Doing first ever connecting flight, whats it like?

[Jillpie]

Taking first connecting flight next April. I know its probably no big deal, but what's it like? Going from Orlando to Boston, stopping in Atlanta. For those that have done that, where do we go in Atlanta and is it stressful to get the next plane? Do we check in again or just show boarding passes? Do we have to get new boarding passes for our next leg? Really new to this, so any tips would be great. thanks!

 

[AJKMOM]

Since I live in a small town, we always have connecting flights. First, make sure you have a cushion of time in case your first flight is late. I try for an hour in between that we layover in Pittsburgh. That gives time for your luggage to be moved, too. If possible, learn ahead of time where the next flight leaves in relation to where you are landing.


Atlanta-Hartsfield is a big airport, but when you de-plane they usually have airline reps on hand to direct you to the next flight. When you check in at the first airport, you should bet 2 boarding passes, 1 is for the second leg, unless you are changing airlines. Then, I don't know if any of the above applies.

 

[Jillpie]

Thanks. There will be one hour and 10 minutes in between flights. So if we have boarding passes, do we need to check in when we get to the gate?

 

[AJKMOM]

If you have a boarding pass, you just need to wait until you are called, if you have assigned seats.

 

[Jillpie]

Wow, really? That seems too easy.

 

[safetymom]

It is easy to connect in Atlanta. If your gate is in another terminal there is an underground tram that will take you there. We look at it as the beginning of our adventures when we start our vacations.

You will receive boarding passes at the first check in. As long as you have seat assignments no need to go to the counter at the second airport. Just wait till they call your group.

 

[Chuck S]

I have to agree, for such a large airport Atlanta is much easier to change planes than DFW. Look in the inflight magazine, there will be a basic layout of the airport, familiarize yourself with it, and where the underground tram is, you should have a general idea of what gate you are arriving and departing from (subject to change, always listen for announcements onboard the flight AND double check the status monitors in the airport).

With that much time between flights, you should have no problems at all

 

[jiminy14]

With all the secuirty precautions being taken today, I would still check in at the gate on the second leg of your flight. It also assures you that the airline does not view you as a "No Show" and gives your seats to stand-by passengers.
It only takes a few minutes of your time to avoid potential problems.

 

[Poly Pal]

Hi Jillpie,

You are on Delta (like the rest of us late nighters who call at 331 days out - I'm still recovering from lack of sleep!)

In Atlanta, you do NOT need to re-check at the counter as long as you have your boarding pass for your connection. Delta will already have you in their system from when they scanned your first boarding pass on the BOS-ATL leg and you boarded that flight.

Atlanta is Delta's largest hub and is BIG. But, I've found most connections are usually limited to Terminals A and B, so not too bad to navigate.

It is good that you have an hour and 10 minute layover (although that may change between now and April '05). If your originating flight is late getting in, you may have to hustle, so I suggest limiting carry-ons. I once had a 22 minute connection in ATL due to a late arrival and had to run half the length of Termianl A, down the loooong escalator to the underground transfer corridor, ran from A to B using the moving sidewalk instead of the subway because the moving sidewalk is faster if the train is not right there for you to board, then ran up the loooong escalator to Terminal B. All this while lugging my laptop and a heavy carryon without wheels. Needless to say I just made my flight. I was drenched in sweat and breathing heavily by the time I got to my seat and then guzzled 32 oz. of water (also heavy to carry). I'm sure some of my fellow passengers thought I looked suspicious!

You will most likely do fine in ATL. Perhaps you won't even have to change terminals. Have a great trip!

 

[Jillpie]

PolyPal, ok, I just had a heart attack reading your post . I sure hope that doesn't happen to us! Especially not knowing this airport. We're on the 7:00 pm flight from Orlando, so that makes me a little nervous with delays at the end of a day. But by the way everyone is talking here, it sounds pretty straight forward. I still don't like the idea of taking 5 hours to get home, but we got a fare of 113.00 one way, I just couldn't pass that one up the other night. Thanks alot for your feedback.

 

[safetymom]

I do a lot of traveling and find checking out the airports fun. I still do many many flights later. You will do fine and if your flight has a lot of people connecting to other flights they may hold those flights till you get there.

You may also know before you leave Orlando if there is any Atlanta delays.

 

[Goof]

safetymom, just out of curiousity, what is done if you miss your connecting flight because of delays? Never had it happen but the possibility is always there. Our flight arrives in Atlanta at 9:07am and the connecting flight to MCO departs at 10:12. Not alot of window if the first leg is delayed

 

[BrerMama]

As someone who missed a connecting flight due to a late originating flight, I can answer the last question. The airline will get you on the next available flight to your destination. In our case, I knew before the plane took off from home that we would miss our connection (somebody forgot to sign off on something the night before and we had to wait for him to drive to the airport and make it right). I went up to the gate agent and she booked us on the next flight out of Dallas, where we were connecting.

We ended up with a 6 hour layover (with 3 kids, the youngest only 10 months old). It was not fun, but we survived and eventually arrived. We weren't offered any meal vouchers or anything, even though it was the airline's flight we were late.

This trip we've got a 3 hour layover in Atlanta and I'm not going to complain. We'll eat a decent meal and let the kids run a little (away from other passengers of course).

 

[safetymom]

They will try to get you on the next flight out. If it happens be sure to have the phone number for the airlines with you. Don't make the dash like everyone else to the ticket counter. Call them and you will be ahead of everyone standing in the line and stand a good chance of getting the best flights.

 

[Goof]

tks safetymom & kim. Hope it doesn't happen Kim, that 6 hr. layover must have been awful I can deal with the 3 hr. one but the 6hr would have sent me balistic I prefer a little layover but not more than 1-2 hrs, as it gives you time to wind down a little and grab a bite to eat if necessary. My DW would freak if we had to rush to catch the connecting flight.

 

[lisareniff]

That's all I have to say. Wow! First connecting flight! I don't think I've had a direct flight to anywhere yet!

 

[Jillpie]

Lisa, we have gone to Disneyworld for five years. With each trip it has been a direct flight. Its connecting this time, because the direct flight lowest fares were taken up in minutes after midnight, as this is our April school vacation. I still got very lucky with a low rate though.