First time indirect (via Atlanta) have we made a mistake?

[andybonny]

Hi,

We're hearing lots of bad stories about flying indirect via Atlanta.

We arrive at Atlanta at 13:57 and our connecting flight is at 16:00 in mid October this year.

How many of you have successfully made a connection at Atlanta? What happens if we miss the connection? Is the Airport easy to get around?

We need either some reassurance that we've booked the right thing or advice if many of you think its a bad idea.

Any tips for a mature family of 5?

Thanks,

Andy

[cornishfrogboy]

We like Atlanta and have never had problems. The train that travels very frequently between the terminals make it all very easy.
If you miss a connection, then they put you on a later flight.
I would certainly use Atlanta at any time to complete customs and immigration. It works (in our experience), much better than MCO.

[happytraveller]

I love Atlanta and would have happily changed there again this year but got cheaper directs. We had just under two hours to change in 2015 and got through with an hour to spare. As soon as you clear immigration, staff are on hand to direct you and take your cases. I would not hesitate to change there again. You'll be fine

[molly48]

I wouldn't had a nightmare coming back that way. Flight delayed from mco when we got to Atlanta told we would be put on a flight to New York but missed that as well. Ended up going to Paris and by the time we got to Paris they had lost our luggage. Got it back 3 days later and it had been to New York on the flight we had supposedly missed. The staff are the most rude and unhelpful i have ever come across. Took us 26 hours to get home 😞

[redredshopper]

Which way is the 2hoursif it's going home that's plenty of time.

We went August so peak time we had a 1 hr 45 min layover and we did everything in less than an hour. I was panicking initially but it helped that we had previous Estes.

There are lots of threads on going through Atlanta one is very good as someone goes through the process in detail.

[mseagle]

Changed at Atlanta 3 times and never had a problem. 2 hours is tight but definitely doable, particularly the time of year you are all travelling. Sure you will be fine - enjoy your trip !

[fuelman]

We are also going via Atlanta in September and as already been said if you miss your flight they put you on the next one. Flights to MCO are every hour or so.

[duchy]

Atlanta is probably one of the best indirect routes IMO
Delays can happen on any flight direct or indirect (Just look at some of the Thomson and Thomas Cook delayed flight threads). Delta's service recovery in these situations at Atlanta is great as there's always another flight to get you moving again.

[BevS97]

We found Atlanta very easy when we flew through there 3 years ago. I'd go that way again happily.

[deeley]

Very smooth airport, you'll be fine I'm sure especially if flying delta as we were, because it's their hub and so they have loads of other flights if needed as back up