Layover Questions

[kristytru]

I have never flown with a layover, but based on the current prices for April, I am considering flying from Newark to Orlando with a 1 hour layover in Atlanta. I have lots of concerns from lost luggage to not being able to find my way through an unfamiliar airport to missing the connecting flight. Can anyone give me any info on their layover experiences and any advice?

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you book a through trip - both legs on the same reservation - the airline will transfer your luggage from one plane to the next. If there's a timing issue (your first flight arrives late) and the luggage doesn't make it, they WILL send it on the next available flight.

Getting around the airport should also pose no problem. Odds are, your arrival gate and departure gate will be in the same area/terminal. Often, Flight Attendants announce the connection gates just before you land, and there WILL be airline employees in the terminal to help direct you.

 

[kristytru]

sorry if this is a dumb question, but do they let you know if your luggage didn't make it or do you find that out after standing by the carousel waiting for all of it to come off the plane?

 

[jsp2000]

I have never flown with a layover, but based on the current prices for April, I am considering flying from Newark to Orlando with a 1 hour layover in Atlanta. I have lots of concerns from lost luggage to not being able to find my way through an unfamiliar airport to missing the connecting flight. Can anyone give me any info on their layover experiences and any advice?

Atlanta is a pretty big airport, and a one hour layover is just a little shorter than I would be comfortable with there. It's do-able. but you won't have a lot of time to spare if your flight arrives there late. That's just me, though - some people will say that is more than enough time.

Departure gates switch a lot in Atlanta, so the gate number that is on your boarding pass may not necessarily be the gate that you end up using. You should check the departures board for updated flight information as soon as you exit your plane, to make sure you are heading in the right direction.

That's also not a lot of time for luggage. If your luggage doesn't make your connecting flight, yes, they will send it on the next flight that comes your way. Usually (at least, in my experience) you don't find out your luggage isn't coming until it doesn't show up at baggage claim.

Now, this is one of the nice things about Disney's Magical Express. If you use DME, Disney will transport your luggage directly to your room (if you are staying at a Disney resort), so you really won't have to worry about baggage claim/waiting on late luggage/etc. Disney will just bring it to your room when it eventually shows up.

Have a great trip!

 

[DebbieB]

sorry if this is a dumb question, but do they let you know if your luggage didn't make it or do you find that out after standing by the carousel waiting for all of it to come off the plane?

You will find out when it doesn't come out. It's happened to me a few times but except for 1 time, it was on the next flight and I was able to get it before leaving the airport. The one time I didn't get it at the airport it was delivered to my home the next afternoon. One time last year it actually arrived before me! I arrived at the airport early, planned to have lunch and then catch my scheduled flight. My luggage went on the flight before! It didn't come out, so I walked over to the baggage office and it was sitting there! One time I was connecting through Atlanta on the way home, had a tight connection due to a late flight and my luggage didn't make it. Delta checked the computer and said it was on the flight coming in within the hour. They said I could wait or have it delivered to my home. I really just wanted to get it, so I waited even though I didn't get out of the airport past midnight.

I fly alot for business and probably 95% of the time I've had connections my luggage made it. My biggest worry was when I flew Pittsburgh-Dulles-Frankfurt-India. My luggage made it both ways!

 

[dudspizza]

I personally think the 1 hour layover is just fine in Atlanta (as long as your first flight is on time). ATL is very easy to navigate and if you do have to change terminals, simply go use the train.

Familiarize yourself with the terminal maps at http://www.atlanta-airport.com/

Don't worry about your luggage, they are very good at moving it from flight to flight.

Have a wonderful trip!

Duds