Atlanta Airport Airlines: Your Guide to Flying In and Out of Hartsfield-Jackson

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest airports in the world, and it can feel huge if you’re not familiar with it. Whether you live in metro Atlanta, are visiting for the first time, or are planning a connection through ATL, understanding which airlines fly here, where they operate, and how to navigate the terminals will make your trip much smoother.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to Atlanta airport airlines, with an emphasis on how things actually work on the ground.

Overview: How Atlanta’s Airport Is Organized

ATL has a main Domestic Terminal and an International Terminal, plus Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, and F. Most airlines are grouped by alliance or type of service.

Key points:

• Domestic flights mainly use Concourses T–D (and sometimes E).
• International flights mainly use Concourses E and F.
• You can move between all concourses after security using the underground Plane Train or by walking.

For anyone flying into or out of Atlanta, it helps to know:

• Which airlines are based here
• Which terminal to use
• Where to check in and drop bags
• How connections between airlines work

Major Airlines at Atlanta Airport

Delta Air Lines (ATL’s Primary Hub Carrier)

Delta Air Lines is the dominant airline at ATL and uses the airport as a major global hub.

• Check-in areas: Domestic Terminal South (for most domestic Delta flights) and International Terminal (for Delta international flights)
• Concourses primarily used: T, A, B, C, D, E, and F
• Role in Atlanta:
  • Largest carrier at ATL
  • Extensive domestic network across the U.S.
  • Multiple daily international departures to Europe, Latin America, and other regions

For most people in Atlanta, if you’re flying within the U.S., there is a high chance you’re flying Delta or connecting through a Delta-operated flight.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines is a major low-fare carrier at ATL, especially for domestic travel.

• Check-in area: Domestic Terminal North
• Typical concourses: C and sometimes T
• Highlights for Atlanta passengers:
  • Popular for flights to Florida, Texas, the Midwest, and other regional hubs
  • Known for two free checked bags on most fares (always verify current policies)

If you live in the Atlanta area and are price-conscious or prefer Southwest’s boarding style, ATL is a key station for the airline with frequent flights.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier is an ultra-low-cost carrier with a growing presence in Atlanta.

• Check-in area: Domestic Terminal North
• Typical concourses: Often T or D (subject to gate assignments)
• Best for:
  • Travelers seeking low base fares and willing to pay separately for bags and seat selection
  • Short trips where you travel light

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines serves a number of domestic and leisure destinations from ATL.

• Check-in area: Domestic Terminal North
• Typical concourses: Usually D or T
• Considerations:
  • Very low base fares with additional fees for carry-on bags, checked bags, and seat assignments
  • Often used for quick trips to Florida, the Northeast, or other vacation-focused routes

Other Domestic and North American Airlines

Several other U.S. and North American carriers operate from ATL, offering connections beyond Delta and low-cost airlines:

• American Airlines

  • Check-in: Domestic Terminal North
  • Typical concourses: T or D
  • Common for connections through hubs like Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, and others.

• United Airlines

  • Check-in: Domestic Terminal North
  • Typical concourses: T or D
  • Often used for flights to Chicago, Denver, Houston, Newark, and beyond.

• Alaska Airlines

  • Check-in: Domestic Terminal North
  • Typical concourses: Varies, often T or D
  • Key for flights to the West Coast.

• JetBlue

  • Check-in: Domestic Terminal North
  • Typical concourses: Often D or T
  • Useful for routes to Boston, New York, and other East Coast destinations.

• Air Canada

  • Check-in: Domestic Terminal North
  • Typical concourses: Often T or E (for cross-border operations)
  • Connects Atlanta to Canadian hubs such as Toronto and Montreal.

International Airlines at Atlanta Airport

Atlanta has a solid selection of international carriers, especially to Europe and the Americas. Most operate out of the International Terminal (Concourse F), though arrivals and departures can also use Concourse E.

Common International Airlines Serving ATL

While exact airlines can change over time, travelers commonly see:

• Air France – Transatlantic flights, often partnering with Delta for connections.
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines – Service to Amsterdam, gateway to Europe and beyond.
• British Airways – Flights to London, with onward connections through its European network.
• Lufthansa – German hub connections, often via Frankfurt or Munich.
• Qatar Airways – Service to Doha with wide onward connectivity to the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
• Aeroméxico – Links Atlanta with Mexico City and connections throughout Mexico and Latin America.
• Korean Air (and occasionally other Asian carriers) – Long-haul routes connecting ATL to Asia.

Many of these airlines are partners with Delta through alliance agreements, which can simplify connections and baggage handling if your trip includes both Delta and a partner airline.

Quick Airline & Terminal Reference

The table below offers a simple, high-level snapshot of how major airlines typically use ATL. Gate assignments and operations can change, so always confirm before you travel.

Domestic vs. International Terminals: What Atlanta Flyers Need to Know

Domestic Terminal (North & South)

• Domestic Terminal South

  • Primarily used by Delta for domestic flights.
  • If you’re flying Delta within the U.S., this is usually where you check in and drop bags.

• Domestic Terminal North

  • Used by Southwest, American, United, Frontier, Spirit, JetBlue, Alaska, Air Canada, and other non-Delta carriers for most departures.
  • If your ticket is from one of these airlines and shows a domestic U.S. destination, you’ll almost always start here.

International Terminal (Concourse F)

• Used for:
  • International departures for Delta and most foreign carriers.
  • International arrivals where passengers clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
• If your first flight is international (for example, ATL to London, Paris, or Doha), your check-in is usually at the International Terminal.

💡 Local tip: If you’re dropping off visiting family or picking someone up from an overseas flight, it’s often easier to go directly to the International Terminal (F) instead of the Domestic side. This avoids unnecessary transfers.

Connecting Between Airlines at Atlanta Airport

Because ATL is designed as a connecting hub, many travelers combine different airlines on the same journey. Here’s what Atlantans and visitors often need to know.

Connections Within the Same Airline (or Alliance)

• Delta–Delta or Delta–SkyTeam partner (like Air France, KLM, Aeroméxico):

  • Bags are usually checked through to the final destination if the ticket is on a single reservation.
  • Connection is handled entirely airside (no need to exit security), unless you must clear customs on arrival to the U.S.

• Southwest-only journeys:

  • Connections are generally straightforward within Concourse C (with occasional use of other concourses).

Connections Between Different Airlines

If you’re flying two separate tickets (for example, Spirit to Atlanta, then Delta to another city):

• You may have to:

  • Retrieve your luggage at baggage claim.
  • Re-check it with the next airline at the appropriate terminal.
  • Go through security again.

• Allow extra time for:

  • Moving between North and South Domestic Terminals (you can walk land-side or use curbside roadway transfers).
  • Going from Domestic Terminals to the International Terminal via the free airport shuttle buses or internal transportation if you’re re-checking at F.

Travelers based in Atlanta often build in a longer layover when mixing low-cost carriers with a legacy airline to give themselves a safety buffer for delays and baggage handling.

Getting to the Right Terminal and Airline Check-In Area

If you live in or around Atlanta, getting to the airport efficiently is half the battle. Here’s how this ties back to which airline you’re flying.

By Car

• Address for GPS (Domestic Terminal)

  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  • 6000 N Terminal Parkway
  • Atlanta, GA 30320

• Address for GPS (International Terminal)

  • Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal
  • 2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd
  • Atlanta, GA 30354

Use the airline name and whether your first flight is domestic or international to decide which terminal’s address to use.

By MARTA

• Take MARTA to the Airport Station, which connects directly into the Domestic Terminal.
• From there:
  • Follow signage to either North (Southwest, American, United, etc.) or South (Delta) check-in.
  • If your flight departs from the International Terminal, you can:
    • Check in and drop bags at the Domestic Terminal (if allowed by your airline and itinerary) and then take the Plane Train after security to Concourse F, or
    • Use the free International Shuttle Connector from outside the Domestic Terminal to go to the International Terminal before checking in.

Baggage, Check-In, and Airline Counters

Most airlines at ATL follow standard U.S. check-in guidance, but some local realities are helpful:

• Peak times: Early morning and late afternoon/early evening are often busiest for check-in, especially for Delta and Southwest.
• Self-service kiosks: Widely available for Delta, Southwest, American, United, and others.
• Bag drop:
  • Delta has extensive automated and staffed bag-drop stations in the Domestic South area.
  • Low-cost airlines like Frontier and Spirit often require earlier arrival to handle bag-drop lines; locals who fly these carriers frequently tend to arrive well ahead of boarding time.

If you’re checking in multiple bags, traveling with sports equipment, or flying during holidays, planning extra time at the counters helps avoid missed flights.

Special Situations: What Atlanta Travelers Should Expect by Airline

Flying with Pets

• Delta, American, United, and some international carriers may allow small pets in the cabin on specific routes if you meet size and carrier requirements.
• Low-cost carriers (like Frontier, Spirit, Southwest) often have their own pet policies, including limited pet counts per flight and specific fees.

Policies differ by airline and can change, so it’s important to confirm directly with your carrier before traveling to ATL.

Unaccompanied Minors

• Major carriers at ATL (Delta, American, United, Southwest, JetBlue) generally have unaccompanied minor services, with age restrictions and service fees.
• If you are an Atlanta-area parent sending a child alone:
  • Be prepared to spend extra time at the check-in counter.
  • Make sure you have identification and any required forms, as the airline will verify the adult dropping off and the adult picking up.

How to Choose an Airline When You’re Based in Atlanta

If you live in the Atlanta area, your choice of airline may come down to availability, schedule, and convenience:

• Delta:

  • Best for: Frequent flyers, broad network, and reliable connections through ATL.
  • Perk for locals: Many nonstop options to large and mid-sized cities.

• Southwest:

  • Best for: Flexible change policies and domestic leisure travel.
  • Good fit: Travelers who value included checked bags and a different boarding system.

• Frontier and Spirit:

  • Best for: Budget-conscious travelers willing to pay separately for extras.
  • Good fit: Short trips with minimal luggage or flexible leisure travel.

• American, United, JetBlue, Alaska, Air Canada, and international carriers:

  • Useful for: Tapping into other airlines’ frequent flyer programs, specific corporate preferences, or routes that better match your itinerary.

Practical Tips for Navigating Airlines at ATL

• Double-check your terminal: Your email confirmation or boarding pass usually lists the terminal/concourses. This is especially important if you’re flying internationally.
• Arrive early:
  • Domestic: Many Atlanta travelers aim for at least 1.5–2 hours before departure.
  • International: Plan for 2.5–3 hours, especially if departing from Concourse F.
• Use the Plane Train: Once you pass security, the Plane Train is the fastest way to move between concourses and reach your airline’s gate.
• Know your baggage rules: Because each airline at ATL has its own baggage fees and rules, reviewing them in advance can prevent surprises at check-in.
• Consider traffic: Metro Atlanta traffic can be unpredictable. When flying from ATL, locals often build in extra time to get from areas like Alpharetta, Marietta, Decatur, or the Southside to the correct airline terminal.

Understanding how airlines operate at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport makes it easier to choose flights, plan connections, and move confidently through the terminals. Whether you’re loyal to Delta, chasing low fares with Frontier or Spirit, or flying abroad with international carriers, ATL is set up to handle a wide range of airline options for Atlanta residents and visitors alike.