Smoking at Atlanta Airport: What You Need to Know at Hartsfield-Jackson

If you are flying through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and wondering, “Does Atlanta airport have smoking areas?”, the short answer is:

All indoor smoking rooms that used to exist at ATL have been closed. Smoking and vaping are now only allowed in designated areas outside the terminal buildings, past the doorways and away from entrances.

Below is a clear guide to how smoking works at Atlanta’s airport, where you can smoke, and what that means for your travel plans.

Are There Any Smoking Areas Inside Atlanta Airport?

No. There are no indoor smoking areas, lounges, or rooms at ATL.

That includes:

• Concourse gate areas
• Food courts and restaurants
• Bars and lounges
• Restrooms and family restrooms
• Baggage claim and ticketing halls
• The Plane Train and all walkways between concourses

Hartsfield-Jackson previously had enclosed smoking rooms in some concourses, but those have been permanently closed. This change aligns with Atlanta’s broader smoke-free indoor air rules.

That means if you are:

• Waiting at your gate
• On a layover and already through security
• Transferring between flights without leaving secure areas

…you will not find any place inside the secure zone where smoking (including vaping) is allowed.

Where Can You Smoke at Atlanta Airport?

You may still smoke at ATL, but only in certain outdoor areas and only before or after security.

1. Outdoor Designated Smoking Areas at the Terminals

Smoking is generally allowed outside the terminal buildings, in marked or commonly used smoking areas away from the doors.

Typical places you’ll find smokers:

• North and South Domestic Terminal curbside areas
• International Terminal (Concourse F) curbside area
• Areas along the arrival and departure curbs, a safe distance from doors and air intakes

Look for:

• Signs indicating smoking policies
• Ashtrays or cigarette receptacles placed along the curb

🚩 Important: You must step fully outside the building. Smoking right at the doorway or under “No Smoking” signs is not allowed and can lead to enforcement from airport or city personnel.

2. No Smoking in the Parking Decks or SkyTrain

Even though parking facilities are partly open to the air, they are treated as smoke-free structures. Do not assume you can smoke:

• In parking garages
• On the SkyTrain platforms
• Inside rental car center walkways or buildings

When in doubt, return to the outdoor curb areas along the main terminals.

Can You Smoke During a Layover at ATL?

You can, but only if you are willing to:

1. Exit the secure area,
2. Go outside to smoke, and
3. Go back through TSA security screening again.

How This Works in Practice

If you are on a connecting flight in Atlanta:

• Once you land, you will be inside the secure (post-security) area of a concourse.
• There is no smoking anywhere in that secure area.
• To smoke, you must:
  1. Take the Plane Train or walk to the Domestic Terminal (North or South) or to the International Terminal (F).
  2. Follow signs for “Baggage Claim” or “Ground Transportation” to exit security.
  3. Go outside the terminal to a curbside area where smoking is permitted.
  4. When you are done, return to the terminal entrance and go through TSA screening again to re-enter the secure area and get to your next gate.

Things to Consider Before You Exit Security

Leaving security just to smoke can easily add 30–60 minutes to your connection, especially during busy times in Atlanta.

Think carefully about:

• Length of your layover:

  • Under 1 hour: Exiting to smoke is usually too risky.
  • 1–2 hours: Possible, but timing will be tight.
  • 2+ hours: More realistic, especially at off-peak times.

• Time of day:

  • Early mornings and late evenings can have lighter security lines.
  • Midday and early evening are often crowded.

• Which terminal you’re using:

  • International connections at Concourse F may involve extra passport or security checks depending on your itinerary.

If your connection is short, many travelers simply choose to wait until they arrive at their final destination rather than risk missing a flight.

Quick Reference: Smoking Rules at ATL

What About Vaping and E-Cigarettes at Atlanta Airport?

In practice, vaping and e-cigarettes are treated similarly to traditional smoking at Hartsfield-Jackson.

That means:

• No vaping anywhere indoors, including:

  • Gates and seating areas
  • Restrooms
  • Restaurants and bars
  • Walkways and the Plane Train

• Vaping may only be done outside, in the same curbside-style areas where smoking is allowed, away from entrances and crowds.

Even if vapor doesn’t produce the same lingering smell as cigarettes, security and airport staff may still ask you to stop if you try to vape indoors.

Local Rules Behind ATL’s Smoking Policy

If you live in Atlanta, you may already be familiar with the city’s smoke-free indoor air rules. These rules apply broadly to:

• Workplaces
• Bars and restaurants
• Public facilities and transportation hubs

Hartsfield-Jackson, as the primary airport serving Atlanta, follows these rules by:

• Prohibiting smoking and vaping inside airport buildings
• Directing all smoking activity to outdoor curbside areas
• Removing all dedicated smoking rooms and lounges inside concourses

The airport’s policies are meant to be easy to enforce and consistent: if there’s a roof and walls, assume it is non-smoking unless clearly marked otherwise.

Tips for Smokers Traveling Through Atlanta

If you are planning a trip and know you may need to smoke, a little preparation can make things smoother:

• Plan your last smoke before security.

  • If you are departing from Atlanta, use the outdoor terminal areas before going through TSA.
  • Once you go through security, you will not have another chance to smoke unless you exit the secure area.

• Allow extra time on connections if you intend to smoke.

  • For planned smoke breaks between flights, consider choosing longer layovers.

• Carry what you need in your personal item.

  • Lighters and matches are subject to airline and TSA rules. Check current guidelines before you travel.
  • Loose tobacco, vape liquids, and related items may have liquid and carry-on restrictions.

• Ask airport staff if you’re unsure.

  • Customer service desks and information booths throughout ATL can point you toward appropriate outdoor areas.

Who Manages Smoking Rules at ATL?

If you want to check current policies directly from local sources, two main entities are involved:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

  • Address: 6000 N Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Main information lines typically can confirm current smoking and vaping rules and direct you to customer service counters inside the terminals.

• City of Atlanta – Department of Aviation

  • Oversees airport operations and policy implementation.
  • Located in Atlanta and responsible for aligning the airport’s rules with city regulations.

Contacting these official channels can be useful if you are organizing large group travel or need the most up-to-date wording of rules.

In summary, Atlanta’s airport no longer has indoor smoking areas. If you need to smoke or vape at Hartsfield-Jackson, you will need to use outdoor curbside areas and, during a layover, be prepared to exit and re-clear security. Understanding this ahead of time can help you plan your timing and avoid surprises on your next trip through Atlanta.