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
Jun 6, 2012, 3:05 pm
#1561
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP 2.5MM, UA Gold, MR Plat
Posts: 2
Hi! I need some guidance since I have never flown through ATL and have not flown DL for a long time. Since my Skymiles are expiring, I decided to use it for a DL award ticket from ORD-EYW via ATL this Thanksgiving holiday. I only have a 53 minute layover in ATL and was wondering if that would be sufficient? Do DL domestic flights usually leave out of the same terminal and concourse? Are weather delays common in ATL during Thanksgiving? Any info appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Jun 6, 2012, 3:16 pm
#1562
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Hi! I need some guidance since I have never flown through ATL and have not flown DL for a long time. Since my Skymiles are expiring, I decided to use it for a DL award ticket from ORD-EYW via ATL this Thanksgiving holiday. I only have a 53 minute layover in ATL and was wondering if that would be sufficient? Do DL domestic flights usually leave out of the same terminal and concourse? Are weather delays common in ATL during Thanksgiving? Any info appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Jun 14, 2012, 6:49 am
#1563
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: BRU
Programs: EuroBonus, FlyingBlue Gold
Posts: 245
Hello, this is my first post here!
I am a Norwegian guy living in the Netherlands.
My partner and I want to go to Orlando in late Aug. We have found a great fare with Delta (great experience with this company).
We are looking at DL 81, which has a Equipment Change in ATL, and we also need to clear CBP there. Connection time is 1hr 35 min. Last year we connected in DTW, with a connection time of 1hr 45 min, and we had plenty of time, but then we were on a very early flight, and the airport was very quiet. We understand that ATL frequently gets much busier, but perhaps this is also reflected by the staffing?
Of course we can purchase a flight with longer connection time, but we only want to get to Disney as quickly as possible.
Thank you so much!
I am a Norwegian guy living in the Netherlands.
My partner and I want to go to Orlando in late Aug. We have found a great fare with Delta (great experience with this company).
We are looking at DL 81, which has a Equipment Change in ATL, and we also need to clear CBP there. Connection time is 1hr 35 min. Last year we connected in DTW, with a connection time of 1hr 45 min, and we had plenty of time, but then we were on a very early flight, and the airport was very quiet. We understand that ATL frequently gets much busier, but perhaps this is also reflected by the staffing?
Of course we can purchase a flight with longer connection time, but we only want to get to Disney as quickly as possible.
Thank you so much!
Jun 14, 2012, 6:56 am
#1564
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,766
I have the same problem every year with the SYD-ATL route which usually has a change of equipment at LAX.
Your case is much the same and DL has the obligation to and will take care of you to make sure that if you do misconnect, they will put you on the next flight which, in the case of MCO, is usually only an hour later.
Your case is much the same and DL has the obligation to and will take care of you to make sure that if you do misconnect, they will put you on the next flight which, in the case of MCO, is usually only an hour later.
Jun 14, 2012, 7:11 am
#1565
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: BRU
Programs: EuroBonus, FlyingBlue Gold
Posts: 245
Jun 14, 2012, 7:18 am
#1566
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,766
Jun 19, 2012, 3:26 pm
#1567
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 29
I am flying MCI-ATL-AUA with a 55m layover. I am supposed to arrive in Domestic Term.-South, and I'm pretty sure the flight to AUA departs out of the new international terminal. I'm flying in First/BusinessElite on both segments, which operate with 757s. Can I make it? Will my bags make it? 
tyia
tyia
Jun 23, 2012, 7:22 pm
#1568
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 543
A schedule change has put my connecting time in ATL in the new International Terminal (coming from BRU) to 1hr9min to connect to a domestic flight. If I miss that flight there is another but currently is sold out. I do have global entry but will be coming in at BRU-ATL in economy comfort.
Seems tight to me; what does everyone else think?
Seems tight to me; what does everyone else think?
Jul 12, 2012, 9:56 pm
#1572
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
Prepare by finding the airport web site and becoming familiar with the airport's layout. Check flight status to see typical gates starting now for yesterday's flights and find these gates on your airport map. As a general rule, gates with the same letter preceding the number are all on the same corridor. To get between gates with different letters, you go to the center of the corridor where you are then look for escalators/elevators to the basement level where there will be a little train (or you can walk if the train seems to be messed up but the train is almost always faster). Get off at the right stop for your departure letter, go up the escalator/elevator, and determine whether you should walk left or right to your gate number. It's really easy but you won't have time to waste.
Wear clothing that enables you to walk fast and take only the carry on that you can manage easily without it slowing you down. Of course get your boarding pass through OLCI or at your departure airport.
Wear clothing that enables you to walk fast and take only the carry on that you can manage easily without it slowing you down. Of course get your boarding pass through OLCI or at your departure airport.
Jul 13, 2012, 7:24 am
#1573
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: missing YX more every day
Programs: Delta KM/PM/MM, Nexus, CLEAR, Sharriott Plat, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,105
and OLCI at T-24 to snag a seat near the front
Do everything MSPeconomist says, and OLCI at T-24 to snag a seat near the front, if you don't already have one. Deplaning from row 44 could make things much too interesting.
Jul 13, 2012, 8:42 am
#1574
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
Jul 13, 2012, 8:45 am
#1575
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Southwest CT
Programs: DL Diamond and Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 7,618
