Delta

[Jimbob]

Hi

I have just booked with Delta for October 2005. Manchester to Orlando via Atlanta. I would be very grateful for any information about flight, Atlanta transfer etc.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

What would you like to know? I fly Delta internationally and switch planes in Atlanta. I happen to like that airport but a lot of people don't. It has a tram system that stops at each of its terminals. Most likely your plane from ATL to MCO will be in a different terminal than your first leg.

 

[skfulkers]

I'd love to tell you about the Atlanta airport, but I've really only been there for about 10 minutes at any given time because almost every Delta flight I take that connects there is late upon arrival and I get to run (not briskly, but flat-out sprint) to my new gate for the connection. Of course, I usually arrive in concourse A and need to go to concourse E for the next flight, which tests the limits of my airport obstacle course skills.
Can't say that I'm too fond of this airport. I fly Delta frequently and I usually try to avoid this hub if possible. I know that these scenarios can happen at any airport, but I seem to have very bad luck with Atlanta as do many other people.
Not to discourage you (I'm sure you couldn't possibly match my luck at this airport ), but I would just make this suggestion. When you arrive into this airport, proceed immediately to your connecting councourse and gate to check on the status of your flight before you do anything else. This will make for a much less stressful connection.

 

[Minybear]

We are flying Delta on Monday from Tucson AZ to Atlanta and then on to MCO. The only thing about this itinerary is that there is a 40 minute layover between flights. When I booked this I saw (I pray this is true) that we are on the same terminal between flights. I hope the airline isn't delayed on the runway just to get into the terminal. If this happens our stress level will be very high. I hope we dont' miss our flight to MCO. This was the best connection to get to WDW around 2:30pm. The other flight would have gotten us in around 4:30pm.

Wish us luck

Minybear

 

[rsschneck]

We fly Delta to the East Coast about 3 times a year. I always try to connect through Atlanta. I like the airport, but I try to give us at least an hour lay over so we can catch our connecting flight.

 

[Jimbob]

Thanks for replies.

Things I would like to know about are,

Planes used from Manchester (UK) to Atlanta - are they comfortable, pitch seat width etc, do they have one large screen for film, do you pay for earphones and beverages etc. Are staff polite etc

Do you pick your luggage up at Atlanta and then put back onto another conveyor for the onward journey to Orlando. Is it easy to do.

From the previous threads I think we are comfortable with time (1.5hrs) for getting from one gate to the other, but how easy is it to do.

Thanks in anticipation

 

[CarolA]

OK
You will pay for the earphones and any liqour you consume. (You can bring your own earphones for the movie)

You will have to pick up your luggage to go thur customs. You then will hand it back to Delta who will send it on to Orlando. On the international flight you are directed to the customs area so you can't possibly get lost and it will be easy to re-check your luggage.

You will then have to go back thru security since you have had access to your checked luggage whichn could contain things you can't carry on.

You will then probably have to change terminals. Follow the signs and take the trains. (Trust me the train is MUCH faster then walking so don't be tempted to walk).

Not sure about seat pitch since I usually upgrade with my FF miles and fly Business.

I am in this airport weekly and must have better luck then the earlier poster. I practially never have to race to my flight.

 

[BigTigger]

> Things I would like to know about are,

> Planes used from Manchester (UK) to Atlanta - are they comfortable, pitch
> seat width etc, do they have one large screen for film, do you pay for
> earphones and beverages etc. Are staff polite etc

I'm a Million Miler/Platinum Skymiles on Delta and fly the UK to US routes a lot including MAN to ATL. The aircraft is a Boeing 767-300ER. You can see more about it here:

https://www.delta.com/travel/plan/aircraft_types/b-767-300r/index.jsp

I'm assuming you'll be in coach. I don't know how big your party will be nor whether you will have children along, but the best rows/seats for parties of two on those planes are 21A & B and 21 F & G. Those are outside exit rows with extra legroom. Row 20 is also an exit row, but has the bulkhead in front which limits the under seat leg room in front of you. The only downside of those rows is the toilets are next to it and the noise is a bit higher than further back in coach. To get these rows you need to be at the airport when they open the flights for assignment (about 3 hours ahead) or know someone who works for Delta's servicing agent. If you are traveling with an infant, the first row of coach (seats 22 C,D, & E I believe) has a bassinet type shelf that can be attached during flight for the infant to lay on/in. Delta coach seats all have a width of 18" and most have a pitch of 33" (a few have just 31"). If you are over 6 feet tall, the headrest is too low for comfortable sleeping unless you scrunch down in the seat. The seat recline is average with about 4-5" of rearward travel.

The flight attendents are usually very attentive. The movie screens are crap on the 767's. I wouldn't plan on much video entertainment as they are never easy to see from most seats. Headphones do cost money - $5 I believe. Soda and non-alcoholic beverages are free. Alcoholic beverages cost about $5 each. The meals are usually very good on Delta. You'll get a lunch and snack on the way over and a dinner and breakfast on the way back.

> Do you pick your luggage up at Atlanta and then put back onto another
> conveyor for the onward journey to Orlando. Is it easy to do.

You will arrive in Atlanta at Terminal E. You will have to clear immigration, but they are usually pretty quick (not at all like Heathrow at peak times). You then go downstairs to secure your luggage and bring it through customs and then re-check it. You will then have to clear security again before going to your new gate. Most Atlanta to Orlando flights seem to go out of Terminal A. Take the train as noted above as it's a long walk. The international flights into Atlanta are usually close to on time as long as they departed on time. Your 1:45 time between departures should be plenty. Delta does suffer from delays in luggage transfers from Terminal E to domestic flights. i have had mine not make the connection more than a few times. It will usually come on the next flight and get delivered to you. Thankfully they have never lost anything, just delayed.

PM as time get's closer for the flight. I'll probably have a bunch of Delta coupons for drinks and headsets that will be expiring that I won't be using and can send them to you. Anyone reading this that will be flying before 12/31/2004 that wants a coupon or six for a free beer , cocktail, headset, or wine split PM me and I'll mail you a coupon or six as I have that many I won't use by year end

 

[Jimbob]

Thanks everybody for your helpful information, especially the bit about luggage transter at Atlanta. I will have to be aware of that. The only other thing is does anybody have any more information about the planes used by Delta for the Manchester (UK) to Atlanta journey, not so much techy stuff but level of comfort, service and items made available to you.

 

[MamaQuack]

If you get on Delta.com you can look up your flight and then see what kind of plane it is, what meals will be served, if there is a movie, etc. Don't know about Manchester but we fly often to Heathrow and it is often a 777 which is a dream. The Atlanta airport is always busy but its usually efficient. With 1.5 hours between flights I'd just suggest not being the last ones off the plane. Sometimes customs has taken us 45 minutes of standing in line. We've learned not to stop for anything and go straight to customs. You should be fine.