I hope to be flying from Seattle to Madrid in February 2027, preferably on Delta. My best connection options seem to be either Atlanta or Amsterdam. The layovers are both 4 hours which seem workable. I'm not checking a bag. I'm leaning towards Atlanta because the flight times are easier and both flights are on Delta (AMS switches to KLM.) I've flown thru AMS a few times with good results, but I'm unfamiliar with Atlanta. Any thoughts on favoring one over the other?
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
17454 posts
Well, my first thought is winter - Atlanta - 😬. If there is any ice or snow there will be major issues. I’m guessing there is just one flight to Madrid per day on Delta?
My other thought with the KLM leg from Amsterdam is that you will need to meet the KLM size and weight restriction for carry on bags. The weight restriction is 26.5# for your suitcase and personal item. I’m also guessing there are multiple flights per day from AMS to Madrid. I would not be as concerned about weather in Amsterdam HOWEVER if one of the Dutch folks says different, listen to them!
I fly from the Spokane airport and just got back on Saturday from a flight that was Edinburgh->AMS->SEA->Spokane. I was quite worried about my bags making the weight limit as I had more coming back than going out. However noone at the gate batted an eye and I managed the bag down the 2 flights of stairs tothe tarmac in Edinburgh and up the plane steps.
BTW, I am a Delta flyer.
The sunshine in Spain in February will be welcome!
Posted by
Charleston & Birmingham
5426 posts
The Plane Train at ATL makes connections there much easier than connections in many other airports. I have never connected in Amsterdam.
Posted by
343 posts
I fly out of Atlanta all the time. The airport is easy to transfer through with the plane train but I am with Pam I would be nervous about the weather in February as you never know. This past winter my parents were supposed to fly to Florida to get on a cruise and a winter storm was threatening. They ended up cancelling their flight and leaving 2 days early to miss it and drove to Ft. Lauderdale. I like Amsterdam even though it can be a lot of walking.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
4305 posts
I'd choose Amsterdam over Atlanta for the main reason stated already, that there is likely more than one Madrid flight daily if anything goes awry on your connection. As noted you'll need to meet the KLM carry on requirements. Four hour layover at either is probably sufficient on the way. However, Atlanta is my nemesis airport due to missed connections more than once returning home from Europe. Are your layover times on return similar?
Posted by
Bend, OR
2250 posts
I would connect thru Amsterdam because once you’re in Europe there always seems to be more options if there’s any problems.
Posted by
California
793 posts
margie beat me to it, those are my exact thoughts. Once in AMS, you'll have more options in case you can't make your flight. And you are so much closer.
I've flown enough through Atlanta that I can close my eyes and do my connection in my mind. But I would still pick AMS.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
429 posts
We’re Delta, carry-on flyers out of Seattle, and Amsterdam (AMS) is our go-to connecting airport in Europe. We did that SEA/AMS/MAD flight February 2024. I would choose that flight over Atlanta (or another US airport) for one reason - flexibility in the event your flight from Seattle is seriously delayed. KLM has 2 later flights to Madrid and Delta has just the one flight a day from Atlanta to Madrid.
Our transfer to KLM was seamless. We’re light packers and we weigh our bags at home to make sure we’re in compliance, so our carry-on luggage wasn’t an issue. But I can see that the KLM baggage weight restriction of 26.5# combined carry-on and personal item might be an issue for some.
Madrid in February was a wonderful antidote to Seattle’s “Big Dark.” We’re currently planning a return for February 2028.