Smoking at Atlanta Airport: Are There Still Smoking Lounges at ATL?

If you’re flying through Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and wondering whether you can still smoke inside the terminal, the answer is clear:

No — Atlanta Airport no longer has any indoor smoking lounges.

All former smoking rooms and lounges inside ATL have been closed, and smoking (including e‑cigarettes and vaping) is not allowed anywhere inside the airport buildings.

Below is exactly how smoking works at Atlanta’s airport now, what your options are during a connection, and how to plan ahead if you’re a smoker traveling through ATL.

Does Atlanta Airport Still Have Smoking Lounges?

No. There are currently no smoking lounges at ATL.

In line with Atlanta’s smokefree public places ordinance and airport policy, the airport terminals are 100% smoke-free indoors. This includes:

• All concourses (T, A, B, C, D, E, F)
• International Terminal
• Domestic Terminal (North and South)
• Restaurants, bars, and food courts
• Airline clubs and VIP lounges
• Gate areas and boarding zones
• Restrooms and corridors

Vaping and e‑cigarettes are treated the same way as traditional cigarettes and are not allowed inside the terminal.

Where Can You Smoke at Atlanta Airport?

If you need to smoke at ATL, you’ll have to go to a designated outdoor area located outside the secure zones.

1. Outdoor Smoking Areas at the Terminals

Generally, smoking is only permitted:

• Outside the Domestic Terminal (North and South sides), in marked smoking areas away from main entrances
• Outside the International Terminal (Concourse F), in designated areas along the curb or plaza, clearly marked with smoking signs

These are usually found:

• Past the sliding doors to the curbside pickup/drop-off zones
• In clearly signed outdoor smoking sections with ashtrays or receptacles

⚠️ Important: To reach these areas if you’re already past security, you must:

1. Exit the secure area, leave the terminal building, and smoke outside.
2. Re-enter through TSA security screening afterward before returning to your gate.

This can take significant time, especially during busy hours.

Smoking During a Layover at ATL

If you’re connecting through Atlanta, whether you can reasonably smoke depends on:

• Length of your layover
• Time of day and security wait times
• Whether you are arriving domestic or international

Short Layovers (Under 1.5–2 Hours)

If your connection is under about 90 minutes, leaving security to smoke and coming back through TSA is usually not practical. You’ll need to:

• Stay in the secured area and plan to wait until your final destination
• Use non-combustible alternatives that comply with rules (but remember: no vaping indoors)

Longer Layovers (2+ Hours)

If you have 2 hours or more, exiting to smoke may be possible, but still consider:

• Time to ride the Plane Train between concourses and terminal
• Time to walk to the curbside outdoor area
• Possible security lines on your way back in

Travelers often give themselves:

• 30–45 minutes to exit and smoke (depending on how far they are from the main terminal)
• 30–60 minutes for TSA plus walking back to the gate

When in doubt, ask an information desk or your airline gate agent if your timing is realistic for your specific flight and concourse.

Quick Reference: Smoking Rules at ATL

How Smoking Rules at ATL Fit into Atlanta City Policies

Atlanta has tightened indoor smoking rules over the years, and Hartsfield–Jackson, as a city-operated facility, follows those standards. For travelers:

• Expect smoke-free indoor environments in most public places in the city, including MARTA stations, many hotels, restaurants, and bars.
• The airport maintains a consistent smoke-free policy indoors, so there are no “hidden” smoking rooms or exceptions once you pass security.

If you live in Atlanta and are picking someone up or dropping them off, you can:

• Use the outdoor smoking areas at the terminals while you wait
• Remain completely outside the secure zone, so there’s no need to go through TSA

Tips for Smokers Traveling Through Atlanta Airport

1. Plan Your Last Smoke Before Security

If you’re departing from Atlanta:

• Smoke in a designated outdoor area before entering the terminal
• Once you pass TSA, assume you will not be able to smoke again until you arrive at your next airport or destination

2. Build in Extra Time if You Intend to Exit and Re-enter

If you’re connecting through ATL and absolutely must smoke:

• Aim for a long layover (2+ hours)
• Factor in:
  • Walking or taking the Plane Train to the main terminal
  • Exiting to the curbside smoking area
  • TSA re-screening and possible delays

3. Follow Airline and Airport Rules for Tobacco Products

Airlines and the airport typically:

• Allow unlit cigarettes in carry-ons or checked bags
• May have restrictions on lighters or matches
• Prohibit smoking and vaping on all flights

Check your airline’s specific rules for any tobacco-related items to avoid problems at screening.

Who to Contact for Current Smoking Policy at ATL

Rules can be updated, so if you want confirmation right before you travel, you can reach out directly to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport:

• General Address:
  Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  6000 N Terminal Parkway
  Atlanta, GA 30320

• Airport Information Line:
  Main airport information is typically available through the City of Atlanta aviation department or airport information desks inside the terminals.

When you’re already at the airport, you can also:

• Ask at an information desk in the Domestic or International Terminal
• Look for posted “No Smoking” and “Designated Smoking Area” signs around entrances and curbs

Key Takeaways for Travelers in Atlanta

• Atlanta Airport does not have smoking lounges anymore.
• No smoking or vaping is allowed inside any terminal area, including lounges and restrooms.
• The only places you can smoke at ATL are designated outdoor areas outside the terminals.
• To smoke during a connection, you’ll need to leave the secure area and go back through TSA, so plan layover times carefully.

Understanding these rules before you arrive in Atlanta can help you avoid surprises, missed flights, or last-minute stress during your trip.