time in between flights

[5terre]

I currently have a flight home booked on SWA direct leaving MCO at 7:50am. DME makes you leave so early (and we plan on staying until park closing on our last night), so I have been watching SWA for any price changes to get a later flight. Right now they are offering one (that would give us a $200+ credit, although we likely won't use it) that leaves at 12pm and is not direct. I wouldn't mind the longer travel time if it meant we didn't have to get up at 4am, but the flights are operated by SWA/Air Tran and there is only 44min connection in ATL. Will this be a problem? I'm worried it's risky and that it would be a mistake to possibly extend our travel day much longer if flights are delayed and we miss a flight etc. Thoughts? I will probably miss my chance to book this by the time I decide!

 

[teambeaman]

If you have no carry ons, no small children, and can move quickly, then you might make it. If you attempt it, pay extra for early bird check in so you an get a seat as far forward as possible. I used to work for Delta in Atlanta, depending on where the 2 gates are it is doable, but you have to hustle.

 

[5terre]

Thanks, since it is our trip home, I am less concerned about being delayed, as I am in no hurry to get home. We will have minimal carry-ons and a 9 year-old, we can hustle. Will the Air Tran and Southwest gates be near each other?

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Remember although you have 44 minutes between flights, they actually start board the flight 20 minutes before departure. So I would sit in front of the plane rather than waste time waiting for others in front of you to get off.

Southwest uses terminal C & D so you may have to either walk a ways to your gate or find the tram to get to the next gate

 

[5terre]

I looked at the ATL map and AirTran is in multiple concourses, so not sure it will work. Our flight to MCO is through ATL, but we have 1.5hrs so I am less concerned.

 

[firecracker725]

I wouldn't do it. I don't think I've ever had a connection in the same concourse I landed in at ATL, so you are likely going to have to sprint down the concourse to make it in that timeframe. God forbid you're delayed even a few minutes.

 

[JessM]

I tend to "live on the edge" when it comes to booking airline travel but I would do it. I had a layover in Atlanta in Nov that my gates were 3 terminals apart. We only had 50mins but we took the train to the next terminal, had lunch and still made our connection in plenty of time. We were even in the back of the plane for the first leg.

 

[5terre]

I decided in the end to "live on the edge." Ultimately the idea of sleeping until 7-8am and breakfast in (hopefully sunny, warm) Florida versus a 4am alarm and rush back to cold, snowy New England was worth a longer trip and possible delay.

 

[OKW Lover]

A 44 minute connection in ATL on SW/AT is easily done. Although they operate out of two concourses, it is most likely that your connection will be in the same concourse. Even if you have to change concourses, its very easily done.

 

[seashoreCM]

A 44 minute connection is easily missed. Especially if you have to change concourses.On average, 1 in 4 flights lands more than 15 minutes late

If you travel frequently, for example on business, and miss it 1 in 10 times, the overall time you save compared with booking a looser connection is still significant. Whereas if your once in a lifetime or once a year vacation flight is the 1 in 10 (or 1 in 4) on average that gets missed then your family will be mighty disappointed.

 

[maxiesmom]

I decided in the end to "live on the edge." Ultimately the idea of sleeping until 7-8am and breakfast in (hopefully sunny, warm) Florida versus a 4am alarm and rush back to cold, snowy New England was worth a longer trip and possible delay.

Just keep in mind that delay may be a few days if you miss your original flight. Most flights fly out full, so waiting for one with opens seats may be a longer wait that you want.

 

[Badamon]

FWIW: Talking with a travel agent friend last night I learned about "legal" and "illegal" connections. Didn't know anything about them and still need to learn more, but I do get the gist of it (I think). From what I understand, in general, if you book an illegal connection (one that does not allow adequate connection time) the airline does not have to do anything for you as far as rebooking your flight. It may be something you want to look into a bit if you are booking this on your own.

 

[OKW Lover]

FWIW: Talking with a travel agent friend last night I learned about "legal" and "illegal" connections. Didn't know anything about them and still need to learn more, but I do get the gist of it (I think). From what I understand, in general, if you book an illegal connection (one that does not allow adequate connection time) the airline does not have to do anything for you as far as rebooking your flight. It may be something you want to look into a bit if you are booking this on your own.

Typically an airline reservation system will not let you book an "illegal" connection. I have no experience on SW but I seriously doubt their system would permit it either.

 

[teambeaman]

Typically an airline reservation system will not let you book an "illegal" connection. I have no experience on SW but I seriously doubt their system would permit it either.

I used to be a reservations agent and some of those minimum connecting times are a joke. I've rebooked a lot of people because they missed their flight even though our system said it would be fine.