Layover in Atlanta

[Jen0522]

My family, which includes a two year old, is going to be flying with a 45 minute layover in Atlanta. Does anyone have any experience with that airport or layovers with a toddler? Also, we usually bring our stroller and do gate check, does anyone have experience with this as well or would it be better to check it? Thank you!

 

[nkereina]

I have flown in and out of ATL multiple times and 45 minutes sounds tight. What airline is it? If one of ATL's smaller airlines, your gate may be in the same terminal which would help. Otherwise, you have to get on the airport's subway and ride to your next terminal. It's pretty straightforward and easy to navigate as far as airports go, but there is a bit of walking and escalators involved.

 

[Mousemommy1]

When we went to Disney with our (then) 3 month old last April, we had layovers in NY (on way down) and NJ (on way back).
We gate checked our stroller and it was right there waiting for us when we got off the plane so we were able to pop him in it and go to our next gate.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Me too! We had a direct nonstop flight booked on delta and they just switched us to a one stop flight with 52 minute layover in ATL. Im worried! I would change if I was able to find something close to what we originally paid.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I have flown in and out of ATL multiple times and 45 minutes sounds tight. What airline is it? If one of ATL's smaller airlines, your gate may be in the same terminal which would help. Otherwise, you have to get on the airport's subway and ride to your next terminal. It's pretty straightforward and easy to navigate as far as airports go, but there is a bit of walking and escalators involved.

I've never had a layover in ATL, mainly because I always fly in and out of ATL.

But you are right. When I read that the OP had 45 minutes, I was thinking, "Is that enough time?"

 

[loves to dive]

I've never had a layover in ATL, mainly because I always fly in and out of ATL.

But you are right. When I read that the OP had 45 minutes, I was thinking, "Is that enough time?"

Same here, Atlanta is our home airport and I'd check your gates if they are already listed on your boarding ticket (I know they can change at a drop of a hat ala Airplane! but it's somewhere to start) and see how far apart your gates are. If you are flying Delta, they could be spread all over the place since ATL is Delta's home.

 

[J'aime Paris]

We fly through ATL quite often on our way to Pensacola. I think your shortest layover was 37 minutes. No strollers and usually no carry ons.
We walked off of plane #1 (we were in row 1, so first off), and quickly used the restrooms.
Took the tram to a different terminal for Plane #2, walked alllllllll the way to the last gate! We are fairly brisk walkers.
Plane #2 was already boarding.
A toddler will slow you down. Best of luck!

 

[JWigs]

It is too tight for ATL. It is a massive airport and even if you're staying on the same airline (Delta) you will be scrambling since most connections are never in the same terminal (and they have 5 last I checked).

 

[Pesky]

Agree with pps. That is a tight layover for that airport. Honestly, it's a bit convoluted there. Key: try to get off as soon as possible. Grab the stroller. Insert toddler. Run, do not walk, to your designated gate. Do not stop for a bathroom break (use the plane's bathroom well advance of landing). Do not stop for a snack (pack something). Do not pass go. They will likely be boarding by the time you get there and if not, you can use the bathroom or grab a snack AFTER you get to the gate. If it turns out your gate is quite close to the landing gate per flight attendant's announcement close to landing, you can adjust your plans.

 

[Happyjen27]

I've missed a layover in ATL for sure!! You can ask that the airline arrange for the assist car to be there when you arrive at your gate, having a young child may qualify you. That is no guarantee that they will be there in time, but it's an option. Communicate clearly with the flight attendants that you have a tight layover and they will be able to verify this and will (hopefully) be as helpful as possible. In any case, plan on picking up the toddler and making a good run for it. It would behoove you to check as many bags as possible so you only have 1 backpack if you can. Roller bags can slow you down. I've often sent my husband ahead to the gate so he can communicate with the staff at the gate that you are all indeed coming, and often they will have the plane wait if they can.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

from your experience- what is the minimum amount of time needed for a layover in ATL to get to your second flight on time?

 

[Jen0522]

Thanks for all the comments. We would be on Southwest, not sure if that makes a difference but it sounds like we may have to reconsider.

 

[roseaster]

I guess I'm the oddball. I don't think a 45 minute layover is bad at all. Get off the plane head directly for the next gate. I've done layovers in ATL multiple time 45 minutes seems okay. Maybe not time to get a meal or mess around too much, but it seems reasonable.

You can inform flight attendant when you get on board that you have a very tight layover. I've flown SWA a lot, they are usually very good about letting you deplane 1st if you have a tight connection.

 

[BLAZEY]

We had a 45 minute layover in SFO on our way to MCO this past November. DH carried DD6 carry on suit case and we hooved it to the next gate. I checked online the night before and found it was to be in the same terminal once we arrived at our gate we did bathroom breaks and snacks.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

We made a 35 minute layover in Atlanta in October, but I would worry about how long I would have to wait for the stroller if I gate checked it. That is out of your control. On Southwest, I would pay for early bird and get a seat as close to the front as possible to make getting off the plane faster.

 

[morgan98]

Another person from Atlanta here. I think the minimum connection that Delta will schedule is 30 minutes. You should be fine with 45 minutes, but may not have much time to spare. Again, how long should it take? Depends on a lot of things like distance between the gates, your general walking speed, etc.

As soon as you land, I would go to the airlines website and look up the status of your next flight to make sure it is still on time and to make sure you know the correct gate number. This was, at least, you will not have to stop with the huge group of people when you get off the plane to ask about the connecting gate.

 

[texasroni75]

In my opinion, 45 Minutes is definitely NOT enough time for an Atlanta layover. We had ATL layovers both ways for our Sept 2014 trp - and literally had to RUN (and take their fake-monorail to another terminal) to catch our connections, and that was without a gate-checked stroller and NO bathroom or other stops in the terminal. All because of a mere 15 minute rain take-off delay and then it took FOREVER to deplane at ATL because we were in a back row. And, after arriving just in time "last call to board", the gate attendants were rude and nasty as if WE were just taking our sweet time. We had a 1 hour 30 minute layover, if that puts it into perspective.

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

I did a layover at atl a couple years ago with AirTran after they were bought by southwest but before they merged. Our first flight left late and they wouldn't hold the next plane for us, we are only talking 10 mins and it was their fault we were leaving late and then to top it off they couldn't get us on another flight for 10 hours!!! Similar to pp everyone acted like it was our fault. We had a 6 month old with us, it was a nightmare. Oh but they did buy us lunch From that experience on the first thing we check when booking flights is layover times.

 

[nkereina]

Since you're flying Southwest, also keep in mind that even if you DO make the connection, Southwest's boarding process typically begins 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. That means they may be past your boarding position by the time you get to the gate, which may mean your party is split up and/or middle seats, etc since Southwest has open seating.

I don't think an airline would schedule a connection that wasn't possible to make, but there are too many variables and would be stressful if it were me.

 

[tabrizia]

I've never had a layover in ATL, mainly because I always fly in and out of ATL.

But you are right. When I read that the OP had 45 minutes, I was thinking, "Is that enough time?"

I would say it is very iffy with Delta. I fly into and out to Atlanta all the time, but don't do layovers there.

Thanks for all the comments. We would be on Southwest, not sure if that makes a difference but it sounds like we may have to reconsider.

On SouthWest you will probably make the plane, unless they move the gate, they have about 15 to 18 gates in terminal C so you won't have to change terminals at least, unless there is an unexpected gate change. I am not sure about boarding, but at least one adult will end up next to the toddler even if you miss your boarding time. I would say it is doable, but be very aware, if there is any delay in your flight you have a high chance of missing the connection.