Connecting flights in Atlanta...

[TeresaMc]

If I book the flights that i want we will have 37 minutes on the way down and 30 minutes on the way back to make our connections. If I go with the next avaialbe it means sitting in Atlanta airport for 3.5 hours. Do you think we can make a 37 minute connection????

We are flying AirTran and are a party of 6....myself43, my mom60+, DSis37, DS17, niece7 and nephew5.

 

[cbrfan]

I've never had trouble making a short connection on AirTran as long as the plane lands on time. I would give it a shot. Keep in mind that if you get to the airport early and there's an earlier flight with seats available AirTran will let you bump to that flight at no charge. If your schedule will allow for that option you might get more peace of mind doing that.

 

[kab407]

I'm going to be honest here. I fly in/out of ATL at least once a month. I would not do it. You need to account for landing, the plane getting to the gate, getting out of the plane and getting to your connecting gate. If you're in a different terminal, either walking/running or getting on the tram to get to the gate. Add any sort of weather to this mix and...... Yes, the longer layover is a bummer, but with Mom and the younger kids, you can take your time and make the needed pit stops. Good Luck!

 

[mmessler]

Never flown AirTran, but we flew Delta connecting thru Atlanta. Yes, Delta, major hub in Atlanta, they're all over the airport. We had a 50 minute layover which I was really freaking out about (wasn't happy, the flight got changed and we didn't find out until when we got our package materials), but it actually went fine. Our flights were in different terminals even. We had enough time to get off one flight (which I think might've even been a tad bit late), stop for a bathroom break, grab a drink, and we got to the gate for our connecting flight before they began boarding. But I get the impression that this is far from "normal", and I think I would be nervous about a 37 minute layover. Is it on a weekend or weekday, holiday or slow period? This would probably be something that played into my decision. But if the only other alternative is a 3 1/2 hour layover, I think I'd chance it.

 

[NancyIL]

You might make it, but your checked luggage won't.

**Edited to add - when are you traveling? If you book the tight connection and miss the flight, it could be difficult for 6 people to find seats on the later flight - especially if it's a busy travel time. I prefer to allow lots of time between flights. If your plane arrives in Atlanta on time - you can always standby for the earlier connecting flight. It's best to do that with carryon luggage only - or else you'll be waiting several hours for the luggage in Orlando.

 

[minnierocks]

Atlanta is a huge airport and can be difficult to navigate if you are unfamiliar with it...
I wouldn't do it...I know that's probably not what you wanted to hear, but that's my honest opinion...

 

[CarolA]

You might make it, but your checked luggage won't.

**Edited to add - when are you traveling? If you book the tight connection and miss the flight, it could be difficult for 6 people to find seats on the later flight - especially if it's a busy travel time. I prefer to allow lots of time between flights. If your plane arrives in Atlanta on time - you can always standby for the earlier connecting flight. It's best to do that with carryon luggage only - or else you'll be waiting several hours for the luggage in Orlando.

Your luggage has a MUCH better shot then you do....It goes direct, passengers have to go to the train etc.... (I have had my luggage make lots of connections I didn't!)


I can't believe they are even booking a 30 minute layover in ATL. However, the nice thing about AirTran is in all my flights out of ATL on them they have NEVER left CLOSE to on time so I figure you have a good shot!

Plus most of AirTrans planes arrive and leave from the same terminal. Not sure what I would do. As a solo traveler I would probably book it, with a family it's probably harder.

 

[*Wish*Upon*A*Star*]

I would definitely not do it. We have tried to do this (with AirTran) not once, but twice and both times -- our incoming flight was late and the connecting flight was on time. Meaning - we missed our flight(s). And, it wasn't a weather problem - as we were flying in April and then again, in May.

I'd definitely go for the longer layover, if it was up to me.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I fly thru ATL several times a month but always on Delta so 90% of the time I have to change terminals. I am pretty sure that AirTran is all in 1 or 2 terminals so YES you should be able to make it BUT you wont have time to stop for food or even a bathroom break in the airport. Keep in mind that most domestic flights start boarding 30 minutes before departure so by the time you land your next flight has already started boarding or is getting ready to so you will have to RUSH RUSH RUSH.

I agree with CarolA - as a solo traveler I would do it in a heartbeat but with my kids in tow there is no way on the planet I would attempt it.

Honestly, ATL is not that bad of an airport to be stuck in for 3 hours. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to check out and plenty of seating where you can relax and recharge your cell phone, DVD player, laptop, etc...

 

[TeresaMc]

Thanks for the replies....I travel through Atlanta myself quite often for business myself and would be fine if it was just myself. It is the first flight out in the morning @ 5:40am in mid September. I have watched the gate assignements the past few days and it seems to very from really close to kind of far.......I hate to waste the better part of a day traveling....that' precious park tme.

 

[mandy200587]

Thanks for the replies....I travel through Atlanta myself quite often for business myself and would be fine if it was just myself. It is the first flight out in the morning @ 5:40am in mid September. I have watched the gate assignements the past few days and it seems to very from really close to kind of far.......I hate to waste the better part of a day traveling....that' precious park tme.

Just curious how are you watching the gate assignments? I'm flying Delta this summer and I'm just curious.

 

[Alexander]

Don't put to much stock in gate assignments. They can and do change from minute to minute. All it takes is one plane to not take off on time or arrive late to mess up all of the gate assignments.

Atlanta is huge. If you're flying Delta, you land in one county and take off from another! I never book connections with less than an hour lay-over in ATL. Even that is sometimes cutting it close. I honestly can't tell you how spread out AirTran is. We fly them in April, so I guess I'll find out then.

As previous posters said, Atlanta has lots to do. If we have a longer layover (a bummer I know) we usually find a sit-down restaurant and have a relaxing lunch or dinner.

 

[maxiesmom]

There is NO WAY I would go thru Atlanta, with kids, without at least an hour between flights. There are way too many things that could go wrong. Bad weather, equipment problems, flight crew issues. And don't forget the ever popular I need to go to the bathroom now!

 

[Jeanne B]

Can anyone tell me how ATL compares to EWR? I'm trying to get our return flight from PHX this summer and we can either fly AirTran with a connection in ATL or Continental with a connection in EWR, wondering which one would be the better choice? I'd prefer JetBlue but unless their fares come down it looks like it's going to be AirTran or Continental.

 

[kab407]

Can anyone tell me how ATL compares to EWR? I'm trying to get our return flight from PHX this summer and we can either fly AirTran with a connection in ATL or Continental with a connection in EWR, wondering which one would be the better choice? I'd prefer JetBlue but unless their fares come down it looks like it's going to be AirTran or Continental.

Most CO flights come in/out of Terminal C. If you are coming from MCO, you'll be connecting thru C. Gates are walkable. The biggest threat I see is connecting thru EWR in the summer is weather. We tend to get afternoon thunderstorms rolling thru on humid days. Given my choice, I'd choose EWR over ATL. But then, I would choose JetBlue over CO anyday.

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

We went through Atlanta in December- ther is NO WAY I would attempt a 30 minutes connection with that many people!

 

[Jeanne B]

Most CO flights come in/out of Terminal C. If you are coming from MCO, you'll be connecting thru C. Gates are walkable. The biggest threat I see is connecting thru EWR in the summer is weather. We tend to get afternoon thunderstorms rolling thru on humid days. Given my choice, I'd choose EWR over ATL. But then, I would choose JetBlue over CO anyday.

We're actually going from PHX to BOS, two of the three EWR connecting flights land and depart in the afternoon, the other flight doesn't land at EWR until almost 7 pm. I think I'm going to keep holding out for JetBlue a little longer, I never thought about afternoon thunderstorms in NJ, I tend to only think about that when we're flying in/out of MCO. Airfare is such a waiting game!!

Thanks for your input!!

 

[Edd]

Here is a link to the Atlanta Airport and the concourse plan. I don't think it is quite up-to-date, but is significant. You might be able to figure out what you would have to do.

http://taxi-atl.com/Pages/general_taxi_information.htm

 

[kab407]

We're actually going from PHX to BOS, two of the three EWR connecting flights land and depart in the afternoon, the other flight doesn't land at EWR until almost 7 pm. I think I'm going to keep holding out for JetBlue a little longer, I never thought about afternoon thunderstorms in NJ, I tend to only think about that when we're flying in/out of MCO. Airfare is such a waiting game!!

Thanks for your input!!

Aaaahhhh. In this case, the PHX - EWR segment will land in Terminal C. From there you'll need to get over to Terminal A for the EWR - BOS portion. CO also operates out of Terminal A for several flights (ATL, Dallas, DC, Chicago and Boston). While it's not difficult, you'll need to catch the Monorail, you will need to clear security once you get into A. Most certainly you do not want a tight connection. (As you can guess, I've schleped thru EWR more times then I can count.)

 

[Jeanne B]

Aaaahhhh. In this case, the PHX - EWR segment will land in Terminal C. From there you'll need to get over to Terminal A for the EWR - BOS portion. CO also operates out of Terminal A for several flights (ATL, Dallas, DC, Chicago and Boston). While it's not difficult, you'll need to catch the Monorail, you will need to clear security once you get into A. Most certainly you do not want a tight connection. (As you can guess, I've schleped thru EWR more times then I can count.)

Thanks again Kathy for your advice, you've been very helpful.