What happens when a connecting flight is late

[dudspizza]

I am looking at Airtran's last flight out of MSP to MCO connecting in ATL.

I watch the flights closely and noticed this last night.

Now, the flight from MSP was delayed and did not get in to Atlanta until after the connecting flight had left. It appears they did not hold the flight for the connection from MSP. So, in this case, what happens to those who come in from MSP when that flight to MCO was the last one out of ATL? Are the MSP people stuck in ATL until morning or how does that work? I searched for ATL-MCO flights and it was indeed the last flight out for the night....

Makes me nervous about attempting this connection.

Thanks for your insight.

Duds

 

[CarolA]

Short response. Yes, you are stuck at the airport.

If the delay was AirTran's fault (i.e, mechanical) then they should put you up in a hotel. If the delay was something else (weather) then they don't have to put you up. Delta usually gives "discounted vouchers" in those cases, but I am not going to gurantee anything for AirTran.

The delay last night does appear to be a normal one and in a normal short delay you would have been fine. Gates 7 and 8 are right next to each other!

 

[dudspizza]

Short response. Yes, you are stuck at the airport.

If the delay was AirTran's fault (i.e, mechanical) then they should put you up in a hotel. If the delay was something else (weather) then they don't have to put you up. Delta usually gives "discounted vouchers" in those cases, but I am not going to gurantee anything for AirTran.

The delay last night does appear to be a normal one and in a normal short delay you would have been fine. Gates 7 and 8 are right next to each other!

I started watching this a few weeks ago. It happens a few times a week, but I am attributing it to the winter weather in Minnesota. I am hoping October weather does not affect it as much. I think I will take the chance, but I would hate to miss out on part of a short trip because Airtran was late...

Thanks. Duds

 

[pezpam]

The last two times we flew Southwest, they held our flight since an incoming flight (with several passengers booked for our flight, not just 1) was delayed and we were on the last flight out. Each time, we waited for half an hour. Guess they figure that we'll complain less about waiting 30 minutes than the others will about being stuck overnight......

On the other hand, I have had enough connecting flights leave without me after I madly dashed through the airport after the first crew told me it'd be held (FEH!) that I won't book a connecting flight scheduled too close to the first flight's landing time. I'd rather sit for 30 minutes with my book than miss a flight and get stuck again. All personal preference, though.

No idea how AirTran handles this, but if they don't hold the plane then, yeah, you're stuck and CarolA is right on about how it'd be handled.

 

[tkldisney]

This is why I try, try, try to book non-stop flights. Hopefully Delta will settle everything. I like having Cincinnati airport about 50 min. drive & lots of choices for non-stop to orlando. Dayton is also starting to have non-stop to orlando, I live within 35 min of there. They usually cost more, but if you book real early you can get better price. Our tkt we paid 237. in Oct. for May trip is now 390.