What Terminal Is Southwest At Atlanta Airport? A Local’s Guide to Flying Southwest at ATL

If you’re flying Southwest Airlines from Atlanta, you’ll be using Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). At ATL, Southwest operates out of Concourse C in the Domestic Terminal.

That’s the short answer. Below is everything you need to know about where to go, how to get there, and what to expect when using Southwest at Atlanta Airport, whether you live in metro Atlanta or you’re just connecting through.

Quick Answer: Southwest’s Terminal and Concourse at ATL

Use this summary before you head to the airport:

⚠️ Key point: ATL is organized by concourses (A, B, C, etc.), not separate stand-alone terminals for each airline. So you’ll check in at the Domestic Terminal, clear security, and then ride the Plane Train to Concourse C for Southwest flights.

Understanding Atlanta Airport’s Layout (So You Don’t Get Lost)

Hartsfield–Jackson can feel huge, especially if you’re new to Atlanta. Knowing the basic layout makes flying Southwest a lot easier.

Domestic vs. International at ATL

• Domestic Terminal: For flights within the United States (Southwest is here).
• Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (Concourse F): For most international departures and some international arrivals.

If you’re flying Southwest, you’ll start and end in the Domestic Terminal, even if you’re connecting from or to another airline.

Concourses, Not Classic “Terminals”

After security, ATL has parallel concourses connected by the underground Plane Train and walkways:

• T, A, B, C, D, E, F (International)

Southwest uses Concourse C. Other concourses are reachable by the Plane Train if you’re connecting to a different airline.

Where to Check In for Southwest at Atlanta Airport

Check-In and Ticketing

Southwest’s ticketing and check-in counters are located in the Domestic Terminal, generally on the North side of the terminal’s check-in hall.

When you arrive at ATL by car, rideshare, MARTA, or shuttle:

1. Follow signs for Domestic Terminal.
2. Then watch for “North Terminal” and “Southwest” on the overhead signs.
3. Go to the Southwest check-in area to:
   • Check luggage
   • Get or print boarding passes
   • Speak to an agent about reservations or changes

If you’re only carrying a bag, you can often check in online or in the app and head straight to security, skipping the ticket counter.

Security: Which Checkpoint Should Southwest Passengers Use?

For Southwest, you can use any Domestic Terminal security checkpoint:

• North Security Checkpoint
• South Security Checkpoint
• Main/General checkpoint (as signed at the airport)

Once you pass security, all concourses (T, A, B, C, D, E, F) are accessible, so it doesn’t matter which domestic checkpoint you use as long as:

• Your boarding pass is for that day, and
• You’re taking a domestic flight.

After security:

1. Follow signs for the Plane Train.
2. Board the train and get off at Concourse C.
3. Walk up the escalator/elevator to the Concourse C gate level.

Getting to Concourse C for Southwest Flights

From the main terminal (post-security):

1. Look for “Plane Train” signs.
2. Take the train toward C, D, E, F.
3. Get off at Concourse C.
4. Check airport monitors for your Southwest gate number.

The ride from the Domestic Terminal station to Concourse C is usually just a couple of minutes, but plan a bit of extra time during busy Atlanta travel times (mornings, late afternoons, holidays, major events).

Arriving in Atlanta on Southwest: Where to Go

When you land at ATL on Southwest:

1. Your plane will arrive at a gate in Concourse C.
2. Follow signs for “Baggage Claim / Ground Transportation”.
3. You can either:
   • Take the Plane Train back to the Domestic Terminal
   • Or walk via the underground corridor (usually slower)

Once you get back to the Domestic Terminal:

• Follow signs for Baggage Claim to pick up checked bags.
• Then continue toward Ground Transportation for:
  • Rideshare pick-up areas
  • MARTA (Atlanta’s rail system)
  • Rental cars
  • Hotel shuttles
  • Taxis

Connecting in Atlanta on Southwest (Or Between Airlines)

Southwest-to-Southwest Connections

If both flights are on Southwest:

• You’ll usually stay in Concourse C.
• Check the overhead screens or app: sometimes you may walk just a few gates; other times you might have a bit of a walk along the concourse.

No need to leave security or change terminals.

Southwest to Another Airline

If you’re connecting from Southwest (Concourse C) to another airline at ATL:

• You still stay behind security.
• Take the Plane Train to the concourse of your next flight:
  • Example: Many Delta flights use Concourse A, B, or T.
• Make sure you know:
  • Your next concourse and gate
  • Whether your bags are checked through or need to be re-checked (especially if using separate tickets)

For international connections, you may arrive in Concourse E or F, complete immigration and customs, and then re-check bags and re-enter security. Once back inside the secure area, you can still ride the Plane Train to Concourse C for Southwest.

Ground Transportation for Southwest Travelers in Atlanta

Once you’ve landed and collected your bags from the Domestic Terminal, you have several options:

MARTA (Good for Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead)

If you’re heading to central Atlanta areas (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead):

• Follow signs for “Ground Transportation / MARTA” from Domestic Baggage Claim.
• The Airport MARTA Station is attached to the Domestic Terminal.
• It’s on the Red and Gold lines, connecting you directly to:
  • College Park
  • West End
  • Downtown (Five Points, Peachtree Center)
  • Midtown
  • Buckhead
  • North Springs, Doraville, and more

Rideshare and Taxi

For Uber, Lyft, and taxis:

• From Domestic Baggage Claim, follow signs to Rideshare or Taxi.
• There’s a designated rideshare pickup area just outside the terminal.
• Taxis queue up outside baggage claim.

Rental Cars

For rental cars:

• Follow signs for the Rental Car Center (RCC).
• Take the SkyTrain from the Domestic Terminal to the RCC.
• Here you’ll find major rental agencies serving Atlanta.

Tips for Atlanta Locals Flying Southwest

If you live in the metro Atlanta area and use Southwest often, these local-focused tips can help:

• Arrive early for peak times: Morning business flights and Sunday evenings can be especially busy at ATL. Plan at least 90 minutes before departure for domestic flights, more during holidays.
• Use online check-in: Check in on the app or website to skip lines at the Southwest counters if you’re not checking bags.
• Consider your parking:
  • ATL has Domestic Terminal parking (covered and uncovered).
  • Off-site parking lots near the airport can be cheaper and run frequent shuttles to the Domestic Terminal.
• Know your side: If you park or get dropped off, ask to be taken to the Domestic North Terminal for the easiest access to Southwest check-in.

Helpful ATL & Contact Information

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320
Main airport information (publicly available main line): (800) 897‑1910

For Southwest-specific questions (reservations, flight changes, baggage policies), use Southwest’s customer service channels or airport ticket counters at the Domestic North Terminal.

Key Takeaways for Southwest at Atlanta Airport

• Southwest Airlines uses the Domestic Terminal at ATL.
• After security, Southwest flights depart from Concourse C.
• You can use any Domestic security checkpoint, then take the Plane Train to Concourse C.
• Arrivals on Southwest also use Concourse C, with baggage claim in the Domestic Terminal.
• From there, Atlanta travelers can easily access MARTA, rideshare, taxis, and rental cars directly from the Domestic side.

If you remember “Domestic Terminal, Concourse C”, you’ll be headed to the right place for every Southwest flight in and out of Atlanta.