Understanding Terminals at Atlanta’s Airport: Is There a “Terminal S”?
If you’re flying in or out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and wondering, “Does Atlanta Airport have a Terminal S?”, you’re not alone. The airport’s layout and naming system can be confusing, especially if you’re used to other cities that use letters like A, B, C, or S for their terminals.
Here’s how Atlanta’s airport actually works and what “Terminal S” might refer to in different contexts.
Short Answer: No, There Is No “Terminal S” at Atlanta Airport
Atlanta’s airport does not have a Terminal S.
Instead, ATL has:
- Two main terminal buildings at the ends of the airport:
- Domestic Terminal (also called Terminal North and Terminal South)
- International Terminal (also called Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)
- Seven concourses (lettered A, B, C, D, E, F, and T)
So if you’re looking for “Terminal S,” what you probably need is:
- Terminal South (often associated with Delta in the Domestic Terminal), or
- A specific concourse like Concourse S on your boarding pass (which may be airline-specific shorthand, not an official ATL designation).
How Atlanta’s Airport Is Actually Organized
The Two Main Terminals
1. Domestic Terminal (West Side of the Airport)
Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
The Domestic Terminal is divided into:
- Terminal North
- Terminal South
These are two wings of the same large terminal building.
- Terminal South is often where Delta Air Lines operates its main domestic check-in area.
- Terminal North serves several other domestic airlines.
Even though you’ll see “North” and “South” on signs and in directions, the airport does not formally label these as “Terminal N” or “Terminal S” the way some other airports do. Locals and airline staff typically say “Domestic South” or “Domestic North.”
2. International Terminal (East Side of the Airport)
Address: 2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30354
This is sometimes called the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal and is connected directly to Concourse F.
Travelers flying internationally may check in here or at the Domestic Terminal, depending on the airline and direction of travel.
Terminals vs. Concourses: What You’ll Actually See on Signs
To navigate ATL, it’s important to separate:
- Terminals – where you check in, drop bags, and go through security.
- Concourses – where your departure gate is located.
Terminals at ATL
- Domestic Terminal – North
- Domestic Terminal – South
- International Terminal (Concourse F entrance)
Concourses at ATL
Once you pass security, you’ll move into the concourse system, which is shared between airlines:
| Area Type | Name at ATL | What It’s Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal | Domestic Terminal – South | Check-in, security, baggage claim (mostly Delta domestic) |
| Terminal | Domestic Terminal – North | Check-in, security, baggage claim (other domestic airlines) |
| Terminal | International Terminal (East) | International check-in, security, baggage claim, customs |
| Concourse | T | Closest to Domestic Terminal (some domestic/international flights) |
| Concourse | A, B, C, D | Primarily domestic flights |
| Concourse | E, F | International and some domestic flights |
You’ll travel between concourses using the Plane Train (underground people mover) or the pedestrian tunnel.
Why You Might See “Terminal S” on Your Ticket or App
Even though ATL itself doesn’t officially have a “Terminal S,” you might still see similar language from:
- Airlines
- Online booking systems
- Mobile travel apps
These systems sometimes label areas this way:
- “Domestic – S” or “Terminal S” to mean Domestic Terminal South
- “Domestic – N” or “Terminal N” to mean Domestic Terminal North
If you see “Terminal S” listed for a flight in Atlanta, it almost always means you should go to the:
Once inside, your boarding pass or app will show your concourse and gate (for example, Gate B12).
How to Know Where You Need to Go
1. Check Your Boarding Pass or Confirmation
Look for:
- Departure airport terminal – may say:
- “Domestic South”
- “South Terminal”
- “Domestic – S”
- Concourse and gate – something like:
- “Concourse B, Gate B10”
- “Gate T8”
- “Gate F4” (often international)
If you see anything like “Terminal S” related to Atlanta, treat it as Domestic Terminal – South.
2. Follow Road and Building Signs at ATL
Driving to the airport or getting dropped off:
- For Terminal South:
- Follow signs on interstate exits and airport roadways for “Domestic Terminal South” or “Delta”.
- For Terminal North:
- Follow signs for “Domestic Terminal North”.
- For the International Terminal:
- Follow signs for “International Terminal” or “Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal.”
From inside the terminal, you’ll follow overhead signs to Security and then to your concourse using the Plane Train.
Getting Between Terminals and Concourses
If you’re connecting in Atlanta or coming from elsewhere in the city, here’s how the layout works in practice.
From Domestic Terminal North to Domestic Terminal South
- The two sides are part of the same large building.
- You can:
- Walk inside along the main ticketing level, or
- Use the shared baggage claim level to go from one side to the other.
You do not need to exit the airport or re-enter from outside.
From Domestic Terminal (North or South) to the Concourses
After security, you’ll:
- Enter Concourse T area first.
- Use the Plane Train to reach:
- Concourse A, B, C, D, E, or F, depending on your gate.
You don’t need to worry about “Terminal S” once you’re past security; focus only on the concourse letter and gate number.
From Domestic Terminal to the International Terminal
You have two main options:
- Airside (after security):
- Take the Plane Train to Concourse F for international flights.
- Landside (before security):
- Use the airport shuttle buses connecting the Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal building, or
- Drive around the airport loop road to the International Terminal entrance.
If you’re a local picking someone up from an international flight, you’ll generally need to go to the International Terminal side for international arrivals (especially non-U.S. arrivals clearing customs).
Getting To and From Atlanta Airport (Local Transportation Tips)
Because this article is focused on Atlanta, it helps to know how to reach the right terminal from around the city.
MARTA (Atlanta’s Rail System)
- The MARTA Airport Station is located at the Domestic Terminal, near the baggage claim area.
- If you arrive on MARTA:
- You’ll come into the Domestic Terminal, between North and South.
- To reach Terminal South, follow signs within the building.
If you need the International Terminal, you can:
- Take the free airport shuttle from the Domestic Terminal to the International Terminal, or
- Ride MARTA to the airport, then use ground transportation (taxi, rideshare) from Domestic to the International Terminal entrance.
Rideshare, Taxis, and Pickup
- For Domestic Terminal South:
- Drivers typically follow signage for “Domestic South”.
- For International Terminal:
- Drivers follow signs for “International Terminal” on the east side of the airport.
Be sure to tell your driver whether you’re going to Domestic North, Domestic South, or the International Terminal to avoid confusion.
Key Takeaways for Travelers in Atlanta
- No official “Terminal S”: Atlanta’s airport does not list a Terminal S on its maps or signs.
- What “Terminal S” usually means: Most of the time, “Terminal S” in an app or on a ticket stands for Domestic Terminal – South.
- Focus on three things:
- Which main terminal: Domestic North, Domestic South, or International.
- Which concourse: T, A, B, C, D, E, or F.
- Which gate: The number printed on your boarding pass.
- If in doubt: At ATL, airport staff and information desks in any terminal can confirm whether you should be at Domestic North, Domestic South, or the International Terminal for your specific airline and flight.
Understanding that “Terminal S” is not an official ATL label but often a shorthand for Domestic Terminal South will help you get to the right place on time—whether you’re a local flying out for a quick trip or a visitor connecting through Atlanta.