For the flying pros

[missmissy]

Hi all I could you your help. In oct we are using the ME. For our flight home I have the choices of leaving at 3:00 with a 3 1/2 hours layover or leaving at 6:00 with a 35 min. layover. It's airtran and the layover is in ATL if that helps.
I rather have more time at disney but I didn't know if 35 mins. is cutting it close. Thanks for all your help.

 

[bgbodnar]

I would go with the 6pm flight. The average flight time from Mco to Atl is 1 hr 24 minutes, I don't know your connecting time, but 35 min. is a legal connection time for the airlines.

 

[FlaNative]

The airlines might call 35 min a "legal" connect time, BUT: I will not book less than a 1 hour connect at any major airport, let along ATL during the evening rush period. The odds of you and your bags making a 35 min connect is not good. If you try it, let us know what happens.

 

[bab31]

I have never traveled thru Atlanta, but I hear it is a huge airport. I would not chance it. 35 minutes is not much especially if you are delayed on take off out of MCO.

But is there another flight or two after that out of Atlanta in case you dont make your connection? That is one of the things I look at. I never want to be catching the last flight out of Chicago to my home because it is often overbooked.

 

[snowbunny]

No way I would connect through ATL with only 35 minutes. The chances of missing your connection are much higher than the chance of making it IMO.

 

[kab407]

No way I would connect through ATL with only 35 minutes. The chances of missing your connection are much higher than the chance of making it IMO.

Have to agree with Snowbunny. I travel to ATL and thru ATL on a regular basis. 35 minutes to connect? No way would I do it. You are banking on the everything being on-time. Not realistic with airtravel today. I make sure I have at least 90 minutes when going thru Hartsfield. A couple of times even that was cutting it close.

 

[wrighter]

Must agree with most of the pps - 35 minutes is cutting it way too close. Are you traveling with children? If so - this makes it even worse. I'd much rather have "buffer" time than hope to catch a flight.

Also, keep in mind that when using ME your pick up time from the hotel will be around three hours prior to departure.

Good luck!

 

[MrMarv]

A 35-minute gap is far too small of a window, and especially at the world's second (or third) busiest airport.

 

[grimley1968]

I gotta go with the others: go for the longer layover. I know 3.5 hours is a long time, but I really don't think you'd make it from one plane to another in 35 minutes. If you had to change terminals for any reason during your layover, forget it, you won't make it. 3.5 hours is enough time to grab a decent meal, get a good book and relax a bit.

 

[bearzabout]

Keep in mind how much stress you will be under during the flight when you are wondering if you will make it.

Only take the later flight it if the connecting flight is not the last one of the day. If it is the last flight, you will need to wait until the next day to get home if you miss it.

Your luggage may make the connection even if you don't.

 

[prncess674]

It all depends on if you HAVE to be somewhere the following day and what are your other flight options if you miss your connection. Personally I would risk it. Airtran only operates out of two concourses at ATL. You really wouldn't have to travel that far to get to your next gate. Just my two cents.

If you leave on the 3pm early flight you day is pretty much shot. You could get in a few early attractions but you would be stuck eating lunch at the airport. If you took the later flilght you could have a WDW lunch before heading to the airport.

ATL is a big airport, but it is logically laid out and relatively easy to get around if you can follow simple signs. Having a 3.5 hr connection time is not a guarantee of anything going smoothly.

 

[safetymom]

I would take the longer layover. With 35 mins. they will be loading the plane while you are trying to get there. ATL is not a place you want to cut it close.

If you haven't flown through ATL before allow the extra time.

 

[missmissy]

Thanks for your guys help. I will go with the longer layover. I do have kids with me so I better not risk it.

 

[my3disneygirls]

Thanks for your guys help. I will go with the longer layover. I do have kids with me so I better not risk it.

Good choice. I have been through Altanta and it can be a mess with wall to wall people.