Layover in Atlanta - 45min (RDU - ATL - GIG)

No, 45 minutes is not an adequate cushion. ATL is one of the busiest airports in the world. I assume you need some extra time to accommodate your support animal too, so this is not only for the sake of your comfort. If the flight leaves RDU just a bit late or arrives a bit late to ATL, then you'll be scrambling. It's not uncommon to arrive a half hour (or even close to an hour) late, even on short flights.

Call Delta, tell them that you do not accept the flight change, and have an alternate flight itinerary with flight numbers before you so that you can request to be assigned your alternate choice. You may have to settle for a long(er) layover, depending on the frequency of flights to Brazil, but that's better than rushing at breakneck speed, not having enough time to give your animal a relief/food break, or missing the second leg altogether.

I have connected in Atlanta on many overseas flights. I totally agree with the post above. 45 minutes is most definitely not adequate time to connect in Atlanta for a flight to Brazil. Very likely you will arrive in one of Delta's normal domestic terminals then need to take the inter-terminal train to either Terminal E or F for your international departure. It doesn't take that long to get to another terminal, but boarding starts early for international flights. I would definitely call Delta and insist upon an earlier flight from RDU to Atlanta.

Don't know what date you're flying, but I picked a random date in February and Delta has more than 10 non-stops RDU-ATL, and the ATL-GIG non-stop leaves late night. You've got lots of options--as Agnes said, have a plan of the flight number you would like, call in, tell them you aren't comfortable with the connection (which is just above ATL's D-I MCT of 40 minutes) and you shouldn't have a problem. If for some reason the first phone agent you get is having a bad day and won't cooperate, politely thank them, hang up and call back to get a different agent. If you aren't getting anywhere after a couple of calls, ask for a supervisor.

And, no, I wouldn't be comfortable with this connection either.

Thank you so much y’all! That is what I thought too when I received the email, that it was going to be such a tight schedule for me and my little one. I’m going to take everyone’s advice and going to be call then right now. Funny thing, I live in South Carolina about 2hrs from Atlanta. I’m leaving from RDU only because it was cheaper than to book straight from ATL. Now, that they changed the departure time from RDU I don’t wanna risk it. I already travel with my service dog because I have issues with flying, so can you imagine adding another thing to the mix?!

Thank you guys so much for the tips!! 😊

Do we have to go to another security check whenever we land in ATL to catch our next flight to Brazil?

ATL has a common airside area for all gates and domestic-domestic and domestic-international connections don't require going through TSA security theater again. (International-domestic and international-international connections require you go through full immigration and customs processing unless you're coming from one of the few international airports that handles such duties on foreign soil)

It is a very large airport, but it's got a logical layout and isn't too bad to get around there despite crowded domestic gate areas. They've also added more service animal relief areas in the past year of so- I've noticed the signs.

And yeah, 45 minutes is too short for me when the next flight to your destination in Brazil is probably not until the next day.

45 minutes is seriously tight at Atlanta. Granted you're going from a domestic flight to an international one, but unless Delta has swapped major equipment or the time has changed that much, they may not grant you a free swap.

Since you've already cleared TSA at RDU, all you have to worry about is any last minute check at the Atlanta airport. You could do that at the gate.

(Note - be prepared to power walk if this scenario holds)

I'd call Delta and tell them that you're not liking the new time. It may be within the time frame of free swaps/refunds.

I would most definitely contact Delta to get an earlier RDU-ATL flight.

Looks like most RDU-ATL flight go to the Term 2, C gates. How far is that to the International terminal?

Been a long time since I was at ATL , and only for domestic flights so do not know what the distances are. My recollection is that its a BIG airport

Hi Joes. We will be departuring from Gate F to Brazil.