Navigating a Concourse at Atlanta Airport: A Practical Guide to ATL’s Terminals

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) can feel like a small city, especially if you are trying to figure out where “Concourse A” is or how to get from one concourse to another. Whether you live in metro Atlanta or you are flying through on a connection, understanding how Concourse A and its neighbors work will make your time at the airport much smoother.

How Atlanta Airport Is Laid Out

Atlanta’s airport is organized in a straight line:

• Domestic Terminal South (Delta)
• Domestic Terminal North (other major airlines)
• Concourse T (closest to the terminals)
• Concourse A
• Concourse B
• Concourse C
• Concourse D
• Concourse E
• Concourse F / International Terminal

You can think of Concourse A as one stop down the line from the main terminals and Concourse T.

All concourses are connected inside security by the underground Plane Train and pedestrian walkways, so once you are through security, you can move between any concourse without going back outside or re-screening.

What Is Concourse A at Atlanta Airport?

Concourse A is one of ATL’s busiest domestic concourses. It primarily serves:

• Delta Air Lines and its regional partners
• A few affiliated or codeshare flights during busy times

Key things to know:

• Gates: Lined up on both sides of a long central hallway (you’ll see gate numbers like A1, A10, A23, etc.).
• Food & shops: A wide mix of fast-casual spots, grab-and-go food, coffee, bars, and retail.
• Services: Restrooms, water refill stations, phone charging, and seating areas spread along the length of the concourse.

If your boarding pass says Gate Axx, your flight leaves from Concourse A.

Getting to Concourse A: Step-by-Step

1. Starting at the Domestic Terminals (North or South)

If you are departing from Atlanta on a domestic flight, you will usually arrive at:

• Domestic Terminal South – mostly Delta
• Domestic Terminal North – many other airlines

From either terminal:

1. Check in with your airline if needed.
2. Go through the TSA security checkpoint for that terminal.
3. After security, follow signs to the Plane Train.
4. Ride the Plane Train one stop to “Concourse A”, or walk via the underground pedestrian corridor (longer, but an option).

You can also walk from Concourses T to A without using the train by staying in the underground walkway and following the overhead signs.

2. Coming From Another Concourse

If you are connecting in Atlanta:

• Follow signs for Plane Train.
• Take the train to the “A” station.
• Exit the train and ride the escalator or elevator up into Concourse A.

You never have to leave security to move between concourses.

3. Arriving Internationally, Connecting Domestically

If you land from an international flight and connect to a domestic flight (often in Concourse A):

• You will typically clear immigration and customs, then go through TSA security again if you exit into the public side.
• Follow signs back to security and then head to the Plane Train.
• Ride to Concourse A for your connecting flight.

What You’ll Find in Concourse A

Concourse A is designed to keep large numbers of people moving while still giving options to eat, work, and relax.

Food and Drink

You will find:

• Quick-service restaurants: Burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and Southern-inspired options
• Grab-and-go markets: Packaged snacks, salads, drinks
• Coffee shops: Multiple coffee and bakery-style spots
• Bars: Sit-down and walk-up locations with drinks and light bites

Tip: Lines are usually shorter if you walk a bit farther down the concourse away from the central escalator area.

Shops and Services

Look for:

• Newsstands and convenience shops (snacks, water, reading material)
• Travel essentials (chargers, headphones, neck pillows)
• ATMs
• Charging stations along seating areas

Many travelers find Concourse A a good place to grab last‑minute items before boarding a short domestic flight.

ATL Concourse A at a Glance

Moving Between Concourse A and the Rest of ATL

Using the Plane Train

The Plane Train is the fastest way to move around:

• Fully inside security
• Runs frequently between all concourses and the domestic and international terminals
• Stops are clearly announced and labeled

From Concourse A, you can ride directly to:

• Concourse T (toward the terminals and Ground Transportation)
• Concourses B, C, D, E, and F (toward the end of the line)

Walking Between Concourses

If you prefer to walk, follow the “Walk to All Concourses” signs down in the transportation corridor:

• The walk from T to A is manageable if you have time and like to stretch your legs.
• There are moving walkways to make the distance easier.
• Historical and art displays often line the corridor, which some travelers enjoy.

Walking can be helpful during very busy times when trains are crowded.

How Long Does It Take to Get to Concourse A?

Timing depends on where you start:

• From Domestic Terminal security to Concourse A by Plane Train: usually just a few minutes once you reach the platform.
• Walking from Concourse T to A: often around 10 minutes, depending on your pace.
• From Concourse A to B or C by Plane Train: usually a few minutes per stop.

If you live in Atlanta and are planning a trip, it’s smart to:

• Arrive at the airport early enough to account for parking, check-in, and security.
• Build in extra time during peak hours (early mornings, late afternoons, and major holidays).

Ground Transportation and Getting Home to Atlanta

Concourse A itself does not connect directly to parking or ground transportation. To reach cars, MARTA, or rideshares:

1. From Concourse A, ride the Plane Train toward Concourse T/Terminal.
2. Exit at T/Terminals and follow signs to:
   • Baggage Claim
   • Ground Transportation
   • MARTA station (for rail service into Atlanta)
   • Rideshare pick-up, taxis, or hotel shuttles

For local Atlantans, MARTA is often a good option to avoid parking, especially for longer trips.

Helpful ATL Contacts and Location Details

While you typically won’t need to call the airport just for Concourse A questions, these official contacts can help with broader ATL issues like lost items outside security, parking, or airport operations.

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy
  Atlanta, GA 30320
  Main Airport Information: (800) 897-1910

• Atlanta Police Department – Airport Precinct
  For non-emergency security or law enforcement matters at ATL.
  3100 Inner Loop Rd
  Atlanta, GA 30337
  Non-Emergency: (404) 530-6665
  Emergency: 911

For airline-specific questions about gates in Concourse A, delays, or upgrades, it’s usually best to use:

• Your airline’s mobile app
• The airline’s customer service counter in the Domestic Terminal or on the concourse
• Gate agents posted at A‑gates

Tips for Atlanta Travelers Using Concourse A

• Check your gate early: Flights sometimes move between nearby gates within Concourse A or between A and T/B.
• Don’t camp by the escalators: Walk further down the concourse for more seating and usually more open outlets.
• Keep boarding pass handy: Agents frequently check boarding passes at the gate area before boarding.
• Watch the monitors: Flight information display screens in Concourse A show gate changes and delays in real time.

Understanding how Concourse A fits into Atlanta’s airport layout makes it far less confusing to navigate. Once you’re through security, think of the airport as one long line of concourses, and Concourse A as one of the main domestic hubs right near the center of the action.