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

If you’re flying Southwest Airlines from Atlanta, you’ll be using Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The good news: Southwest is easy to find once you know where to go.

Which Terminal Is Southwest at Atlanta Airport?

Southwest Airlines operates out of the Domestic Terminal, Concourse C, at ATL.

Here’s the basic breakdown:

• Check-in & baggage drop:
  Domestic Terminal – North Side (main terminal building at Atlanta Airport)
• Departure gates:
  Concourse C (connected to the Domestic Terminal area)
• Arrivals & baggage claim:
  Domestic Terminal baggage claim carousels (North side, following Southwest signs)

You’ll see plenty of Southwest signs in the Domestic Terminal pointing you toward ticketing, security, and your concourse.

Quick Reference: Where to Find Southwest at ATL

Getting to the Right Terminal for Southwest

If You’re Driving to the Airport

When you approach Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport by car:

1. Follow signs for Domestic Terminal (not International Terminal / Maynard H. Jackson Jr.).
2. As you get closer, watch for “North Terminal” signs.
3. Once at the North side, look for Southwest signs for:
   • Curbside drop-off
   • Parking decks
   • Ticketing and baggage drop inside

Address for the Domestic Terminal (for GPS):
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport – Domestic Terminal
6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320

Most Atlanta-area GPS systems will accept simply “Atlanta Airport Domestic Terminal” as a destination.

If You’re Using MARTA

Many Atlanta residents and visitors use MARTA to avoid parking and traffic:

• Take the Red or Gold line to Airport Station, which is the last stop on the south end of the line.
• The station exits directly into the Domestic Terminal.
• After exiting the train:
  • Follow the “North Terminal” and “Ticketing” signs.
  • Look for Southwest signage to find check-in and baggage drop.

MARTA is especially convenient if you’re coming from Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or Sandy Springs.

From Check-In to Gate: How to Navigate Southwest at ATL

1. Check In and Drop Bags

Inside the Domestic North Terminal, you’ll find:

• Southwest ticket counters for:
  • Check-in help
  • Baggage drop
  • Same-day flight changes and basic assistance
• Self-service kiosks for printing boarding passes and bag tags

Plan to arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights to account for:

• Atlanta traffic
• Security lines
• The ride to Concourse C

2. Go Through Security

After check-in, head to the Domestic Terminal security checkpoint:

• Follow signs to the North side security if you want the most direct route to Southwest.
• Travelers with TSA PreCheck or CLEAR can use designated lanes where available.

Once you pass security, you’re in the main domestic concourse access area that leads to all concourses (T, A, B, C, D, and E).

3. Reach Southwest Gates at Concourse C

To get to Concourse C, you have two options:

• 🚊 Plane Train (recommended)

  • Follow signs for the Plane Train after security.
  • Board the train and listen for “Concourse C”.
  • Get off at Concourse C and head up the escalators to the gate area.

• 🚶 Walk the underground pedestrian tunnel

  • Look for signs to the walkway to Concourse C.
  • This can be a good option if you want extra exercise or the trains are crowded.

Most Southwest gates will be clearly marked on:

• Airport monitors
• Your boarding pass
• Overhead concourse signage

Arriving on Southwest: Baggage Claim and Ground Transportation

Finding Baggage Claim for Southwest

When you land at ATL on Southwest:

1. Deplane at Concourse C.
2. Follow “Baggage Claim / Ground Transportation” signs.
3. Take the Plane Train or walk back to the Domestic Terminal.
4. Follow the signs for “North Baggage Claim”.

Once you reach baggage claim, check the arrival monitors for your flight number to find the correct carousel.

Getting into Atlanta from the Airport

From the Domestic Terminal ground transportation area, you can choose:

• Rideshare (Uber, Lyft):
  • Follow signs for “Rideshare” or “App-Based Ride Services”.
  • Pickup zones are well-marked at the Domestic Terminal.
• Taxis:
  • Official taxi stands are outside baggage claim.
  • You’ll see a line of taxis and an attendant managing the queue.
• Hotel & shuttle services:
  • Many Atlanta hotels offer airport shuttles.
  • Follow signs for “Hotel Shuttles” and look for your hotel’s name.
• MARTA back into the city:
  • From baggage claim, follow signs to MARTA Airport Station.
  • Take the Red or Gold line north toward Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead.

Domestic vs. International: Which Terminal Do You Use?

Even if you live in Atlanta and are used to the airport, it’s easy to get tripped up by the International Terminal.

For Southwest Airlines at ATL:

• Use the Domestic Terminal – North, not the International Terminal.
• Southwest focuses on domestic routes, so all of its:
  • Check-in
  • Security
  • Boarding
  • Baggage claim
    happen on the domestic side.

If you accidentally arrive at the International Terminal, you’ll need to transfer by:

• The airport shuttle that runs between the International and Domestic terminals, or
• Driving back around following airport roadway signs

This can easily add 20–30 minutes, so set your GPS for the Domestic Terminal from the start.

Tips for Atlanta Travelers Flying Southwest

A few Atlanta-specific tips can make your Southwest trip smoother:

• Plan extra time for rush hour traffic.
  I-75, I-85, and the Connector can back up heavily, especially:

  • Weekday mornings
  • Late afternoons and early evenings

• Consider MARTA if you’re near a station.
  From neighborhoods like Downtown, Midtown, Decatur, or Buckhead, MARTA can be:

  • More predictable than driving
  • Cheaper than parking for longer trips

• Check your concourse and gate before you leave home.
  While Southwest is generally at Concourse C, gate numbers can shift. Confirm in:

  • The airline app
  • Your email itinerary
  • The airport’s flight information displays once you arrive

• Use the Plane Train unless you really want to walk.
  ATL is a large airport. The Plane Train saves time, which matters if you hit a long security line or arrive closer to departure.

Key Takeaways for Southwest at Atlanta Airport

• Terminal: Southwest uses the Domestic Terminal – North at ATL.
• Gates: Flights depart from Concourse C.
• Check-in & bags: Domestic North ticketing and baggage drop.
• Arrivals:North side baggage claim in the Domestic Terminal.
• Transit options: Easy access via MARTA, rideshare, taxis, hotel shuttles, and private cars.

If you head to the Domestic North Terminal and follow signs for Southwest and Concourse C, you’ll be in the right place for your flight out of Atlanta.