Is 1 hour enough??

[mommy*RN]

The best deal I can find on Airtran is a flight that has an hour layover in Atlanta. Actually, it's an hour and one minute layover. Is this enough time between flights for a family of 5 (2 adults, 7yr old, 4yr old, 1yr old)? What exactly do we need to do in between flights? I'm sorry -- we always fly direct from MKE to MCO so a layover is something completely new to me.

Thanks!

 

[thepwa]

Yes, that should be plenty of time.

 

[Traveliz]

The best deal I can find on Airtran is a flight that has an hour layover in Atlanta. Actually, it's an hour and one minute layover. Is this enough time between flights for a family of 5 (2 adults, 7yr old, 4yr old, 1yr old)? What exactly do we need to do in between flights? I'm sorry -- we always fly direct from MKE to MCO so a layover is something completely new to me.

Thanks!

Yes its fine.

You will get off your plane, check with the gate agent you will be right at the end up the ramp to find out what gate you need to go to (do not rely on what your ticket says as its often changed). Know what gate you arrived at -- so if you are in C and are staying in C you just find the gate. If you are in Terminal C and need to go to D then you will follow the signs and take the train.

Listen - take the train -- do not attempt to walk to the next terminal -- the train is MUCH FASTER.

Find your gate. Use the restroom if you have time.

There you go!

Have fun.

Liz

 

[mommy*RN]

Whew, that is a load off my mind. Now I will just book it! We leave at 6am then, which is rough, but it puts us at Disney before the direct flight which leaves at 8:15am. Sounds good to me. If, for some reason, our flight times change or something happens I will try to switch to the direct flight...but either way it's all good.

Thank you for the replies!!

 

[kevgraub]

Whew, that is a load off my mind. Now I will just book it! We leave at 6am then, which is rough, but it puts us at Disney before the direct flight which leaves at 8:15am. Sounds good to me. If, for some reason, our flight times change or something happens I will try to switch to the direct flight...but either way it's all good.

Thank you for the replies!!

If the only reason you are wanting to do the earlier flight is the timing of it, I'd go for the direct flight that leaves 2 hours later.

As for the timing of it, with a 1 hour layover, I'd bet the direct flight will probably land pretty close to the flight with one stop, I would think at least within 30 minutes of each other.

If you are looking at the cost, I'd price both if they are close, because you will save a little bit (I think about $5-$10 per person) with a direct flight over one with one stop. Every stop adds on more security fees and those types of things, and a $70 non-stop fare will be cheaper in the end than a $70 fare with one stop.

Finally - if you have not booked yet, make sure you search for your flight through kayak.com first. It will link you directly to Airtran's website to book your flight, but you can then select your seats for free! If you have a 1 hour layover, being able to select seats near the front of the plane will save you some time getting off the first plane.

 

[Traveliz]

If the only reason you are wanting to do the earlier flight is the timing of it, I'd go for the direct flight that leaves 2 hours later.

As for the timing of it, with a 1 hour layover, I'd bet the direct flight will probably land pretty close to the flight with one stop, I would think at least within 30 minutes of each other.

If you are looking at the cost, I'd price both if they are close, because you will save a little bit (I think about $5-$10 per person) with a direct flight over one with one stop. Every stop adds on more security fees and those types of things, and a $70 non-stop fare will be cheaper in the end than a $70 fare with one stop.

Finally - if you have not booked yet, make sure you search for your flight through kayak.com first. It will link you directly to Airtran's website to book your flight, but you can then select your seats for free! If you have a 1 hour layover, being able to select seats near the front of the plane will save you some time getting off the first plane.

I totally agree -- take the direct flight - I can't imagine touch down would put you in Orlando more than an hour later than the first flight...at least that is how the schedule runs where I am.

Further, the direct flight seems to go so fast and with little ones you will appreciate that. Plus you won't need to get to the airport quite as early and may be able to have a more enjoyable first day. One lift off and one landing will be a bonus if anyone has ear troubles as well.

Additionally the fact you won't have to take stuff off the first plane, to the second etc is well worth the hour later arrival (if that is the case).

Liz

 

[mommy*RN]

I should have posted the direct flight has not come down in price at all. The one stop is $83 and the direct is $119. I agree about taking the direct flight. I'm not scared of flying, just not my favorite thing to do and adding another take-off and landing isn't my cup of tea.

Thanks for all the info! I really appreciate it!