Delta - Layover time ATL

[nicolet]

Looking at taking a Delta flight, with a layover in Atlanta.

I have the following options. Which would be best?
53 minute layover? Can you even do this?
3 hour layover
4 hour layover
Can you walk from one gate to the other on Delta?

My experience before was our departure flight was delayed - so we were late.
Barely made it to our second flight.

Our return flight was also terrible as we had another delay. I remember having to take a train, only to find out our next flight was delayed because of a plane door not closing and they had to a proxy something together

 

[parkluvr]

Delta books flights all of the time with 40 to 50 minute connection times, but I myself would never book an Atlanta connection with less than an hour. They have 4 or more terminals which are quite long and are connected by an underground train. If your arriving flight is on time and your connecting flight is in the same terminal you won't have any problem with your connection. If your arriving flight is late and you need to connect to a different terminal you will probably be running. Also, just about every arrival slot into ATL is filled during the day, so if any significant weather pops up, delays become a very real possibility.

 

[JanaDee]

For me, I won't book anything through ATL that is less than an hour and a half connection.

ATL is a BIG and spread out airport. If your connecting flight is in the same terminal, you'll have no problems. If it isn't and you're short on time, then you end up with issues.

 

[nicolet]

We are taking delta and the connecting flight is through delta. So i would think it would be the same terminal.

 

[JanaDee]

We are taking delta and the connecting flight is through delta. So i would think it would be the same terminal.

You are right, I was using the incorrect term. I meant concourses. Delta has 5 concourses they use at ATL.

http://www.delta.com/content/www/en...ured-locations/atlanta/guide-atl-airport.html

 

[PlutoPony]

We are taking delta and the connecting flight is through delta. So i would think it would be the same terminal.

Atlanta is a HUGE airport and Delta is the airline with the most flights in and out. There are 7 terminals in the airport (including 2 international) and each terminal looks to have 30-50 + gates. The only way to move between terminals is the train/monorail that runs underground. Looking at today's schedule, Delta current has flights in each of the 7 concourses. So odds are decent you will not be taking off and landing from the same terminal.

 

[nicolet]

Thank you for info. I will play it safe and give us more time in between flights. We are also traveling with grandparents who can't run.
One grandmother fell over someone wheeling carry on bag when the jerk came to a complete stop in front of her.
The other grandmother tripped getting off the airplane last year.
So we do need to be careful.

 

[DebbieB]

Atlanta is a HUGE airport and Delta is the airline with the most flights in and out. There are 7 terminals in the airport (including 2 international) and each terminal looks to have 30-50 + gates. The only way to move between terminals is the train/monorail that runs underground. Looking at today's schedule, Delta current has flights in each of the 7 concourses. So odds are decent you will not be taking off and landing from the same terminal.

All Delta flights are in the south terminal but on several concourses. Airports that have separate terminals are much more complex.

I have found ATL to be one of the easier connecting airports, the concourses are in a straight line and the train is a connection between them or you can walk.

 

[PlutoPony]

I have found ATL to be one of the easier connecting airports, the concourses are in a straight line and the train is a connection between them or you can walk.

Agree that connecting is fairly straightforward. But given that Delta uses all 7 concourses odds are you will depart out of a different concourse than you arrived at. Just need to allow adequate time to move around, especially if traveling party has members who need extra time

 

[Sandi]

Thank you for info. I will play it safe and give us more time in between flights. We are also traveling with grandparents who can't run.
One grandmother fell over someone wheeling carry on bag when the jerk came to a complete stop in front of her.
The other grandmother tripped getting off the airplane last year.
So we do need to be careful.

This is important information to your calculation. I was going to say that if you were traveling with ambulatory adults, I'd give the 53 minute layover a chance assuming you were not flying in winter. With little kids or older folks, an hour is my minimum at ATL.

 

[TeresaMc]

I wouldn't hesitate myself but I travel through Atlanta often and I know my way around well. I have the Delta app on my phone and I know what gate I'm going to before I get off the plane. I also am a silver medallion member so I tend to be able to sit toward the front of the plane.

 

[maddiebee]

My guy and I have done the 50 minute layover in ATL with Delta and have missed our flight and gotten stuck there overnight. The airport is HUGE and you will more than likely have to take a tram from one flight to the next. Delta schedules flights like this in ATL all the time, so I'm guessing its possible, but I will no longer take that risk for myself.

 

[Debbru]

Also keep in mind that flights usually begin boarding 30 minutes before takeoff - so you actually have 23 minutes from the time your first flight pulls into the gate!! 23 minutes to deplane and get to the next gate (and it can take 10 minutes just to get off the plane).

I've had flights into Atlanta where we've pulled into the end gate of one concourse and the connection was at the end gate of another concourse - that is one looonnng run to the center, down to the train, up the escalator & the run down the looonnng concourse. I did this with a 45 minute layover & got to the 2nd flight as they were closing the door to the jetway (seeing the panic on my face, she opened the door & let me in

 

[sam_gordon]

This is important information to your calculation. I was going to say that if you were traveling with ambulatory adults, I'd give the 53 minute layover a chance assuming you were not flying in winter. With little kids or older folks, an hour is my minimum at ATL.

Agreed. I would probably chance it with two able bodied adults. With someone who moves slower, nope.

And yes, while a flight starts boarding 25-30 minutes before departure, that doesn't mean you need to be at the gate then. You DO need to be at the gate ~5 minutes before departure since once they close the boarding door, it's not getting opened again.

 

[crazy4wdw]

One issue you need to be aware of regarding Delta and Atlanta is that Delta which switch gates just 30 to 45 minutes before departure time. Many times I have needed to head to another concourse because of gate changes.

 

[keishashadow]

Thank you for info. I will play it safe and give us more time in between flights. We are also traveling with grandparents who can't run.
One grandmother fell over someone wheeling carry on bag when the jerk came to a complete stop in front of her.
The other grandmother tripped getting off the airplane last year.
So we do need to be careful.

If the grandmas have mobility/stamina issues, have you considered requesting assistance...as in wheelchairs and attendants at the gate?

 

[nicolet]

Thank you for the thought on assistance. They both can walk but running would be troublesome. We are definitely going to do a 2-3 hour layover. Not going to take the chance. Now just waiting on airfare prices to re-adjust to a price I can actually afford But that is a whole other thread