Atlanta Airport Security Lines: What To Expect and How Long It Takes

If you’re flying out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the big question is usually: “How long is the security line?” The honest answer is: it depends—on the time of day, the day of the week, the terminal you use, and whether you have TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, or other expedited screening.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-specific guide to understanding security wait times at ATL, plus how to choose the best checkpoint and plan your schedule.

Typical Security Wait Times at Atlanta Airport

Security wait times at ATL can range from 5 minutes to over 45 minutes, with most travelers experiencing something in between.

General patterns Atlanta travelers often see

While times can change quickly, many travelers notice these common patterns:

• Early mornings (5:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.)
  Often busy, especially Monday through Thursday when business travel is heavy.

• Late mornings to early afternoon (9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
  Wait times are frequently moderate, but can spike during holidays and school breaks.

• Late afternoon and early evening (3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
  Another peak period, especially for domestic departures.

• Late night (after 8:00 p.m.)
  Often lighter, though some international departures can still create lines at the International Terminal (Concourse F).

Because ATL is one of the busiest airports in the world, it’s smart to plan for a longer wait than you hope for—especially if you’re checking bags or traveling with a group.

Recommended Arrival Times for ATL Departures

For most people flying out of Atlanta:

• Domestic flights:
  Arrive 2 hours before scheduled departure.
• International flights:
  Arrive 3 hours before scheduled departure.

If you’re traveling at a peak time (Monday morning, Friday afternoon, or during major holidays and school breaks), many frequent Atlanta flyers give themselves an extra 30–60 minutes, just in case.

Main Security Checkpoints at ATL: What You Need to Know

Hartsfield–Jackson has several security checkpoints, each serving different areas of the airport.

1. Main Security Checkpoint (Domestic Terminal – North & South)

• Located at the Domestic Terminal on both the North and South sides.
• Serves passengers flying from Concourse T and all other concourses (A–D and part of E) via the Plane Train.
• Often the busiest, especially early weekday mornings and Sunday evenings.
• Offers:
  • Standard TSA lanes
  • TSA PreCheck lanes
  • CLEAR lanes (with or without PreCheck)

If you’re being dropped off, taking MARTA, or parking at the Domestic Terminal, this is usually where you’ll go through security.

2. International Terminal Security (Concourse F)

• Located at the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (on the east side of the airport).
• Best for:
  • Flights departing from Concourse F
  • Many international departures
• Usually less crowded than the main domestic security during some times of day, but this can change quickly with multiple international departures.

Atlanta-area travelers sometimes drive directly to the International Terminal (even for some domestic flights departing from other concourses) to take advantage of shorter lines, but you should only do this if:

• Your airline allows check-in and bag drop at the International Terminal, and
• You’re comfortable navigating from Concourse F to your departure concourse via the Plane Train.

3. Employee & Secondary Checkpoints

There are a few employee-focused checkpoints that are not practical or available for most passengers. Regular travelers should plan on:

• Domestic Terminal main checkpoint, or
• International Terminal checkpoint, depending on your flight and where you arrive at the airport.

How Busy Is Security Right Now at ATL?

Security wait times can change from one minute to the next. To get the best estimate on the day you travel:

• Check official ATL airport resources or displayed wait time boards once you arrive.
• Many Atlanta travelers also use popular travel and map apps that display estimated security waits based on shared data.

👀 Tip: If you’re already at the airport and see very long lines at one Domestic Terminal entrance (say, North), it can be worth walking to the other side (South) to compare the line lengths. They don’t always match.

TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, and Other Expedited Options

If you fly through Atlanta regularly, expedited screening can greatly reduce your time in line—though it does not always eliminate waits during major peak periods.

TSA PreCheck at Atlanta Airport

• Available at:
  • Main Domestic Terminal (North and South checkpoints)
  • International Terminal (Concourse F) checkpoint
• Benefits usually include:
  • Shorter lines
  • Keeping shoes, belt, and light jackets on
  • Leaving laptops and approved liquids in your bag

Many Atlanta residents who travel a few times a year find that PreCheck significantly cuts down on both stress and time in line, especially for early-morning or Sunday-night flights.

CLEAR at Atlanta Airport

• CLEAR uses biometric verification (like fingerprints or iris scans) at dedicated kiosks.
• CLEAR lanes are typically available at the main Domestic Terminal checkpoints and sometimes at the International Terminal.
• CLEAR members:
  • Verify identity at a CLEAR kiosk
  • Are escorted by a CLEAR agent directly to the physical screening area, often skipping much of the queue

Travelers with both CLEAR + TSA PreCheck often experience some of the shortest wait times at ATL, although during heavy rush periods there can still be lines at the screening machines.

Priority and Premium Lanes

Some airlines at ATL offer:

• Priority security lanes for:
  • First class or business class tickets
  • Certain elite status members
  • Some co-branded credit card holders

These lines are usually shorter than standard TSA, but they still lead to the same screening machines, so short delays are possible.

How Long Will You Wait? Key Factors in Atlanta

Your actual wait at security in Atlanta depends on a mix of factors:

1. Time and Day

• Monday morning, Thursday evening, and Friday afternoon are often heavy travel times.
• Holiday periods (Thanksgiving week, December holidays, spring break, summer vacation) can push waits significantly higher.

2. Airline and Terminal

• If you’re flying on a major carrier like Delta Air Lines, which has a large operation at ATL, expect busy check-in and security during peak times.
• Some smaller carriers and less common departure times may mean lighter lines, but you’ll still use the same security checkpoints as everyone else at that terminal.

3. Checked Bags vs. Carry-On Only

• If you have to check bags, you need extra time to:
  • Wait at the airline check-in counter
  • Drop your bags
• Once that’s done, you still have to clear security. Checked-bag travelers from around Atlanta often arrive earlier to avoid missing flights due to a combination of bag drop + security delays.

4. Travel Experience and Preparedness

Being ready for screening speeds things up—for you and everyone behind you:

• Have your ID and boarding pass (or mobile pass) ready.
• Remove items required by TSA rules (unless you have PreCheck and are allowed to keep them packed).
• Empty your pockets before you get to the scanner.

Quick ATL Security Planning Table

Use this as a rough guide, then add extra time based on your own comfort level.

*These are typical ranges, not guarantees. Actual waits vary day-to-day.
**PreCheck may not apply in every international scenario; check your specific airline and itinerary.

Getting to the Right Security Line at ATL

If You Live in Metro Atlanta

• Driving and parking:

  • If your flight is international or on certain major airlines, you can choose between the Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal, depending on your airline’s check-in location.
  • Some Atlanta residents prefer the International Terminal parking for easier access and sometimes shorter lines, especially for international departures.

• MARTA (public transit):

  • The MARTA Airport Station is connected directly to the Domestic Terminal, near the main security area.
  • From MARTA, you’ll be just steps from the main security checkpoint, which is very convenient if you’re traveling with carry-on only.

If You’re Being Dropped Off or Using Ride-Share

• Confirm with your driver whether you need the Domestic Terminal: North or South or the International Terminal.
• Your airline usually lists which terminal and check-in area it uses for ATL departures.

Where to Ask for Security Line Help at ATL

If you’re already at Hartsfield–Jackson and worried about missing your flight because of long lines:

• Look for airport customer service desks near check-in areas.
• Many airlines have agents in the ticketing area who can:
  • Confirm how long current lines are expected to be
  • Advise if you should move to another checkpoint (for example, South vs. North)
  • Assist if your flight departure time is close

You can also check terminal screens that sometimes display estimated wait times for the different checkpoints.

Practical Tips to Reduce Your Security Wait at ATL

A few Atlanta-specific habits can save time:

• Fly earlier in the day when possible. Morning flights may have lines but are often more predictable than late-day flights affected by delays.
• Avoid cutting it close on holidays and big event weekends. Major conventions, concerts, and sporting events in Atlanta can all increase airport traffic.
• Have your documents ready before you enter the queue. This keeps lines moving smoothly.
• Consider TSA PreCheck or CLEAR if you travel through ATL multiple times a year.
• Check your gate and concourse before choosing a checkpoint. If your airline supports check-in at the International Terminal and you’re comfortable moving between concourses, that checkpoint can sometimes be less crowded.

In everyday terms, there’s no single, fixed answer to “How long is the security line at Atlanta Airport?” On a good day, you might breeze through in 10 minutes; on a busy holiday afternoon, you could wait 45 minutes or more. Planning to arrive early, knowing your terminal and checkpoint options, and using expedited screening if you qualify are the best ways to keep your Atlanta airport experience as smooth as possible.