Navigating Hartsfield–Jackson: A Practical Diagram Guide to Atlanta Airport

If you’ve ever searched for an Atlanta airport diagram, you’re usually trying to answer one of two questions:

• “How is Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) laid out?”
• “How do I get from Point A to Point B inside the airport without getting lost or missing my flight?”

Below is a clear, text-based “diagram” of ATL’s layout, concourses, roads, and train systems, written specifically for people who live in Atlanta, are visiting Atlanta, or are connecting through ATL.

Big Picture: How Atlanta Airport Is Laid Out

ATL is essentially built in a straight line:

1. Two terminal ends

   • Domestic Terminal (west side)
   • International Terminal / Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Terminal (east side)

2. Seven concourses in between, labeled:
   T – A – B – C – D – E – F

3. Two main underground systems connecting everything

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

Think of it as:

You clear security in either terminal and can reach all concourses without going back through security.

Terminals vs. Concourses: What’s What?

A lot of confusion comes from mixing up terminals and concourses.

Terminals (Where You Enter the Airport)

• Domestic Terminal (West side)

  • Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Divided into North and South check-in areas
    • North: Many non-Delta airlines
    • South: Primarily Delta Air Lines
  • Closest access to Concourse T after security
  • MARTA station is here (Airport Station)

• International Terminal (East side)

  • Formal name: Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal
  • Address: 2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30354
  • Houses Concourse F gates directly and connects to all other concourses post-security
  • Separate entrance, roadway, and parking from the Domestic side

Concourses (Where the Gates Are)

All concourses are after security and linked together.

Security Checkpoints: Where to Go in Atlanta

You can enter ATL through either:

• Main Security Checkpoint (Domestic Terminal)

  • Busy but very large
  • Access from North or South Domestic check-in

• International Terminal Security (Concourse F)

  • Often less crowded at some times of day
  • Best if you’re:
    • Departing on an international flight from F or E
    • Getting dropped off on the east side of the airport

Once through either security, you can reach all concourses T–F via the Plane Train or pedestrian tunnel.

The Plane Train & Walking Tunnels

Plane Train (Underground People Mover)

Runs in a straight line under the concourses with stops at:

Domestic Terminal – T – A – B – C – D – E – F – International Terminal

• Trains arrive every few minutes
• You stay inside security the entire time
• Screens and announcements list each stop clearly

For most Atlanta travelers, the Plane Train is the fastest way to navigate the airport.

Pedestrian Walkway (Underground Tunnel)

If you prefer walking:

• There’s a long underground corridor with moving walkways
• Connects Domestic Terminal – T – A – B – C – D – E
• Between some concourses, you’ll see:
  • Art installations
  • Themed lighting and exhibits

You can mix and match:

• Walk one or two concourses, then hop on the Plane Train
• Or use it as a backup if the Plane Train is crowded

Atlanta Airport Roadway Layout (Driving & Drop-Off)

If you’re Atlanta-based and driving someone to the airport, the road layout matters more than the concourse diagram.

Domestic Side – 6000 N Terminal Pkwy

• Upper level: Departures (Drop-off)
• Lower level: Arrivals (Pickup and baggage claim)
• Key areas:
  • North Terminal (signs often show “North / Airlines”)
  • South Terminal (signs often show “South / Delta”)
• Nearby facilities:
  • North and South economy lots
  • ATL West and ATL Select parking (shuttle-based)
  • SkyTrain to the Rental Car Center from the nearby Gateway Center

International Side – 2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd

• Separate entrance from I-75, following signs to “International Terminal”
• Roadway includes:
  • Departures level for airline check-in
  • Arrivals level for international baggage claim and passenger pickup
• Dedicated International Parking garage next to the terminal

If you’re picking someone up from an international flight:

• Ask whether they’re arriving at Concourse E or F, and whether their airline uses baggage claim at International Terminal or Domestic (some flights can recheck to Domestic).

Airlines and Concourses: Where You’ll Likely End Up

While gate assignments can change, many Atlanta travelers see these general patterns:

• Delta Air Lines

  • Heavy presence in T, A, B, C, D, E, and F
  • Main check-in at Domestic South Terminal
  • Also uses International Terminal for many international departures/arrivals

• Other Domestic Airlines

  • Often use North Terminal check-in
  • Gates commonly in T, C, or D

• International Carriers

  • Check-in: Usually at the International Terminal
  • Gates: Commonly E or F

Always confirm:

• Terminal for check-in on your reservation
• Concourse and gate before you leave home and again once you arrive at the airport (monitors can change).

Navigating Inside: Common Atlanta Airport Scenarios

1. Flying Domestic from Atlanta

Example: Atlanta to New York

1. Check your airline:

   • Delta → Domestic South Terminal
   • Most others → Domestic North Terminal

2. Clear security at the Domestic Terminal.

3. Check your boarding pass for your concourse (T–D) and gate.

4. Choose:

   • Plane Train to your concourse, or
   • Walk via the tunnel if you prefer moving walkways and artwork

2. Connecting Domestic-to-Domestic at ATL

Example: Arriving from Orlando, connecting to Chicago

1. Arrive at a gate in a concourse like B.
2. Follow signs to:
   • “Connecting Flights / Plane Train” if you’re changing concourses.
3. Check flight displays for your next concourse and gate.
4. Stay inside security; no need to exit and re-clear.

💡 Tip for Atlanta-based frequent flyers:
If you know you usually depart from certain concourses (like A or B with Delta), you can plan buffer time but often don’t need to arrive extremely early once you’re familiar with the layout.

3. Atlanta to International Destination

Example: Atlanta to Paris

You have two main options depending on your booking:

• Check-in at International Terminal:

  1. Go to 2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd.
  2. Check in and clear security there.
  3. Your gate will likely be in E or F.

• Check-in at Domestic, depart from E or F (common with certain carriers and setups):

  1. Check in at Domestic Terminal.
  2. Clear security.
  3. Take the Plane Train to E or F.

Either way, your plane diagram is the same: all concourses are linked in order.

4. Arriving Internationally into Atlanta

Example: Arriving from London into Atlanta

1. Deplane into Concourse E or F.
2. Follow signs for:
   • “Passport Control / Immigration”
   • Then “Baggage Claim / Customs”
3. After customs, you’ll either:
   • Exit at the International Terminal, or
   • Recheck bags and use the internal system if you have a domestic connection.

For pickups:

• Confirm whether your passenger is exiting at the International Terminal or being transported to the Domestic side after customs.

Getting Between the Airport and the City of Atlanta

Understanding the airport diagram also helps you choose how to get between ATL and your destination in the city.

MARTA (Atlanta’s Rail System)

• MARTA Airport Station is at the Domestic Terminal, just past baggage claim and Ground Transportation.
• Direct Red and Gold line service to:
  • Downtown Atlanta (Five Points Station)
  • Midtown
  • Buckhead
  • North Springs / Doraville depending on line

If you arrive at the International Terminal and want MARTA:

• You’ll typically take a free airport shuttle to the Domestic Terminal and then walk into the MARTA station.

Rental Car Center (RCC)

• Not inside the terminals, but easy to reach:
  • Take the ATL SkyTrain from the Domestic side’s Gateway Center station (connected by an elevated train near the airport hotels and garages).
• The RCC houses the major car rental companies serving Atlanta.

Quick-Reference: How the Pieces of ATL Fit Together

Mentally “drawing” Atlanta airport:

• Imagine a horizontal line:

  • Domestic Terminal (west) → T → A → B → C → D → E → F → International Terminal (east)

• Under that line:

  • The Plane Train runs the full length, stopping at every letter and both terminals.
  • The Walking Tunnel runs from Domestic – T – A – B – C – D – E with moving walkways.

• On the ends:

  • Domestic Terminal (6000 N Terminal Pkwy)
    • North and South check-in
    • MARTA station
    • SkyTrain to Rental Car Center
  • International Terminal (2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd)
    • International check-in
    • Customs and immigration
    • Direct access to Concourse F

When to Use Which Entrance (Domestic vs. International)

If you live in or near Atlanta, this is one of the most practical decisions:

• Use the Domestic Terminal if:

  • You’re flying domestic-only
  • You’re using MARTA
  • You’re connecting between domestic flights
  • You’re departing on Delta but prefer the familiar Domestic layout

• Use the International Terminal if:

  • Your ticket shows check-in at the International Terminal
  • You’re departing on an international flight from E or F and want direct access
  • You’re being dropped off by car and want the east-side entrance to avoid Domestic traffic

If in doubt, check:

• Your ticket or airline confirmation
• The airport’s general traveler information line:
  Hartsfield–Jackson ATL Information: +1 (800) 897-1910 (main public info line)

By treating ATL like a straight line of concourses anchored by two terminals, most Atlanta travelers find it much easier to navigate—whether you’re a local catching a quick flight out of Concourse T or a visitor connecting between international and domestic gates.