How Long Is the Flight from Philadelphia to Atlanta?

If you’re planning a trip between Philadelphia and Atlanta, you’re looking at a very manageable flight. The route between Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busier city pairs on the East Coast, and nonstop flights run throughout the day.

Here’s what to expect if you’re flying from Philadelphia to Atlanta—whether you live in Atlanta, you’re visiting, or you’re planning travel for friends and family.

Typical Flight Time from Philadelphia to Atlanta

For a nonstop flight from Philadelphia to Atlanta, the typical time in the air is:

• About 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours gate-to-gate
• Actual airborne time (takeoff to landing) is often around 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes

The distance between the two cities is roughly 650–700 miles, which makes it a short-to-medium-haul domestic flight.

Why Your Flight Time Might Vary

Even when the flight path is the same, a few factors can make your trip slightly shorter or longer:

• Weather systems along the East Coast
• Air traffic congestion near ATL or PHL
• Time of day (rush periods vs. mid-day or late-night departures)
• Taxi time on the runway at busy ATL

Most travelers find that the total time from boarding in Philadelphia to deplaning in Atlanta averages around 2 hours, but you should always allow extra time in your schedule for delays or slow taxiing.

Nonstop vs. Connecting Flights

Most people flying between Philadelphia and Atlanta prefer nonstop flights, and that’s what’s commonly offered on this route. However, if you’re using a particular airline or frequent flyer program, you might see one-stop options through another city.

Typical Duration by Flight Type

If you’re based in Atlanta and comparing flights for return trips, the reverse route Atlanta to Philadelphia is usually about the same duration, sometimes a few minutes shorter or longer depending on winds and routing.

Local Atlanta Perspective: How the Flight Fits Into a Travel Day

If you live in Atlanta and someone is flying in from Philadelphia, or you’re returning home from a visit to Philly, here’s how this trip usually plays out in real time.

For Someone Arriving in Atlanta from Philadelphia

If a flight is scheduled to land at 2:00 p.m. at ATL:

• They likely departed PHL around 12:00–12:15 p.m.
• They will typically reach the gate at ATL about 1 hour 45 minutes after takeoff
• Add 15–30 minutes to deplane and reach baggage claim via the Plane Train
• Add another 10–30 minutes for luggage pickup, depending on baggage volume

Realistically, that 2:00 p.m. arrival often means your visitor will walk out to the Ground Transportation area or MARTA station around 2:30–3:00 p.m.

👉 Planning pickups: If you are driving from Midtown, Buckhead, or Decatur to pick someone up at ATL, plan to arrive 20–30 minutes after their scheduled landing time, checking their specific flight status for delays or early arrivals.

Time Needed at Each Airport

Even though the flight itself is short, your door-to-door travel time will be longer. Here’s how much time to budget at each major airport.

At Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

For flights from Philadelphia to Atlanta, travelers should generally arrive:

• At least 1.5–2 hours before departure for domestic flights

PHL is smaller than ATL but can still have:

• Security lines that back up during early-morning and late-afternoon peaks
• Some walking time between check-in, TSA, and departure gates

Encourage friends or family flying to Atlanta to build in extra time, especially on Mondays, Fridays, or around holidays.

At Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Once you land in Atlanta, you’ll go through:

• Taxi to the gate (can take 10–20 minutes during busy times)
• Deplaning
• Plane Train ride from your arrival concourse to Baggage Claim / Ground Transportation

If you’re catching a connection at ATL after flying in from Philadelphia, allow:

• At least 45 minutes – 1 hour for a tight, same-terminal connection
• 1.5+ hours if you prefer a less rushed experience or need to change terminals and grab food

Using Atlanta’s Ground Transportation After Your Flight

Once your PHL → ATL flight is done, you still need to get where you’re going in the city or metro area.

MARTA from ATL

For many visitors and locals, MARTA is a simple choice:

• The MARTA Airport Station is located inside ATL, at the Domestic Terminal, near Baggage Claim
• Trains run to Downtown Atlanta, Midtown, and Buckhead, typically in 15–30 minutes depending on the stop
• If your flight lands around rush hour, MARTA can be more predictable than driving on interstates like I-75/I-85

This makes the short PHL–ATL flight even more attractive, since you can be in central Atlanta fairly quickly after landing.

Rideshare, Taxi, and Pickup

If you’re not using MARTA:

• Rideshare pickups (such as services operating at ATL) are typically in designated areas of the North and South Domestic terminals
• Taxis are available at Ground Transportation and can take you to Midtown in roughly 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic
• If a friend or family member is picking you up, direct them to the appropriate Passenger Pickup area outside the Domestic Terminal

Knowing that the flight from Philadelphia is relatively short, your ride or pickup can be timed pretty closely around the scheduled arrival plus a short buffer.

Best Times to Fly Between Philadelphia and Atlanta

Although the actual flight time remains about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, the time of day you fly can change how smooth your trip feels.

Morning vs. Afternoon vs. Evening

• Early morning flights
  • Often depart on time
  • Can mean less air traffic, so the flight may feel a bit quicker and more predictable
• Mid-day flights
  • Often less crowded in the airport terminals
  • Good for a relaxed pace, especially helpful for families or less frequent flyers
• Late afternoon and evening flights
  • More prone to delays caused by earlier disruptions in the day
  • Still usually take the same amount of time in the air, but you may sit longer at the gate or on the tarmac

If you’re planning travel to or from Atlanta for something time-sensitive—like a business meeting, a concert, or an Atlanta United game—flying earlier in the day from Philadelphia gives you a time cushion if anything slows you down.

How Time Zones Affect Your Trip

Both Philadelphia and Atlanta are in the Eastern Time Zone. There is:

• No time change between the cities
• No need to adjust your watch or phone when you land

This helps when you’re planning:

• Same-day meetings
• Sporting events or shows in Atlanta on your arrival day
• Return trips where you need to be back in Atlanta or Philadelphia by a specific hour

Because the time zones match, the scheduled duration you see on your ticket (for example, 1 hour 51 minutes) reflects the real elapsed time you’ll be traveling in the air.

Practical Planning Tips for Atlanta Travelers

Here’s how Atlanta residents or visitors can plan around this route more confidently.

If You Live in Atlanta and Are Flying to Philadelphia

• Expect the ATL → PHL leg to be about the same length as PHL → ATL
• Plan to arrive at ATL at least 2 hours before departure
• Remember that ATL is large—give yourself time to park, ride the shuttle (if needed), and get through security
• Many people flying this route are business travelers, so early-morning flights can fill up quickly

If You’re in Atlanta Waiting on Someone from Philadelphia

To plan your day:

• Look up their flight number and scheduled arrival at ATL
• Add 30–45 minutes for taxiing, deplaning, and baggage claim
• If driving from around metro Atlanta, factor in traffic patterns on I-285, I-75, I-85, or GA-400

Because the Philadelphia to Atlanta flight is relatively short, delays are often more about airport operations and weather than distance.

Quick Reference: Philadelphia to Atlanta Flight Time

Key takeaways for travel between PHL and ATL:

• Average nonstop flight time:
  1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours
• Airborne time (takeoff to landing):
  Often around 1 hour 30–45 minutes
• Time zone difference:
  None – both are on Eastern Time
• Total trip, airport to airport (realistic):
  About 2–2.5 hours, allowing for boarding, taxiing, and deplaning
• Door-to-door (including ground transportation in Atlanta):
  Often 3.5–5 hours, depending on where you’re going in the metro area

Knowing these time frames makes it easier to:

• Plan business trips between Philadelphia and Atlanta
• Arrange airport pickups at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Coordinate arrival times for events, meetings, or family visits in and around Atlanta

For anyone connected to Atlanta, the flight from Philadelphia is a quick and direct link—short enough for a same-day round trip, and predictable enough to plan your schedule with confidence.