Smoking at Atlanta’s Airport: Where You Can and Can’t Light Up at Hartsfield-Jackson

If you’re flying through Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and wondering whether there’s still a smoking area, the short answer is:

Here’s how it works in detail, and what that means for you if you live in Atlanta or are visiting and flying through ATL.

Does the Atlanta Airport Have a Smoking Area?

ATL used to have several indoor smoking lounges past security. Those are now closed.

Today:

• Smoking and vaping are banned inside the terminal, including:
  • All concourses (T, A, B, C, D, E, F)
  • The Plane Train and walkways
  • Food courts, gate areas, restrooms, and baggage claim
• Designated outdoor smoking areas are available outside the terminal buildings, before you go through security.

If you’re already at your gate and want to smoke, you’ll need to:

1. Exit the secure area,
2. Go outside to a designated smoking zone, and
3. Re-clear security to get back to your flight.

This can add a lot of time, especially during busy periods, so planning around it is important.

Where Exactly Can You Smoke at ATL?

The exact locations of outdoor smoking areas can change, but the general pattern is consistent:

1. North and South Terminal (Domestic Side)

If you’re flying most major U.S. airlines, you’ll likely arrive at or depart from the Domestic Terminal (North or South).

You can typically find designated smoking areas:

• Outside the terminal on the curbside, in clearly marked areas
• Near some of the ground transportation pickup zones
• In certain spots along the sidewalks away from main entrances

Look for:

• “Designated Smoking Area” signs
• Ashtrays or cigarette receptacles
• Areas set a bit away from doorways and heavy foot traffic

2. International Terminal (Concourse F / Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)

If you’re on an international flight, you may start or end your trip at the International Terminal.

Outdoor smoking areas are usually located:

• On the curbside level outside the terminal entrances
• Near certain pickup/drop-off points, again in marked zones

If you land in Atlanta from abroad and have a long layover before a domestic connection, remember:

• You’ll clear customs, then exit into the main public area.
• You can step outside to smoke in a designated area.
• You will then need to go back through security to access your next gate.

Quick Reference: Where You Can Smoke at Atlanta Airport

How Long Will It Take to Step Out for a Smoke?

For Atlanta travelers, the time cost can be the biggest surprise.

Here’s what to factor in:

• Walking time from your gate to the main exit:
  • Can be 10–20 minutes depending on your concourse
• Time outside to smoke
• Security lines when you re-enter:
  • Can range from 10 minutes to 45+ minutes during peak hours
• Getting back to your gate:
  • Add another 10–20 minutes for walking and trains

For many Atlanta flyers, this means:

• 🚫 If boarding starts within an hour, stepping out to smoke can be risky.
• ✅ If you have a long layover (2+ hours), you have more flexibility, but still keep an eye on the time.

Tips for Atlanta-Based Travelers Who Smoke

If you live in metro Atlanta and use ATL regularly, a few habits can make things smoother:

1. Plan Your “Last Smoke” Before the Airport

Many local travelers choose to:

• Smoke at home before leaving for the airport, or
• Use designated smoking areas at MARTA stations or rideshare pickup/drop-off points before they enter the terminal area

If you’re being dropped off:

• Consider asking your driver to stop in a safe, legal location before entering the terminal loop if you want one last smoke.
• Once you’re in the terminal curbside area, you’ll need to use only the designated smoking zones.

2. Give Yourself Extra Time if You Must Smoke After Check-In

If you’ve already checked in and you really want to smoke before your flight:

• Check your boarding time.
• Make sure you have:
  • Enough time to go outside to a smoking area
  • Enough buffer to clear security again and reach your gate

Many frequent Atlanta flyers simply wait until:

• After they land at their destination, or
• Until they’re outside the airport again, to avoid the double security process.

What About Vaping at Atlanta Airport?

Vaping (e-cigarettes) is treated much like smoking at ATL:

• Not allowed indoors anywhere in the terminals or concourses
• Generally restricted to the same designated outdoor smoking areas as traditional cigarettes
• You must still go outside and follow the same security/return process

If you’re traveling with vape devices:

• Follow airline and TSA rules for batteries and liquids
• Use them only in approved outdoor areas, not in restrooms or gate areas

Local Rules and Atlanta-Area Context

Atlanta city and airport rules are part of a broader move toward smoke-free indoor spaces across Georgia’s major public venues.

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, this means:

• Most indoor public places, including ATL, do not permit smoking or vaping
• You’ll be directed to outdoor, designated zones at:
  • Airports
  • Many transit hubs
  • Some large event venues

If you’re unsure about the latest rules at Hartsfield–Jackson:

• You can call the airport’s main information line:
  • Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
    6000 N Terminal Pkwy
    Atlanta, GA 30320
    Main Information: (800) 897-1910 (toll-free, commonly used information number)

You can ask specifically about current smoking area locations on the day you travel.

Practical Takeaways for Smoking at ATL

• No indoor smoking areas: All former smoking lounges at ATL are closed.
• Smoking and vaping are only allowed outdoors, in marked smoking zones outside the terminal buildings.
• If you’re past security and want to smoke:
  • You must exit, smoke outside, then re-clear security.
• For most Atlanta travelers:
  • Plan your last smoke before entering the terminal.
  • Avoid stepping out between flights unless you have a long layover and are comfortable with the time it adds.

Understanding these rules before you head to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport can help you avoid stress, missed flights, and last-minute surprises at the world’s busiest airport.