International flight transfer at Atlanta

Question

Good morning,

I'm transiting through Atlanta. I'll arrive from Peru at 6.40am and leave Atlanta at 3.50pm on a flight to Amsterdam. I was considering leaving the airport and getting a day room at a local hotel. I'd be very grateful if anyone could answer the following please:

A. My ticket between Peru and Amsterdam is with Delta. Will I need to collect my luggage and recheck it at Atlanta?

B. Is it worth it leaving the airport for a few hours to check into a hotel/rest/freshen up with a 9 hour layover? I looked at the minute suites at Atlanta but they're really expensive!

Thanks for your advice,

Barry

Answer

Good morning Barry,

It sounds like you're planning a long layover in Atlanta, so it's a great idea to consider your options carefully for rest and comfort. Here's some advice regarding your questions:

A. Do I need to collect my luggage and recheck it in Atlanta?

If your entire journey, including both flights from Peru to Amsterdam, is on one ticket with Delta, you will most likely not need to collect and recheck your luggage. In such cases, Delta generally transfers your checked luggage directly to your connecting flight. However, because you're arriving internationally and departing internationally (even if both flights are with Delta), you will need to clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before connecting to your Amsterdam flight.

During this process, you will need to go through immigration and customs, but your luggage should be automatically transferred to your Amsterdam flight if it's checked through. Double-check with Delta before your flight to confirm the specifics, as policies can vary depending on the terminal or even the airline's internal procedures.

B. Is it worth leaving the airport for a few hours to check into a hotel/rest/freshen up with a 9-hour layover?

With a 9-hour layover, you do have some time to leave the airport, but there are a few things to consider:

Time to clear customs: Depending on the time of day and the volume of international flights arriving, the process of clearing customs and immigration can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour. If you're arriving during a busy period, you may need more time.
Travel time to and from a hotel: Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is about 10 miles south of downtown Atlanta, so a taxi or ride-sharing service will take around 15–20 minutes each way, depending on traffic. You would need to allow extra time for security checks and boarding for your next flight.
Hotel options: If you do decide to leave the airport, there are a few nearby hotels that offer day-use rooms for a few hours. Many of these hotels also offer free shuttle service to and from the airport. If you're looking for a restful experience but want to avoid the high prices of the Minute Suites, you can look into hotels like:

Embassy Suites Atlanta Airport
Atlanta Airport Marriott
Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport South

Relaxing at the airport: If you're not keen on leaving the airport, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson has a variety of places where you can relax and freshen up. While the Minute Suites may be on the pricier side, there are also quiet zones and seating areas where you can rest. Additionally, you can consider spending your layover in the Delta Sky Club if you're a member or willing to purchase a day pass.

Is it worth leaving the airport?

Whether it’s worth leaving the airport depends on how much rest you feel you need. If you're comfortable with the time required to clear customs and re-enter the airport (and can handle a bit of travel to a nearby hotel), it could be nice to refresh yourself in a more comfortable setting. However, if you're concerned about the time or don’t want to risk missing your next flight, staying within the airport could be a more convenient option. In either case, 9 hours gives you a good amount of time, but always plan to get back to the airport well in advance—at least 2 hours before your flight departure.

Hope that helps!

Safe travels!

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