flying via Atlanta

We're hoping to make a trip to the states with our baby in May/June, who will be 8 months by then.  We thought we'd go Norwich-Minneapolis via Amsterdam to make it a bit easier but the cheapest route (by like 300 pounds!) takes us via Atlanta on the way out (but not on the way back.)

My question-is an 1.5 hours enough time to get through immigration/customs/re-check bags and get to your gate in Atlanta? I've never flown through there-usually I go via O'hare. 

Thanks!
Katherine

Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta is THE busiest airport in the country.  I think 1.5 hours is cutting it very close, but it can be done if everything goes to plan (no delays of any sort and flying at off-peak times).

ETA: For what its worth, I just found a website that claims minimum connection time from international flights is 60 mins, but that seems very optimistic to me.

i (US citizen) have stood in line for 1 1/2 hours at immigration in atlanta, so i'd say you want a longer connection.  certain times of the day are normally very busy there.

In January, I made it to the gate for my onward flight from the plane arriving in a little over an hour. But the lines for immigration were relatively short (it was 3pm). You recheck your bags immediately after going through customs (no line there either) and then take the shuttle train to whatever terminal your onward flight is from. I think your connection is doable as long as the flight from the UK gets to the gate on time.

My decision to go for a relatively tight connection was made because I knew that if I missed the connecting flight, there was another about 2 hours later they would have put me on. That reduced the risk.

Atlanta airport is my base (flight attendant) and I'm through immigration & customs there frequently. Yes, that it enough time providing everything goes smoothly. Flights on time, baggage arrives in a timely manner and that there are not an overwhelming number of passengers waiting at immigration.
The tram system works smoothly and the bag recheck goes quickly. The only holdup after immigration & customs is the fact that you do have to go through security again before heading out to your next flight so be prepared for that.

I live in Atlanta and would not risk it. While 90 minutes seems like enough, and probably would be in most airports, the fact you have to go through security again and then take a train to your next gate would make me want longer. The airport is a nightmare flying internationally.

i have always flew atlanta to and from manchester typically to make a connecting flight i always allow at least 2 hours coming from england into the us through immigration because there have been a few times it has been an absolute nightmare and we have barely made it to our gate on time (and that is if they dont wind up switching the gate on you a few times while youre there)

Thanks for all of the responses. In the end, we got a flight direct from London to Minneapolis going over, then back to Norwich via Amsterdam on the way home. No Atlanta!!

So here's my next question-done the whole thing taking the train into London and then out to Heathrow via the Tube many times.....but this is the first with a baby. Trains for us get into Liverpool Street. Any people on here in London/use the Tube all the time know the best place for lifts/least amount of steps to get us over to Heathrow via the Tube (avoiding doing Heathrow Express!) 

Baby is going to sit in our lap on the flight-do we have to get a restraint or anything?

Thanks!
Katherine

Don't know about the tube issue.

But as the flight attendant told my husband when he asked this same question...you are your child's restraint...nothing else needed or allowed, unless they are travelling in their own seat then you can have an approved safety seat.

Thanks for all of the responses. In the end, we got a flight direct from London to Minneapolis going over, then back to Norwich via Amsterdam on the way home. No Atlanta!!

So here's my next question-done the whole thing taking the train into London and then out to Heathrow via the Tube many times.....but this is the first with a baby. Trains for us get into Liverpool Street. Any people on here in London/use the Tube all the time know the best place for lifts/least amount of steps to get us over to Heathrow via the Tube (avoiding doing Heathrow Express!) 

Baby is going to sit in our lap on the flight-do we have to get a restraint or anything?

Thanks!
Katherine

Best way I can think of would be to get the Circle or Hammersmith & City Line from Liverpool Street to Hammersmith.  I think this involves one short flight of stairs max.  Then cross the road at Hammersmith to the other Hammersmith station (District and Piccadilly) which is step free, and take the Piccadilly line to Heathrow (step free when you get there)