layover in Atlanta?

[supersuperwendy]

We've still never flown with a layover so I'm not sure this is a good idea. I found a great price on flights on Delta from Philly to Orlando with a layover in Atlanta. It says the layover is only 45 minutes to change planes. Is that long enough? I just looked and the return only has 36 minutes between flights. That's such a short amount of time. Yikes...maybe we should just pay the extra $200 and fly direct?

 

[maxiesmom]

The 45 minute layover is cutting it very close. The 36 minute one is pretty much airport suicide. Atlanta is huge, and to even make the 45 minute connecting you have to be both lucky and quick. We have flown Delta thru Atlanta many times, and you can end up having to cover a lot of ground to get from your arrival gate to your departure gate.

I wouldn't reccomend the 45 minute connection (been there, done that, it wasn't pretty), and there is no way I would do a 36 minute connection thru Atlanta.

 

[Redarrow5150]

I've flown through Atlanta a few times and never had a problem connecting flights like your time. The Delta Hubs are close in proximity.

 

[grahamfam3]

I have gone through Atlanta several times. It just depends on if the flight you are coming in on is on time, and where your connecting flight is. It could be in the same terminal, in which case you are probably fine. I could be several terminals away, in which case you may have to move quick to get there in time to board.

If you are checking any luggage I would be more worried about it getting offloaded from the first plane, moved to the second plane, and then loaded again to arrive with you at your destination, to be honest (this is DW and I only travel with carryon's now, delayed luggage happened one too many times).

 

[supersuperwendy]

Are all of the delta flights in the same area of the airport? How does the process work? When you check in do you get check in for both flights? You disembark the first plane then just head to the second one with your boarding pass?

 

[Danibelle]

Are all of the delta flights in the same area of the airport? How does the process work? When you check in do you get check in for both flights? You disembark the first plane then just head to the second one with your boarding pass?

The gates are not always together. I have had (on more than one occasion) to take the shuttle to make the connection. And sometimes, the gates are changed necessitating a second RUN through the terminal. I would like more than 30-45 min. to connect in this airport.

You will, however, be checked in for both flights when you do your original checkin. You should receive both boarding passes.

 

[supersuperwendy]

Thanks for the info. The rest of the flights have really long layovers (2 hr 45m). I don't know how I'd entertain 4 kids that long in Atlanta. It's a lot to think about. I appreciate the help.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

You need to remember the 2nd plane knows you are coming off the first plane. Delta is aware you are coming in on another flight. Last September DH and I had a 30 minute Delta layover (coming home), and our flight out of Orlando was about 10 minutes late. When we landed in Atlanta, we walked off our plane, turned right, and went directly onto our next flight. There were Delta reps in Atlanta directing traffic off that plane. I think a 45 minute layover is just the right amout of time (weather permitting).

Best of luck to you, flying with 4 kids has got to be stressful.

 

[supersuperwendy]

Thanks Becky. I'm so confused...the price is so great but I'm so scared of the layover. I also will have a toddler to deal with. I'm still debating on whether to bring her car seat or use CARES for the plane. The Delta website says that allow gate checking strollers which is a big help.

How does Delta do seat assignments?

 

[maxiesmom]

Delta lets you pick your seats for no charge.

I can tell you from experience, all of the Delta flights are not in the same area of the airport. There is actually a subway that connects the seperate terminals. If you have to change terminals, take the subway. Do not try and just use the moving sidewalk, the subway is much faster.

Something else to consider is how much traffic goes in and out of Atlanta. We have flown into Atlanta before, and circled quite a while before landing. Also, if you are farther back in the airplane, it can take a bit of time to get off, and even get on your way.

A few years back we did a 47 minute layover in Atlanta on the way to Orlando. This was on Delta as well. Our first flight landed 10 minutes early. We got off the plane, and high-tailed it to our next gate, which was a couple terminals over. No stop for bathroom, or drinks, nothing. We had 5 minutes before they started boarding the plane.If our plane had landed on time they would have already been boarding by the time we hit the gate. If we would have been late, we would have been in a heap of trouble. The youngest in our group was 7 or 8 at the time, and had flown many times. I pretty much dragged her thru the airport.

As far as holding the planes, sometimes they do. But not always, and you cannot count on it. It depends on things such as how many people are missing on that flight, and how urgently they need to get the plane to the next destination. I've been on planes that were held for missing people. I've also been told my connection left, and I had to sit in the airport for 9 hours before getting on another flight.

Forty five minues is doable. But it is not easy, and everything needs to go just right. If your first plane is late, or you are stuck at the back of it behind some slow moving people, all bets are off. It is a risk. We have done it, but I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks for the info. The rest of the flights have really long layovers (2 hr 45m). I don't know how I'd entertain 4 kids that long in Atlanta. It's a lot to think about. I appreciate the help.

You can have a meal. Lots of nice restaurants in Atlanta, that have tvs and such. Or ride the subway around. Depending on how large the plane you are getting on, they will start boarding 30-45 minutes before the flight is scheduled to depart. Two hours is not that long if you have a meal, do a little shopping, and take a bathroom break or two.

Here is a maphttp://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/airport_information/airport_maps/atlanta.jsp

That just shows how large the airport is. For our flight next month, it looks like we will have to go from gate B3 to gate C47. So only one terminal over, but at opposite ends. Maybe check the flight numbers of the flights you are looking at, and see where they are typically scheduled to be at. It can change, but it will give you an idea.

 

[supersuperwendy]

Thanks! I knew this was the place to come for expert help!

I just found a direct flight on usair for only $89. It's $50 more total for the 6 of us vs. Delta. I guess I will probably go for that since we have the baby with us. If it was just the older kids, the layover would be worth the risk!

 

[DebbieB]

I connect though Atlanta alot and I think those layovers are too close with 4 kids. Without Medallion status, odds are you will be in the back of the plane which will cut down on your time between flights. It can take 15 minutes to get off the plane. I think you did the right thing taking USAir.

 

[nkereina]

Didn't get a chance to read the whole thread... but if you are booking with Delta, they wouldn't let you book this if it wasn't possible. ATL is Delta's main hub so their flights are usually in the same terminal, so I doubt you'd have to take the train to another terminal. I'd also guess there will be other people connecting either to MCO or another city coming off your flight, so there will probably be someone when you get off the first flight to tell you where to go OR the flight attendants will announce what gate the connections are at when you land before you get off the plane. This has been my experience. And as a PP mentioned, it's possible the next flight will wait for you if you do end up being late - particularly if there are a bunch of you.

 

[maxiesmom]

Didn't get a chance to read the whole thread... but if you are booking with Delta, they wouldn't let you book this if it wasn't possible.

I'm sorry, but ! Yes, they do let people book connections that are all but impossible to make. There is no way in God's Green Earth anyone but the most experienced of traveler should even attempt a 36 minute connection thru Atlanta. Certainlly not a mom with 4 kids, 1 on which is a toddler, who probably want to make it home on time.

It is possible to make that short of a connection, but I wouldn't say it would be probable or advisable.

 

[DebbieB]

Didn't get a chance to read the whole thread... but if you are booking with Delta, they wouldn't let you book this if it wasn't possible. ATL is Delta's main hub so their flights are usually in the same terminal, so I doubt you'd have to take the train to another terminal. I'd also guess there will be other people connecting either to MCO or another city coming off your flight, so there will probably be someone when you get off the first flight to tell you where to go OR the flight attendants will announce what gate the connections are at when you land before you get off the plane. This has been my experience. And as a PP mentioned, it's possible the next flight will wait for you if you do end up being late - particularly if there are a bunch of you.

Atlanta has 6 concourses and Delta is on all 6 (T, A, B, C, D, E). I flew them 2 weeks ago and went from A to C on the way out and B to D on the way back. To get between concourses, you have to go down to a tunnel and either take the train or moving sidewalk.

They don't make announcements on the plane, there is an overhead monitor when you get off or you can ask the gate agent.

The only times I've seen them wait is if it's the last flight of the day and even then only 5 or 10 minutes.

I've also had checked luggage miss quick connections.

 

[nkereina]

I'm sorry, but ! Yes, they do let people book connections that are all but impossible to make. There is no way in God's Green Earth anyone but the most experienced of traveler should even attempt a 36 minute connection thru Atlanta. Certainlly not a mom with 4 kids, 1 on which is a toddler, who probably want to make it home on time.

If you book directly with the airline, they will not allow say 10 minute layovers. Because obviously that's pretty impossible. And then the airline is accountable for it. Booking through Orbitz or Travelocity, they may. 36 minutes is ample time for the average person. Get off your plane and head directly to the next gate - it's taken me 20 minutes at most, 25 if I stop to use the bathroom and I always have to transfer in Atlanta. If a mom with 4 kids doesn't want to chance it, that's understandable, but most people can make it assuming the first flight is on time. So, sorry, but not as funny as you may think.

They don't make announcements on the plane, there is an overhead monitor when you get off or you can ask the gate agent.

Some airlines will do this, evidently not one you've flown on. If they receive the information when pulling into the terminal, some will take time to announce it, particularly if they are running late. Some airlines may not receive this information or try to bother with it.

You do run the risk of luggage not making a quick connection, but I have had Delta lose my luggage on a direct non-stop flight so anything goes with them.

And naturally, the airline will not wait an hour for a delayed flight. But in a pinch, they will wait 5 or 10 minuts if they can do it.

 

[DebbieB]

Some airlines will do this, evidently not one you've flown on. If they receive the information when pulling into the terminal, some will take time to announce it, particularly if they are running late. Some airlines may not receive this information or try to bother with it.

You do run the risk of luggage not making a quick connection, but I have had Delta lose my luggage on a direct non-stop flight so anything goes with them.

And naturally, the airline will not wait an hour for a delayed flight. But in a pinch, they will wait 5 or 10 minuts if they can do it.

I was speaking of Delta since that is the airline the OP asked about. I can't say I've ever heard them make announcements on the plane. I have heard it on USAir.

Delta does a good job of having the connections on the overhead monitor as you exit the plane. On my trip last month, the monitor was broken so the gate agent was standing there asking what city you needed. Since Atlanta has so many concourses, I usually recheck it on the monitors before I get on the train in case there was a gate change and I need to go to a different concourse.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you book directly with the airline, they will not allow say 10 minute layovers. Because obviously that's pretty impossible. And then the airline is accountable for it. Booking through Orbitz or Travelocity, they may. 36 minutes is ample time for the average person. Get off your plane and head directly to the next gate - it's taken me 20 minutes at most, 25 if I stop to use the bathroom and I always have to transfer in Atlanta. If a mom with 4 kids doesn't want to chance it, that's understandable, but most people can make it assuming the first flight is on time. So, sorry, but not as funny as you may think.

We will have to agree to disagree. Because I don't think 36 minutes for a connection thru Atlanta is ample in any way, shape, or form. You can do it IF everything works perfectly. IF! And assuming your first flight will be right on time is just asking for trouble. I've flown thru Atlanta many times, and would never take a 36 minute connection. It is way too easy for something to go wrong and there you are, waiting in the airport for hours on end for another plane.

Like I said, we will just have to agree to disagree.