Concourse F at Atlanta Airport: Your Guide to the International Terminal
If you’re flying to or from Atlanta and see “Concourse F – ATL” on your ticket, you’re dealing with Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s international terminal. For Atlanta residents, frequent flyers, and visitors, understanding how Concourse F works can save you time, stress, and a lot of walking.
This guide breaks down where Concourse F is, how to get there, what’s inside, and how it fits into the rest of Atlanta’s airport.
What Is Concourse F at Atlanta Airport?
Concourse F is one of the two international concourses at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), alongside Concourse E.
It is part of the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal, located on the east side of the airport, separate from the Domestic Terminal (North and South).
You’ll typically use Concourse F if:
- You’re departing Atlanta on an international flight
- You’re arriving in Atlanta from another country
- You’re connecting through ATL between international flights, or between domestic and international segments
Many Delta Air Lines and SkyTeam partner international flights use Concourse F, but other carriers may operate from there as well, depending on schedules and gate assignments.
Where Concourse F Is and How It Connects to the Rest of ATL
ATL is laid out in a straight line of concourses: T, A, B, C, D, E, and F.
Rough layout (west to east):
- Domestic Terminal (North & South)
- Concourse T
- Concourse A
- Concourse B
- Concourse C
- Concourse D
- Concourse E
- Concourse F / International Terminal (east end)
Moving Between Concourses
All concourses at ATL are connected airside (after security) by:
- The Plane Train (underground people mover)
- Walkable tunnels and moving walkways
You can freely move between all concourses once you’re past security, including between Concourse F and the domestic concourses.
Using the International Terminal vs. the Domestic Terminal
One key Atlanta-specific question is: Should I go to the Domestic Terminal or the International Terminal?
It matters for where you park, where you get dropped off, and which security checkpoint you use.
When to Use the International Terminal (Concourse F)
Head directly to the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (Concourse F side of the airport) if:
- Your first departing flight from Atlanta is international
- Your boarding pass or airline instructions say “check in at International Terminal”
- You’re being picked up from an international arrival, and your airline uses Concourse F
The international terminal address is:
There is separate parking and curbside drop-off/pick-up on this side of the airport.
When You Can Still Use the Domestic Terminal
You may still start at the Domestic Terminal (North or South) if:
- You’re starting with a domestic flight and then connecting to an international flight
- Your airline specifically tells you to check in at Domestic North or Domestic South
After security in the domestic terminal, you can simply ride the Plane Train to Concourse F for your connection.
Getting to Concourse F: Parking, MARTA, and Drop-Off
Driving and Parking
If you’re driving and flying internationally out of Concourse F:
- Use International Terminal signage on I-75 and surrounding roads
- Follow signs to International Parking (often labeled International Park-Ride or International Deck)
Parking options on the Concourse F side typically include:
- International Parking Deck: Short- and long-term parking closest to the terminal
- Economy / Park-Ride lots: Shuttle service to the international terminal
If you park or get dropped off at the Domestic Terminal, you can still reach Concourse F by:
- Going through domestic security (North or South checkpoint)
- Taking the Plane Train to Concourse F
This can be convenient for Atlanta residents familiar with the domestic side or using certain rideshares, but it does add some transit time.
Using MARTA
MARTA’s Airport Station connects directly to the Domestic Terminal, not the International Terminal.
If you arrive by MARTA but fly out of Concourse F, your steps are:
- Walk from the MARTA station into the Domestic Terminal
- Clear TSA security at the Domestic Terminal
- Take the Plane Train to Concourse F
For arrivals into Concourse F who want MARTA:
- Clear customs and immigration (if arriving internationally)
- Follow airport signs for “Domestic Terminal / Plane Train”
- Ride the Plane Train to Domestic Terminal
- Walk to MARTA Airport Station
Security at Concourse F
The International Terminal has its own TSA security checkpoint. If you’re dropped off on the Concourse F side:
- You can check in with your airline and go through security right there
- After screening, you can walk directly into Concourse F gates
If security lines look long at the International Terminal, Atlanta-based travelers sometimes opt to:
- Get dropped off at the Domestic Terminal
- Clear security there (especially if they have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR access on that side)
- Then take the Plane Train to Concourse F
⚠️ This can work, but timing varies. If your international flight is soon, staying on the Concourse F side is usually simpler.
Layout and Facilities in Concourse F
Concourse F is designed as a modern international facility with:
- Multiple gates for wide-body and international aircraft
- A central retail and dining area
- Immigration and customs facilities (for international arrivals)
- Baggage claim for many international flights
Dining and Shopping
You’ll typically find:
- Sit-down restaurants and quick-service spots
- Coffee shops and grab-and-go markets
- Duty-free stores
- Newsstands, bookstores, and souvenir shops
Options can open and close over time, but you can expect a mix of local and national brands—a common experience in Atlanta’s airport.
Lounges
Concourse F usually has:
- Airline-operated international lounges (often used by Delta and partner airlines)
- Priority lounges for passengers flying in premium cabins or with elite status
If you’re an Atlanta resident who travels often, it’s worth checking your airline’s Atlanta lounge locations in advance, as some lounges are in other concourses (for example, Concourse E or Concourse A/B) but still accessible via the Plane Train.
Arriving Internationally into Concourse F
If you are arriving in Atlanta from another country and your flight uses Concourse F, here’s what to expect:
Immigration and Customs
- Deplane at Concourse F
- Follow signs for “Arrivals / Passport Control”
- Go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- Separate lines for U.S. citizens, visitors, and certain trusted traveler programs like Global Entry
- Collect your checked baggage
- Clear customs inspection
- If connecting, re-check your bag on the secure side (look for airline transfer counters)
Connecting to Domestic Flights
If your journey continues beyond Atlanta to another U.S. city:
- After customs, follow signs for connecting flights
- Hand off your re-checked luggage if required
- Take the Plane Train to your next concourse (T, A, B, C, D, or E)
- You may need to pass through TSA security screening again depending on routing through the facility
Atlanta-based travelers returning home will:
- Clear immigration and customs
- Collect their bags
- Exit to the International Arrivals curb for pickup or head toward the Plane Train if connecting to another flight or heading to the Domestic Terminal/MARTA.
Departing Internationally from Concourse F
If you’re leaving Atlanta for another country and your ticket shows a Concourse F gate:
Check-In and Baggage
You can:
- Check in and drop bags at the International Terminal ticket counters
- Or, if you started on a domestic flight, your checked bags are usually tagged through to your final international destination
Make sure to arrive with enough time for:
- Check-in and baggage drop
- TSA screening at the International Terminal
- Any additional document checks (visas, vaccination requirements, etc.), depending on your destination
Boarding
Boarding for international flights can begin earlier than some domestic flights, especially for larger aircraft. Atlanta residents are often advised to:
- Arrive 3 hours early for international departures
- Double-check gate assignments, as flights sometimes move between Concourses E and F
Concourse F vs. Concourse E: What’s the Difference?
Both E and F handle international flights at ATL, and you can walk or take the Plane Train between them.
| Feature | Concourse E | Concourse F (International Terminal) |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Between D and F | East end of airport |
| Terminal building | Attached to Domestic Terminal via train | Has its own International Terminal building |
| Immigration/Customs | Sometimes used for arrivals | Major processing area for international arrivals |
| Check-in counters | Uses Domestic Terminal counters | Has dedicated International Terminal counters |
| Best for | Connections through domestic side | Starting/ending trips at international side |
For many Atlanta-area travelers returning home, you might arrive at E or F, but your pickup will usually be clearer if you coordinate which side (Domestic or International) you’ll exit from.
Ground Transport from Concourse F into Atlanta
Once you land and exit through the International Terminal at Concourse F, you have several options to get into the city:
Rideshare and Taxis
Look for signs marking:
- Rideshare pickup zones (for app-based services)
- Taxi stands
These are located at the curbside outside international arrivals.
Hotel and Private Shuttles
Many Atlanta hotels and private shuttle services operate from ATL:
- Check your reservation details for exact pickup locations
- Follow terminal signage toward “Shuttles” or “Ground Transportation”
Reaching MARTA or Domestic Side Services
If you prefer MARTA or need services only available in the Domestic Terminal:
- Follow signs to the Plane Train / Domestic Terminal
- Ride to the Domestic Terminal
- From there, access MARTA, additional shuttles, or rental cars
Note: Rental car center access is via the ATL SkyTrain, which departs from the Domestic Terminal side.
Tips for Atlanta Travelers Using Concourse F
A few Atlanta-specific pointers:
Plan your side of the airport:
Decide early whether you’ll use Domestic or International for drop-off/pickup based on your first departing flight and airline instructions.Use the Plane Train strategically:
If you know you like certain restaurants or lounges in other concourses (A, B, E, etc.), you can clear security on one side and hop over to Concourse F in plenty of time.Coordinate pickups carefully:
If someone is collecting you from the airport, be clear:
“I’m coming out of the International Terminal (Concourse F side)”
vs.
“Meet me at the Domestic Terminal.”Watch for tight connections:
ATL is large. If you’re connecting domestic → F or F → domestic, allow enough time to move between concourses, especially with immigration involved.
Concourse F is Atlanta’s gateway to and from the world, and once you understand how it connects to the rest of Hartsfield–Jackson, it becomes much easier to navigate. For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, knowing the basics of this international terminal can make your next trip through ATL smoother and more predictable.