Weird pricing and ATL connection time

I am asking lots of questions right now, but have never been in the position where we may not be able to get the flights that we wanted on points, so looking at many different options.

We want to fly MCO-MAN ideally on the 30th Aug next year but it looks like if we want to use points we would be better off pushing the holiday back a bit into Sept to avoid school holidays.

However, we chose these dates as one of our party if starting a new job and we may not be able to move, so I am looking at all scenarios, including actually paying for our return flights with money which I haven't done for a very long time!!!

Weird one that I don't really understand - if I search MCO-MAN and look at the non-direct option via ATL which is cheaper than the direct flights, PE is cheaper with the connection from MCO than it is to book the exact same flight just directly from ATL - how??

Also, not done it that way around for a while but is 2 hours enough to connect from domestic to international at ATL? Thanks

ATL is a delight to transit, especially Domestic to International.

Regardless if you're on same ticket or separate, you'll arrive as a domestic passenger in one of the domestic concourses, take the little train to your departing concourse and head straight to your gate without and hindrance.

Last time I did this, on separate tickets with 1h45 between arrival and departure, which is shortest I've ever done, we still had time for about 45 mins in the Delta lounge before boarding VS flight to London.

Obviously you're relying on your incoming flight being on time.

[mitchja]

I agree ATL is an absolute breeze to connect through. I once managed a cutting it fine 20min dash domestic to international connection after a very delayed DL departure from Phoenix.

Thanks folks

Any insight as to why it is cheaper to add a connection from MCO than it would be to book just the flight from ATL, so odd?

[mitchja]

Probably just down to availability. The direct flight fares are selling quicker so the cheaper fares on that route have already been sold.

I agree that ATL is easy to transfer between terminals. Our best time was 2 years ago when our flight from Fort Myers docked at a Gate at the International terminal so it was a 2 minute transfer. Needless to say we had time to kill so had to walk past our departure gate to get to the Delta Lounge!!!

Thanks folks

Hello! Whilst I’ve done LAS-ATL-LHR before and had a breeze, it was on a single ticket. Even being delayed on the LAS we made it just about to have a quick drink and eat in the lounge before heading to gate.
I’ve booked MCO-ATL with Delta in January, and then ATL-LHR with Virgin on separate tickets.
I’ve got 4hr 50 between flights. You think this will be fine? Even accounting for delays; knowing that MCO-ATL have a lot of flights per day.

Hello! Whilst I’ve done LAS-ATL-LHR before and had a breeze, it was on a single ticket. Even being delayed on the LAS we made it just about to have a quick drink and eat in the lounge before heading to gate.
I’ve booked MCO-ATL with Delta in January, and then ATL-LHR with Virgin on separate tickets.
I’ve got 4hr 50 between flights. You think this will be fine? Even accounting for delays; knowing that MCO-ATL have a lot of flights per day.

None of us can categorically answer this question unfortunately. I appreciate you’re looking for reassurance, so, you should be absolutely fine.

But, as ever with air travel… weather, tech, crew, ATC and a lot more unexpected’s.

Allowing ~5 hours is a good start and trust you have the funds for a quick fix onto other carriers should it go pear shaped.

I gamble. I’d be happy be with it.

Hello! Whilst I’ve done LAS-ATL-LHR before and had a breeze, it was on a single ticket. Even being delayed on the LAS we made it just about to have a quick drink and eat in the lounge before heading to gate.
I’ve booked MCO-ATL with Delta in January, and then ATL-LHR with Virgin on separate tickets.
I’ve got 4hr 50 between flights. You think this will be fine? Even accounting for delays; knowing that MCO-ATL have a lot of flights per day.

None of us can categorically answer this question unfortunately. I appreciate you’re looking for reassurance, so, you should be absolutely fine.

But, as ever with air travel… weather, tech, crew, ATC and a lot more unexpected’s.

Allowing ~5 hours is a good start and trust you have the funds for a quick fix onto other carriers should it go pear shaped.

I gamble. I’d be happy be with it.

Thank you. Going to arrive at MCO at least 3 hours before because it’s always busy at TSA and then if there are problems with my particular flight I should be able to change with Delta. And yes I’ll have the funds for another airline - albeit it would be Frontier or Southwest.