Navigating Atlanta Airport Concourses: Your Guide to Hartsfield–Jackson

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the world’s busiest airports, and its concourse layout is a big part of why it functions so smoothly. If you live in Atlanta, fly in and out often, or you’re visiting for the first time, understanding how the Atlanta airport concourses work will make your trip much easier.

This guide breaks down each concourse, how to move between them, where to find key services, and smart tips for making your time at ATL less stressful.

How Atlanta’s Airport Is Laid Out

ATL is organized in a straight line from west to east:

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

All concourses are connected by:

• The Plane Train (underground people mover)
• A long pedestrian tunnel with moving walkways

You do not re-clear security when moving between concourses once you’re inside the secure area.

Domestic Terminal & Concourse T

Domestic Terminal: North vs. South

The Domestic Terminal is split into:

• North Terminal

  • Commonly used by Delta for check-in and some partner airlines
  • Main entrance for many Atlanta-based travelers

• South Terminal

  • Used by other domestic airlines such as Southwest, American, United, and others
  • Has its own check-in counters and baggage claim

Both North and South share the same TSA security area leading into Concourse T.

Concourse T Overview

Concourse T is the first concourse after security on the domestic side. It’s ideal if you:

• Want a short walk to your gate
• Prefer to stay close to security and baggage claim
• Are meeting someone who just landed domestically

You’ll find:

• A mix of domestic gates
• Food options, bars, and grab-and-go locations
• Restrooms, ATMs, and seating areas

Because it is closest to the terminal, Concourse T is often convenient for tight schedules.

Concourses A–D: Core Domestic Flight Area

Most domestic flights at ATL leave from Concourses A, B, C, and D.

Concourse A

• One of the busiest concourses
• Heavy presence of Delta flights
• Wide range of restaurants and bars
• Good choice if you need more dining variety before a domestic flight

Concourse B

• Another Delta-heavy concourse
• Often used for connections between Delta flights
• Many travelers consider it one of the main “hubs” of the airport
• Good selection of quick-service and sit-down food

Concourse C

• Used by a mix of airlines, with significant domestic traffic
• Slightly less crowded than A and B at some times of day
• Good for short layovers because it’s centrally located in the concourse chain

Concourse D

• Serves a range of domestic carriers and routes
• A bit more spread out, with gates along a longer corridor
• Has shops, food options, and restrooms similar to other domestic concourses

Across A–D, you’ll find:

• Food courts and individual restaurants
• Newsstands and convenience shops
• Restrooms, water refill stations, and charging outlets

If you’re connecting between two domestic flights, it’s very common to go from A to B, B to C, or C to D using the Plane Train.

Concourses E & F: International Flight Hubs

Concourse E (International & Some Domestic)

Concourse E is an international concourse but may also handle some domestic flights.

Here you’ll find:

• International departure and arrival gates
• Customs and immigration facilities for certain arriving flights
• A broader mix of international dining and duty-free-style shopping

If you land in Concourse E on an international flight and are connecting to a domestic flight, you’ll usually:

1. Go through passport control and customs.
2. Re-check your luggage (if needed).
3. Re-enter the secure area and transfer to your domestic concourse.

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

Concourse F is attached to the International Terminal on the east side of the airport. This area has:

• Many international gates
• A dedicated international check-in and customs/immigration area
• A separate curbside drop-off and pickup from the Domestic Terminal

Travelers can enter ATL directly through the International Terminal if:

• They’re flying internationally on certain airlines
• They live near the east side of the metro and prefer this entrance
• They’re picking up arriving international passengers

Once past security in Concourse F, you can still access all other concourses via the Plane Train.

The Plane Train: Fast Travel Between Concourses

The Plane Train is ATL’s underground, automated train that runs between:

• Domestic Terminal (T)
• Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E
• Concourse F / International Terminal

Key points:

• Trains arrive every few minutes.
• You can ride it in either direction.
• Announcements and overhead signs show:
  • Current concourse
  • Next stop
  • Direction of travel (toward Domestic or International)

Tip: If your connection is tight (under 45 minutes), the Plane Train is usually the fastest way to move between concourses.

Walking Between Concourses

Below the concourses is a pedestrian tunnel with:

• Moving walkways
• Public art and light displays
• Clear signage to each concourse

Walking can be useful if:

• The Plane Train is busy and you prefer walking
• You’d like some movement between long flights
• Your connecting concourse is only one stop away

Walking times (approximate, at a normal pace):

*Times vary by walking speed and crowds.

Arriving in Atlanta: Where You’ll End Up

Domestic Arrivals

If you arrive from another U.S. city:

• You’ll usually land at Concourses T–D (and sometimes E).
• You will:
  • Walk from your gate to the Plane Train or tunnel.
  • Ride or walk to the Domestic Terminal.
  • Go up to baggage claim in North or South Terminal depending on your airline.

If you’re being picked up, the driver should follow signs to:

• Domestic Terminal – North (often for Delta)
• Domestic Terminal – South (for other carriers)

International Arrivals

If you arrive from outside the U.S.:

• You may land in Concourse E or Concourse F.
• You will:
  1. Go through passport control and customs.
  2. Collect and, if continuing, re-check your bags.
  3. Either:
     • Exit at the International Terminal if ATL is your final stop, or
     • Re-enter the secure area for your connecting domestic flight.

Pickups for international arrivals:

• For flights processed in Concourse F:
  • Drivers follow signs to International Terminal / Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal.
• For flights arriving into Concourse E but exiting domestically:
  • Some passengers exit via the Domestic Terminal after customs and re-check.

If you’re picking someone up, it helps to confirm with them:

• Which terminal they’re exiting from (Domestic vs. International).

Getting Between Domestic & International Terminals (Curbside)

By car, the Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal are separate entrances, several minutes apart by highway.

If you need to move between them outside security, you can use:

• The airport shuttle buses that run between:
  • Domestic Terminal (North and South pickup zones)
  • International Terminal

These shuttles are clearly signed at curbside areas.

Where to Find Key Services by Concourse

Here’s a general idea of what you’ll find across ATL’s concourses:

Food & Dining

• Concourse T: Coffee, quick bites, some sit-down options
• Concourses A & B: Many restaurants, bars, and fast-casual options
• Concourses C & D: Mix of quick-service, bars, and cafes
• Concourses E & F: International cuisine, full-service restaurants, and more spacious dining areas

Shopping & Essentials

• Most concourses:
  • Newsstands
  • Convenience shops (snacks, drinks, travel supplies)
  • Souvenir shops with Atlanta- and Georgia-themed items

Restrooms & Accessibility

• Restrooms are spread throughout every concourse, often near gate clusters.
• Accessible routes, elevators, and escalators are clearly signed.
• Moving walkways are available in the pedestrian tunnel between concourses.

Lounges

• Airline lounges are mainly located in:
  • Concourse T
  • Concourse A
  • Concourse B
  • Concourse F / International Terminal

If you have lounge access through a ticket, membership, or credit card, check which concourse your flight departs from and choose a lounge nearby.

Practical Tips for Using Atlanta Airport Concourses

Here are some Atlanta-specific strategies to keep your time at ATL smooth:

1. Allow Enough Time for Connections

• Domestic-to-domestic: Aim for at least 45 minutes if changing concourses.
• International-to-domestic: Give yourself more time due to passport control and customs.
• If your flight times are tight, use the Plane Train instead of walking.

2. Check Your Gate Early

Gates can move, especially at a major hub like ATL. As soon as you:

• Clear security, or
• Land from your first flight

Check the nearest departure board or your airline’s app for your correct concourse and gate.

3. Pick Food Based on Your Concourse

If your time is limited:

• Eat near your gate, not in another concourse.
• Avoid going far for a specific restaurant if your connection is short—delays getting back can cause problems.

4. Use the Tunnel for a Stretch

If you:

• Have over an hour before boarding, and
• Want exercise or quieter movement than the train

Consider walking between concourses using the pedestrian tunnel, especially between T, A, B, and C.

5. Know Where You’re Being Picked Up

Remind anyone picking you up to confirm:

• Domestic vs. International Terminal
• North vs. South (for domestic arrivals)
• Airline and approximate arrival time

This avoids last-minute confusion at busy pick-up lanes.

Helpful Airport Contact & Location Info

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 North Terminal Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30320

• Domestic Terminal (North & South): Main access for most U.S. flights
• Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (Concourse F side):
  2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd
  Atlanta, GA 30354

For general airport information, flight status, parking, and terminal guidance, you can contact the airport’s main information line (as listed on official ATL materials) or speak with staff at information desks located in the terminals and near security.

Understanding how each Atlanta airport concourse fits into the overall layout makes ATL much easier to navigate. Once you know the difference between domestic vs. international areas, how to use the Plane Train, and which concourse your flight uses, moving through Hartsfield–Jackson becomes far more manageable—whether you’re an Atlanta local or just passing through.