Requirements for a connecting flight in Atlanta?

Melsheimer

Hi everyone I'm new here, let me explain my situation.

I'm going to be going to Mexico in late November/early December. The flight is with Delta Airlines. There is one stopover, in Atlanta for 5 hours, where I have to get a connecting flight.

So the flight looks like this: Dublin --> Atlanta --> Guadalajara.

I have never been outside Europe before, nor am I an experienced flyer so I am a little anxious and have a few questions.

No. 1: What is a connecting flight?
No. 2: What exactly happens in Atlanta from when I land to when I take off again?
No. 3: What are the travel documents I need for each part of my trip?
No. 4: Should I be worried/anxious at all?

I have some more questions but those four will do for now!

Thank you

BuffyBot

Melsheimer wrote: »

Hi everyone I'm new here, let me explain my situation.

I'm going to be going to Mexico in late November/early December. The flight is with Delta Airlines. There is one stopover, in Atlanta for 5 hours, where I have to get a connecting flight.

So the flight looks like this: Dublin --> Atlanta --> Guadalajara.

I have never been outside Europe before, nor am I an experienced flyer so I am a little anxious and have a few questions.

No. 1: What is a connecting flight?
No. 2: What exactly happens in Atlanta from when I land to when I take off again?
No. 3: What are the travel documents I need for each part of my trip?
No. 4: Should I be worried/anxious at all?

I have some more questions but those four will do for now!

Thank you

1) Exactly what it sounds like - you take one flight (Dublin - Atlanta) and after you land, you'll get off that plane and connect on to another one which will fly you from Atlanta to your eventual destination.
2) If you clear immigration in Dublin (some US bound flights do including the Delta flight to Atlanta if I remember correctly) then you'll collect your luggage at Atlanta, take it through Customs, drop it off at a Delta desk and go to the gate where your next plane will take off from. It should be listed either on the boarding passes you are issued in Dublin, but there will be displays at Atlanta telling you where to go also.
3) For entry into the USA you'll need an ESTA - this is basically a "permission to enter". Even if you're just transiting, this is required. More information on this thread. Mexico does not require any visa if you hold a standard Irish passport for stays up to 180 days.
4) I don't know - what would you be worried about?

Melsheimer

BuffyBot wrote: »

1) Exactly what it sounds like - you take one flight (Dublin - Atlanta) and after you land, you'll get off that plane and connect on to another one which will fly you from Atlanta to your eventual destination.
2) If you clear immigration in Dublin (some US bound flights do including the Delta flight to Atlanta if I remember correctly) then you'll collect your luggage at Atlanta, take it through Customs, drop it off at a Delta desk and go to the gate where your next plane will take off from. It should be listed either on the boarding passes you are issued in Dublin, but there will be displays at Atlanta telling you where to go also.
3) For entry into the USA you'll need an ESTA - this is basically a "permission to enter". Even if you're just transiting, this is required. More information on this thread. Mexico does not require any visa if you hold a standard Irish passport for stays up to 180 days.
4) I don't know - what would you be worried about?

That is great BuffyBot thank you! What I meant by being anxious was just because it will be my first time flying alone and my first time on a long flight with stopovers and I was wondering is it complicated? Or easy peasy?
Also, do I need to apply for ESTA for both my flight over AND flight back? (I will be returning after about a week through Atlanta again) Or will one application to ESTA cover me for both?

amdublin

Melsheimer wrote: »

Or easy peasy?

^
This.


One ESTA: when you applied for the ESTA this information would be there.

Melsheimer

amdublin wrote: »

^
This.


One ESTA: when you applied for the ESTA this information would be there.

Thank you You guys are a great help. One more thing, i was going to book through budgettravel.ie since they're the only ones i've found who accept Laser. Has anyone got any experience with them? Would you recommend them or discourage me from using them? Or what site would you recommend?

amdublin

Melsheimer wrote: »

Thank you You guys are a great help. One more thing, i was going to book through budgettravel.ie since they're the only ones i've found who accept Laser. Has anyone got any experience with them? Would you recommend them or discourage me from using them? Or what site would you recommend?

I personally like www.ebookers.ie for price.

Compare the price that budget offered you to their price.

Not sure about laser though. Can you get access to a visa card for booking if you choose to book through an online agent?

If you go online make sure the site you book through is well known and is Bonded ie. you have guarantees about your money if they go bust.

Melsheimer

amdublin wrote: »

I personally like www.ebookers.ie for price.

Compare the price that budget offered you to their price.

Not sure about laser though. Can you get access to a visa card for booking if you choose to book through an online agent?

If you go online make sure the site you book through is well known and is Bonded ie. you have guarantees about your money if they go bust.

Thank you amdublin That will do me for now. If I think of anything else i'll write it here. Also, if anyone has any general tips/advice feel free to write it! It'd be very much appreciated

steve-o

amdublin wrote: »

If you go online make sure the site you book through is well known and is Bonded ie. you have guarantees about your money if they go bust.

Bonding only covers you when you puchase a package (flight + hotel, for example). It never applies if you book just a flight.

amdublin

steve-o wrote: »

Bonding only covers you when you puchase a package (flight + hotel, for example). It never applies if you book just a flight.

Hmmm.

According to this their flights are bonded:
http://www.ebookers.ie/travel-guide/Book-Easier-Travel-Happier/