I am looking at two tickets with what I consider extremely short layovers. One is a 55 minute layover in Atlanta on a Friday at around 6pm. I would be flying into Atlanta on Delta and changing to Air France to Paris.

The other one is a 1.12 hour layover in Cinncinati on a Friday around 6pm. Same situation, flying in on Delta, changing to Air France to Paris.

I have never had a layover this short so I am very skeptical. Also, have never flown out of the US on a Friday at 6pm. If I take this, I am just setting myself up to miss the flight to Paris? I am not a flight guru - LOL!

Hi crepes,

The 55 min layover is a little short. You will make your connection. I'm not sure about your luggage.

Don't do either for an international flight. The Atlanta airport is spread out and the international concourse is bound to be far. I'm not sure how large the Cincy airport. We were to change in Philadelphia one time with an hour's layover. Our flight was delayed leaving due to mechanical problems, was further delayed by something on the Phil. runway. We were over an hour late arriving. They did meet us at the jetway with a cart to take us to the international gate. ONLY because our departing flight also had mechanical problems did we make the connection--and meet our children on the plane coming from a different connection. It was NOT a stress-free way to begin a trip.

Are you familiar with the Atlanta and/or Cincinnati airports? If not, here is a basic config. for each from Delta's website:

http://www.delta.com/travel/maps_gui.../map/index.jsp

http://www.delta.com/travel/maps_gui.../map/index.jsp

If the flights you are considering are your only "reasonable" options, I would try my best to not have checked luggage.

Good luck and best wishes.

Hi again crepes -

Another thought - have you asked this question on the Airlines forum? Also you could try flyertalk.com - they seem to know everything over there.

I'd choose Cincinnati, as it's a smaller airport and you have more transit time to start with. Unless it's still winter time, and there's snow storm at CVG. The only downside at CVG is that if you're flying in on a regional jet, then you'll need to take shuttle bus to the main terminal.

Atlanta is huge and it's a LONG walk from one terminal to another.

I'd definitely choose Cincinnati. That kind of time change in Cincinnati wouldn't bother me at all, that's a very small airport. Atlanta is huge, of course, so I wouldn't do that if you have a choice. Atlanta is one of the busiest airports in the US. Of course, nothing will work if the first flight is delayed considerably, and that might depend more on where you are coming from and that airport and traffic, which I don't think you've said.

I'll admit I've gone through Cincinnati sev. times with no problem, but I have never had that short a time for an international flight, either, but I've never flown out of anywhere but Dulles or JFK for an international flight.

I have made both of those layovers with no problem. There is no way to "budget" for things like weather and/or mechanical problems. I have been delayed by up to 6 hours for these type of things. However, in every case DL has rebooked me on the next flight.

That said I would do Cinn. Friday evening in the Atlanta airport is a mob scene and a zoo!

As for your luggage. My luggage has made LOTS of planes I missed. Luggage goes a much more direct route then you do.

Why are you walking from one terminal to the other in Atlanta? That is what the train is for. I have done this and I promise that unless you are a world class sprinter WAIT on the train.

Thanks everybody. I am flying out of New Orleans (MSY) so there should never be a weather delay. Also, this flight is the last weekend of April, another plus weather wise.

I hate Atlanta airport, but this is an Air France flight for a super cheap price, and I LOVE Air France. However, from posts I've read here in the past, I may be the only one who loves AF!

The Cincy flight arrives at CVG 5.56pm and departs for Paris at 6.55p, so there is actually 59 minutes. I am hoping that since I am flying in on Delta who partners with AF on which I am departing that maybe the arrival and departure points will be near one another. I will take Rookie's advice above and try to find out by going directly to the CVG site.

Hopefully, after I get through messing about with scrutinizing this to death, the fare will still be available. Thanks again. Or merci encore!

Hi crepes,

You may already know this, but if not, on Delta's website (home page) plug in your flights and get the details including "scheduled" departure & arrival gates. Obviously there's no guarantee, but who knows - you may get lucky.

Good luck.

Hi crepes...another from NO here. I would vote for Cincy, because the airport is smaller, but I take the flight from here the Cincy often, and it is on a miserably small plane. I think you could make either connection, so I would go with whichever is cheaper!

Anne