Question about Air Tran layover in Atlanta
 

I am looking at flight options for my sister and 4 year old niece to come and visit me over the summer. She would be flying from St. Louis to Raleigh (we live in Charlotte but flights to Raleigh are considerably less expensive). The best price I found was for an Air Tran flight with a 50 minute layover in Atlanta. I'm just trying to figure out if this is enough time to make her connection. This flight has the best flight times overall, and as I mentioned above its much cheaper. I know from experience that Atlanta's airport is large and busy. Are all Air Tran flights located in the same concourse?

thanks!
Tracy

Tracy, call the airline. I don't think 50 minutes is going to cut it because it is such a huge airport. I think the airlines have a 60 minute minimum between flights out of ATL.

Starrsville would know or OWJ.

I believe all Air Tran flights arrive and depart from one concourse only so unless there would be an unforeseen delay (which could happen anytime, anyplace) you should be able to make it. Pick 'em up and put 'em down getting from one gate to the other, though. GoTravel gave good advice about calling the airline first.

tcreath, the airlines will tell you they won't book you unless it is a legal connection............but,,,,,,,,,I've missed em before.

With all AirTran flights being in the same terminal, your relatives should be fine with a 50 min connection.

I had an Air Tran connection about that length this past fall in the same airport and although it was tight, we made it. There were six of us and two needed wheelchair assistance.

It's doable, but you might want to see what other flights are available that day in case the incoming flight is delayed and the connection is missed.

Fifty minutes is enought time, barring any unsual weather, mechanical, etc. delays. Insiders are saying (and I don't bring this up to alarm you) that this summer's travel is going to be the highest since the summer of 2000, which means there are going to be LOTS of problems.

I fly air tran a lot and haven't had many problems with connections. I've seen them hold planes so connections can be made (maddening if you're already on the plane and have to wait for the delay). They use one terminal in Atlanta and usually have attendents when you deplane to guide you to the connection. The worst "problem" we've experienced is overbooking. We were happy to take a bump for a later flight and 2 round trip tickets apiece on more than one occasion.

I would just add, be sure that their flight out of ATL is not the last flight of the day/night going into Raleigh. Other than that, they should be fine.

Thank you all for your help! Their flight would be a 10:30 am flight out of St. Louis, arriving in Atlanta at 1:05 and leaving at 1:55. My sister doesn't fly too often, and my little niece has never flown before. It sounds like they should be okay though. There are several other flights that day between Atlanta and Raleigh, so at least they should have some options should something happen.

Thanks everyone!
Tracy