Airlines at Atlanta Airport: Your Guide to Carriers at Hartsfield-Jackson

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest airports in the world, and its range of airlines reflects that. Whether you live in metro Atlanta, are flying in for a visit, or are connecting through ATL, understanding which airlines operate here – and where they fly – can make your trip much smoother.

This guide walks through the major airlines at Atlanta Airport, which terminals they use, what types of routes they typically operate, and tips for navigating the airport like a local.

How Atlanta Airport Is Organized: Terminals & Concourses

Before looking at specific airlines, it helps to know how ATL is laid out:

• Two main terminals:
  • Domestic Terminal (North & South)
  • International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)
• Concourses (lettered A–F + T):
  • T Concourse: connected to the Domestic Terminal
  • Concourses A, B, C, D, E, F: connected by the Plane Train underground tram and pedestrian walkways

Most airlines are based in one primary terminal/check-in area, but flights may depart from various concourses depending on the route and time of day.

Quick Airline Overview at Atlanta Airport

Here is a simplified snapshot of many of the airlines you’ll encounter at ATL and where you’ll generally check in:

Note: Gate assignments and exact check-in counters can change, so always verify with your airline and your boarding pass on the day of travel.

Delta Air Lines: Atlanta’s Dominant Carrier

Delta’s Hub at ATL

Delta Air Lines is the primary carrier at Hartsfield-Jackson and operates one of its largest global hubs here. If you live in Atlanta, there’s a good chance your flight options will often begin with Delta.

• Check-in:
  • Domestic: Usually at the Domestic Terminal South side
  • International: At the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal
• Typical concourses:
  • Heavy presence in T, A, B, C, D for domestic
  • E and F are major international concourses, with many Delta and partner flights

Where Delta Flies From Atlanta

From ATL, Delta typically offers:

• Extensive domestic routes across the U.S., including:
  • Major cities: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Seattle, and many more
  • Regional routes: throughout Georgia and the Southeast
• International routes, commonly to:
  • Europe (e.g., London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rome in many seasons)
  • Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Canada
  • Select routes to Asia and Africa depending on season and demand

For Atlanta-based travelers, Delta’s hub means frequent flight options, multiple departure times, and many same-day connections.

Other Major Domestic Airlines at Atlanta Airport

Even though Delta is the home carrier, Atlanta Airport hosts a full mix of U.S. airlines, useful if you prefer another airline’s loyalty program or pricing.

Southwest Airlines

• Check-in: Typically Domestic Terminal North
• Common destinations:
  • Popular vacation and business spots across the U.S.
  • Some routes to Mexico and the Caribbean (often connecting via other Southwest cities)

Southwest is popular with Atlanta residents who like two free checked bags (subject to airline policy) and point-to-point routes.

American Airlines

• Check-in: Usually Domestic Terminal North
• Typical use for Atlantans:
  • Connecting through Charlotte (CLT), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Miami (MIA) and other American hubs
• Destinations:
  • Domestic routes and onward international flights via hubs

Useful if you live in Atlanta but credit your miles to American’s frequent flyer program or often fly to cities better served by American.

United Airlines

• Check-in: Typically Domestic Terminal North
• Connections:
  • Common through Houston (IAH), Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Newark (EWR), and Washington Dulles (IAD)
• Destinations:
  • Domestic cities and international flights via United’s hubs

Atlanta travelers use United when heading to cities where United has strong coverage, especially in the Midwest, Mountain West, and some international gateways.

Spirit Airlines

• Check-in: Usually Domestic Terminal North
• Type of service:
  • Ultra-low-cost carrier with base fares often lower but many optional add-on fees
• Typical routes:
  • Domestic leisure destinations and Caribbean/Mexico routes (many via connections)

Spirit is often chosen by Atlanta-based travelers looking for budget options and willing to travel light.

Frontier Airlines

• Check-in: Generally Domestic Terminal North
• Type of service:
  • Another budget-focused carrier
• Routes:
  • Many domestic routes, often to leisure and secondary cities

Frontier can be useful for Atlanta residents who have flexible dates and prioritize low fares.

JetBlue Airways

• Check-in: Typically Domestic Terminal North
• Routes from Atlanta:
  • Focused domestic routes, often toward Northeast or Florida and occasional Caribbean connections

JetBlue may appeal to Atlantans looking for comfortable cabins and flights to JetBlue focus cities like Boston or New York.

Alaska Airlines

• Check-in: Usually Domestic Terminal North
• Routes:
  • Typically connects ATL with West Coast cities and onward Alaska network

For Atlanta-area travelers frequently heading to Seattle, Portland, or Alaska, this can be a convenient option.

International Airlines Serving Atlanta

Atlanta residents and visitors benefit from a strong international airline presence, especially in the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal.

European & Transatlantic Airlines

These airlines often work in partnership with Delta or other U.S. carriers, but you can also book directly:

• Air France – typically operates flights between ATL and Paris (CDG)
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines – routes to Amsterdam (AMS)
• British Airways – service to London (LHR)
• Lufthansa – typically connects ATL to Frankfurt (FRA) or other German hubs

These options give Atlanta-based travelers multiple choices for Europe, beyond Delta-operated flights.

Canadian Airlines

• Air Canada – usually flies between Atlanta and Toronto (YYZ) or Montreal (YUL) on some schedules

If you frequently travel between Atlanta and Canada, flying a Canadian carrier may help earn or redeem miles in those loyalty programs.

Latin America & Caribbean Airlines

In addition to Delta and U.S. carriers, you may see:

• Aeroméxico – service between Atlanta and Mexico City (MEX), with onward connections throughout Mexico and Latin America

Combined with Delta’s network and U.S. airlines’ seasonal Caribbean routes, Atlantans generally have strong coverage into Latin America and island destinations.

Middle Eastern & Other Long-Haul Airlines

• Qatar Airways – typically operates routes between ATL and Doha (DOH), linking to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia

For travelers based in Atlanta heading to South Asia, the Middle East, or parts of Africa, carriers like Qatar can reduce connections compared with solely North American or European routings.

Terminals, Check-In, and Finding Your Airline

Domestic vs. International Terminal

At ATL, your check-in location depends on:

1. Which airline you’re flying, and
2. Whether you’re starting in Atlanta or connecting

General rules:

• Domestic-only flights:
  • Check-in at the Domestic Terminal (North or South)
  • Even if your airline also flies internationally, a domestic-only ticket usually uses the Domestic Terminal.
• International departures from Atlanta:
  • Many airlines, including Delta and foreign carriers, check in at the International Terminal
• International arrivals:
  • Most passengers from abroad arrive into the International Terminal, clear customs, and can:
    • Exit there, or
    • Take airport transport to the Domestic side if connecting

Domestic Terminal North vs. South

• South Terminal:
  • Primarily used by Delta for domestic flights
• North Terminal:
  • Used by most other U.S. carriers (Southwest, American, United, Spirit, Frontier, JetBlue, Alaska, etc.)

If you’re an Atlanta local, learning which side your usual airline uses can save time on drop-offs and parking.

Getting Between Terminals and Concourses

Once you’ve checked in and cleared security:

• Use the Plane Train (automated underground train) to move quickly between:
  • Concourse T
  • Concourses A, B, C, D, E, F
• Walkways are also available if you prefer to walk, but distances can be long.
• Your boarding pass specifies the concourse and gate (for example, B12 means Concourse B, Gate 12).

👉 Tip for Atlantans picking up guests:
Ask arriving travelers which airline and whether the flight is domestic or international.

• Domestic arrivals: Usually exit near the Domestic Terminal baggage claim areas.
• International arrivals: Usually exit from the International Terminal baggage claim and arrivals hall.

Ground Transportation and Local Access

Because ATL is such a central part of life in metro Atlanta, knowing how to reach it easily matters as much as knowing the airlines.

MARTA (Public Transit)

• MARTA Airport Station is directly inside the Domestic Terminal, near baggage claim.
• From downtown Atlanta, Midtown, or Buckhead, you can usually:
  • Take the Red or Gold rail line straight to Airport Station.

If you’re flying an international airline and departing from the International Terminal, you can:

• Take MARTA to Airport Station (Domestic side), then use:
  • The free shuttle bus linking the Domestic and International Terminals, or
  • The Plane Train post-security (if you already checked in and can enter security at the Domestic side).

Driving, Rideshare, and Drop-Off

For Atlanta residents:

• Use I-85 or I-75 (and the connector) to reach the airport; signage clearly separates:
  • Domestic vs. International
• Rideshares and taxis have designated drop-off/pick-up zones at both terminals.
• If your airline uses the North Terminal, consider telling your driver to follow signs for “North Terminal”; for Delta, follow “South Terminal” (domestic side) or “International Terminal” as posted.

Helpful Contacts and On-Site Services

For airline-specific questions (baggage, schedule changes, special assistance), it’s best to contact the airline directly using the phone number or app listed on your reservation.

For airport-wide questions (parking, terminals, security checkpoints, general services):

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy
  Atlanta, GA 30320
  Main airport information lines and service desks are typically posted throughout the terminals.

Information desks are located in:

• Domestic Terminal (North and South) near baggage claim
• International Terminal in the arrivals and departures halls

They can help you locate airline check-in counters, find the best way to move between terminals, or navigate to ground transportation.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Travelers Choosing an Airline

When you’re planning a trip from Atlanta, consider:

• Schedule and frequency:
  • Delta often has the most daily options from ATL, especially for business-heavy routes.
• Loyalty programs:
  • If you fly often, it may be worth aligning with Delta, American, United, Southwest, or another airline’s program based on your most common destinations.
• Budget vs. flexibility:
  • Budget airlines like Spirit and Frontier from ATL can be cost-effective, but expect extra fees and fewer daily flights.
• Destination coverage:
  • For Europe, compare Delta and partners (Air France, KLM) vs. airlines like British Airways and Lufthansa.
  • For the Middle East or South Asia, consider Qatar Airways in addition to connections on U.S. or European carriers.
• Airport side:
  • If you routinely depart from the North Terminal vs. South, this can affect where you park, where you get dropped off, or which MARTA station entrance you use.

Understanding which airlines operate at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and how they use the terminals and concourses, helps you plan smoother trips—whether you’re an Atlanta local flying out for a weekend or a visitor connecting through one of the world’s busiest airports.