Minimum Connection Transfer Time at Atlanta (ATL): The Definitive Thread - FlyerTalk Forums (2024)
Originally Posted by WillBarrett_68
A 40 minute connection in ATL is not "aspirational" - it's completely normal. If "50%" of 40 minute connections were resulting in misconnect, they would be changing the MCT.
I book 35-40 minute connections in ATL all the time, and the last time I misconnected was 2015 - and in that case it was a WX irop, and my original connection was over an hour.
The idea that these are insanely dangerous connections is simply ridiculous. Delta has no interest in booking unrealistic connections, as this is effectively spoiling their perishable inventory. MCTs are set with this in mind.
1) their flight arrival time isnt realistic. This route averages over 2 hours and 30 minutes and its scheduled duration is 2 hours 15 minutes Its 2 hours just in the air. Only about 10% of their flights take 2.25 hours or less. In this case, the original connection time was cut by 50% by a post hoc schedule change. After the initial schedule change the layover was below the MCT which would have meant an automatic refund. But then Delta decided to shave 10 minutes off the scheduled flight time and the MCT was legal. Totally legit!
2) even if the arrival flight goes *perfectly* (which never happens with pandemic-era Delta in our experience), they will have at most 20-25 minutes to deplane, walk through B or C concourse to the plane train, wait for the plane train, board the plain train, ride the plane train to the international concourse, and then walk from the plane train to their gate.
3) and even then they have to *hope* Delta hasnt already given their seats to Standby passengers. Or that the gate hasnt been closed. This is an international flight and they are typically in a rush to get those away ASAP. Delta typically closes the gate at least 15-20 minutes before scheduled departure time for international flights. The average gate departure time for the connecting flight is 8-10 minutes before scheduled departure time. Which means the gate closes 20 minutes before scheduled departure.
4) and that is the best case scenario, assuming not a minute is wasted at any point with perfect ground and air conditions. No delays in loading baggage, no mechanical issues, flight crew ready to go, etc.
5) airlines dont care if you make your connection, they just want your money. If you have to fly standby 2 days later, theyre okay with that. They already have your money. Theyve pulled this on us beforechanged the connection time to something utterly unrealistic (40 minutes in DTW over the winter holidays with an arrival from MSP) and then just booked us on the next days flight rather than hold the connecting flight to a regional airport 10 minutes. We managed to get booked at a flight later that day for an airport 50 miles from the original destination but we were fortunate to have that option. (Of course our bags never made that flight despite the fact they had 8 hours to load them). Others were being told by Delta theyd have to sleep in the airport because they missed their connections. See also point (1) above.
6) I think expecting Delta to do everything perfectly counts as aspirational. You really disagree with that?
If your inbound flight is on a widebody, then the minimum connection time is 45 minutes for a domestic-domestic connection. Exceptions: The minimum domestic-YYC connection time is 45 minutes. The minimum domestic-HAV connection time is 55 minutes.
An hour and a half is more than enough time for a layover! 1:30 is good for domestic flights at ATL but for international connections, I go for two hours, minimum. Missed connections are big trouble, and an extra 30 min or so of emails / lounge relaxation is not a huge burden.
...., Two hours is just about perfect. You have plenty of time with an on time arrival, and you could absorb a one hour delay and still make it. There's also the fact that Delta is the king of the skies when it comes to on time reliability.
If you are on time and if they get you right to a gate and you are in the front of the plane to get off quickly and if your gates are close to each other and they are in the same terminal so you don't have to clear security, it's possible.
3. Delta will rebook you on the next available flight. If you experience a delay, cancellation or other operational disruptions, Delta will automatically attempt to rebook you on the next available flight. The airline will also make every reasonable effort to reroute your checked baggage on the same flight.
Less than 60 minutes is always risky. Everything in your flight should go flawless for it to be enough but that's rarely the case. It depends a lot on the airline you're flying and also the airports you're flying to/from. If it's an international flight then give yourself at least 2 hours (and that's already tight).
In most cases, US airlines will put you on the next available flight for free. (Even some ultra-low-cost carriers, like Spirit and Allegiant, will rebook you on the next flight for free if the missed connection is due to a flight delay.)
Domestic to domestic or domestic to international connecting passengers do not have to clear security again. However, any international-to-domestic or international-to-international connecting passengers will need to clear security again.
An hour is tight for a domestic connection - for an international departure they will have started boarding already before you even deplane from SAN. We always recommend at least 2 hours for any connection involving an international flight at ATL.
This underground automated people mover runs 24/7, approximately every two minutes, and connects all concourses with the Domestic and International Terminals. The complete end-to-end journey takes less than 5 minutes, making it an efficient airport transport mode.
The recommended layover time for international flights is generally longer, as you will have to go through customs and immigration before boarding your next flight. In most cases, a 30-minute layover for domestic flights and an hour for international flights is considered a minimum, or short, layover.
Layovers of just 30 minutes can be feasible for domestic flights, especially at small airports where the next flight might be just one gate over. But international layovers are typically far more complicated, and even two hours can be insufficient.
Delta: 30-minute minimum connection time. Southwest: At least 30 minutes if you have checked bags. United: 30-minute minimum for domestic, 60 minutes for international.
Flight Time Requirements: Minimum of 1,500 hours of total documented flight time. Minimum of 1,000 hours of fixed wing turbine time is preferred (airplane and powered lift combined).
For most airports, you must be checked in at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time (airports requiring additional time are listed below, Go to footer note).
Minimum Connect Time (MCT) refers to the shortest allowable time required for a passenger and baggage to make a connecting flight at an airport. It's a buffer time that airlines set to ensure passengers have enough time to disembark one flight, navigate through the airport, and board their connecting flight.
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