We'll be flying into ATL from Venice next June, with a 4 hour layover. Is that sufficient time to collect our checked bags, go through Customs/Immigration, recheck our bags, and get to our gate?
We've never flown into ATL, but I hear it's a busy place...
Yes -- more than enough.
ATL is our "home" airport and is a busy place. But is very well laid out and organized. It has a subway system between the international terminal and the domestic terminals and gates, so 4 hours should be plenty of time.
Thank you. Once I clear customs/immigration, where do I head to recheck my bags and catch the train to my concourse?
You will see where to go to re-check your bags. ATL is very easy; the underground train will get you to the terminal you need to go.
4 hours should be fine. Immigration lines can be long so I’m glad you have that time.
The place to re-check your bags is right after the checkpoint.
You will have to go through security prior to you connecting gate.
Frank, is that after we collect our bags and clear passport control?
Doogie, You'll clear passport control first. Then collect bags. You'll really only have to carry then maybe a couple hundred feet before a dedicated re-check/dropoff area. Then security. Then on to the concourses and gates.
You'll probably have time to grab a quick meal before your connecting flight.
Atlanta Airport has some restaurants and food booths that are very satisfying--after time abroad.
The above comments all are predicated on your flights being on one ticket.
If that is not the case then things will be different.( i.e., more time consuming)
Atlanta airport is one of the best airports to make a connection.
There is the "plane train" that runs quickly between each terminal, which is behind the security.
Coming in from Europe, you still have to go through customs and immigration as well as a short security check, but we find that it runs rather quickly.
I went through Atlanta last week, from Madrid, very efficient, off the plane, immigration was easy, we were through in less than five to ten minutes, ironically, we were through faster than the Global Entry people, looked like lots of people who never used the kiosks and the line backed up, many went over to the "lower class" immigration line to get through. Checked bags did seem to take a little longer than usual, but dropped the bag at recheck, through security (just put stuff through the x-ray, they use the old style portals, not the body scanners, so no removing shoes), and out into Concourse E. We were early landing, so were into the concourse about our scheduled landing time.
Atlanta may be one of the busiest airports in the world, but you would never know it, very efficiently laid out, since it is mostly Delta, they can schedule flights so that 20 flights do not hit immigration at the same time, would pick Atlanta over JFK, Newark, LAX, ORD, and others any day of the week.
Thank you all for all your help and insights. This is also all on one ticket.
Doogie, 4 hours will be ample. Last week we arrived at ATL from AMS and were at our connecting gate in about 30-45 minutes after immigration & security (we did not check bags). As others said, the plane train is a lifesaver! It was our first time connecting through ATL and looking at future flights we'd favor ATL again since it was so easy.
This is all great information. From what I can tell, I will just have to follow the signs.
