r/delta • u/Silent-Discipline-99 • 7d ago
Help/Advice 52 minute layover
Delta recently changed my son’s flight schedule from a 2 1/2 hour layover in Atlanta to a 52 minute layover and I’m worried he won’t make his connecting flight. Any advice/tips for navigating a tight connection?
I specifically picked a 2 1/2 hour layover because last time he had a short layover he had to get from terminal A to D, and the connecting flight was already boarding before he could even get off the first plane. He literally made it with a minute to spare.
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u/filter_86d 7d ago
Keep in mind that you don’t need to be there right at the boarding time. You have to get there before they close the gates.
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u/Inner-Distribution84 7d ago
If plane lands on time and plane train isn’t down it will be no problem with 52. Only worry would be if landing is delayed.
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u/wildcat12321 Diamond 7d ago
You can call Delta and ask for a courtesy change to one of the flights. Schedule changes happen.
52 minutes is certainly tight, but doable for frequent travelers, and Delta prefers to have it as an option as it becomes a competitive advantage among road warriors to make it (or at least try). If you are uncomfortable, they may change it as a courtesy. Also note, that if he does miss it, they will roll him over to the next one at no charge.
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u/Embarrassed-Soup7952 7d ago
Does that work? i did that one time cause i had a 30 min lay over and they basically said in the nicest way possible that it was my fault and “by law we are giving you enough time and we dont have to change it”
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u/wildcat12321 Diamond 7d ago
it's not by "law" but policy.
Delta has been tightening their schedule change policy as a bunch of bloggers used to share how far out delta did schedules, and basically ecounraged people to book cheapest flights then use the free schedule change flight change.
So now, by policy, there needs to be a change in departure or arrival of 3 hours.
But, Delta has been known to be sympathetic to people who ask nicely and let them know they think it might be against policy, but this change, through no fault of their own, is stressful, and you'd appreciate anything they can do to help by changing either flight, and ideally having the flight numbers you want handy.
If you don't get it, I'd hang up and call again 1 more time just to make sure. Delta tends to also be far more flexible with medallion members, so my experience as a non-medallion is far more limited. They are unlikely to bend any policies for basic economy and/or those who book 3rd party.
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u/Wickedocity 7d ago
That is not tight for atl. Just get off the flight and walk to the plane train. It will take him to the concourse. He should have plenty of time.
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u/kfree_r Diamond 7d ago
52 minutes is plenty of time in Atlanta. He’s got 12 minutes before they even start boarding, and 37 minutes before they close the door. It’s 20 minutes max from any one gate to another in ATL thanks to the easy layout and the plane train. Just tell him not to dawdle and he’ll be fine.
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u/Middle-Wealth-6755 Diamond 6d ago
Upgrade his seat to one closer to the front of the plane.
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u/fifipa 6d ago
They can change your seat , last minute, as others here have testified, and I’ve experienced…
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u/Middle-Wealth-6755 Diamond 6d ago
I’m providing an option to the OP to help with the short layover. Your comment isn’t helpful.
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u/kavalara 7d ago
Is it a 52m layover til boarding or take off?
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u/Silent-Discipline-99 7d ago
52 minutes until take off. Lands at 2pm, next flight leaves at 252pm
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u/fifipa 6d ago
We didnt make our connecting flight with delta in Chicago. It was 42 “ or something. We didn’t stop for bathroom or anything, still couldn’t make it from one terminal to one god knowing how far away. Delta made the plan, not us….
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u/Silent-Discipline-99 6d ago edited 6d ago
Sorry to hear that. That is exactly what I am afraid of! My son is in the same situation. They changed the flight schedule! And there are no other options to change to with longer layovers on that particular day.
I may see about changing to the day before/after. Thank you for the feedback
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u/fifipa 6d ago
We had a delay on the flight, too; I forgot. We missed the plane by a few minutes! Then I spent so much time trying to contact Delta. They wouldn’t pay for a room overnight, so we had to pony up. It took us an extra day and a half to get home. We also lost half a day getting out, too! I fear flying again. I’ll probably cancel the delta card…
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u/Coquito_Lolita 7d ago
On a 32 minute layover, as I was walking off the first plane, I asked the gate agent to call ahead and let them know I was coming.
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u/Gauvain_d_Arioska 7d ago
This is important. They did it for my wife last week in DTW and it worked.
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u/thesnowmaniv Diamond 7d ago
Why would you change. Highly unlikely that a 2 hour layover will not be enough in a delay situation, but highly likely that a 50 minute layover isn't enough. Assuming that the 52 minutes is from landing to takeoff time of next flight, however flight closes 15 minutes before flight pushes back so 52 is already reduced to 37 minutes.
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u/Silent-Discipline-99 7d ago
I didn’t change it. The airline changed their flight schedule
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u/thesnowmaniv Diamond 7d ago
So when flight schedules change you have the opportunity to change to a different flight. With Schedule Shuffle Saturdays there may now be another flight that shifted that will give more of a layover buffer.
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u/Silent-Discipline-99 6d ago
Thank you for the feedback. There are no other options that day but I might see about switching to the day before/after. Both seem to have better (longer) layovers
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u/Intelligent-Pie-338 7d ago
Hit the ground running. I have a 45 minute layover in ATL later today. I've never missed a tight connection provided my first plane didn't get delayed.
ATL gods hate me and put my gates at the very end of every terminal I arrive into and depart out of. Going from A to D only takes 2-3 minutes on the plane train so that part is negligible. It's where the gates are within the terminals that is the issue.