JDErickson

I booked a flight from SLC-JNB through ATL. The connection time in ATL is 40 minutes.

Is this too close for comfort? It was a valid connection and DL says its good. I'm guessing I will need to transfer to the new Intl terminal?

dcline414

Doable, but really cutting it close (especially if an afternoon/evening connection during the summer storm season). You should definitely be able to make it to any gate from any other gate in under 20 minutes though.

Doesn't boarding for most international flights start 50 minutes before departure? If so, you may have to gate-check bags boarding so late.

bretthexum

Might be cutting it really close. ATL is notorious for landing on time then sitting on the tarmac for 30 minutes looking for an open gate.

davetravels

When I check EF, it does say 40 minutes is the minimum connect time for DL/DL domestic to int'l flights, but there IS an exception . . . .

DL-DL DI .40
DL-DL DI .50 EQP 777 - ALL

If I understand this correctly, it's 50 minutes when connecting to a B777.

That said, when I use June 20 as a test date, and check DL.com schedules for SLC/JNB, the latest connection offered is DL1912 connecting to DL200, arriving ATL at 4:58 PM and departing at 7:35 PM.

I'd call back, get a different operator, and try to change it to an earlier departure from SLC. If you miss it, you'll be stuck there for at least a whole day!

dcline414

Why would the equipment for the flight you are connecting TO matter?

I could see an increased MCT to DISEMBARK from a large plane (if at the rear), as it takes longer to hit the concourse running... But to make it on a flight, all you have to do is scan your BP before the door closes. They don't close the door for a 777 earlier than for other equipment types do they?

DaddyRabbit

It will be close. The problem during the summer in the south is storms. Delays are common. I always take the flight BEFORE the connecting flight, giving me time to relax in the SkyClub. Good luck.

davetravels

Well, I was thinking that. I figure that if you're flying on a B777, the flight would begin boarding earlier than, say, a B737 going to Belize. Just a thought.

Anyway, regardless, I'd say, unless the OP would enjoy a possible night in Atlanta, he/she should try'n take an earlier flight from SLC/ATL.

Pharaoh

No ... that means the MCT is 50 mins when connecting FROM a 777 to any other aircraft/flight (subject to other gate/flight number specifics which were not quoted).

davetravels

Perhaps, but, now that terminal F is open, maybe the MCTs need to be increased slightly. A 40 minute D/I connection at ATL to a flight that only operates once a day is a little tight, even for a seasoned traveler, but for an occasional traveler - YIKES!

centrifuge41

Doable but tough. As soon as you land, figure out where your new gate is. You'll likely have to make your way to the middle of the terminal, down towards the people mover, over to your new terminal, then take the escalator back up again.

You don't have time to buy any food, use the restroom, or walk slowly. You'll want to fast walk the whole way

dcline414

Don't think F opening changed connection times much. The train ride is lengthened by less than one minute, but the international flights are spread out over two concourses (thus more likely to be at a gate closer to the train), and overall congestion in the concourses and transportation mall is somewhat reduced.

I think any connection is probably slightly FASTER, not slower.

gooselee

And/or you land on runway 10/28 and have to taxi three counties over back to the terminal. I once saw on the news a (probably exaggerated) story of a flight circling due to WX, landing out there, then running out of fuel while taxiing back to the gate. Sounded like they had gone into the fuel reserve, but in the process of stopping to cross the other runways then getting that big thrust to get going again, burned through the rest while on the ground.

Huh? All the E gates are there and they added gates one stop further away in F. Wouldn't this make any probability of the gate being closer decrease, since more gates have been added away from the other concourses?

ETA: Oh, I see what you're saying. More gates close to the Plane Train escalators, fewer like A1 where you come up and then have to walk all the way to the end. Foot + mouth. Agree that the change in times is probably negligible for inbound domestic --> outbound int'l.

javabytes

As others have said, if:
1) Your plane lands on time
2) You don't have an extra long taxi
3) You don't have to wait for someone to operate the jetbridge

You should make it. That's a lot of "ifs". Tack just 10 minutes on to any of the above, or all 3 combined, and you're in danger if you've got a long walk between gates. That's closer than I'd like to cut it for an int'l flight where missing it means I wait a day, especially during the stormy summer season. One wise poster said they'd rather connect through DTW in a blizzard than ATL in a drizzle.

davetravels

Using FlightStats.com to see what gates flights from SLC/ATL arrived at today . . . .

A1, A11, T2, A25, B26, A19, (D13 - late evening & too late to connect)

ATL/JNB departs from F2

edited to add . . . If you get stuck in ATL and hafto fly a day later, one could only imagine what kind of seat you could be stuck in at the last minute for the 15+ hour flight!

dcline414

So it appears that the arrivals later in the day are given gates closer to the center of the concourse. A19 to F is probably a faster connection than E2 to F. That said, an F2 departure is probably at least a solid quarter mile walk from the train... That's disappointing to see.