Aug 19, 2016, 8:19 pm
Last edit by: LoganFlyer
Navigating the ATL: Despite its size, ATL has a very functional layout that makes transfers quite straightforward. The airside complex is shaped like a rib cage, with the ribs (the concourses) branching off from the spine (the underground plane train)
Minimum Connect Time in ATL if connecting from a Delta flight to a Delta flight, per ExpertFlyer:
Domestic flight - domestic flight: 35 minutes
Exceptions:
If your inbound flight is on a 330 or 767, then the minimum connection time is 50 minutes for a domestic-domestic connection.
Domestic flight - international flight: 40 minutes
Exceptions:
International flight - domestic flight: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Exceptions:
International flight - international flight: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Exceptions:
- There is one common airside area for all carriers and all departures both domestic and international
- You do NOT need to re-clear security when making a domestic to domestic or domestic to international connection (international-domestic and international-international are the usual border fuss)
- The concourses are names T (for terminal) A B C D E F. TABCD are usually short and medium haul gates; E and F are usually long haul/international. The plane train connects all concourses.
- If your flight documents say 'North Terminal' or South Terminal', ignore that while connecting. That refers to land side check-in desks, and you won't see any references to those while on the air side of the airport.
- If you wish to stretch your legs, a pedestrian tunnel runs parallel to the plane train from the T to E terminals. There is an additional pedestrian tunnel between E and F unconnected to the other tunnel that requires going aboveground at E and poking around to find it.
- If you do not have club access, the E and F concourse areas tend to be quieter and less crowded places to wait
Minimum Connect Time in ATL if connecting from a Delta flight to a Delta flight, per ExpertFlyer:
Domestic flight - domestic flight: 35 minutes
Exceptions:
If your inbound flight is on a 330 or 767, then the minimum connection time is 50 minutes for a domestic-domestic connection.
Domestic flight - international flight: 40 minutes
Exceptions:
- If your inbound flight is on a 330 or 767, then the minimum connection time is 50 minutes for a domestic-international connection.
- The minimum domestic-YYC connection time is 45 minutes.
- The minimum domestic-HAV connection time is 55 minutes.
International flight - domestic flight: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Exceptions:
- If you are coming from a Canadian airport with preclearance other than YYC, then the minimum connection time is 35 minutes for an international-domestic connection.
- If you are coming from AUA, BDA, FPO, NAS, or YYC, then the minimum connection time is 45 minutes for an international-domestic connection.
- If you are coming from Ireland, then the minimum connection time is 1 hour for an international-domestic connection.
- If you are coming from LOS, then the minimum connection time is 1 hour, 30 minutes for an international-domestic connection.
- If you are coming from HAV, then the minimum connection time is 1 hour, 55 minutes for an international-domestic connection.
International flight - international flight: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Exceptions:
- If you are coming from a Canadian airport with preclearance other than YYC, then the minimum connection time is 40 minutes for an international-international connection.
- If you are coming from YYC, then the minimum connection time is 45 minutes for an international-international connection.
- If you are coming from AUA, BDA, FPO, or NAS, then the minimum connection time is 50 minutes for an international-international connection.
- If you are coming from Ireland, then the minimum connection time is 1 hour for an international-international connection.
- If you are coming from LOS, then the minimum connection time is 1 hour, 30 minutes for an international-international connection.
Minimum Connection Transfer Time at Atlanta (ATL): The Definitive Thread
May 30, 2012, 5:27 pm
#1546
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
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Posts: 10,745
You could always just buy a DL Private Jets card, get Diamond, and then hope for the Porsche. 
And then gift me GM for this excellent suggestion.
And then gift me GM for this excellent suggestion.
May 30, 2012, 5:46 pm
#1547
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,752
I would not risk ATL-JNB with a 40m connection at ATL. The golden rule is 2 hours for international connections and even then there have been times when I ran all the way from arrival to departure gates and was one of the last to board.
May 30, 2012, 5:59 pm
#1548
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SLC
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 191
Not sure if it matters but I'm actually connecting with the ATL-AMS flight and then to JNB.
I was able to talk DL/KL to change my flight to ATL to an earlier one so I'm all set.
It seems like 40 minute connections should not be allowed at all in ATL.
I was able to talk DL/KL to change my flight to ATL to an earlier one so I'm all set.
It seems like 40 minute connections should not be allowed at all in ATL.
May 30, 2012, 6:00 pm
#1549
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,365
But DL also considers this partially a training issue. They are starting to rotate pilots through NYC to be taught how to find parking spots by NYC cabbies.
May 30, 2012, 6:05 pm
#1550
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
What boarding time is printed on BPs for B777 flights? T-50 or 60 minutes? Even if SLC/ATL is on time, ATL/JNB will have begun boarding before the OP even lands!
May 30, 2012, 6:05 pm
#1551
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
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Posts: 16,277
Depends... I don't like to, but if I'm backed into a corner I will accept a 40 minute connection on domestic flights if I can just catch the next one an hour or two later should I misconnect. Would never chance 40 minutes connecting to int'l though.
May 30, 2012, 8:17 pm
#1552
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
May 30, 2012, 8:30 pm
#1553
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: DL GM, AMEX Business Platinum, AMEX Delta Reserve, DL SkyClub Member, Choice PM
Posts: 2,218
Most likely you'll get to spend an extra day in ATL.
Try and SDC to an earlier flight to make your connection.
May 30, 2012, 8:53 pm
#1554
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
May 30, 2012, 10:25 pm
#1555
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP Gold 100K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 300
Looking at doing a MR to HNL via ATL to get the A330. Coming from MSP, I can get to Atlanta at 9 or 10:10am for the 10:50am departure. Both flights from MSP are on 757s. Would it be doable to do the later flight and take a 40min layer in Atlanta or should I suck it up and take the 5:20am flight to ensure I make it? I am also planning on returning to ATL on the A330 then onto SEA to get the 767 so I know if I miss the flight to Honolulu, my whole trip gets messed up. Thoughts?
May 30, 2012, 11:20 pm
#1556
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,766
Did we really need to read all the way to the end of that post before you showed that you already knew the answer. Do you really need any more input?
May 31, 2012, 6:59 am
#1557
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta GM, Marriott Platinum, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,530
Plus the boarding process will be much less stressful if you're there at the beginning, rather than being one of the last to board your ATL-HNL flight.
Jun 1, 2012, 2:05 pm
#1558
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 137
1:20 enough for a connection time at ATL on Sunday?
Hi there! Planning on flying LGA-ATL-MGA this Sunday. Connection time is currently 1:20 in ATL-- do you think that's enough? Tons of seats on that route, tons of flights. Would be easy to SDC to an earlier flight. Should I? Only one flight a day ATL-MGA, it seems...
Jun 1, 2012, 3:22 pm
#1559
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: So Fla & NYC
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Posts: 23,766
1Hr20 is plenty for this domestic (on the outbound) connection but since you are coming from NYC, you have the luxury of taking a slightly earlier flight, which is something that I would do if I have the time and my connection is to the only or last flight of the day.
The hidden bonus in making such a change is that it gives you time to have a meal at One Flew South so when they bring out the airplane food, you will not need the stuff.
The hidden bonus in making such a change is that it gives you time to have a meal at One Flew South so when they bring out the airplane food, you will not need the stuff.
Jun 5, 2012, 1:33 pm
#1560
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: LA
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 225
I have a question regarding a domestic flight taking off from the new terminal F. Is the added connection time required as simple as an extra 30 seconds on the train? Not having been to the new terminal, I don't know if the layout of it adds any additional time for navigation and/or confusion.
I have a 48 minute layover with a flight that typically lands in B (CHS-ATL), but the connecting flight will probably take off from F (ATL-LAX in 777). Just curious how tight that is in reality.
I have a 48 minute layover with a flight that typically lands in B (CHS-ATL), but the connecting flight will probably take off from F (ATL-LAX in 777). Just curious how tight that is in reality.