Need Advice on return from Rome on Delta and layovers

Actually, the change at AMS looks pretty good if it is at least 1 1/2 hours. All you will do is get off the incoming plane, pass through the Schengen exit gate and get your passport stamped, and go to your departing flight. That should only take at most 30 minutes. If you are getting close to your flight departure time, you can ask to get moved up in the line.

If your flight isn’t happening very soon I would select the cheaper option. And my reasoning is that Delta changes flights frequently, so you may end up with the Atlanta connection anyway.

I would select Amsterdam connections ahead of needing to go through CDG.

Just flew Delta roundtrip to Europe from Seattle with connecting flights on Delta partners KLM and Air France with short layovers at AMS and CDG as follows:

• Aug 21: arrived AMS @ 1:10pm from Seattle on DL144. 50min layover. Departed AMS @ 2pm on a KLM Cityhopper flight for Porto, Portugal. Though the arrival and departure gates were quite far from each other, we were easily able to make the connection (and do a bathroom visit) by walking between the gates. AMS passport check has an easy-to-use fast-track line for people that have a short connection time; we were able to use it by showing our boarding passes. HOWEVER, our check-in luggage did NOT make the connection, and arrived in Porto on a KLM flight later that day. Note that we were seated near the front of the arrival flight from Seattle in Premium Select seating.

• Sep 11: arrived CDG @ 2:25pm on an Air France flight from Madrid, Spain. 1hr 15min layover. Departed CDG @ 3:40pm on DL81 for Seattle. Though we had to ride a bus (from the plane to terminal 2F) and a shuttle (to the M gates at terminal 2E), we were easily able to make the connection including a passport check (and do a bathroom visit). AND, our check-in luggage did make the connection. Note that we were seated in row 10 on the arrival flight from Madrid. (Our seats on the Air France flight were originally in row 17. I was able to move them to row 10 by checking in (for both legs of the journey to Seattle) on the Air France site about 36 hours before departure. I would not have been able to check in on the Delta site until 24 hours before departure; moreover, on the Delta site, by that time I doubt that I would have been able to change seat assignments on the Air France flight.)

In both cases, we had considered not checking in our luggage but rather bringing it onboard as carryon. We were glad we didn't, because for both cases it would have meant carrying our bags up and/or down flights of stairs.

Both AMS and CDG provide gate transfer information on their web sites.

At the wrong time of day, the immigration lines can be long in Atlanta. For making your connection, nothing works better than the Plane Train. If flights were cheaper from Atlanta, I would always choose that airport. In my opinion, it also has the best food options.

GeoffB, thank you for the additional details!

I agree with Jean that (1) Delta changes its schedules and, therefore, you can't count on the fact that what you booked will be what you eventually end up getting and (2) that I would avoid CDG. My comment has always been that CDG is an airport made for architects, not human beings. It's likely that you will have to change terminals there and go through security before getting to your gate. You can check that, though. AMS is easier to navigate. If you have Global Entry, ATL will be a breeze.

Delta is always changing schedules. I would pick AMS over both CDG and ATL.

Looks like Atlanta has Mobile Passport Control. I'm not sure how much time it will save in that particular airport, but I do know for my home airport, it works great.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control

Must you fly Delta? American Airline's home port is Texas you should be able to get direct flights from Rome to Texas. J

American did not have direct flights to Houston.

Living in Atlanta I have to say the airport has gotten much more complicated. There is construction inside and out. We returned from Rome this spring. Customs was a breeze but what is different is leaving customs they have re-routed the exit area. How that works when getting a connecting flight I didn't experience but the delays at Hartsfield Jackson can be rather substantial and frustrating. As a traveler it comes down to your comfort level. I avoid connecting flights with a passion, the thrill of running through an airport doesn't fill me with excitement. Happy Travels!

Unfortunately, our return trip will probably require one plane change. The options we are considering are a 50 min layover at AMS, a 1 hr 30 min layover at CDG, or a number of layover options at ATL of 2 hr 50 min or more. The cheaper flight options are with the layovers in Europe at CDG and AMS. The price difference between European layovers and Atlanta layovers is $300+.

If money is not the deciding factor, ATL is the best bet because at least you'll be in country and any complications that arise will be easier to handle. If the difference is fares is a factor, then consider CDG just because it will give you more time to make the connection. 50 mins. in AMS might be doable, but I don't think I'd risk it. But that's just me.

I would layover in Atlanta-it will have more options to Houston if your plane is delayed.

Looking at the Delta site it looks like the AMS stopover has you on KLM planes: CDG is on Air France and ATL is on Delta.

I haven't done a comparison of what the economy seats are like on each, nor the baggage rules.

Each airline obviously believes the change can be made in the time they have allotted.

If the 2hr 50min ATL option is the same cost as the CDG or AMS flight choice , I would do that.

My $0.02

PS - I have only done domestic transfer at ATL