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IAH to Rome - layovers

Found some great airfare from IAH to FCO in October. We have three choices to consider
Delta - IAH-Rome with a connection in ATL with only a one hour layover (looks like IAH to ATL arrives Terminal B and leaves ATL to FC from Terminal F) Arrive FCO 8:50

Air France - IAH-Rome IAH-CDG with a one-hour connection at CDG (just did this in May and ug - barely made it ) but at least already in the EU
Know the drill here for changing terminals Arrive FCO 11:20

KLM - IAH to Amsterdam with a 2:20 layover at Schipol then a connection to Rome getting in at 11:50

The next one is the IAH Delta through Atlanta arrive FCO at 8:50 but has a 5 hr, lay over - ug

Never transferred internationally through ATL before - thoughts?

Posted by
8966 posts

JR, ATL can be a heartbreaker, when you find out your next flight is at another terminal and a long sprint away. We've missed flights twice because of that. Note that your international flight might already be boarding at the time you get off your plane. I wouldn't choose it, but you could get lucky.

Posted by
8164 posts

I think I'd do the longer leg direct flight to Europe and go through CDG since KLM/Air France (they are the same company) has 5 flights to Rome a day. I would not want to layover 5 hours or stay overnight in Atlanta if I missed the flight.
If you miss the connecting flight due to the first flight arriving late KLM/Air France will just put you on the next flight with space available. There are 4 direct flights leaving on KLM/Air France if you miss the one at 9:05am.

Posted by
1081 posts

I have found Atlanta to be easy to transit in, in fact I would much rather transfer in ATL than CDG or AMS. You basically go downstairs to the tram and go straight to the next terminal and then go up the stairs. I try to get at least a 2-3 hrs lay over when I travel so I can build in a buffer so if my plane is even an hour late leaving I can still make my next connection.

Posted by
2784 posts

Atlanta is much easier than CDG but if you miss your flight, you generally have to wait until next day. It happened to my daughter when she was going to Madrid to start a study abroad program. Delta put her up in a hotel but still not the best way to start the semester.

Posted by
1191 posts

Think we will go with the AF/KLM route. Thanks!