atlanta in feb flight delays??

[sunsetme]

anyone have experience with flying into ATL at this time of year? I would be making a connection to Buenos Aires.

[cruising cockroach]

Chance of lightning/heavy rain storm delay should be minimal.  What's your layover time?

[sumiandkage]

Snow is pretty rare that time of year, though the very occasional white stuff can really mess up a schedule when it does happens, unlike the northern tier airports that are better equipped for winter weather. 

 

I'd say you're far less likely to have a flight schedule disruption in Atlanta in February than you are during 'summer' thunderstorm season that runs late April through early October. 

[Keith1010]

You don't say where you are starting from.

 

Your flight could be delayed.

 

I guess the question is what type of connection are you looking for in terms of connection time?

 

Remember you could be delayed for other reasons not weather related.

 

As to Atlanta weather, you could have severe ice.  It happens and has happened on a Super Bowl if I remember correctly.

 

Keith

[waterbug123]

11 hours ago, jdechter said:

anyone have experience with flying into ATL at this time of year? I would be making a connection to Buenos Aires.

 

I fly through ATL all the time, including at least a couple of times every Feb on averaage.  Overall it's a very efficient airport, and the risk of thunderstorms is minimal in Feb; that's the most common weather issue at ATL.   Atlanta isn't prone to snow, but it's not unusual to have ice at least once during the winter and that can paralyze an entire southern city, not just the airport.  Overall though, it's probably less likely than the more regular snow at northern airports.  Yes, those airports are more equipped to handle it, but anyone who says snow is never a problem in Chicago or Detroit or New York is fooling themselves.

 

The bigger thing to remember is that weather anywhere in the country can affect a flight anywhere else in the country, because your aircraft and your crew will be coming in from somewhere else that could have had bad weather.   If you're flying Delta, ATL is their biggest hub so the chance of having a reserve crew on call there is good, and there are more planes to potentially swap with but that does not guarantee no weather delays.

[Hlitner]

We once were delayed 2 days in ATL....during February.  Why?  We missed a connection (our initial flight from PVR was late) and was immediately rebooked on a flight the following morning.  But that night it actually snowed at ATL and they got about 2 inches of snow...followed by some sleet.  ATL, one of the worlds busiest airports, cannot handle snow (or sub freezing temperatures) and closed for 1 1/2 days.  When they finally reopened it was a zoo trying to get on any flight since 10s of thousands had missed their flights.  ATL is actually a very good airport, but they just do not handle winter weather well.  The odds of having this kind of stuff happen is not great, but it does happen and February is the coldest month.

 

On another ATL flight in February our flight was delayed for 3 hours because the water on the aircraft had frozen solid (it sat at the gate overnight).  

 

 

[fbgd]

Variations of this question do get asked a lot.

 

If weather is expected to be poor (hurricane/snow/fog etc.) to the extent widespread disruption is anticipated airlines will more often than not issue a travel waiver. A few days before travel you can change your plans at no cost. If you are concerned about missing a connection you can look to bring your flight(s) forward or make adjustments to plans.

[cruising cockroach]

52 minutes ago, fbgd said:

Variations of this question do get asked a lot.

 

If weather is expected to be poor (hurricane/snow/fog etc.) to the extent widespread disruption is anticipated airlines will more often than not issue a travel waiver. A few days before travel you can change your plans at no cost. If you are concerned about missing a connection you can look to bring your flight(s) forward or make adjustments to plans.

 

Do note that cruise-arranged air is apparently not eligible for weather waivers.

[Hlitner]

And this does go to an issue with "cruise air."  Many of us routinely use cruise air because one can often get some amazing prices...especially for International Business and First Class.  But these fares come with lots of restrictions when trying to deal with changes, delays or cancellations.  Trying to rebook, when there is a compelling reason like a major forecasted storm, is nearly impossible.  The airline will generally say that they cannot make any changes and you must contact your cruise line's air folks.   Even if you can get to those folks their hands are often tied by contractual provisions   One can sometimes fell like a they are caught between a rock (cruise line) and hard place (airline).

 

Hank

[FlyerTalker]

3 hours ago, Hlitner said:

And this does go to an issue with "cruise air."  Many of us routinely use cruise air because one can often get some amazing prices...especially for International Business and First Class.  But these fares come with lots of restrictions when trying to deal with changes, delays or cancellations.  Trying to rebook, when there is a compelling reason like a major forecasted storm, is nearly impossible.  The airline will generally say that they cannot make any changes and you must contact your cruise line's air folks.   Even if you can get to those folks their hands are often tied by contractual provisions   One can sometimes fell like a they are caught between a rock (cruise line) and hard place (airline).

 

 

TANSTAAFL

[Alaskanb]

21 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

 

TANSTAAFL

Explain please. 

Also how do you find the limitations on your cruise air ticket? Thanks

[cruising cockroach]

1 hour ago, Alaskanb said:

Explain please. 

Also how do you find the limitations on your cruise air ticket? Thanks

 

You can try to get fare rules but often, this is next to impossible from cruise air.  Might have better luck with the airline but they're not going to read it to you over the phone (probably won't be able to get it over the 'net).  You generally won't know until you try to do something like make a change, apply for a water waiver, get FF miles, etc.

[sumiandkage]

3 hours ago, Alaskanb said:

Explain please. 

Also how do you find the limitations on your cruise air ticket? Thanks

 

TANSTAAFL- There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch 

 

[FlyerTalker]

There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch

 

In other words, you pay - one way or another.

[Budget Queen]

On 11/9/2018 at 7:47 PM, jdechter said:

anyone have experience with flying into ATL at this time of year? I would be making a connection to Buenos Aires.

 

You aren't flying in day of cruise are you???    Be aware that there is probably one flight a day as well.   Miami can have more.   

 

[sunsetme]

No not the day of the cruise, 2 days before