How far ahead are gate assignments made??

[heidica]

We leave in a week - yippee and we are flying on Delta from Seattle to Atlanta, then Atlanta to Orlando. We have a 1hr 20min layover in Atlanta. Our flight out of Seattle leaves at 10:20pm. I'm wondering if I can figure out before we leave where our gates in Atlanta should be. I realize that gates are always subject to change, but they have to make gate assignments sometime - when does that happen and can I find out what it is before heading to the airport?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Interesting question... I don't think you can. Gate assignments are subject to change right up until the plane pulls in at the gate. I've been in an airport where, on getting to the connecting gate, in the time it took to travel across the airport the flight was changed to one leaving - ready for it? - from the same gate where we'd landed

Most airlines will, especially in hubs, announce various gates before the plane lands, or there will be Gate Agents in the terminal to help you.

 

[OKW Lover]

Well, you can find this out but there are a few things to know:
1. Preliminary gate assignments aren't made until the day of travel.
2. Even then, gate assignments can change due to operational issues (flight early/late).
3. You can check gate assignments on DL by entering the flight number on their front page under flight status, the gate assignment will appear on the status display. However, I've never found this reliable when checking a day in advance. They usually just put in the gate it's using today.

You'll also find that when you actually check-in at the airport, the gate number of your connecting flight is on the boarding pass. This is usually correct, but don't take that on faith. When you actually arrive in ATL, check on the nearest monitor (there is usually one just as you exit the jetway) to be sure you are heading for the correct gate.

Having said all that, 80 minutes is plenty of time to make a connection in ATL.

 

[heidica]

Interesting question... I don't think you can. Gate assignments are subject to change right up until the plane pulls in at the gate. I've been in an airport where, on getting to the connecting gate, in the time it took to travel across the airport the flight was changed to one leaving - ready for it? - from the same gate where we'd landed

Most airlines will, especially in hubs, announce various gates before the plane lands, or there will be Gate Agents in the terminal to help you.

Well, you can find this out but there are a few things to know:
1. Preliminary gate assignments aren't made until the day of travel.
2. Even then, gate assignments can change due to operational issues (flight early/late).
3. You can check gate assignments on DL by entering the flight number on their front page under flight status, the gate assignment will appear on the status display. However, I've never found this reliable when checking a day in advance. They usually just put in the gate it's using today.

You'll also find that when you actually check-in at the airport, the gate number of your connecting flight is on the boarding pass. This is usually correct, but don't take that on faith. When you actually arrive in ATL, check on the nearest monitor (there is usually one just as you exit the jetway) to be sure you are heading for the correct gate.

Having said all that, 80 minutes is plenty of time to make a connection in ATL.

This is kinda what I figured. The news is getting me all anxious talking about what a horrible summer it is for airlines - everyone's late, lots of cancellation, lost luggage, etc. And I probably won't be able to get my minor anxiety under control until we are in the air from Atlanta to Orlando. I have no control over what happens with the flights but I have control over what I know about the situation.