Coming to Atlanta the first week in December to catch a plane to NYC and need any locals to help me with directions, hints, etc. about the airport. Will be coming in via I20 from B'ham.

Never driven to Hartsfield so which would be easier/shorter-
285 or going on over to 85 & down?
Will be in NYC for a few days, which parking lot would be
better for a Delta departure?
Since Sept 11, how long should I allow for check-in and
security checks?

Hope you have fun in NY I'll be there that weekend myself.

We suggest I-120 to I-285 and take the Camp creek parkway shortcut to the airport. If you miss it follow the signs to I-85 north to the airport. This way you avoid Atlanta's famous traffic going through the city.

All Delta fights leave from the South Concourse (Red signage) they have economy parking ($8 to $10) I think per day or more expensive daily parking.

Check in will be shorter if a you are a Delta Medallion flyer or flying with one and varies by time of day (some days are worse that others).

Security checks vary by time of day too (took me 15 to 20 minutes last two flights after sept. 11). I'd get there 3 hours before your flight leaves to be sure and since you are driving. I normally budget 2 hours and Delta also recomends that, but I'm Gold medallion and a risk taker. Bring a book you'll have extra time

have fun in NY....I sure will

Wait times as posted on the Delta web site for 11/16/01

on the right hand side of www.Delta.com they have an update for travelers. enter your airport code for the current info. ATL

Peak Times Off Peak Open
Curbside 0 hr(s)., 10 mins. 0 hr(s)., 5 mins. 4:30am
Ticket Counter 0 hr(s)., 35 mins. 0 hr(s)., 5 mins. Open 24 hours
Security Check 0 hr(s)., 45 mins. 0 hr(s)., 5 mins. Open 24 hours

Peak days: Monday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Peak traffic times: 5:00am - 8:30am; 1:00pm - 4:30pm

All times are estimates. Unanticipated wait times may occur on days or times other than those listed.


Updated: Friday, Nov 16, 2001 12:00 AM

Many thanks folks. 3 hours hummm. Guess that's safe especially since that idiot shut it down the other day

Is anyone aware of the waiting times at the airport now? We're considering jumping a flight to visit family out west, and want to plan properly. Thanks, and Happy Holidays everyone!

Airports across the country have institued new rules governing check in baggage... you've probably seen the reports, but basically it amounts to matching checked baggage with the passenger who check it.

Most airports and airlines are requestions passengers to arrive a couple hours early, although most are reporting very little increased waits.

Oh, btw, in a possibly-related item, Hartsfield has been de-throned as the busiest airport in the world... the crown's passed back to Chicago's O'Hare. Maybe this will translate into quicker boarding in Atlanta!

Well, I stand corrected! Sort of, anyway ... one of the members pointed out that Chicago now leads in take-offs/landings, but that Atlanta has more passengers passing through... and with Memphis leading the way in cargo loaded & unloaded, they're sure to claim priority soon!

Thanks Ross!

Back to the Hartsfield vs. O'Hare controversy: local Atlanta station chimes in -

Atlanta still busiest...

How's the airport doing now time wise? Do you still need to get there 3 hours early? Thanks.

That's still the latest information I've seen. I've heard anecedotal evidence that wait times are getting shorter as the new procedures are getting routine, but it still takes a while.

My sister was in the airport last week, and she said she got there about 2 and half hours early and wished she'd had more time. Not that she almost missed her flight or anything. She said she just felt kind of rushed throughout and would have liked to have been able to not feel that way.

Good luck!

Really???? It's still taking that long at Hartsfield??? That's crazy! I was there in February, and it took us over two hours, but I thought things had calmed down now...???

We certainly aren't experiencing those kinds of delays in smaller markets like Key West, Panama City Beach, Myrtle Beach... even New Orleans is moving quickly and smoothly -

Has anyone else checked in the Atlanta airport lately? Other news?

Our man in Atlanta, Ross Guidry, told me today that he's getting to Hartsfield about an hour before his flight in off-peak hours, and an hour-and-a-half before flight time during peak hours. Good news there.

Delta Airlines is giving these wait times:
curbside: peak-20 mins - non-peak: 5mins
ticket counter: peak: 1 hour - non-peak: 10 mins
security check: peak: 45 mins - non peak 5 mins

Thanks Ross...