sludick

I live in Florida and used to take Delta from Florida to Texas on a fairly regular basis. Often the flight came in on A and the next flight left from E (international). I learned that an hour was barely enough time to make that connection, and did miss my flight more than once. Even if the flight into Atlanta is on time, it may not be able to come to the gate and be held on the tarmac for a time waiting for an opening.

In spite of that, travel connection schedules on Delta (and Air Tran) regularly appeared with only a 20-minute window. My plan now is to just avoid Atlanta (bracing for criticism here).

Of course, as the saying goes around here - when you die, no matter whether you are bound for Heaven or Hell, you still have to pass through Atlanta...

nytraveler

I n many countries it is possible to stay airslide and never go through immigration. The US does not follow this procedure. You will be required to go through Immigration - and esp for non US citizens this can be time-consuming.

suze

I liked the Atlanta airport fine last time I used it. It was the best route between Seattle to Jamaica for me last summer. And 1hr and 45 mins would have been plenty for my connection.

My concern for this particular poster is assuming immigrations, customs, even a possible baggage claim and recheck could/would be necessary, THAT is why I think it's awful short.

MonicaRichards

Wow, that's crazy they make you go through customs. My experience is obviously traveling to other countries from the US and I've never had to go through customs in a country that wasn't my final destination. Why does the US make them do it if they're only here for an hour and 45 minutes? Seems like a lot more trouble than it's worth. Just keep them behind security and in the airport like everyone else does!

Kay2

MG_SE4,
1.5 hours should be enough for an international-domestic connection at ATL on a normal day.
Just follow the usual suggestions:
A seat forward closer to the door rather than in the back of the plane.
Visit the lavatory before plane lands, have your customs form filled in, and your liquids etc. ready for security check.
Walk directly to immigration and get in the visitor line.
Walk downstairs, retrieve your luggage, walk through customs and recheck your bag at the desks on the right.
Proceed through security, taking off your shoes and jacket, removing laptop, and placing 1 qt liquids bag on top.
Check the board for your departure gate.
Go down the escalator and ride the train to your departure concourse, ride up the escalator and find your gate.

It's nice to arm yourself with information so you don't feel panic if something goes wrong. Have a list of the later DL flight numbers/times to your destination for reference.

If you incoming flight is delayed and you arrive late, missing your flight, you can go up the escalator after security in E concourse (rather than going down to the train) and there is a DL customer service desk by the information desk. They can help you rebook. I think there may also be telephones there to speak to an agent if the ones at the desk are busy.

clarkgriswold

Don't panic. If you had 3 hours between flights, your first flight could be delayed 2 hours and you'd still be in trouble. Just know your options. For instance, if your current first flight is delayed so as to make your connection time in Atlanta "illegal", they are not supposed to put you on the flight and strand you in Atlanta. New arrangements should be made to get you from London to Monterrey, even if they have to "protect" you on another airline. Have a copy of the Delta Contract of Carriage with you and know your rights.

clarkgriswold

Minimum legal connection time for Intl to Intl in Atlanta is 90 minutes. This means that if you get to LHR and your first flight is showing 20 minutes or more delay, the Delta agent at LHR should get to work making other arrangements for you. Hopefully it will just mean that they leave you on the flight to Atlanta and re-book you on a later flight from Atlanta to Monterrey. But you don't want to wait until you get to Atlanta to demand action.

If the Delta gate agent at LHR is clueless, do it over the phone with Delta. Tell them that they've now got you on an illegal connection and you want it fixed.

Not to get too complicated, but sometimes it helps to have a printout with you of what later options might be available that day (even on other airlines). When the Delta agent tells you there are no other options, you then have some back-up options to suggest (demand) to them.

When dealing with airlines, only the squeaky wheel gets the grease! Remember, the agent at LHR would much rather tell you "oh I think you'll be fine" and be rid of you, leaving the problem for someone in Atlanta to fix. But by the time you are in Atlanta, all seats on a later flight may be gone.

I'm not trying to scare you or to confuse you, but they have tried to illegally screw me over so many times that I have the direct phone numbers to the assistant-to-the-president at two different airlines.