Connecting flight in ATL

[mom2val]

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[LadyBeBop]

Are you on Delta or another airline?

Are you also positive that you'd be changing levels and riding a tram? Your gates could easily be next to each other.

I can see making a 40 minute layover as long as you're in the same building. If you have to change buildings, it's going to be rough.

One thing about Delta though...if you don't make this flight, they'll be another flight to Orlando in an hour. Assuming you don't have the last flight of the day.

Couldn't you be put on the next flight to Orlando? That should only be about a two hour layover. And that's not too terribly long for Orlando.

Of course, all this is assuming you're on Delta. If you're on another airline, your gates should be in the same terminal.

 

[sam_gordon]

First, we got back a month ago flying Delta through ATL. We had a 65 minutes scheduled layover. Made it in LOTS of time (about 20 minutes) before boarding even started. If you figure boarding starts ~20 minutes before departure, it only took us ~20 minutes to get from gate to gate.

General Information (going off memory)... ATL has 5 concourses, A-E. I think Delta has all of A & B, and part of C. There are ~40 gates in each concourse. To get from concourse to concourse, you go underground (around gate 20), and either walk (with or without moving pedways) or take a shuttle tram. The tram will stop at each concourse. I BELIEVE the direction you go down to the lower level is determined by which way you want to go (ie: if you're at concourse C and want to go to A & B, you'll go left, and if you want to go to concourse D & E, you'd go right). That way you only get the tram you want to go.

BTW, Atlanta Airport Information:


Second, one thing I did within the week before travel was go to http://www.flightstats.com. You can use information there to find out what gates your flights will be arriving/departing from (at least historically) along with on time/late percentages.

BTW, we were at the back of a 757 plane to make our above connection. We also had time for a bathroom stop. Make sure everyone knows what they are carrying/responsible for.

 

[DisneyOHFan]

We have had connections in ATL and sometimes the connections are close and sometimes not. If it is far, you may want to try and have the gate agent call the next gate to let them know you are on your way (it may work, it may not).

But the benefit is that you are seated at the front of the plane and will be able to get off quickly. If you don't make it, they will work with you to get you on another flight.

 

[OKW Lover]

Since the OP is flying AirTran, there shouldn't be any problem with a close connection in ATL. All their gates are nearby. The biggest issue might be if the incoming flight is delayed.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Since the OP is flying AirTran, there shouldn't be any problem with a close connection in ATL. All their gates are nearby. The biggest issue might be if the incoming flight is delayed.

Even then don't panic...

Airtran tends to be "delayed" out of Atlanta. Just go directly to your gate. My experience is that they have learned well from thier big competitor (Delta does stand for Doesn't Ever Leave Atlanta)

 

[maxiesmom]

Even then don't panic...

Airtran tends to be "delayed" out of Atlanta. Just go directly to your gate. My experience is that they have learned well from thier big competitor (Delta does stand for Doesn't Ever Leave Atlanta)

That has not been my experience at Atlanta (or with Delta) at all. A couple of years ago we had a 47 minute layover in Atlanta. Our first plane landed early. By the time we made it to our next gate (with no stops along the way) the next plane was already boarding.

I have flown thru Atlanta many times. We always seem to circle forever before we land, but we have always taken off on time.

Anything under an hour is not a comfortable amount of time to make your connection. If the stars align, you can make it. But it is not always easy.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

AirTran Airways uses Concourse C and Concourse D at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

40 minutes is fine if both flights are on time. In fact, you might discover that the 40 minutes are more like an hour because airlines tend to build a 15-20 minute fudge factor into their scheduled arrival times.

40 minutes is fine if both flights are similarly delayed (which can happen when weather is an issue).

If the first flight is delayed but the second flight is on time, then 40 minutes provides very little margin. I prefer connections of 60-90 minutes (or non-stops) for that reason, but that's not always an option.

However, Atlanta is the major hub for AirTran (and Delta), so AirTran (and Delta) have plenty of experience with getting the vast majority of passengers and luggage onto their connecting flights successfully.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I rarely fly AirTran...

Apparently when I fly them there is a 'black cloud' effect. In about 20 flights out of Atlanta I don't think ANY of them have left on time. Delays have ranged from 10 minutes to over an hour. However, my experience is that no matter WHEN they plan to leave...they tend to fail to put this on the monitors. (AKA as "if we don't point out we are late they won't notice, because none of our passengers have watches" )


A few weeks ago I made a 30 minute connection in Atlanta. And we came in at terminal A (at one end) and I left out of E at the far end there! My suggestions

1. Do NOT stop for bathrooms, food, magazines, etc... go DIRECTLY to the plane. If you get there and have time then you shop etc..

2. Do not think "I can run faster then that train" Not likely unless you are an Olympic sprinter. Really unlikely if you are carrying too much luggage to avoid "bag check fees" or have small kids! Exceptions may be the connection between D and E it's a pretty short walk!

My expereince is that it's AMAZING the number of travelers who show up at a gate after the door has closed claming their "connection was late" while carrying a Wendy's bag or shopping bags from the gift shops! Hmm....

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Now that Southwest has acquired AirTran, let's hope that Southwest can spread their superior culture of customer service throughout the ranks of AirTran.

See http://www.southwest.com/html/about-southwest/lowfaresfarther.html

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Since the OP is flying AirTran, there shouldn't be any problem with a close connection in ATL. All their gates are nearby. The biggest issue might be if the incoming flight is delayed.

This is what I was going to say too. I fly Airtran out of ATL and love that all the gates are in concourse C and D. It makes it easier to get to them.

And Sam Gordon, I hadn't heard of that flight stats website. What a great resource. Thanks for posting the link.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Even then don't panic...

Airtran tends to be "delayed" out of Atlanta. Just go directly to your gate. My experience is that they have learned well from thier big competitor (Delta does stand for Doesn't Ever Leave Atlanta)

I hadn't heard this one before........

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Well in both AirTran's and Delta's defense...
it's summer in the south.

So you are likely to be delayed a lot of late afternoon flights. There's nothing they can do about thunderstorms but move the hub which is unlikely to happen