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Original poster

USA - is this enough of a stopover time?

39 replies

Darlingbudofmay · 08/01/2025 13:15

I am just looking at flights for Orlando, found some at a great price but the outbound flight includes a 2.5hr stopover in Atlanta.

I am just a little concerned as to whether this will be enough time to get a connecting flight as I know immigration in the USA can be quite time consuming (long lines etc...). Has anyone done this?

If we did the full immigration check in Atlanta would we need to do it again in Orlando as an internal flight but not US Citizens?

Any info on this process would be appreciated thank you!

OP posts:
Karatema · 08/01/2025 13:20

Not done Atlanta so can't advise how quick immigration will be there, however, you won't need to do it again in Orlando.

Original poster
Darlingbudofmay · 08/01/2025 13:24

Thank you for the reply, I wasn't sure how it worked as have never done internal flights in the US before!

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Taxingtaxpondering · 08/01/2025 13:25

I think that's doable. Iirc Atalanta is the busiest airport and there will be immigration for people in transit. We did it through JFK with less than 2 hours which was a tad stressful but we managed. If it's booked as one ticket it's the airlines responsibility to make sure you get to your end destination if they haven't left enough connection time.

Original poster
Darlingbudofmay · 08/01/2025 13:31

Wonderful thank you very much for the reply!

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Chilliandbanana · 08/01/2025 13:34

Friends of ours did this with a stopover not sure if it was Atlanta on the way to Florida and because of the queues in immigration they missed their connecting flight and it ended up being a very stressful situation. They said in hindsight they would have just paid extra to fly direct.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 08/01/2025 13:38

If the inbound flight is delayed you will have little chance of making the second flight to Orlando. The clock will start ticking on you the moment the inbound plane lands and two and a half hours from that time is pushing it.

At Atlanta you will need to claim your luggage post immigration to put onto the transfer carousel. If you miss the plane the airline will put you onto the next flight but that may well be the next day. That flight is domestic so you would not have to clear immigration or customs.

If you can fly direct do so; its far less stressful over than doing a same day internal transfer at a US airport; particularly one as large as Atlanta.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 08/01/2025 13:41

There are also no separate immigration lines for those in transit; these passengers get lumped in with everyone else.

Original poster
Darlingbudofmay · 08/01/2025 13:48

AttilaTheMeerkat · 08/01/2025 13:38

If the inbound flight is delayed you will have little chance of making the second flight to Orlando. The clock will start ticking on you the moment the inbound plane lands and two and a half hours from that time is pushing it.

At Atlanta you will need to claim your luggage post immigration to put onto the transfer carousel. If you miss the plane the airline will put you onto the next flight but that may well be the next day. That flight is domestic so you would not have to clear immigration or customs.

If you can fly direct do so; its far less stressful over than doing a same day internal transfer at a US airport; particularly one as large as Atlanta.

Thank you for the reply. I did wonder re the luggage, I know when we flew to Australia we didn't see our luggage until we got there, the airline (Emirates) did everything for us and there was a particular line for connecting flights.

Hmmm food for thought thank you....

OP posts:
Chemenger · 08/01/2025 13:49

I have only ever done domestic connections in Atlanta but what I can say is that in such a massive airport it can be a 15 minute fast walk between gates. Immigration time in US airports is very variable in my experience. It depends a lot on how many flights are coming in together and where those flights are coming from. The queues always seem poorly organised and they never have more than half the booths operating.

Original poster
Darlingbudofmay · 08/01/2025 13:50

Chilliandbanana · 08/01/2025 13:34

Friends of ours did this with a stopover not sure if it was Atlanta on the way to Florida and because of the queues in immigration they missed their connecting flight and it ended up being a very stressful situation. They said in hindsight they would have just paid extra to fly direct.

Thank you for this, that's my worry as I know how busy they get!

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Chemenger · 08/01/2025 13:54

I would fly direct if you can. If you can’t I’d allow 4 hours at least to transfer. That gives some leeway for delays and lets you pick up some snacks for the onward flight - there isn’t much in the way of food on most US internal flights. Picking up and rechecking luggage is usually straightforward and quick, it’s getting through immigration that is the unknown variable.

JollyHam · 08/01/2025 13:55

No don't do it. We had 4 hours to spare in Atlanta coming from the UK. Our flight was delayed and then we were stuck at immigration for hours. We missed our flight and had to go on standby for a few hours later and weren't guaranteed seats as it was full (we did get on but all split up). We missed our first night on holiday and it was just miserable.
I'd only book direct now for USA flights.

girlmeetsboy · 08/01/2025 13:55

Absolutely not, Atlanta is a huge airport and we spent 3 hours in a que at immigration resulting in us missing our connection to New Orleans whilst the luggage went. An overnight stay and added expense at an airport hotel with no belongings was no fun!

Original poster
Darlingbudofmay · 08/01/2025 13:56

Chemenger · 08/01/2025 13:49

I have only ever done domestic connections in Atlanta but what I can say is that in such a massive airport it can be a 15 minute fast walk between gates. Immigration time in US airports is very variable in my experience. It depends a lot on how many flights are coming in together and where those flights are coming from. The queues always seem poorly organised and they never have more than half the booths operating.

Thank you for the info, yes im beginning to think maybe pre children we would have risked it but direct may be better with young children!

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Original poster
Darlingbudofmay · 08/01/2025 13:57

I really appreciate all the shared experiences thank you! Direct it is!

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astoundedgoat · 08/01/2025 13:59

I wouldn't. It can easily be 30 mins between touchdown and disembarkation, then the walking, the queue could easily be an hour or more, collecting baggage and then more walking. It feels like even a 30 minute delay in take-off could mess everything up. Immigration queues in Philadelphia were over 2 hours long in November, so it can happen if it's a busy weekend.

Without kids or checked luggage, sure, but not with so many (literally!) moving parts coming along for the ride!

AttilaTheMeerkat · 08/01/2025 14:01

Direct is far better with young children. It is a long enough day as it is without having to transfer from one flight to another at an unfamiliar airport (presumably it would be the same on the return leg).

LifeExperience · 08/01/2025 14:02

Southern American woman here. We have a saying in the south: "When you die you go to heaven, but you have to go through Atlanta first." Atlanta is the major hub for flights into and out of the southeast. Huge and very busy. I would recommend flying directly into Orlando and avoiding Atlanta if at all possible.

Chemenger · 08/01/2025 14:05

I quite like flying to the US via Ireland. You do US immigration (very quick) in Ireland the you just walk off the plane in the US in a domestic terminal. The downside is having a stop off at some unearthly hour of the morning in Ireland on the way back.

Original poster
Darlingbudofmay · 08/01/2025 14:09

LifeExperience · 08/01/2025 14:02

Southern American woman here. We have a saying in the south: "When you die you go to heaven, but you have to go through Atlanta first." Atlanta is the major hub for flights into and out of the southeast. Huge and very busy. I would recommend flying directly into Orlando and avoiding Atlanta if at all possible.

Always good to get some local knowledge!! Thank you so much, if it hadn't before that has definitely sealed the deal for a direct flight!

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Original poster
Darlingbudofmay · 08/01/2025 14:12

Chemenger · 08/01/2025 14:05

I quite like flying to the US via Ireland. You do US immigration (very quick) in Ireland the you just walk off the plane in the US in a domestic terminal. The downside is having a stop off at some unearthly hour of the morning in Ireland on the way back.

I did (briefly) look at this for that reason, however the one flight I did manage to look at had a stopover in London! I need to check some other airlines from Dublin - thank you

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samedifferent · 08/01/2025 15:23

I was going to advise against it but see you have already decided that.
You have to enter the country, collect your luggage and then recheck your luggage.
That combined with possible passport delays can be v slow at times.

Original poster
Darlingbudofmay · 08/01/2025 15:51

samedifferent · 08/01/2025 15:23

I was going to advise against it but see you have already decided that.
You have to enter the country, collect your luggage and then recheck your luggage.
That combined with possible passport delays can be v slow at times.

Thank you, yes I think I have decided from all the advice on here! I don't understand why they offer such a short window if it causes such chaos?!!

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Chemenger · 08/01/2025 17:02

Aer Lingus fly to Orlando via Dublin. Their prices are usually fairly competitive with other scheduled flights.

MrsFezziwig · 08/01/2025 17:41

The longest US immigration queue I ever stood in was in Atlanta. And you have to collect your luggage and drop it off. We missed our connecting flight and had to go on standby, which luckily we got but it's a stressful start to the holiday.