What Actually Happens at Atlanta Airport? A Local Guide to Hartsfield–Jackson

Atlanta’s Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest airports in the world, so a lot is happening there at any given moment. Whether you live in Atlanta, are flying in for a visit, or just connecting through, understanding what happens at Atlanta Airport can make your trip smoother and less stressful.

Below is a clear, Atlanta-focused breakdown of how the airport works, what to expect step-by-step, and how to get around once you land or before you depart.

Big Picture: How Atlanta Airport Is Set Up

ATL is organized to keep millions of people moving efficiently every year. Knowing the basic layout helps you understand what’s happening around you:

• Two main terminals

  • Domestic Terminal (North & South) – most U.S. flights
  • International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal / Concourse F) – most international arrivals and departures

• Concourses A–F + T
  Think of these as long hallways with gates:

  • Concourse T – directly connected to Domestic Terminal
  • Concourses A–E – domestic and some international departures
  • Concourse F – primary international terminal

• Plane Train
  An underground train that runs continuously between:

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

• Ground transportation areas
  Areas where you’ll find MARTA, taxis, ride-shares, shuttles, and rental cars.

Once you know this structure, everything that “happens” at Atlanta Airport fits into a clear flow: check-in → security → concourse → boarding → arrival → baggage → ground transport.

What Happens When You Depart From Atlanta

1. Getting to the Right Terminal

Domestic flights

• Most U.S. flights use the Domestic Terminal, either North or South.
• Delta primarily uses South Terminal, many other airlines use North Terminal, but your airline and ticket will specify.

International flights

• Most international flights use the International Terminal (Concourse F).
• Some international flights may depart from other concourses, but check-in and arrival procedures are clearly signed.

📝 Tip: If someone is dropping you off, tell them whether to follow signs for Domestic North, Domestic South, or International to avoid last-minute confusion.

2. Check-In: What Actually Happens Here

At check-in counters or kiosks you can:

• Check luggage
  • Bags are tagged and sent on a conveyor belt to be screened and loaded onto your plane.
• Get or print boarding passes
  • Even if you used a mobile app, you can still print if needed.
• Confirm seats, pay for bags, or solve ticket issues with airline agents.

Many Atlanta travelers now:

• Check in online before arriving at ATL.
• Use self-service kiosks at the airport for quick bag tags.
• Head straight to bag drop if they aren’t changing anything else on the reservation.

3. Security Screening (TSA): What to Expect

Everyone flying from Atlanta goes through TSA security:

What typically happens:

1. You show your ID and boarding pass (digital or paper).
2. You line up for the x-ray and body scanner/metal detector.
3. Your carry-on bags go into bins on the conveyor belt.
4. You walk through the scanner while belongings are screened.

Depending on your situation, you may:

• Remove shoes, belts, laptops, and liquids (unless you have TSA PreCheck, which changes some steps).
• Have additional screening if something triggers the system.

Atlanta has multiple security checkpoints:

• At the Domestic Terminal and
• At the International Terminal.

📝 Local tip: Lines at ATL can be long during morning and evening rush periods. Arriving 2–3 hours before departure is common practice for many Atlanta travelers, especially for international flights.

4. Getting to Your Gate: Plane Train, Walking, and Waiting

Once you pass security:

• If you’re flying from Concourse T, you may be able to walk directly to your gate.
• If you’re at another concourse (A–F), most travelers:
  • Take the Plane Train – it’s fast, frequent, and clearly signed.
  • The train stops at each concourse in order: T → A → B → C → D → E → F.

At your concourse, what usually happens:

• Find your gate on monitors and overhead signs.
• Charge devices, get food, or shop.
• Boarding announcements will start about 30–45 minutes before departure.

5. Boarding the Plane

Boarding at ATL is generally organized by:

• Groups or zones (printed on your boarding pass).
• Priority boarding for certain passengers (families with small children, people needing extra assistance, some frequent fliers, etc.).

Typical process:

1. Agent scans your boarding pass.
2. You walk down the jet bridge.
3. You find your seat, stow carry-ons, and prepare for departure.

Because ATL is a major hub, on-time departures are a priority, but weather, air traffic, or maintenance can still cause delays. Gate agents and the airline’s app usually provide updates.

What Happens When You Arrive at Atlanta Airport

1. Taxiing and Deplaning

After landing at ATL:

• The plane taxis to a gate at one of the concourses (T–F).
• Once parked, the seatbelt sign turns off, and passengers deplane through the jet bridge.

Most arriving flights at ATL:

• Go directly into the concourse for that flight.
• From there you’ll follow signs depending on whether you’re connecting or ending your trip in Atlanta.

2. Connecting Flights in Atlanta

If you’re connecting through ATL:

• Follow “Connecting Flights” signs.
• Check screens to confirm:
  • Your next gate
  • Which concourse it’s on

You may need to:

• Take the Plane Train to another concourse.
• Move quickly—some connections are tight because the airport is large.

You generally do not:

• Recheck bags (if they’re checked through to your final destination).
• Go through security again, as long as you stay in the secure area.

3. Domestic Arrivals: Leaving the Airport

If Atlanta is your final stop:

1. Follow signs for “Baggage Claim”.
2. Take the Plane Train to the Domestic Terminal (if you arrived at A–E and are exiting domestically).
3. Go down to the baggage claim level:
   • Look for your flight number and city on carousel screens.
4. Collect your luggage from the carousel.

From baggage claim, follow signs to:

• Ground Transportation
• Ride Share Pick-Up
• MARTA (if you’re heading downtown or to other MARTA-connected areas)
• Rental Car Center (accessed via the SkyTrain)

4. International Arrivals: Customs and Immigration

For most international arrivals into Atlanta:

1. You’ll deplane at Concourse F (International Terminal) or sometimes Concourse E.
2. Follow signs for:
   • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
   • Passport Control
3. You’ll go through:
   • Passport inspection
   • Customs declaration (where required)
4. Collect checked baggage from international baggage claim.
5. After clearing customs, you’ll:
   • Exit into the International Arrivals area, or
   • If connecting, recheck bags and follow signs to your next gate.

International passengers connecting to another U.S. city usually:

• Go through customs and immigration in Atlanta,
• Then pass through security again to re-enter the main concourse system for the connecting flight.

What Happens Outside: Ground Transportation at ATL

Once you’ve got your bags, what usually happens next is getting from the airport into Atlanta or beyond.

Main Ways to Leave Atlanta Airport

MARTA From Atlanta Airport

Many locals and visitors use MARTA:

• The Airport Station is at the Domestic Terminal, attached to the main terminal building.
• From there you can:
  • Take northbound trains to Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and up to north Fulton/DeKalb areas.
• Fares are paid with Breeze cards or tickets, available at kiosks in the station.

This is often the fastest way to reach central Atlanta during rush hour.

What Happens With Baggage at ATL

Baggage movement is a major behind-the-scenes operation at ATL:

• Checked bags go through:
  • Conveyor belts
  • Security screening
  • Sorting systems that direct them to the correct flight
• On arrival, bags:
  • Are unloaded from aircraft
  • Sorted by flight
  • Delivered to the appropriate baggage carousel

If luggage is delayed or missing:

• Passengers usually speak with their airline’s baggage service office near baggage claim.
• You’ll provide your:
  • Bag tag number
  • Contact details in Atlanta (hotel, home, or other address)

Everyday Airport Life: What Else Happens at Atlanta Airport?

Beyond flying, a lot of daily activity happens inside ATL:

• Dining and shopping
  Multiple concourses have:

  • Local and national restaurants
  • Coffee shops
  • Newsstands, bookstores, and souvenir shops

• Business and workspaces

  • Seating areas with power outlets
  • Quiet corners for remote work or calls

• Services for travelers

  • Information desks to help you navigate terminals and transport
  • ATMs and currency exchange (especially near international areas)
  • Lost and found services
  • Special assistance for travelers with disabilities or mobility needs, coordinated through airlines and airport staff

• Airport staff operations

  • Air traffic control manages takeoffs, landings, and taxiing
  • Maintenance teams handle aircraft servicing, cleaning, and fueling
  • Security and airport operations teams monitor safety, flow, and emergencies

All of this is happening constantly in the background to keep Atlanta’s air travel running on schedule.

If You’re Driving: Parking and Drop-Off at ATL

Short-Term and Long-Term Parking

At Atlanta Airport, parking is structured around different needs:

• Hourly / short-term lots

  • Closest to terminals
  • Common for drop-offs, pick-ups, and quick trips

• Daily / long-term parking

  • Further from the terminal but more economical
  • Often connected via shuttles or walkways

• Economy / remote parking

  • Designed for longer trips
  • Shuttle buses run to and from terminals

Pick-Up and Drop-Off

• Departures level – for drop-off before a flight.
• Arrivals level – for passenger pick-up.
• Cell phone waiting lots
  • Free areas for drivers waiting until passengers are ready at curbside.

Local drivers often time their arrivals based on:

• The passenger’s landing time
• A text once they’ve reached baggage claim or curbside

What Happens During Weather or Operational Disruptions

Given its size and role as a major hub, ATL occasionally experiences:

• Weather delays (storms, heavy rain, low visibility)
• Air traffic congestion
• Mechanical or operational disruptions

When this happens:

• Flights may be delayed or canceled.
• Gate changes are common as airlines reshuffle schedules.
• Passengers usually rely on:
  • The airport’s display boards
  • Gate announcements
  • Airline apps for real-time updates

Airport staff and airline agents work to:

• Rebook passengers
• Manage long lines at customer service desks
• Provide updated departure information

Key Takeaways: How Atlanta Airport Works in Practice

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, what happens at Atlanta Airport can be summarized this way:

• It’s a large, organized hub with a clear flow: check-in → security → concourse → gate → flight → arrival → baggage → ground transport.
• Domestic and International terminals are separate but connected by trains and signage.
• The Plane Train and SkyTrain are central to moving people around quickly.
• On arrival, most locals and visitors move straight into:
  • Baggage claim
  • MARTA, ride-share, taxi, shuttles, or rental cars to reach destinations across metro Atlanta.
• Behind the scenes, constant security, baggage handling, maintenance, and air traffic operations keep flights moving in and out of Atlanta throughout the day.

Understanding these steps ahead of time makes ATL feel much more manageable—whether you call Atlanta home, you’re welcoming visitors, or you’re passing through the city’s airport for the first time.