Navigating Concourse A at Atlanta’s Airport: What Local Travelers Need to Know

If you fly in or out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) often, there’s a good chance you’ll spend time in Concourse A. It’s one of the busiest concourses at the airport and a major hub for domestic flights, especially for Atlanta-based travelers and visitors connecting through the city.

This guide walks you through where Concourse A is, how to get there, what’s inside, and how to make your time there smoother.

Where Concourse A Fits in Atlanta’s Airport Layout

ATL is laid out in a mostly straight line:

• Domestic Terminal (North & South)
• Concourse T (connected to the Domestic Terminal)
• Concourse A
• Concourse B
• Concourse C
• Concourse D
• Concourse E
• Concourse F (International)

Concourse A is the first concourse past T when you head east from the Domestic Terminal.

You’ll find ATL at:
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 North Terminal Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30320
Main airport information line: (800) 897-1910

Getting to Concourse A: Step-by-Step

From the Domestic Terminal (North or South)

1. Check in and clear security

   • If you’re flying Delta, you’ll usually use the South Terminal.
   • Many other domestic airlines use the North Terminal.
   • Once you pass security, you’re in the main Domestic Terminal atrium.

2. Head to the Plane Train

   • Follow signs for “Plane Train / Transportation Mall”.
   • Take the escalator or elevator down one level.

3. Ride the Plane Train to Concourse A

   • The stations are announced in order: T → A → B → C → D → E → F.
   • Get off at Concourse A (the second stop after the Domestic Terminal).

4. Walk to your gate

   • Once off the train, go up via escalator or elevator.
   • Overhead signs list gate ranges (A1–A34, for example).
   • Gates run down a long central hallway with seating and shops on both sides.

💡 Tip: The Plane Train runs frequently, and the ride from the Domestic Terminal to Concourse A is usually just a couple of minutes.

Walking Instead of Using the Plane Train

If you prefer to walk:

• Look for signs to the Transportation Mall (the same general area as the Plane Train).
• There is a moving-walkway corridor connecting the concourses.
• Walking from T to A typically takes 10–15 minutes, depending on your pace.

This can be helpful if:

• The Plane Train is very crowded.
• You want to stretch your legs between connections.

Airlines and Flight Types in Concourse A

Concourse A is heavily used for domestic flights, especially by Delta Air Lines and its partners.

While exact gate assignments can change, travelers commonly see:

• Delta and Delta Connection flights
• A high volume of Atlanta-originating and connecting flights to major U.S. cities

Always confirm on:

• Your boarding pass
• Airport monitors (flight information display screens)
• The airline’s mobile app if you use one

Security and Reaching Concourse A Faster

You do not go through security at the concourse itself. All security checkpoints are in the Domestic Terminal and International Terminal, and you reach Concourse A after you’re screened.

Domestic Security Checkpoints

Main entry points for most Concourse A travelers:

• Domestic Terminal – North Checkpoint
• Domestic Terminal – South Checkpoint

Both checkpoints serve all concourses, including A. You can pass through either checkpoint and still reach Concourse A once you’re in the secure area.

Trusted Traveler & Expedited Lines

If you live in Atlanta and fly often, you may consider:

• TSA PreCheck (separate lanes at most checkpoints)
• CLEAR (biometric ID service, separate lanes leading to security)
• Combination of both for a more predictable experience during busy times

Lines can be especially long:

• Early weekday mornings
• Late Sunday afternoons and evenings
• Around major holidays and events in Atlanta

What You’ll Find Inside Concourse A

Concourse A is designed to handle a large flow of passengers, with:

• Gate seating areas
• Food and drink options
• Shops and essentials
• Restrooms and family facilities
• Charging outlets

Specific businesses can change over time, but you’ll typically see a mix of:

Food & Drink

Expect a range that usually includes:

• Quick-service restaurants (burgers, sandwiches, pizza)
• Sit-down or bar-style spots (useful if you have a longer layover)
• Coffee shops and grab-and-go kiosks
• Snack stands with chips, candy, and bottled drinks

If you’re connecting through Atlanta, Concourse A often has enough variety that you don’t need to leave the concourse to find something to eat before your next flight.

Shopping & Essentials

Common services in or near Concourse A include:

• Newsstands / convenience shops
  • Snacks, drinks, travel pillows, reading material
• Travel/tech shops
  • Headphones, chargers, phone accessories
• Gift and souvenir stores
  • Atlanta- and Georgia-themed items

Seating, Charging, and Working in Concourse A

If you’re an Atlanta business traveler or working remotely during a layover, you’ll want to know where to sit and plug in.

Power Outlets and USB Ports

You’ll typically find:

• Outlet clusters built into or near seating areas
• Charging stations at selected points along the concourse

If standard seating is full:

• Walk toward the middle or ends of the concourse, which sometimes have more open seats.
• Look for high-top tables or dedicated charging counters.

Quiet Spots

Concourse A can feel crowded. For a little more calm:

• Walk away from the busiest cluster of restaurants.
• Check gate areas for departed flights—these often empty out and become quieter.

Restrooms, Family Needs, and Accessibility

Restrooms and Family Rooms

You’ll find:

• Multiple restrooms spaced along the concourse
• Typically, at least some family or companion restrooms nearby
• Baby changing stations in many restrooms

Signs overhead and near gates will direct you to the nearest facility.

Accessibility in Concourse A

ATL generally accommodates travelers with mobility or accessibility needs:

• Elevators between the concourse and the Plane Train/Transportation Mall
• Escalators and moving walkways
• Wheelchair assistance coordinated through your airline
• Designated accessible restrooms

If you live in Atlanta and know you’ll need help:

• Contact your airline before your travel date to arrange wheelchair or other assistance starting at check-in and continuing through to Concourse A.

Connecting Through Concourse A

Many travelers in Atlanta use Concourse A for connections between flights.

Connection Basics

After you land:

1. Check the overhead monitors or your airline’s app for your next gate.
2. If your next flight is also in Concourse A, you may just need to change gates.
3. If your next flight is in another concourse:
   • Follow signs to the Plane Train.
   • Ride to your new concourse (B, C, D, etc.).
   • Go up to the gate area and follow signs for your gate range.

You stay inside the secure area for all concourse-to-concourse moves, so no additional security is needed as long as you don’t exit the secure zone.

International Connections

If you’re:

• Arriving on a domestic flight into Concourse A and connecting to an international flight from Concourse E or F:
  • Follow signs for E / F via the Plane Train.
• Arriving from overseas and connecting to a domestic flight at Concourse A:
  • You’ll generally clear customs and immigration in the international area.
  • Re-check bags if required.
  • Go through security again.
  • Then take the Plane Train to Concourse A for your domestic connection.

Baggage Claim and Leaving the Airport from Concourse A

You cannot pick up checked baggage in Concourse A. To leave ATL and collect your luggage:

1. After landing in Concourse A, follow signs for “Baggage Claim / Ground Transportation / Exit”.
2. Take the Plane Train back toward the Domestic Terminal.
3. Go up to the baggage claim area that matches your airline (North or South).
4. From there, you can access:
   • Rideshare pickup zones
   • MARTA Rail Station
   • Parking decks and ATL SkyTrain to the rental car center

For local travelers returning home to Atlanta, this is your route to downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or other neighborhoods using MARTA, rideshare, taxi, or pickup.

Using MARTA and Local Transport After a Flight from Concourse A

If you’re heading into Atlanta after arriving at Concourse A:

• Follow signs from the Domestic Terminal to the MARTA Airport Station (connected directly to the terminal).
• MARTA trains run north through:
  • College Park
  • East Point
  • West End
  • Downtown Atlanta
  • Midtown
  • Buckhead and beyond on applicable lines

This can be a convenient and predictable option if you live or are staying near a MARTA station.

Quick-Reference Guide to Concourse A at ATL

Practical Tips for Atlantans Using Concourse A

• Build in buffer time. ATL and Concourse A are busy; give yourself extra time for security and getting to your gate, especially if you’re coming from neighborhoods with heavy traffic.
• Check your gate before you commit. Flights sometimes change gates—verify on monitors or your airline’s app before settling in at a restaurant or quiet corner.
• Use walking routes if you prefer movement. If you live in Atlanta and fly frequently, the Transportation Mall between T and A can be a helpful way to stretch between trips.
• Plan ahead for accessibility or family needs. Coordinate with your airline if you need wheelchair service, and look for family or companion restrooms marked on concourse signage.

Understanding Concourse A at Atlanta’s airport makes trips smoother whether you’re an Atlanta local heading out, a visitor arriving, or a frequent flier connecting through the city.