Indirect via Atlanta - how long would you need?

twogoto · 20 Sep 19, 11:04 AM

Looking at our options if TC falls through, though hoping it doesn't!

One option would be an indirect Virgin flight via Atlanta.

There are different options with anywhere from 1 to 5 hours in Atlanta airport. How long would we likely need?

No idea of the scale of this airport but I think it's quite a busy one for connecting flights? Anyone experienced immigration here?

Mrs Red C · 20 Sep 19, 11:24 AM

As long as possible imo!
We flew Aug with Virgin, had a 2 hr 55 min layover, reasonable we thought. Got to gate 15 mins before boarding started.
Our V plane had been delayed so Atlanta Immigration was heaving and they were so slow, took 1 hr 30mins to get through, then recheck luggage, then security...
We'd been before but think we were unlucky this time.

twogoto · 20 Sep 19, 11:27 AM

Thank you. Do you have to recheck luggage if you are travelling on one ticket? (i.e. because you are clearing immigration there?) Only other indirect we've done was via Dublin, but pretty sure we dropped bags in NCL and didn't see them again 'til Orlando.

sprocket · 20 Sep 19, 11:30 AM

ATL is huge. We have done it from Dublin to MCO so had already pre cleared immigration and 2 hours was tight, you can do it in less but why stress yourself on holiday.
Going from the UK, I would personally allow 3-4 hours, you can then relax and eat and arrive in MCO fresh.

**Taffy1959** · 20 Sep 19, 11:32 AM

I would say a minimum of 3 hours.
We had a 2 hour layover in Atlanta 2 years ago immigration was heaving and only 3 officers on the section we were sent to.
We got to our gate just as they closed the door on our connecting flight.
We just managed to get on the last flight to Orlando that night.

twogoto · 20 Sep 19, 11:34 AM

Thanks everyone, hopefully it doesn't come to it but good to know if we need to go down this route.

**Taffy1959** · 20 Sep 19, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by twogoto

Thank you. Do you have to recheck luggage if you are travelling on one ticket? (i.e. because you are clearing immigration there?) Only other indirect we've done was via Dublin, but pretty sure we dropped bags in NCL and didn't see them again 'til Orlando.

We picked ours up and they took them off us a few yards further on and they got to Orlando before we did

sprocket · 20 Sep 19, 12:19 PM

Ekkk, i only just realized you go in 5 days, last thing you want.

Originally Posted by twogoto

Thanks everyone, hopefully it doesn't come to it but good to know if we need to go down this route.

twogoto · 20 Sep 19, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by sprocket

Ekkk, i only just realized you go in 5 days, last thing you want.

Yes, just our luck lol. Our options seem fairly limited in terms of alternative travel that isn't priced through the roof, but after 3 yrs of waiting to go back we don't want to not go at all having got this close!