orleans. The arrival and departure gates were only about 3 gates apart both ways. I guess we were lucky.

 

[FINFAN]

Air Tran stranded us in Atlanta. We were late leaving Tampa because of storms. When we arrived in Atlanta our connection had left. This was Saturday night. They told us they couldn't get us on another flight to Newark until Tuesday evening! We ened up spending the night in Atlanta and taking a flight Sunday morning to Baltimore and renting a car and driving the rest of the way home. That is why we will never ever fly Air Tran again.

and this is why the hotels at Hearstfield International LOVE AirTran! One thing that needs to be considered is the overall traffic at this airport..your flight may land on time, only to be stuck out on the tarmack waiting to taxi across various runways to get to the gate. Yes, there are employess there to help direct you to your next gate, but if it is not in the same "wing" of the terminal it can be very challenging to make the next flight. 45 minutes is not a lot of time...and if you are the last flight of the evening ( as above) I would not accept it. Call Airtran and tell them you do not accept this change and want to be on a non-stop flight, or whatever time is best for you. If you do accept the new flight, if you purchased seats you need to verify that you have what you want on the connecting flight as well and ask that no charge be made to you( the $6 fee) for booking those seats. I would look into SW....because if Airtran can NOT offer you a reasonable alternative flight, you should be able to cancel penalty free, which will free you up to book with another airline that offers a flight you prefer. What time of year are you flying? I would call A.S.A.P., and state you do not accept the flight change until you have looked into all your options.
Good luck, I know how frustrating this can be.
just saw you are flying in December...weather can also be a concern..I would try and switch flights if you are the last one that day.

 

[maxiesmom]

Forty five minutes in Atlanta is do-able, but just barely. If you keep that connecting time, see if you can switch seats and get as close to the front of your first plane as possible. That way you can be one of the first ones off and on your way. Once off, don't stop for anything! You need to find your next departure gate, and get there fast. Use the in airport subway if you need to change concourses, it is faster than walking. If you have an extra few minues once you get to your gate then you can use the restroom or get a snack. Otherwise you can just use the lav on the plane.

I have had a few layovers is Atlanta, and I think only once have I landed and taken off from the same concourse. You can make a short connection, but you need to focus and plan. Good luck!

 

[Lewisc]

A connecting flight, particularly if the gate for your connecting flight is in a different concourse, can be "fun" if you max out your carryon bags (in order save a few dollar in checked baggage fees).

Passengers who know they'll have to hustle to make their connection might want to pay to check a couple of bags.

 

[mckinley]

Our flight will arrive at Atlanta @ 10:20am, onto arrive at Orlando @ 12:35. That so far is the best flight for us. We don't want to arrive real late and don't really want to have a very long layover neither. I am sure they will end up changing us again hopefully not, but if they do get to far off i will have to make changes. We never take carryons except for my purse and small tote with dd enertainment items. So i am not worried about having to lug stuff to another plane. I was just really concerned on how to find were i was needing to be. Do they call ahead and wait for passengers that are arriving with another connection if they are late to arrive. I have heard on other airlines the attendents announcing things of the plane is holding for them to arrive to reboard.

As for flying in December we are going to watch the weather extended forecast. If they are expecting anything at all during our time of leaving and returning we are going to just cancel. I know its hard to really know what the weather will do, but they usually have some kind of an idea. We don't want to be stranded for hours/days we will have to return to work a couple days after we return.