Changing Planes in Atlanta (ATL)

[disney-inspired]

My (possible) flight has a plane change in Atlanta with 40 minutes to get from plane A to plane B.

Is this going to be a problem?

 

[Jestocost]

My (possible) flight has a plane change in Atlanta with 40 minutes to get from plane A to plane B.

Is this going to be a problem?

If your incoming flight is on time, both flights are domestic flights on the same airline and you don't have any physical issues that make it difficult for you to move quickly through an airport, you probably will be OK. That said, Atlanta is a huge airport with several separate terminals connected by a subway system. If you are on a Delta flight there's a decent chance that you will have to go from one terminal to another to make your connection.

I try not to book connections that tight at an airport like ATL unless there's no other option that gets me to my destination in a reasonable amount of time or there is a huge price difference. If you don't know the airport very well or aren't comfortable negotiating major hubs you might want to consider an itinerary with a longer layover.

 

[sam_gordon]

Depending on what other options there are and whether I'm traveling by myself, I'd be OK with a 40 minute connection. I prefer an hour - 75 minutes in ATL, but could do 40 minutes. I actually made one connection in 5 minutes, and that's with a terminal change (first plane was late and ate into the 90 minute layover I had). BUT, I was by myself, was familiar with ATL, used my cell phone to find my next gate, etc.

 

[OKW Lover]

We've changed planes in ATL many, many times. 40 minutes is doable (with the usual provisos about planes being on time) as long as you don't spend time looking in shops or getting something to eat.

Despite its size, ATL is actually easy to get around. There are something like 36 gates on each concourse. If your connecting flight is on the same concourse its probably a 10 minute walk between the furthest gates. If your connecting flight is in a different concourse you go to the tunnel at the center of the concourse and take the train (or walk) to the other concourse. Figure 5 minutes to get to the center of the concourse, 10 minutes to get to the departure concourse and 5 minutes to get to your gate.

 

[chasgoose]

If you are worried about the connection time, play around with the ATL-MCO legs. There's typically a flight once an hour if not more.

 

[goofy4tink]

We've changed planes in ATL many, many times. 40 minutes is doable (with the usual provisos about planes being on time) as long as you don't spend time looking in shops or getting something to eat.

Despite its size, ATL is actually easy to get around. There are something like 36 gates on each concourse. If your connecting flight is on the same concourse its probably a 10 minute walk between the furthest gates. If your connecting flight is in a different concourse you go to the tunnel at the center of the concourse and take the train (or walk) to the other concourse. Figure 5 minutes to get to the center of the concourse, 10 minutes to get to the departure concourse and 5 minutes to get to your gate.

That would be my thought as well Jeff. I have actually been able to make better time by walking vs taking the shuttle system. I was always afraid to connect in Atlanta due to the size, but have found it to be very managable.

 

[DebbieB]

I've connected in Atlanta many times and have never missed a connection, I think the shortest was around 35-40 minutes. Now my checked luggage missed a tight one once. Luckily it was going home and the next flight was in an hour so I waited at the airport for it, I could have had them deliver it but I wanted to have it then.

Sometimes you are lucky and it's on the same concourse, sometimes not. I usually take the train especially if more than one concourse change. There is a digital sign saying how long the next train, typically under 2 minutes.