South - Layover in Atlanta - too short?

Hello everyone,

I'm new to Flyertalk, so thanks for having me! I'm Dan and I'm writing to you from London, England.

Later this month, I'm scheduled to fly from London Heathrow to Portland, Oregon. It's the first time I've made such a flight.

I'm due to land in Atlanta, Georgia (ATL) at terminal S, but then I'm due to get on the plane to Portland, from the same terminal, only 1 hour and 25 minutes later.

Is this layover too short? The booking company have assured me that it's fine, and that I don't need to worry. But a new colleague of mine at work used to be a flight attendant, and said that I should be seeking a minimum of 4 hours.

Who is right? Should I consider changing the booking to secure a greater layover time? It's 2 hours 45 minutes on the return flight, which seems a lot more comfortable.

And does anyone have any experience of what would happen if I did miss the connection? The booking agent suggested I would lose the whole itinerary and all of my money - is this true? Would travel insurance cover such an eventuality? And would the likely result be another 30 hours in Atlanta, followed by having to buy a brand new ticket to Portland?

I'm sorry for the long and detailed question, but I could only find other threads which asked for activities to pass the time during a long layover, and my problem is clearly the opposite.

As an infrequent flyer who has only ever flown direct, I am a little nervous about the prospect of changing flights, and any advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Dan

Do not worry. It depends on the time you will spend on immigration.

I think it is okay, if your flight is not delayed.

IF you miss your flight, DL will get you on later flight (if seats are open)

DL has 4 daily non stop flights.

Hi Dan, welcome to FlyerTalk!

First, there is no terminal S in Atlanta. T A B C D E (for now)

You will be arriving in Terminal E, international terminal. That is also where customs and immigration are located.

Your connecting flight may well be from Terminal E, but more probable and likely from ABC (DL has some departures from T(Terminal)and a rare departure from D as well) but most are from ABC.

Largely dependent on the crowds, you will be fine. Upon your arrival and immigration and customs, you will put your bag on the designated airline belt for transfer to your next flight. Then another security check and off to the underground trams to the gates. It will be in reverse order E D C B A T.

Barring anything strange happening, you will be fine.

I think you will find our airport in Atlanta very efficient and welcoming.

Again, welcome to FlyerTalk!

Thank you both for such speedy replies! I will really value this website in the run-up to my journey, and I feel welcome.

My online itinerary does say 'terminal S', so I will check that with the booking company for clarity, as they've asked me to call again tomorrow.

My dad suggested that if I inform London Heathrow and Atlanta, they may fast-track me through immigration and the baggage process to ensure I'm on time - any truth here?

I also arrive on a Friday, when I presume that the airport is at its busiest. Could this add to the crowd problem that you warned of?

I am sure your airport will be lovely and full of friendly staff to help me. But the process sounds a little complex - arrive, immigration, bag on belt, security, underground tram, get through gates, show ticket, get sat down.... all in 1 hour 30 minutes?!

Dan

Dan:

As far as I know, there is no fast tracking through customs and immigration.

Again, you should be fine.

The airport is laid out so the maximum time it takes a healthy person (walking) to get from the furthest points is less than thirty minutes or so.

Dan: there is also a length thread on this topic....

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta-skymiles/579051-minimum-connection-transfer-time-atlanta-atl-definitive-thread.html

Dan, you will arrive at Terminal E, no matter what your ticket says. No need to check with your booking company, especially as said booking company is incorrect when he/she says that you will lose the remainder of your itinerary and your money if you miss your connection at ATL. You won't, the airline will put you on the next flight (assuming that this is all one itinerary, and if it's not then your booking company is a bunch of idiots). It is possible that this would result in an overnight in Atlanta, depending on how late you've arrived and/or availability of a seat on the next flight.

As for the time of your layover, I'll say that I routinely make it all the way through passport control and customs and security back into the airport, all the way to the main terminal, and finally all the way to my home in Atlanta within an hour of landing. So if things run smoothly you'll be fine. I do not check bags, so I don't have to wait at baggage claim, and that is the single thing that you could do that would speed things along significantly.

Note that if your connecting flight departs from a terminal other than Terminal E you will take the underground train that connects the terminals. Do not walk or taking the moving sidewalks instead, always take the train.

Your return layover of 2 hours 45 minutes is quite long, as you don't do any passport/customs stuff at all, and won't have to go through security either (all the departing gates are airside at ATL), so you've got plenty of time.

hi all,

grateful for suggestions ASAP if possible!

It is now my understanding that i have a 90 minute layover.

-i am flying from London Heathrow to Atlanta, arriving at gate E2
- I have 90 minutes until my next flight leaves to Portland OR from gate B33
- both flights are Delta

i know that my baggage will be taken care of. i also know that E2 is at the very north of the international terminal (i have a map)...

What is the quickest way to ensure I get from E2 to B33 in time?

Many thanks!

Dan

Dan

From E2 you will go directly to customs/immigration.

That is where you will claim your bag, redeposit it to the Delta Rep and go through security again. From there, you will follow the signs to the escalator, get on the train and go the the B concourse.

At your third stop from the train (less than 4 minutes) you will exit and get on another escalator to the B gates. At the top of the escalator, take a left and B33 will be at the far end of the concourse. Total travel from security is less than 9 minutes.