TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands 1st. w/Delta thru Atlanta to STT question

Almost since day one back in 1989 we have used American Airlines. We tried United once with bad luck. Now American is getting sketchy on us, so we booked Delta from Richmond, VA to Atlanta, change plane's and off to St. Thomas. Anyone reading this gone through ATL to STT? Was it okay? Doable? Also, any ATL airport restaurant suggestions? We will miss La Carita in Miami, but hey, we want a seamless trip this May. Input greatly appreciated.

We've gone through ATL many times, most recently in Nov. No problems, Mon.

I live in RIC and only FLy delta. Have done this trip 3 times in the past year and 2 more in the next 3 months. Great flights and plenty of time to xfer. I know 5:30 or 6:00 is early but no lines in RIC that early. JFK layover return ( this is cheaper ) is a little dicey especially in the winter and the smaller plane. Tons of places in Atlanta airport to eat.

We always fly Delta ... from Tulsa to Atlanta and then on to St Thomas. Never any issues !!!

Always our choice.

You'll find that all but one Concourse in Hartsfield Jackson has been remodeled and all foodservice is new as well. MANY new eateries from fast food to center of the plate fine dining in all. We fly out of ATL at least 4 - 5 times annually and always go somewhat early to relax and eat/drink before our flight to STT.

Go the website, YELP, and enter Hartsfield Jackson Restaurants and you'll pull up the long list of those in the Concourses. Disregard the various addresses as posters have input a variety but just read the reviews after you narrow your choices down to 4 -5 stars and Concourse. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Love Delta into STT, mid day arrivals = perfect!

And we take the last afternoon flight out of STT! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Lots of decent food options in ATL but my favorite is One Flew South - terminal E.

We only fly Delta and our flights to STT always go through ATL. Never had a problem. Super easy.
Can't recommend any restaurants, as I think they change & remodel constantly. We eat (and drink) snacks in the sky club <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I live in ATL and only fly Delta. The flights are a breeze and they sometimes have the newly redesigned planes on that route, too, with individual entertainment and real outlets at each seat. Can't advise on food options though!

Felix

We visited the sky club twice in November and I must say, I was quite impressed! A huge difference from the former USAirways lounges I am used to.

As a former USAirways/now Ameerican flyer, we are using Delta more often. As mentioned, the schedules are good. Going Thru Atlanta has been just fine so far.

Refer to my previous post. They do not change constantly as contracts are awarded for a multi year term. The recent changes have been underway for well over 3 years now and are almost complete. How do I know? I work with the firms who do the foodservice contracts.

Delta is the only way to go through ATL and STT. Best food place in the airport for value an wonderful food is called Papi's.. It's wonderful

The PF Changs on the middle of terminal A is the best version of the chain I have eaten at. Their beef broccoli is unbeatable even by my local Changs!
G

Rick, I'll definitely defer to your expertise.
Just "seems" to me things are always changing.
Delta sky club has really upped their game - not just peanuts anymore. They often have chicken salad, soup, cold pasta salads + all the other cookies, popcorn, snack mix, vegetables, crackers, cheese, hummus ..... oh and drinks :-)

Delta is always our first choice. We've been burned with American a few times.

Not expertise just that I consult with the foodservice operators at Hartsfield. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Thru Atlanta to STT with Delta has been our norm. Worked out great when we flew out of Indianapolis and now out of Detroit.

Only trip that was better was a non stop flight from Chicago to STT. Unfortunately United didn't have a direct flight from STT to Chicago.

All this talk about Atlanta Airport got me nostalgic for the old terminal so I found this history. I kind of miss the old days when people got dressed up to fly and humans could fit the seat pitch. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

SO the Professor and StormJib are one in the same? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

I doubt anyone would accuse the Professor of EVER pressing a blazer. Maybe a lounge lizards suit, but never a blazer.

No Rick, I'm just old and remember those narrow concourses as prime territory for watching Hot'lanta ladies dressed to the 9's. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

It may be hard to believe but I clean up real nice. I even have a diner jacket.

I'm up there with ya as well and remember sitting on the planter wall in front of the "new" Peachtree Plaza in the late 70's eating my brown bag sandwich watching the ladies as well. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

With those connecting through ATL. The earliest flight gets in around 140-150pm. Has anyone made the 230pm ferry on Native Son?

That is conceivable carry on only and prearanging pickup with Kevin but really pushing it with checked bags. Keep in mind that the 2:30 stops at Red Hook for about 20 minutes before heading for West End. Once apon a time, when you could almost rely on Smiths,their 3:30 often beat Native Son's 2:30. Smith's still has the 3:30 listed but I think it is a figment of their imagination.

So if not making the 230p on native son and 330pm is a mirage best bet is 415p fast ferry?

Yes, take the ferry that is soonest available upon arrival. So many variables.

In answer to your question, yes, we have taken that flight into STT and made the 2:30 ferry with carry on only.

I'm looking at a trip in January 2017. I want to stick with Delta. I live in Charleston, SC so will connect through ATL. Prices are in the $700 range. Should I just wait a couple months to buy airfare or is that about as good as it gets for airfare?

I would wait

Does 45 min leave enough time in ATL to make your connecting flight to STT? I am looking at flying Delta in June.

I think 45 mins in Atlanta is enough time; others may disagree. We're going to be making a 39 minute connection in Detroit next month.
As for the first ferry, I can honestly say I really don't pay any attention as to what ferry to take. I book Kevin as our taxi driver and ask him to take us to the next available ferry. Works perfectly. If you have to wait, get your C&I forms and go upstairs to the Pump Room. Fill out your forms, have a drink and adjust to island time. :-)

We fly Delta through Atlanta to St. Thomas., and our favorite restaurant is the Café Intermezzo/Buckhead Books. It is located at the centerpoint hub of Concourse B. If you like a GREAT cup of coffee, this is your destination. And don't forget to bring your sweet tooth with you as they have a display case of some of the finest desserts you will ever find in an airport. I know we will be eating there in 48 days !!

Honestly, I would leave more time.  That's cutting it really close.  When flight #1 lands, flight #2 will already be boarding.  If flight #1 is delayed in ANY way, you'll be stuck in Atlanta for an overnight, as Delta only operates ONE ATL->STT flight a day in the summertime.

Felix

Delta has a 9:10 and an 11:00 during the summer but the 11:00 is almost always full. Worst case I have made it from the far end of T concourse to the far end of E in 25 minutes but built up a pretty good sweat in the process.

If the connection is missed because of Delta you can request to be rebooked rough SJU or on another airline. Very few connections are missed with the current performance if you are on all mainline flights. If you are on a Delta connection flight into Atlanta the performance is not as good. First flights of the day from out stations normally perform extremely well.
G

Favorite restaurant in ATL is on the T Concourse. Papi's Cuban Restaurant and Grill. You won't be disappointed!

One Flew South is the best restaurant in ATL airport. Look it up. It is a top #10 airport restaurant in the US.

I stand corrected ... could have sworn there is only the 9-ish one (which often sees its departure time change a couple times prior to travel day), but you're absolutely right.

Felix