Atlanta Airport Terminals: A Local’s Guide to Navigating Hartsfield‑Jackson

Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is huge, busy, and central to life in and around Atlanta. Whether you live in the metro area, fly out a few times a year, or are visiting the city for work or fun, understanding Atlanta airport terminals will save you time, stress, and a lot of walking.

This guide breaks down how the terminals are set up, where airlines operate, how to move between concourses, and what to expect if you’re arriving, departing, or just connecting through ATL.

The Basic Layout: One Main Terminal, Many Concourse “Spokes”

ATL is organized around one main terminal building plus a series of concourses that spread out like a spine.

• Two sides of the main terminal:
  • Domestic Terminal – North
  • Domestic Terminal – South
• International Terminal:Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (Concourse F)
• Concourses (A–F + T):
  • Concourse T (attached to the Domestic Terminal)
  • Concourses A, B, C, D, E, F (connected by an underground train and walkways)

Even though people often say “Atlanta airport terminals,” what you really use day‑to‑day are:

• Domestic Terminal North & South
• International Terminal
• The concourses (T–F) where the gates actually are

Once you’re past security, all concourses are connected airside, so you can move between them without going through security again.

Domestic Terminals: North vs. South

If you’re flying within the U.S. from Atlanta, you’ll start on the Domestic side.

Domestic Terminal North

The North Terminal handles several major domestic airlines. This is where you’ll typically check in and drop bags if you’re flying with:

• Alaska Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Spirit Airlines
• United Airlines
• Various regional and smaller carriers (as airline assignments sometimes shift)

You’ll find:

• Ticketing and check‑in counters
• Baggage claim for these airlines
• Ground transportation options (rideshare, taxi, shuttles)
• Access to Concourse T and then to A–D via the Plane Train

Domestic Terminal South (Delta’s Home Base)

The South Terminal is essentially Delta’s terminal. If you live in Atlanta, chances are you’ve used this side frequently.

You’ll find:

• Delta Air Lines ticketing and check‑in
• Delta baggage claim
• Access to Concourse T and then to A–D (and beyond) via the Plane Train

Because ATL is Delta’s main hub, the South Terminal and Concourses T, A, B, C, and D are heavily used by Delta and Delta Connection flights.

The International Terminal & Concourses E and F

If you’re flying to or from another country, you’ll likely interact with the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal, which is linked to Concourse F and close to Concourse E.

International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr.)

• Located on the east side of the airport (separate entrance from the domestic side)
• Houses:
  • International check‑in counters
  • Dedicated security checkpoints
  • Customs and immigration for arriving international passengers
  • Baggage claim for international arrivals on Concourse F

Many international airlines serving Atlanta use this terminal for:

• Check‑in and departure
• International arrivals processing

Concourses E and F

• Concourse F is directly attached to the International Terminal.
• Concourse E is an international‑capable concourse connected by the Plane Train and underground walkways.

International flights may use E or F for arrivals and departures. Your actual gate could be in either, even if you checked in at the International Terminal.

Quick Reference: Terminals, Concourses, and Their Main Uses

Always confirm your airline, terminal, and gate before you leave for the airport, because gate and concourse assignments can change.

Getting Between Terminals and Concourses

Once you clear security on either the Domestic side or the International side, the airport is designed so you can move easily between concourses.

Plane Train (Underground People Mover)

The Plane Train is the fastest way to move between:

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

Trains run continuously, and stops are clearly announced. From one end to the other (T to F) usually takes just a few minutes.

Walking Underground

There are also underground pedestrian walkways connecting the concourses. These are:

• Useful if the train is crowded
• Good if you want to stretch your legs on a long layover
• Marked with clear signs and moving walkways

You do not need to exit security to move between concourses T–F.

Arriving in Atlanta: Where You’ll End Up

Where you arrive depends on whether your flight is domestic or international.

Domestic Arrivals

• You deplane at Concourses T, A, B, C, or D.
• Take the Plane Train or walk to Domestic Terminal North or South (whichever matches your airline).
• Pick up checked luggage at baggage claim on the domestic side.
• From there, you can:
  • Take MARTA from Airport Station
  • Use rideshare (signed pickup areas)
  • Grab a taxi, shuttle, or rental car shuttle

International Arrivals

If Atlanta is your final stop in the U.S.:

• You’ll usually arrive at Concourse E or F.
• You’ll go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection and immigration.
• Pick up your checked bags to clear customs.
• Then follow signs:
  • To the International Terminal arrivals area, or
  • To re‑check bags if you’re connecting to a domestic flight

If you’re connecting onward within the U.S., you’ll go back into the secure area after re‑checking bags and then use the Plane Train to your domestic concourse.

Departing from Atlanta: Choosing the Right Entry Point

If you’re leaving Atlanta, your experience will differ slightly based on whether you’re flying domestic or international.

For Domestic Flights

• Most Atlanta‑area residents head straight to the Domestic Terminal.
• Check your airline:
  • Delta: Use Domestic Terminal – South
  • Most others: Use Domestic Terminal – North
• After security, follow signs or use the Plane Train to your concourse and gate.

For International Flights

If your flight departs from Concourse F and your airline uses the International Terminal, you may:

• Check in at the International Terminal (east side entrance), then
• Clear security there and walk straight to Concourse F, or
• Use the Plane Train from other concourses if you’re connecting.

If you’re leaving from Concourse E or another concourse on a connecting itinerary, you might check in on the domestic side and then connect airside.

When in doubt, confirm:

• Which terminal your airline uses for international check‑in
• Which concourse your flight departs from

Ground Transportation: Domestic vs. International Side

Atlanta residents and visitors should pay attention to which side of the airport they’re using, especially when meeting someone or scheduling a pickup.

Domestic Side (North & South Terminals)

• MARTA Airport Station is located here, at the end of the Red and Gold lines.
• Taxi stands, hotel shuttles, and shared‑ride shuttles are at ground level.
• Rideshare pickup zones (for services like Uber and Lyft) are clearly signed and are usually in designated areas of the parking structures.

This is the side most local travelers use for everyday domestic flights.

International Side (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Terminal)

• Separate drop‑off and pick‑up areas
• Dedicated parking
• Some hotel and parking shuttles also stop here
• No direct MARTA rail station; you’d typically:
  • Take a shuttle to the Domestic side, or
  • Use a car, taxi, or rideshare to/from the International Terminal

If you’re picking up someone flying in from overseas, confirm whether they are arriving via Concourse E or F and where their airline directs them to meet rides.

Where Security Checkpoints Are Located

Security screening is located at:

• Domestic Terminal Main Checkpoints (North & South, both leading into the shared concourse system)
• International Terminal Checkpoint (for passengers departing from/through Concourse F)

Once you’ve passed through any of these checkpoints, you can reach all concourses (T–F) without exiting security.

Atlanta‑area residents often choose checkpoints based on:

• Airline (Delta travelers commonly use the South checkpoint)
• Time of day and line length
• Whether their flight is domestic or international

Using ATL for Connections

Atlanta is one of the busiest connection hubs in the world. If you’re just connecting through:

• You’ll arrive at one concourse (for example, B) and depart from another (say, D or F).
• Follow the yellow overhead connection signs to the Plane Train.
• You do not need to go through security again, unless you leave the secure zone.

For international‑to‑domestic connections, you’ll need to:

1. Clear immigration and customs.
2. Re‑check bags if needed.
3. Go back through security.
4. Take the Plane Train to your departure concourse.

Plan extra time for this if you’re connecting to a domestic flight back to Atlanta suburbs or another U.S. city.

Services and Amenities by Area

You’ll find restaurants, shops, and services throughout the airport, but some areas are more fully built out than others.

Domestic Concourses (T–D)

• Wide range of food options from quick snacks to sit‑down dining
• Coffee, grab‑and‑go, and bar options near most gate clusters
• Retail shops for travel essentials, books, electronics, and souvenirs
• Airline lounges, especially for Delta in T, A, B, and D (access depends on status or membership)

International Concourses (E & F)

• Additional duty‑free shopping
• A mix of international and local‑style dining
• Lounges for Delta and several international carriers

For Atlanta‑area travelers, it can be worth arriving a little early if you want to enjoy a meal at the airport, especially in Concourses A, B, or F, where the variety is often larger.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Travelers

Here are some locally useful, time‑saving points for dealing with ATL’s terminals and concourses:

• Know your side before you go.
  Domestic vs. International, and then North vs. South for domestic check‑in.

• Plan extra time for parking and shuttles.
  With ATL’s size, simply getting from parking into your terminal can take longer than you expect, especially at peak times.

• If you’re meeting someone, clarify the exact pickup area.
  “International Terminal arrivals” vs. “Domestic Terminal South curb” makes a big difference in traffic and timing.

• Use the Plane Train if you’re in a hurry.
  Walking is possible, but concourses are far apart; the train saves many minutes.

• If you live in metro Atlanta, consider how you’re getting to the airport.

  • MARTA is often the most predictable option from Midtown, Downtown, and Buckhead.
  • From the suburbs, many people prefer driving and using long‑term parking or off‑site airport parking shuttles.

Key Things to Remember About Atlanta Airport Terminals

• ATL has one large airport with:
  • Domestic Terminal North
  • Domestic Terminal South
  • Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal
  • Concourses T–F connected airside
• Delta mainly uses the South Terminal and much of concourses T–D and F.
• Other major domestic airlines use the North Terminal.
• International flights use Concourses E and F, with check‑in and arrivals primarily through the International Terminal.
• The Plane Train is your main tool for moving quickly between all concourses and both terminal areas after security.

Understanding this structure makes it much easier to plan rides, meet visitors, and move confidently through Atlanta’s airport—whether you call Atlanta home or you’re just passing through.