ATL stopover

I'm assuming you aren't checked through from Raleigh to London? If not, you most likely would be fine with 2 hours but I would play it safe and catch the earlier flight. I'm there all the time (leaving in the morning) and it's so random as to when it's busy or not. It has taken me over an hour to get my bags from baggage claim even if the airport is dead. Other times it's been Thanksgiving busy and my bag is there before I am. Leave extra time on your return flight too as you have to go through security twice and customs lines can take an hour too. The good news is Concourse E is a great place to grab a cocktail or coffee and people watch so time will pass by quicker than you think.

The two-hour window is probably fine. The transportation between terminals is a quick ride by underground train.

Backing up a step: You should not have to collect your bags and recheck in ATL. When you check it at Raleigh you should be able to have your bags checked all the way to Madrid.

Re: Checked through to Madrid: Even though I'm flying on two different airlines made by two different bookings? I went ahead and booked the earlier departure from Raleigh. I suppose I'm a bit paranoid about being late for my international flight, and I know my husband enjoys visiting airports.

So with 2 separate bookings and 2 separate tickets, I believe that you will have to claim your bags. With that being the case, you'll have to go to the front of the airport, get your bags, check in there at the front of the airport. Then you'll have to go through security, which might be short, or it might take a while. You'll go down to the transportation hallway and take the train to the last terminal. I think you were smart to book the earlier flight. You'd be hard pressed to do all of that in 2 hours (less than that when you factor in that they'll start loading the plane around 8:45). There's a lot of variables in there, depends on the lines for check-in and security. You may also want to contact BA and see when they will have someone at the desk. With the international airlines, there's usually only one flight at day, so the desks are only open about 3-4 hours before the flight.

Sorry Nancy, but I'm somewhat of an expert here. 2 hours is fine if you are just transfering, but it sounds like she isn't as she is flying Delta to ATL and flying BA to London. They aren't codeshare partners. Too bad as I got Platinum status this year! Some airlines have agreements but unless the rules changed recently, no easy transfers. It's also a rule that you have to be at the airport 2 hours prior to an international flight and it's enforced in Atlanta quite a bit. That means you have to have your bags in hand and through the check-in line. My mom did it a few months ago flying from out of state and meeting me at the terminal and it took her over an hour to get her bags and get through check-in. I've seen people crying in the international flights counter because they won't let them go through. Other times I've seen Delta employees personally escort people through in order to make it (love those people). If you don't have to stress out, I wouldn't risk it. Again, it's possible, I just wouldn't. Have a blast in London! I love that place. Edit: Have a blast in Madrid not London! Love that place too.