B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
General None Reported / Taken
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
Aircraft on ATL's south runways caused Tower to divert several aircraft waiting to take off to the north side including us. Tower made several calls for aircraft to 'be ready' as he was trying to launch many in a short amount of time. My best recollection is we had cleaned up from flaps 5 to 1; and were approaching flaps 1 min maneuver speed when we hit several seconds of heavy moderate rolling motion; requiring almost full throw of the ailerons to maintain wings level attitude as we hit the wake from an Airbus that took off ahead of us. When I got to my hotel room; I looked up the event reporting requirements and realized we didn't report the incident to ATC. I did; however; make a PA above 10;000 feet to explain to the passengers what happened and why; and got positive feedback from the flight attendants who said the event concerned the customers.
Reporter stated ATL seems to be reducing separation resulting in more frequent wake encounters.
B737 Captain reported encountering wake turbulence departing ATL in trail of an Airbus.