International - international connection time in Atlanta

Question

Hello, I will have a flight from Amsterdam to Quito, with a connection in Atlanta. I booked the ticked as a single solution, all is connected by Delta. I will have to do security and custom control and I have 2h and 15 minutes. Will I be able to do so? The ticket was acquired as a single solution. so I supposed yes, but would like to have other thoughts. Also I have red that now in US is possible to have a procedure called Mobile Passport Control that should speed up the process, is that true?

Answer

Your connection time of 2 hours and 15 minutes at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) should be enough for an international-to-international connection, especially since your ticket is booked as a single solution with Delta, which usually ensures that the connection is feasible. Here's what to keep in mind:

Customs and Immigration: Since you are arriving from Amsterdam, you will need to go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Typically, international passengers must clear customs and immigration at ATL, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the time of day and passenger traffic.
Mobile Passport Control: Yes, Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is available at ATL, and it can indeed help speed up the process. MPC is a free app that allows U.S. citizens and eligible international visitors to submit their passport information and customs declaration form electronically. After completing this in the app, you can use the MPC lanes at customs, which tend to be faster than the regular lanes.
Security Recheck: After clearing customs, you'll need to go through security again, especially since you're connecting to an international flight. This is another step to consider, but it generally doesn't take long if you're connecting with Delta, as they often have streamlined processes for international connections.
Flight Gate and Terminal: If both flights are with Delta, they are likely to be in the same terminal (Concourse F for international flights). However, if your gates are in different concourses, you will need to take the Plane Train, which connects the domestic and international terminals in about 5 minutes. Make sure to check your gate information as soon as you arrive.

In general, 2 hours and 15 minutes is considered a safe connection time for international connections at ATL, but it’s always wise to be aware of potential delays, especially at customs. Given that you have a single ticket with Delta, they will typically help you out if something goes wrong with your connection (e.g., rebooking you on the next flight if you miss your connection due to customs delays). Just ensure that you're prepared with your Mobile Passport app and ready to move quickly through customs and security.

So, while there's no guarantee of zero delays, your connection time should be enough, and using Mobile Passport Control will definitely help speed things up at customs.

Safe travels, and enjoy your journey to Quito!