Southwest Airlines at Atlanta Airport: Which Terminal You Use and How to Get There

If you’re flying Southwest Airlines in Atlanta, you’ll be using Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The airport is big and can be confusing, so knowing exactly which terminal Southwest uses will save you time and stress.

Which Terminal Is Southwest Airlines in Atlanta?

At Atlanta (ATL), Southwest Airlines operates out of the Domestic Terminal, specifically using:

  • Concourse C (primary)
  • Occasionally Concourse D (for some flights or gate changes)

You will check in and go through security at the Domestic Terminal, then ride the Plane Train or walk via the underground pedestrian tunnel to Concourse C for most Southwest flights.

Quick Reference: Where to Go for Southwest at ATL

StepWhere You GoWhat It’s Called at ATLNotes
1Arrive at airportDomestic Terminal – North or South sideSouthwest check-in counters are in the Domestic Terminal (look for airline signs).
2Check bags & get boarding passSouthwest Airlines check-in areaFollow signs for Southwest inside the Domestic Terminal.
3Security screeningMain Security (Domestic)Use the Main Security checkpoint serving all domestic concourses (A–E, T).
4Get to your gateConcourse C (Southwest)Take the Plane Train or pedestrian tunnel from the Terminal to Concourse C.
5Baggage claim (on arrival)Domestic Baggage ClaimFollow signs to Southwest’s baggage claim carousels in the Domestic Terminal.

Understanding ATL’s Layout for Southwest Travelers

Hartsfield–Jackson is divided into:

  • Domestic Terminal (where Southwest is)
  • International Terminal (Concourse F) – used for most international departures and arrivals on other airlines

Behind security are several concourses on a straight line: T, A, B, C, D, E, F.

For Southwest:

  • Check-in: Domestic Terminal
  • Departing gates: Mostly Concourse C
  • Arrivals: Gates in Concourse C (sometimes D), then you take the Plane Train or walk back toward the main Domestic Terminal for baggage claim or ground transportation.

You do not need to go to the International Terminal for a typical Southwest domestic flight in or out of Atlanta.

How to Get to Southwest Check-In at ATL

If You’re Driving Yourself

Use this address for GPS:

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport – Domestic Terminal
6000 North Terminal Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30320

From there:

  1. Follow signage for Domestic Terminal (not International).
  2. Watch for “North Terminal” and “South Terminal” signs.
  3. Follow signs for your parking choice:
    • North / South Parking Decks
    • Economy Parking
    • Park-Ride Lots

Southwest’s counters are in the Domestic Terminal; look on the overhead display boards or wall signs once you’re inside to locate Southwest check-in.

If You’re Being Dropped Off (Rideshare, Taxi, or Friend)

Tell your driver:

  • “Domestic Terminal – Southwest Airlines”

At curbside, look up at the overhead signs for airline names and ask a curbside agent if you’re unsure. They will direct you to the correct door area for Southwest check-in.

Getting from Security to Southwest Gates (Concourse C)

Once you’ve checked bags and have your boarding pass:

  1. Go through Main Security in the Domestic Terminal.
  2. After security, follow signs for the Plane Train (the underground airport train).
  3. Take the Plane Train to Concourse C.
  4. Exit at Concourse C and look at the monitors to find your gate number (C1, C15, etc.).

You can also walk between concourses using the underground pedestrian walkway if you prefer not to take the train, but the Plane Train is faster, especially during busy times.

Arriving in Atlanta on Southwest: What to Do Next

When your Southwest flight lands at ATL:

  1. Deplane into Concourse C (or occasionally D).
  2. Follow signs for “Baggage Claim / Ground Transportation.”
  3. Take the Plane Train toward the Domestic Terminal / Baggage Claim.
  4. At the final stop, follow signs up to the Domestic Baggage Claim area.
  5. Look at the overhead monitors for Southwest and your flight number to find your carousel.

From Domestic Baggage Claim, you’ll find:

  • Rideshare pick-up, generally signed clearly toward the parking decks
  • Taxi stands outside
  • MARTA rail station access (for trains to Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead)
  • Shuttles to hotels and off-site parking

Flying Southwest from Atlanta with Checked Bags

If you’re checking bags:

  • Arrive at the Domestic Terminal and find the Southwest check-in counters.
  • Many travelers use self-service kiosks to print bag tags, then drop luggage at staffed bag-drop counters.
  • Keep an eye on the time: ATL is busy, and lines can be long at peak times (early mornings and Sunday evenings in particular).

For carry-on only:

  • You can often go straight to security if you’ve already checked in online and have a mobile or printed boarding pass.

International Trips Involving Southwest from Atlanta

Southwest Airlines mainly operates domestic flights and some international routes from other cities. If you:

  • Fly Southwest into ATL, then
  • Connect to an international airline from Atlanta,

you will typically:

  1. Arrive at Concourse C (Domestic) on Southwest.
  2. Take the Plane Train to your next airline’s concourse (e.g., E or F for many international flights).
  3. Follow that airline’s check-in or gate signs.

If you’re entering the U.S. from abroad, customs and immigration usually occur at your international arrival airport before you connect to Southwest. The International Terminal (Concourse F) is generally not involved in a regular Southwest-only trip that starts and ends within the U.S.

Using MARTA to Reach Southwest at ATL

If you’re in Atlanta, Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead and want to avoid driving, MARTA is a straightforward option.

  • Take the Red or Gold Line to the Airport Station (the last stop on the south end of both lines).
  • The station exits directly into the Domestic Terminal at Hartsfield–Jackson.
  • Once you exit the fare gates:
    • Follow signs for Terminal / Ticketing / Baggage Claim.
    • Look for airline signage to reach Southwest check-in in the Domestic Terminal.

This is often one of the simplest ways for Atlanta residents, students, or business travelers to get to a Southwest flight without dealing with parking.

Parking and Pickup Tips for Southwest Travelers

Because Southwest is in the Domestic Terminal, you can use:

  • Domestic Parking Decks (North or South)
  • Economy Lots serving the Domestic side
  • Cell Phone Lots for those waiting to pick up arriving passengers

If you’re picking someone up from a Southwest flight:

  1. Check their flight status to confirm arrival time and gate.
  2. Have them meet you at the Domestic Arrivals / Baggage Claim area.
  3. Use the cell phone lot until they’re ready curbside; this helps avoid circling the terminal.

Helpful ATL Contact and Location Details

Airport main address (Domestic Terminal):
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 North Terminal Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30320

General airport information line (ATL):
Typically available through the airport’s public directory; look for “Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport information” for the most current phone number.

If you need Southwest-specific help (like changing a flight or confirming a gate), you’ll usually get faster answers by:

  • Using the airline’s app or website
  • Calling their customer service line
  • Asking a Southwest agent at the check-in counter or gate in the Domestic Terminal

To recap for your trip in or out of Atlanta:
If you’re flying Southwest Airlines at ATL, you’ll use the Domestic Terminal and head to Concourse C for your flight. Knowing that upfront makes getting around Hartsfield–Jackson much simpler, whether you live in Atlanta or are just passing through.