How Many Gates Are at Atlanta Airport? A Local Guide to Hartsfield-Jackson’s Terminals and Concourses

If you live in Atlanta or you’re flying in or out of the city, it helps to understand just how big Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) really is—and what people mean when they ask, “How many gates are at Atlanta Airport?”

ATL is one of the world’s busiest airports, and its layout is different from many other major airports. Instead of a few giant terminals, Atlanta uses a central terminal with multiple concourses, each packed with gates.

The Short Answer: How Many Gates Does Atlanta Airport Have?

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has over 190 passenger gates spread across multiple concourses.

The exact number can change slightly over time because:

• Gates are occasionally added, renovated, or re-numbered
• Some gates are converted for different aircraft sizes or uses
• Construction and expansion projects can temporarily affect gate availability

For everyday travel planning, it’s enough to know that ATL has nearly 200 gates serving domestic and international flights, arranged in a straight line of concourses connected by the Plane Train and walkways.

How Atlanta Airport Is Laid Out

Atlanta’s airport isn’t organized like separate “Terminals A, B, C” the way some airports are. Instead, you’ll see these main areas:

• Domestic Terminal North
• Domestic Terminal South
• International Terminal (Concourse F entry)
• Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, and F

Terminals vs. Concourses

• The Domestic Terminal (North & South) is where most U.S. passengers check in, drop bags, and go through security.
• The International Terminal is on the east side of the airport and connects directly to Concourse F, which handles many international flights.
• Concourses T–F are where the gates actually are. That’s where you board and deplane.

Think of it like this:

• Terminals = front doors (check-in, ticketing, security)
• Concourses = hallways of gates (where planes park and you board)

Approximate Gate Count by Concourse

Gate numbers and usage can shift, but this is a helpful, big-picture view of how gates are spread out at ATL.

*Exact gate counts per concourse can change with airport projects, but combined, these concourses total over 190 gates.

Domestic vs. International Gates at ATL

Atlanta’s gates are used flexibly, but there are clear patterns:

Domestic Gates

Most domestic flights use gates in:

• Concourse T
• Concourse A
• Concourse B
• Concourse C
• Concourse D

If you’re flying to or from another U.S. city (for example, New York, Dallas, Orlando, or Savannah), you’ll almost always use one of these concourses.

International Gates

International flights most commonly use:

• Concourse E
• Concourse F (International Terminal)

However:

• Some international arrivals may use other concourses (like D) and then route passengers through customs.
• Some shorter international routes (for example, to the Caribbean, Canada, or Mexico) might depart from concourses that also handle domestic traffic, depending on the airline and scheduling.

How to Find Your Gate at Atlanta Airport

With nearly 200 gates, ATL can feel overwhelming. A few simple habits make it much easier to navigate.

1. Check Your Boarding Pass and Airline App

Your gate number will be printed on your boarding pass and usually appears in your airline’s app. It will look something like:

• A12 (Concourse A, Gate 12)
• T3 (Concourse T, Gate 3)
• F8 (Concourse F, Gate 8 – often international)

Gate assignments can change, especially during delays or weather, so it’s smart to re-check closer to departure.

2. Use the Overhead Signs and Departure Boards

Once you pass security:

• Look for large electronic departure boards showing flights, gates, and status.
• Overhead signs clearly label the direction of each concourse: T, A, B, C, D, E, F.
• The Plane Train (underground tram) connects all concourses quickly if you’re short on time.

3. Walking vs. Plane Train

All concourses are connected by walkable tunnels with moving walkways, but distances can be long.

• Plane Train: Fastest choice for tight connections or long concourse jumps (like T to E/F).
• Walking: A good option if you have time and prefer to stretch your legs between flights.

Understanding Connections: Changing Gates and Concourses

Because ATL is such a major hub—especially for connections—you might arrive at one gate and depart from another in a different concourse.

Typical Connection Patterns

• Domestic to Domestic: Often between A, B, C, or D, sometimes T.
• Domestic to International: Commonly from A/B/C to E or F.
• International to Domestic: You’ll clear customs (usually in E or F), then re-check any checked bags and proceed to a domestic concourse.

⏱️ Tip for Atlanta-based travelers: If you’re booking connections through ATL, allow enough time for possible concourse changes. Many travelers find 45–60 minutes reasonable for a stress-free same-terminal connection, more if you prefer a relaxed pace or are traveling with kids.

Where You Actually Enter the Airport (vs. Where the Gates Are)

If you live in Metro Atlanta or you’re getting dropped off, it helps to know:

Domestic Terminals (North & South)

• Location: Off I-85, at 6000 North Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Used for: Most major U.S. airlines, domestic check-in, and baggage claim
• After check-in and security, you’ll take the escalator down to the Plane Train or walk to Concourse T and beyond.

International Terminal / Concourse F

• Location: Off I-75, at 2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30354
• Used for: Many international departures and arrivals; some domestic flights
• This terminal connects directly to Concourse F and also links to the other concourses via the Plane Train.

You do not need to re-clear security when moving between concourses once you’re inside the secure area.

How the Large Number of Gates Affects Your Experience

Knowing that ATL has nearly 200 gates helps explain a few things travelers commonly notice:

1. Plenty of Flight Options

For Atlantans, the large gate count means:

• Frequent departures to major U.S. cities
• Multiple daily options to many international destinations
• A high chance of same-day rebooking if your flight is disrupted, since many routes have several flights per day

2. Busy Concourse Areas

With so many gates:

• Concourses (especially A and B) can feel busy most of the day.
• Restaurants, shops, and restrooms are spread along the concourses so you rarely have to go far from your gate.

3. Walking Distances Can Be Long

A concourse-to-concourse walk can take 10–20 minutes or more, especially if you’re going from:

• T to E or F, or
• One end of a concourse to the opposite end of another

If mobility is a concern, you can request wheelchair assistance through your airline or use the Plane Train for the longest stretches.

Practical Tips for Using Atlanta’s Gates Efficiently

Here are ways people in Atlanta make ATL’s huge gate system work in their favor:

• Arrive early: With so many flights and passengers, security lines can vary. Getting to the airport 90–120 minutes before a domestic departure and earlier for international gives you a buffer.
• Know your concourse letter: Even before you leave home, note whether your gate is T, A, B, C, D, E, or F so you’re mentally prepared for how far you may need to go.
• Watch for gate changes: With so many gates, last-minute shuffles are common. Keep an eye on airport monitors and airline apps.
• Plan food and rest stops by concourse: If you’re meeting someone or grabbing food, it’s often easiest to plan around a specific concourse rather than a random spot near security.
• If you’re picking someone up: Ask which terminal they’re arriving at (Domestic vs. International), not just their gate, since public pickup zones are outside the terminals, not the concourses.

Key Takeaways About Gates at Atlanta Airport

• ATL has over 190 passenger gates in regular use.
• Gates are spread across Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, and F.
• Terminals (Domestic North/South and International) are for check-in and security; concourses are for gates and boarding.
• The Plane Train and walkways connect all concourses inside the secure area.
• For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, understanding the concourse system and gate layout makes navigating this massive airport much easier.

Knowing how the gates at Atlanta Airport are organized helps you arrive on time, connect smoothly, and reduce the stress of moving through one of the busiest hubs in the world.