Can you change flights when you arrive at the airport?

[gn2wdw]

We ended up with a 3 hour layover in Atlanta (Delta) for our upcoming trip. I was online checking and I noticed there are several flights that leave Atlanta and arrive in Orlando before the one we are booked on.

Question: When you arrive at the airport, if other flights are not sold out, will they move you to an earlier flight without a fee?

Probably not, but just thought I would ask.

Thanks!

 

[DebbieB]

I would call them and ask what their standby policy is. I was just looking at delta.com, didn't find anything.

 

[alexturner74]

I'm assuming that you have nonrefundable tickets and you are not a Gold or Platinum Skymiles member. So...

You can not standby for the earlier flight, but you can confirm seats on the earlier flight if there are seats available. It will cost you $25/ticket as long as the flight is within 3 hours of the ticketed flight. Once you get to Atlanta, check at a Delta information counter.

 

[mad4themouse]

Ummm...what happens to any checked baggage if you change your connecting flight in Atlanta? Will they try to put it on the same flight you switched to or will it be sent thru on the originally booked flight?

 

[Lewisc]

If you don't have checked luggage ASK when you get there. The gate attendant can probably waive change fees. Just tell them you allowed extra time for a connecting flight and ask if you can take the earlier flight. You have a shot if the earlier flight has a lot of seats and the later flight is filled.

 

[prncess674]

if you decide to catch an earlier flight be aware that you will probably be given seats scattered throughout the plane. If you will have small children that need to be seated next to you your best bet is to wait the 3 hours by having a nice lunch at the airport. ATL has plenty of establishments for eating.

 

[alexturner74]

It definitely doesn't hurt to ask when you get to Atlanta, but just don't have high expectations. ATL-MCO flights are almost always full, unless you happen to be flying mid-week.

 

[safetymom]

I would go to the ticket counter at your home airport. Ask them if you could switch the second leg of your trip. That way your baggage would have the correct routing on it.

There may also be a standby fee or your tickets may not permit standby travel.

That way you would be ahead of anyone that may try to take the earlier flight in ATL.