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
Mar 28, 2022, 3:56 pm
#2896
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Now in SLC
Programs: DL GM 1MM, MR LT Titanium
Posts: 4,119
Funnily enough, I'm flying out Wed 30th and my routing is
Thanks
- EDI-AMS
- 2h 45m
- AMS-BOS
- 2h 25m
- BOS-MCO
Thanks
At BOS, you'll arrive at terminal E and depart from terminal A due to that airport's unique setup. You can either take a well-signed 10 minute walk through a parking garage or take a shuttle bus around the airport to switch terminals. Either way, you'll then have to go through security at Terminal A.
Last edited by LoganFlyer; Mar 28, 2022 at 5:03 pm
Mar 28, 2022, 3:58 pm
#2897
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Marriott LTT, DL FO
Posts: 185
I was FC from MCO-ATL-LAS
Gate Landed: T4 (ATL)
Gate Departure: F1 (ATL)
35 minute connection
No Delta porsche, Walked down to the train and then made my walk to F1 and upon arrival they were doing the "Everybody/Final boarding" and that was with just a brisk walk.
Has someone managed to go T1-F1? Longest possible connection walk no?
Gate Landed: T4 (ATL)
Gate Departure: F1 (ATL)
35 minute connection
No Delta porsche, Walked down to the train and then made my walk to F1 and upon arrival they were doing the "Everybody/Final boarding" and that was with just a brisk walk.
Has someone managed to go T1-F1? Longest possible connection walk no?
Mar 31, 2022, 4:29 am
#2898
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 99
Hi,
Flying DUB-ATL-LAS in a couple of weeks. Since DUB does US Preclearance, does this mean we land in ATL like a domestic flight and we can head to the LAS departure gate without any security checks/passport control? Apologies if I'm not making sense, this is my first time flying ex-DUB.
Thanks.
Flying DUB-ATL-LAS in a couple of weeks. Since DUB does US Preclearance, does this mean we land in ATL like a domestic flight and we can head to the LAS departure gate without any security checks/passport control? Apologies if I'm not making sense, this is my first time flying ex-DUB.
Thanks.
Mar 31, 2022, 4:37 am
#2899
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,052
At BOS, you'll arrive at terminal E and depart from terminal A due to that airport's unique setup. You can either take a well-signed 10 minute walk through a parking garage or take a shuttle bus around the airport to switch terminals. Either way, you'll then have to go through security at Terminal A.
At BOS, you'll arrive at terminal E and depart from terminal A due to that airport's unique setup. You can either take a well-signed 10 minute walk through a parking garage or take a shuttle bus around the airport to switch terminals. Either way, you'll then have to go through security at Terminal A.
Hi,
Flying DUB-ATL-LAS in a couple of weeks. Since DUB does US Preclearance, does this mean we land in ATL like a domestic flight and we can head to the LAS departure gate without any security checks/passport control? Apologies if I'm not making sense, this is my first time flying ex-DUB.
Thanks.
Flying DUB-ATL-LAS in a couple of weeks. Since DUB does US Preclearance, does this mean we land in ATL like a domestic flight and we can head to the LAS departure gate without any security checks/passport control? Apologies if I'm not making sense, this is my first time flying ex-DUB.
Thanks.
Mar 31, 2022, 8:29 am
#2901
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Now in SLC
Programs: DL GM 1MM, MR LT Titanium
Posts: 4,119
Mar 31, 2022, 12:01 pm
#2902
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 223
MCT international to domestic is 1h30. Two hours is probably fine, especially if you have Global Entry.
May 23, 2022, 5:02 pm
#2903
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SEMM / HH Diamond
Posts: 3,168
Looking for some guidance on behalf of my brother (who's a very infrequent flyer).
He's looking to fly from Europe to ORF in late July. (He's already got the ticket on DL, but there's been a sched change which breaks his plans, so I'm trying to help him find the best alternative to request).
I think his best option is CDG-ATL (on AF) and then ATL-ORF (on DL). Assuming we can convince DL to put him on the AF TATL, then my question is about the connection time in ATL. There appear to be ATL-ORF flights every ~90 minutes, so he's got some options. There is a connection to ORF right on the MCT (1:25) ... but I worry that's tight for an infrequent traveler, especially as he'll have to go through US immigration in ATL (he's Canadian, not US) ... and of course there are always the risk of thunderstorms in ATL in July.
The next connection to ORF would give him a total connection time of just over 3 hours ... which would then be a ridiculously long connection time for me (an experienced traveler) but I'm thinking that might be a safer alternative to book for an inexperienced traveler, who's never even been to ATL before (so he will have to be exploring the plane train for the first time, etc, etc).
My hunch is that this summer will be a busy travel summer, meaning that flights will be full ... so if he did miss the 1:25 connection, it might be several flights later before he could get a seat ... and so booking the longer connection from the outset might be the safest option. But then again, maybe I'm underestimating how efficient ATL can be ... and I hate to make him sit around for a long connection in ATL if it's not needed.
Any thoughts or input on all this would be much appreciated.
He's looking to fly from Europe to ORF in late July. (He's already got the ticket on DL, but there's been a sched change which breaks his plans, so I'm trying to help him find the best alternative to request).
I think his best option is CDG-ATL (on AF) and then ATL-ORF (on DL). Assuming we can convince DL to put him on the AF TATL, then my question is about the connection time in ATL. There appear to be ATL-ORF flights every ~90 minutes, so he's got some options. There is a connection to ORF right on the MCT (1:25) ... but I worry that's tight for an infrequent traveler, especially as he'll have to go through US immigration in ATL (he's Canadian, not US) ... and of course there are always the risk of thunderstorms in ATL in July.
The next connection to ORF would give him a total connection time of just over 3 hours ... which would then be a ridiculously long connection time for me (an experienced traveler) but I'm thinking that might be a safer alternative to book for an inexperienced traveler, who's never even been to ATL before (so he will have to be exploring the plane train for the first time, etc, etc).
My hunch is that this summer will be a busy travel summer, meaning that flights will be full ... so if he did miss the 1:25 connection, it might be several flights later before he could get a seat ... and so booking the longer connection from the outset might be the safest option. But then again, maybe I'm underestimating how efficient ATL can be ... and I hate to make him sit around for a long connection in ATL if it's not needed.
Any thoughts or input on all this would be much appreciated.
May 23, 2022, 5:22 pm
#2904
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,269
Booking right on the MCT puts him at decent odds for a three minute schedule change tweak that would get him rebooked onto a later flight anyways. I’d go with the three hour option at this point so he at least can pick his own seat when there are more choices available
Jun 26, 2022, 6:16 pm
#2906
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Pacific Northwest (BA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Alaska MVP)
Posts: 187
Transfer in ATL from Domestic Arrival (1st PNR) to International Departure (2nd PNR)
Right now I have confirmed tickets on BA226 ATL-LHR on 17 Nov. BA226 departs at 9:45pm.
We were planning to fly from SEA-ATL on 17 Nov but the only direct flight arrives 6:49pm.
Right now, these will be 2 different PNRs, so bags will not be checked through.
So as it is right now, we have roughly 2+ hours to pick up bags at Alaska's baggage claim, then recheck them at BA's ticket counter and go back through security.
Trying to work out whether it is best to redo the BA PNR so that I include the Alaska flights. Can it be done in that amount of time?
I think it would be the wise choice to make it all a single PNR and have the bags transferred for us.
Would welcome your thoughts. Many thanks in advance.
We were planning to fly from SEA-ATL on 17 Nov but the only direct flight arrives 6:49pm.
Right now, these will be 2 different PNRs, so bags will not be checked through.
So as it is right now, we have roughly 2+ hours to pick up bags at Alaska's baggage claim, then recheck them at BA's ticket counter and go back through security.
Trying to work out whether it is best to redo the BA PNR so that I include the Alaska flights. Can it be done in that amount of time?
I think it would be the wise choice to make it all a single PNR and have the bags transferred for us.
Would welcome your thoughts. Many thanks in advance.
Last edited by Wanderer; Jun 26, 2022 at 9:41 pm
Jun 27, 2022, 2:09 am
#2907
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hotlanta.
Programs: I've gone underground!
Posts: 4,608
It’s do-able, but a pain in the neck. You’d be picking up bags from the domestic terminal and then taking a shuttle bus to international to check in. Alaska uses D gates, so it will take ~15-30 minutes to get to baggage claim once you get off the plane then another 15-30 minutes for the shuttle (it runs every 15 minutes and takes roughly 15 minutes).
In theory it would take you roughly 1-1.5 hrs to get off the plane, get your luggage, and get to the international terminal.
Any chance you could stick with carryon only?
In theory it would take you roughly 1-1.5 hrs to get off the plane, get your luggage, and get to the international terminal.
Any chance you could stick with carryon only?
Jun 27, 2022, 3:22 am
#2909
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Pacific Northwest (BA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Alaska MVP)
Posts: 187
emma dog -
Much appreciate info - we're headed to a 15 day cruise so not very likely carryon would suffice.
Looking now at either arriving a day early and staying in ATL Hilton, or alternately taking a much longer 2-flight option out of SEA that gets us to ATL a couple hours earlier.
Much appreciate info - we're headed to a 15 day cruise so not very likely carryon would suffice.
Looking now at either arriving a day early and staying in ATL Hilton, or alternately taking a much longer 2-flight option out of SEA that gets us to ATL a couple hours earlier.
Jun 27, 2022, 3:32 am
#2910
Join Date: May 2013
Location: RMS
Programs: DL Plat, UA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Credit Card Diamond
Posts: 8,789
Right now I have confirmed tickets on BA226 ATL-LHR on 17 Nov. BA226 departs at 9:45pm.
We were planning to fly from SEA-ATL on 17 Nov but the only direct flight arrives 6:49pm.
Right now, these will be 2 different PNRs, so bags will not be checked through.
So as it is right now, we have roughly 2+ hours to pick up bags at Alaska's baggage claim, then recheck them at BA's ticket counter and go back through security.
Trying to work out whether it is best to redo the BA PNR so that I include the Alaska flights. Can it be done in that amount of time?
I think it would be the wise choice to make it all a single PNR and have the bags transferred for us.
Would welcome your thoughts. Many thanks in advance.
We were planning to fly from SEA-ATL on 17 Nov but the only direct flight arrives 6:49pm.
Right now, these will be 2 different PNRs, so bags will not be checked through.
So as it is right now, we have roughly 2+ hours to pick up bags at Alaska's baggage claim, then recheck them at BA's ticket counter and go back through security.
Trying to work out whether it is best to redo the BA PNR so that I include the Alaska flights. Can it be done in that amount of time?
I think it would be the wise choice to make it all a single PNR and have the bags transferred for us.
Would welcome your thoughts. Many thanks in advance.
I'm not sure if you're wedded to OW, but SEA and ATL are both DL hubs and served by multiple flights per day. I see nonstops arriving at 1:50pm, 3:09pm, and 5:38pm on Nov 17. If AS won't check your bags through and you can't go carry-on only as emma dog suggested, I'd book one of those earlier Delta flights to give yourself more time to get to domestic baggage claim, on the shuttle, and checked in at the international terminal.