What Concourse Is International in Atlanta? A Local Guide to ATL’s Global Gates

If you’re flying internationally from Atlanta, you’ll almost always be using Concourse F or Concourse E at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Both are part of the same airport, but they serve slightly different roles.

Below is a clear breakdown of how international travel works at ATL, which concourses are considered “international,” and what that means if you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and catching a flight.

Quick Answer: Atlanta’s International Concourses

ATL has two main international concourses:

• Concourse F – Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal

  • Primary international departures concourse
  • Many international arrivals
  • Separate International Terminal building on the east side of the airport

• Concourse E – International Concourse

  • Handles many international departures and arrivals
  • Physically connected to the rest of the concourses on the main terminal side

Domestic concourses T, A, B, C, and D are mainly for domestic flights, but some international flights to/from countries with U.S. preclearance may use them (for example, some flights from Canada or the Caribbean where U.S. customs is done before boarding).

Overview of ATL’s Concourses

Here’s a simple layout of how Atlanta’s concourses work:

All concourses are connected by the Plane Train (underground train) and pedestrian walkways, so you can move between domestic and international gates without exiting security.

Concourse F: The Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal

If someone says they’re flying out of the “international terminal” in Atlanta, they usually mean Concourse F.

What Concourse F Is Used For

Concourse F is:

• The newer international terminal at ATL
• The main starting point for many international flights from Atlanta
• A frequent arrival point for international travelers who are ending their trip in Atlanta or connecting onward

You’ll typically use Concourse F if:

• Your boarding pass or itinerary says “Gate F…”
• You’re on a long-haul international flight (for example: Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, Middle East)
• You’re driving to the airport and heading to the International Terminal entrance on the east side of ATL, not the main Domestic Terminal

Key Features Atlanta Travelers Care About

• Customs and Immigration:
  Concourse F has its own U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility. If Atlanta is your first U.S. stop after an international flight and you arrive at F, you’ll clear passport control, baggage claim, and customs here.

• Separate Curbside Entrance:
  The International Terminal (Concourse F) has its own access road and parking (International Parking Decks). If family is dropping you off for an international trip, this is likely where you want to go if your flight departs from gates in F or E and your airline instructs you to check in at the International Terminal.

• Amenities:
  Concourse F offers:

  • Duty-free shops
  • International dining options
  • Airline lounges (such as Delta Sky Club and some partner lounges)

Concourse E: The Original International Concourse

Before Concourse F opened, Concourse E was ATL’s main international concourse. Today, it still plays a very active role.

What Concourse E Is Used For

Concourse E is:

• Still heavily used for international departures and arrivals
• Connected directly to the other concourses on the domestic side of the airport
• Often used when flights share connections with domestic routes or when gate space at F is limited

You may end up in Concourse E if:

• Your gate is listed as “Gate E…” on your boarding pass
• You’re arriving from another country and connecting to a domestic flight out of ATL
• Your airline uses both E and F for its international operations

Customs and Transfers at Concourse E

Like F, Concourse E also has customs and immigration facilities. Many international flights still arrive at E, and passengers:

• Clear passport control and customs on the arrivals level of Concourse E
• Then either:
  • Exit the airport (if Atlanta is the final destination), or
  • Recheck bags and proceed to another concourse for a connecting flight

Because E is closer to the domestic concourses, some travelers find it convenient for tight connections, especially when continuing on a domestic flight.

Domestic vs. International: Where You’ll Actually Depart

From an Atlanta traveler’s perspective, thinking in terms of “Where do I check in?” and “Where is my gate?” is more useful than thinking only about “which concourse is international.”

Checking in for International Flights from Atlanta

For most major airlines operating international service from ATL:

• You may be able to check in at either:
  • The Domestic Terminal (North or South, depending on the airline), or
  • The International Terminal (Concourse F)

However, airlines provide specific instructions, so always check your confirmation email or boarding pass. Some airlines prefer international passengers to check in at the International Terminal, especially when flights depart from Concourse F.

Where Your Gate Will Be

Even if you check in on the domestic side, your international flight can still depart from:

• Concourse F (most common for many long-haul flights)
• Concourse E (still widely used for international routes)
• Occasionally T, A, B, C, or D for flights from countries with U.S. preclearance, or for certain short-haul international routes where you arrive in Atlanta as if it were a domestic flight

Always follow what’s printed or updated on:

• Your boarding pass
• The airport monitors
• The airline’s app

Connecting in Atlanta: International to Domestic (or Vice Versa)

Many travelers use ATL as a connection point between international and domestic flights. Here’s how that usually works.

International Arrival → Domestic Connection

If you arrive internationally in Concourse E or F and are connecting to another U.S. city:

1. Deplane and follow signs for “Arrivals / Baggage Claim / Customs.”
2. Go through passport control (immigration).
3. Pick up your checked bags, even if they’re tagged to your final city.
4. Clear customs.
5. Recheck bags at the designated transfer counters right after customs.
6. Take the Plane Train from E or F to your next concourse (T, A, B, C, D, E, or F).
7. Go through security screening again only if directed (process may vary slightly based on facility use and signage at the time).

Plan sufficient time between flights, especially during busy travel seasons.

Domestic Arrival → International Departure

If you’re flying from another U.S. city into Atlanta, then continuing to an international destination:

• Your domestic flight will likely arrive at T, A, B, C, or D.
• Take the Plane Train to Concourse E or F, depending on your international gate.
• You do not go through customs in Atlanta when you are departing the U.S.; you’ll go through entry procedures at your destination country.

Getting to the International Terminal (Concourse F) from Around Atlanta

Because ATL has two main terminal fronts (Domestic and International), it’s important to know how to get to the right one, especially if someone is dropping you off or you’re parking long-term.

By Car

• International Terminal – Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal

  • Located on the east side of the airport
  • Has its own:
    • Curbside drop-off and pick-up
    • International parking decks
  • Road signs on I-75 and surrounding connector roads will specifically say “International Terminal.”

• Domestic Terminal (North and South):

  • On the west side of the airport off I-85
  • Primary access for domestic travelers

If your airline suggests checking in at the International Terminal, it’s better to go directly there than to use the Domestic side and backtrack.

By MARTA

Atlanta’s MARTA trains go to the Domestic Terminal (Airport Station), not directly to the International Terminal. From there:

• You can take a free shuttle from the Domestic Terminal to the International Terminal (Concourse F) curbside.
• Inside the airport (once you’ve cleared security), you can simply take the Plane Train to Concourse F.

This is useful if you live in-town and are used to taking MARTA to the airport for trips.

Things To Do While You’re in ATL’s International Concourses

If you have time before or between flights, both Concourse E and F offer things to do beyond just sitting at the gate.

Dining and Shopping

Both E and F have:

• Sit-down restaurants and quicker grab-and-go options
• Duty-free shops (for international departures)
• Local and international brands, giving you a mix of Atlanta flavor and global staples

Look for shops that feature Atlanta-made products or local food options if you want a last taste of the city before you leave.

Art and Exhibits

ATL is known for having art throughout the airport. In and around the international concourses, you’ll find:

• Rotating and permanent art installations
• Exhibits that highlight Atlanta’s history and culture

If you’re connecting and not in a rush, walking between concourses instead of just riding the Plane Train can give you a better look at the airport’s public art (especially in the tunnels).

Lounges and Quiet Spaces

Major airlines and partners operate lounges in the international concourses, which are often used by:

• International business and first-class travelers
• Qualified frequent flyers and credit card holders, depending on program rules

For those without lounge access, there are also quiet seating areas, workstations, and family-friendly spaces scattered throughout E and F.

How to Tell If Your Flight Uses an International Concourse

To quickly figure out whether your international flight uses Concourse E or F in Atlanta:

1. Check your booking confirmation or app.

   • Look for gate assignments like F6, E15, etc.

2. Read the airport terminal instructions.

   • Some airlines explicitly say “Depart from International Terminal” or “Check in at Domestic Terminal.”

3. Monitor for changes on the day of travel.

   • Gates and even concourses sometimes change.
   • The airport’s overhead monitors and announcements are updated regularly.

If you’re local to Atlanta, getting familiar with the difference between the Domestic and International Terminal will make your trips much smoother.

In Atlanta, when people ask, “What concourse is international?” the practical answer is: Concourse F and Concourse E are ATL’s international concourses, with F serving as the primary Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal and E continuing to handle a large share of global arrivals and departures.