Short connection time in Atlanta

[rewok]

With the latest changes Delta made on my return flight (both legs), my original 80 minutes connection time is now reduced to 49 minutes. I'm doing MCO-ATL-YUL, so the second leg of my flight is international. Delta doesn't post minimum connection times, but Northwest does, and a domestic-intl is listed at 60 minutes. I'm a bit worried, since my Montreal flight is the last of the day, and this being in September, I know flights often get delayed because of thunderstorms. Should I keep it, ask for the earlier MCO-ATL flight, pushing the connection at 2h, or wait and call in a month if things haven't changed yet again?

 

[JanB]

I'm from Atlanta, very familiar with the airport -- and I don't think that I'd be comfortable with a 50 minute layover. Even if the flight is "on time", it may be another 10-15 minutes before you get off of the plane. You probably will not come in on the same concourse that your next flight departs from. If your plane happens to come in at a gate at the far end of a concourse, it's a healthy walk just to get to the escalator to leave the concourse. Then you ride the tram -- blah-- blah -- blah. It can take a while.

If I were you, I'd go with the 2 hour layover. You will be a whole lot less stressed if your first leg happens to be a bit late.

 

[rewok]

And I thought you'd tell me to relax, that it was OK... My main worry is spending the night at the airport and flying on my last vacation day, otherwise I'd keep it and gamble, but I really need this day to settle down before going back to work. Well, I'll call tonight and see if Delta will change it to the earlier flight without a fee, because I won't pay for this.

 

[CarolA]

I would probably call and see if they would change me since it's an international flight.

 

[rsschneck]

I would definately change it. DD and I had a 50 minute layover in ATL during Spring Break. Well, our flight coming into ATL was late and the tram system was not working so we had to RUN to get to our plane and just made it as they were boarding. NOT FUN! I would rather have more time and go eat at Chili's than run through the airport so you don't miss your connection.

 

[rewok]

Well, it's done, I changed it this morning. Yesterday I couldn't get on the line (no ring tone? ), but today was OK. The 49 minutes connection WAS legal as per Delta, but because there were schedule changes I could get the other flight without a fee.

 

[rsschneck]

Well, it's done, I changed it this morning. Yesterday I couldn't get on the line (no ring tone? ), but today was OK. The 49 minutes connection WAS legal as per Delta, but because there were schedule changes I could get the other flight without a fee.

Yesterday I had to change our reservations and the agent tried to give us a flight with a 25 minute connection time. She said it was legal and I said there is no way! They would be boarding our next flight while we were getting off of the first flight. I try to give at least 1 hour between connection times just to have a chance to go to the restroom, buy food and walk to the connecting flight.

 

[Mousema]

I called Delta this morning and changed my flight because the computer gave me 30 minutes in Atlanta. No way. I'm much happier now because we're going to Cincinnati, not Atlanta at all. (no offense to anyone living in Atlanta).

 

[JanB]

I called Delta this morning and changed my flight because the computer gave me 30 minutes in Atlanta. No way. I'm much happier now because we're going to Cincinnati, not Atlanta at all. (no offense to anyone living in Atlanta).

No offense taken. Actually, the Atlanta airport is just fine as long as you don't have a tight schedule. If you have a tight schedule, it can be very stressful. It just takes time to get from one place to another. And if you do have lots of time, there are lots of shops and places to eat.

Even being accustomed to the Atlanta airport, I do find it kind of nice to fly into slightly smaller, but still very nice, airports. We recently had a 2-hour layover in Cincinatti on our return from London. It was a nice airport.