Fort Myers routing

Looking for some advice regarding travelling to Fort Myers next Easter.

Just want to get out to Florida and don't mind where TBH. Obviously prices are high to MCO and MIA but some decent prices to Fort Myers via ATL.

Firstly has anyone done this route and secondly I've never been through ATL and some of the connections look pretty tight, presuming immigration there could be pretty busy?

Also is my Au status of any use on Delta in economy, with lounges etc. en route?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Jilly

I've not done this route but have done LHR -> JFK -> RSW. I went with JetBlue mainly as I prefer them to DL and JFK immigration has worked well for me over the past couple of years. We've done this with an hour connection which was a bit tight especially as we were on separate tickets. Lately we've been on the earlier JFK flight and spent the afternoon and evening in NYC and then headed south the following morning.

Interested to hear peoples thoughts routing through ATL too.

Connecting at ATL is a very easy process. I would personally advise a connection time of at least 2 hours in case of long security/customs lines.

Regarding Au benefits - yes, you'll get access to the DL Skyclubs and there are an abundance of them at ATL. In terms of upgrades, they are scarce. I imagine you'd be in with a good chance of a Comfort+ (Extra legroom) seat. There is a very slim chance of an upgrade to F (it's happened to me twice out of ~10 flights in Economy) as VS Au is lower priority than the DL Elite pax.

Thank you both, that's really helpful.

Looking into it further, think I might book ex MAN direct to MCO and return from RSW to MAN, that way we'll have an easier journey out and it's not an issue if there are any delays on the return.

Also makes it a good option for a week at the parks and a week at the beach and still a good saving.

Thanks again
Jilly

I had flights booked in November MAN-ATL-RSW and RSW-ATL-MAN. The connections were perfect - about 3 hours in Atlanta on the way and 2 hours on the way back - depart MAN 10.30 arrive RSW 19.00 and depart RSW 14.30 arrive MAN 06.30.
Luckily I checked manage my booking one day and noticed that I did not arrive in RSW until 23.00 - the connection was now 7 hours, and on the way home I left RSW at 10.30 with a connection of 6 hours. I was absolutely furious, as I usually fly MAN-MCO but was only tempted by these slightly more expensive flights due to the excellent connections.
After several phone calls with different VS staff, I have managed to pay a small supplement to transfer to the Orlando flight. I am not happy to have to pay more for a cheaper product. These flights are on a Saturday, but if you do book via ATL, I would check your booking every so often - no one bothered to tell me that the flights had been changed.

Connecting at ATL is a very easy process. I would personally advise a connection time of at least 2 hours in case of long security/customs lines.

I am pleasantly surprised by about two hours being possible on the outward leg . Please how long would be a relaxing time allowance for a return trip connection at Atlanta then ?

Thank You.

hi,tried this route last xmas as staying in Sanibel.
no problems and good connection times of around 3 hours so no stress.
it must have been good as we've booked the same route this xmas.
rsw airport is compact with 8-10 luggage carousels and car hire just outside terminal.

I've connected at ATL within an hour, several times, hand luggage only though. I would recommend ATL over JFK simply because the immigration there seems so much better organised.

We did a similar route this Easter, We did Manchester to Atlanta then onto Jacksonville outbound and then Fort Myers via Atlanta back. We had a bit of an issue at Atlanta as we had a 2hr 20 min stopover and it took us 2hrs to get through customs. We just made our connection with minutes to spare so it was a bit stressful at the time but We've booked via Atlanta again in October as it is much cheaper that flying direct to Orlando and cuts out the long drive at the other end.
Atlanta airport is easy to get around as there is a train to take you to all the terminals.

I've connected at ATL within an hour, several times, hand luggage only though. I would recommend ATL over JFK simply because the immigration there seems so much better organised.

With Slinks here ATL over JFK any day. I always leave at least 2hrs between flights at ATL. Last week I was through in 15mins tops though it can sometimes take longer, though it's well organised and keeps moving.

Connecting on the planetrain between concourses is sooooo easy.

Jon