Changing planes in Atlanta?

[smb6]

Yes, it is huge. But the signs are great and there is a bus/tram thing that takes you from one side of the airport to the other. I think you will be fine getting around...

 

[kay1864]

Yes, it is huge. But the signs are great and there is a bus/tram thing that takes you from one side of the airport to the other. I think you will be fine getting around...

Actually it's an underground train. Not a bus like the annoying ones at Heathrow.

 

[LynneDurham]

Can someone tell me their experiences about changing planes in Atlanta airport?
I've never flown into their before. Is it a huge airport?

I'm on Delta and coming in I've got an hour and 55 mins to change flights.

Coming home I've got 46 mins to catch the next flight.

I'm flying in the same day as the cruise so I'm a bit nervous and this is my first cruise so I'm a worrier.

(realizing now I should've done a search. I hate when people don't search. But see, this has me in a tizzy. ) Tell me it's going to be ok???

I fly to ATL, through ATL or from ATL at least twice weekly. My answer: it depends.

1. Are you checking luggage? I had a short (45 minute) connection week before last. Flight to ATL was delayed. I made it to St. Martin; my checked luggage did not. (It was work, not play!)
2. Where are you flying from? Many Delta partners use many of the terminals. I fly in from a smaller airport pretty regularly (SBN). Sometimes I land in C; sometimes I land in D. Flights to MCO tend to be on Delta, not a regional jet, so if you're coming in from a regional (which you will be if you're coming from a smaller airport), you'll have a hike.
3. How fit are you? Although ATL has fabulously efficient trains to get you from one terminal to another, there is nearly a mile from A to E. Additionally, the terminals themselves are long. Be ready to make a run for it -- if you are, you should have no problems!

ATL is one of the world's busiest airports. The teams there do a FABULOUS job...but with so much traffic, sometimes there will be delays. You should make it there with no problem. Your return flight is kind of tight...but relax and if you miss the flight, don't freak out. There will be another one!

Hope this helps,

Lynne

 

[heatherwillmom]

Although it is a large airport, Atlanta is very easy to get around. The trains make it so easy

 

[kay1864]

Where are you flying from? Many Delta partners use many of the terminals. I fly in from a smaller airport pretty regularly (SBN). Sometimes I land in C; sometimes I land in D. Flights to MCO tend to be on Delta, not a regional jet, so if you're coming in from a regional (which you will be if you're coming from a smaller airport), you'll have a hike.

Hike? No. The train is way faster than walking--or running.

How fit are you? Although ATL has fabulously efficient trains to get you from one terminal to another, there is nearly a mile from A to E.

Again, take the train. It's a breeze. Going from A to D vs A to B adds what, four minutes? Still faster than running with luggage, even if you're fit.

Additionally, the terminals themselves are long. Be ready to make a run for it -- if you are, you should have no problems!

This much is true. If your gate is in the 12-24 range, you're close to the escalators (from the train stops). Beyond that, it can be a long walk--or run.

 

[mrskay9]

I fly to ATL, through ATL or from ATL at least twice weekly. My answer: it depends.

1. Are you checking luggage?
2. Where are you flying from?
3. How fit are you?

1. Yes, probably too much as this is our first cruise!
2. Richmond
3. We're all fit now, but maybe not after the cruise!!!

 

[kay1864]

1. Are you checking luggage?
1. Yes, probably too much as this is our first cruise!

Be aware that Delta (like many airlines) now charges $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for a second. Remember that each passenger is allowed one carry-on plus one "personal item".

If the personal item is a large makeup bag (say 9 x 14 x 12) AND you fit your purse in it, you can pack a fair amount of stuff into your two bags. But you cannot carry your purse separately when you go through airport security, as that would be two personal items. So, make sure it fits.

Costco has a great wheeled carryon + zip-on backpack on sale now for $49.

 

[auntyaba]

We connected through Atlanta last may on Delta. I made a point of seeking out a direct flight this time. We had 45 minute layover on the trip in (which I thought was great no waiting around the airport) we were delayed due to weather and circling the airport. We landed at one end of the terminal and our next gate was literally at the other end of the same terminal with a very brief stop in the restroom, by the time we walked briskly to our gate they were in the process of loading our section.

I recommend checking in as quickly as possible because on our trip back we had much more time to kill but for some reason Delta decided to DOWNGRADE to smaller plane and some passengers were having to wait for later flight. Never understood that. I am sure others have had great experiences with Delta I am just not a fan of flying to one location and boarding another plane when I could have been to my destination in 20 more minutes airtime.

 

[AWHOFAN]

If you are on the same airline it will be easy. Delta has two and half main concourse buildings big planes come into two small ones leave from the end of the other. There is a subway 2 minute wait and a walking escalator or walk to other concourse under the tarmac. All paths drop you off in the middle of the building. You will not need to go to security as long as you stay in the airplane departure area. 2010

 

[mrskay9]

Be aware that Delta (like many airlines) now charges $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for a second. Remember that each passenger is allowed one carry-on plus one "personal item".

If the personal item is a large makeup bag (say 9 x 14 x 12) AND you fit your purse in it, you can pack a fair amount of stuff into your two bags. But you cannot carry your purse separately when you go through airport security, as that would be two personal items. So, make sure it fits.

Thank you everyone for your info. More stupid questions to follow as I haven't flown in a bit and not on Delta.

Is the $25 per person ie, dh's bag $25, my bag $25, dd's bag $25 or is it, first bag $25, the other two bags $35 each? Just want to prepare. Also, when, how do I pay for those? I'm assuming there's some online check in process I can do with Delta. Can I put it on my credit card then?

And I'm assuming it's another charge for bags on the way back as well. Correct?

Thanks for the tip about the purse in the other bag.

 

[kay1864]

Is the $25 per person ie, dh's bag $25, my bag $25, dd's bag $25 or is it, first bag $25, the other two bags $35 each? Just want to prepare. Also, when, how do I pay for those? I'm assuming there's some online check in process I can do with Delta. Can I put it on my credit card then?

It's by passenger, so $25 each if you check one bag each. You pay when you check them at the counter. You can't prepay because they don't know for sure how many bags you're checking until you get there. Online checkin is only for boarding passes, not checked bags.

And I'm assuming it's another charge for bags on the way back as well. Correct?

Yes, so $50 per bag for your trip.

Another hint: scale way down on the number of shoes you pack. Shoes take up a LOT of room. Stick to a few sandals each instead of sneakers. You might be able to eliminate one bag, and save $50.

 

[ksucats]

You can't prepay because they don't know for sure how many bags you're checking until you get there. Online checkin is only for boarding passes, not checked bags.

Actually that is not correct. Bags can be paid when checking in & it is actually $23 instead of $25 when you pay online. (I have never done this as I get free checked bags as an elite, so don't know exactly how it works.)

 

[carlamouse]

I didn't see anyone posting these, so here ya go:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
http://www.atlanta-airport.com/

Delta Airlines Baggage Policy:
http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/index.jsp

 

[kay1864]

Actually that is not correct. Bags can be paid when checking in & it is actually $23 instead of $25 when you pay online. (I have never done this as I get free checked bags as an elite, so don't know exactly how it works.)

Oops, my mistake. Forgot about that option.

 

[jjgarv]

Can someone tell me their experiences about changing planes in Atlanta airport?
I've never flown into their before. Is it a huge airport?

I'm on Delta and coming in I've got an hour and 55 mins to change flights.

Coming home I've got 46 mins to catch the next flight.

I'm flying in the same day as the cruise so I'm a bit nervous and this is my first cruise so I'm a worrier.

(realizing now I should've done a search. I hate when people don't search. But see, this has me in a tizzy. ) Tell me it's going to be ok???

When our DD finally turned 3, we brought her along for her first Disney cruise, and we had a stop in the Atlanta airport. One of our flights was a bit delayed and we had less than an hour to get to our next gate, which was at the complete opposite end/side of the airport, so we had to RUN! Needless to say, the 3-year-old legs are significantly shorter than 36-year-old legs, so DH sat her on one of our carry-on bags with wheels...she was facing forward, straddling and holding on to the handle. She had a great ride while we ran through the Atlanta airport! Even though we were stressed about making our next flight (which we barely did!), it was funny to see people's faces when they noticed that a child was riding the carry-on bag!
After this experience, we've spent the extra $ to fly direct when DD travels with us.

You shouldn't have any problems on your flight down, which really is most important so you don't miss the boat.