Connecting Flights at Atlanta Airport: A Practical Guide for Smooth Layovers

If you’re flying through Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)—whether you live in metro Atlanta or are just passing through—there’s a good chance you’ll have a connecting flight here. ATL is one of the world’s busiest hubs, but with a little local know‑how, connections can be surprisingly straightforward.

This guide breaks down how connections work specifically at Atlanta Airport, how long you really need, what to expect between concourses, and practical tips to avoid missed flights.

Key Things to Know About Connecting at Atlanta Airport

Hartsfield–Jackson is designed for connections. Most flights, especially on major airlines, are timed with connections in mind.

Here are the big takeaways up front:

• One main terminal, multiple concourses: T, A, B, C, D, E, and F, all connected by the Plane Train and walkable tunnels.
• Domestic-to-domestic connections are usually easy and don’t require security again.
• International connections may require Customs, Immigration, and re‑screening depending on where you’re coming from and where you’re going.
• For many travelers, 45–60 minutes is a workable domestic layover at ATL, but more time is safer during peak hours or with kids.
• There is only one security checkpoint for each terminal side (Domestic and International), but you move between concourses airside after that.

Understanding ATL’s Layout for Connections

The Basics: Terminals vs. Concourses

Atlanta Airport can be confusing by name, but simple in practice:

• Terminals:

  • Domestic Terminal at the west end (North and South sides).
  • International Terminal (Concourse F) at the east end.

• Concourses (T–F):

  • T: Closest to Domestic Terminal.
  • A, B, C, D: Primarily domestic.
  • E, F: International (though domestic flights sometimes use these too).

All concourses are linked underground, so you typically do not exit security when you’re just changing planes.

The Plane Train

ATL’s Plane Train is the airport’s automated underground shuttle and the fastest way to move between concourses.

• Runs continuously between T – A – B – C – D – E – F.
• Trains arrive every couple of minutes.
• Typical ride between adjacent concourses: 1–2 minutes.
• From Concourse T to Concourse F, expect about 10–12 minutes total ride time, plus walking.

If you’re connecting, follow the overhead signs for “Plane Train” and watch the displays showing which concourse the train is headed toward.

Walking Between Concourses

You can also walk via the underground pedestrian tunnel:

• Good option if:
  • You have extra time.
  • You want to stretch your legs.
• Each concourse is typically a 5–10 minute walk apart, depending on your pace.

For tight connections, the Plane Train is usually faster than walking.

How Much Time Do You Need for a Connection at ATL?

The time you need depends on domestic vs. international, your airline, and how comfortable you are with moving quickly.

1. Domestic-to-Domestic Connections

Example: Orlando → Atlanta → New York

• You usually stay within the secure area; no security recheck.
• You change concourses using the Plane Train or walk.

Typical guidance for domestic–domestic at ATL:

• Minimum suggested time:
  • 35–45 minutes if you’re familiar with airports, not checking bags, and are comfortable moving quickly.
• More comfortable buffer:
  • 60–90 minutes, especially:
    • During busy times (early morning, late afternoon, holidays).
    • With kids, strollers, or mobility needs.
    • If you like time for food or restroom breaks.

If you live in Atlanta and use ATL frequently, you might feel okay with a shorter window. If this is your first time at ATL, giving yourself at least an hour can reduce stress.

2. Domestic-to-International Connections

Example: Atlanta → Paris or Atlanta → Mexico City

If your international flight departs from ATL:

• You usually stay airside (inside security).
• You go to the international concourse listed on your boarding pass (often E or F).
• You generally don’t go through U.S. Customs/Immigration when leaving the country.

Time recommendation:

• Airlines and travelers often find 60–90 minutes workable for domestic-to-international at ATL.
• For long-haul flights or if you want to board early, aim for 90 minutes or more.

3. International-to-Domestic Connections

Example: London → Atlanta → Dallas

This is the connection that takes the most time, because you must:

1. Arrive at ATL (often at Concourse E or F).
2. Go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
3. Collect your checked bags (even if tagged to your final destination).
4. Re-check your bags with your airline after Customs.
5. Go through TSA security again.
6. Take the Plane Train to your next concourse for your domestic flight.

Because of these steps, connections can take longer here than at smaller airports.

Time recommendation:

• Many travelers aim for at least 2–3 hours for international-to-domestic connections at ATL.
• More time may be advisable if:
  • You’re traveling with a large family.
  • You require mobility assistance.
  • You are arriving during busy international arrival periods (often midday to late afternoon).

4. International-to-International Connections

Example: Amsterdam → Atlanta → Lima

What you do here depends on:

• Where you are coming from.
• Whether ATL is your first entry into the U.S.
• Whether your airline has a “sterile” international-to-international transfer option that keeps you airside.

For most travelers entering the U.S. for the first time in Atlanta, you will:

• Go through CBP, collect bags, re-check them, clear TSA, then continue to your departing gate—similar to the international-to-domestic process.

Time needs can be similar to those for international-to-domestic: plan on 2–3 hours unless your airline has arranged a special transfer process and has told you otherwise.

Moving Between Concourses: What It Looks Like Step by Step

Here’s a simple walk-through for a typical domestic connection inside ATL:

1. Deplane at your arrival concourse (for example, Concourse B).
2. Check the flight information screens or your airline’s app for:
   • Your next gate.
   • Your departure concourse.
3. Follow overhead signs to the Plane Train.
4. Take the Plane Train to your departure concourse (e.g., from B to D).
5. Exit the train, go up the escalator/elevator into that concourse.
6. Walk to your gate and confirm gate info on the overhead monitor or display at the gate.

You’re not going back through security unless:

• You leave the secured area entirely (e.g., to meet someone at baggage claim).
• You’re connecting after Customs/Immigration from an international flight.

Airline Hubs and Typical Concourse Use at ATL

Understanding which concourse your airline often uses can help you predict connections:

*Airline placements can change, so always check your boarding pass and airport screens.

If you’re based in Atlanta, Delta connections are especially common, and many routes are structured around short layovers that are usually workable if your inbound flight is on time.

Tips for Tight Connections at Atlanta Airport

If your connection time looks short (for example, 30–40 minutes), these strategies help:

• Sit near the front of the plane when possible to deplane faster.
• Check your arrival and departure gates before landing via:
  • Airline app.
  • In-flight announcements.
  • Seatback screens (if available).
• As soon as you deplane:
  • Head straight to your next gate; skip food/restrooms until you’re near it.
  • Use the Plane Train instead of walking for long distances.
• If your inbound flight is late:
  • Notify the gate agent or ask a flight attendant if they can alert the next gate.
  • At the terminal, ask a nearby customer service desk for help rebooking if needed.

Atlanta’s concourses are long; if you’re going from one end of a concourse to the opposite end with limited time, it can be a brisk walk.

What Locals Should Know About ATL Connections

If you live in Atlanta and frequently fly out of Hartsfield–Jackson:

• When booking itineraries that connect through ATL on your return, consider:

  • Luggage pickup needs if you plan to leave the airport instead of continuing on a final segment.
  • Connections that leave you adequate time to get home if your return is late at night.

• If you’re hosting out-of-town visitors:

  • Remind them that “Atlanta Airport” and “Hartsfield–Jackson” are the same place.
  • Explain that they should stay inside security if they’re simply connecting.
  • Let them know the airport address if needed for arrangements:
    • Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
      6000 N Terminal Pkwy
      Atlanta, GA 30320
      Main information line: (800) 897-1910 (general airport information).

International Arrivals: Customs, Immigration, and Baggage

If ATL is your first stop in the United States, you’ll clear Customs and Border Protection here.

Typical process:

1. Disembark at your arrival concourse (usually E or F).
2. Follow signs for “Arrivals,” “Customs,” or “Passport Control.”
3. Proceed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
4. Collect your checked baggage from the baggage carousel.
5. Proceed through Customs.
6. If you have a connecting flight:
   • Re-check your bag at the designated re-check belt after Customs.
   • Go through TSA security again.
   • Follow signs to the Plane Train and to your onward concourse.

If your final destination is Atlanta:

• After Customs, you keep your bags and follow signs to baggage claim and ground transportation.

Because wait times can vary, planning extra time is usually wise for any itinerary that includes CBP at ATL.

Navigating Security and TSA When Connecting

In most domestic-to-domestic and domestic-to-international connections, you won’t see TSA again until your next trip. But you will if:

• You’ve just arrived from outside the U.S. and ATL is your first entry point.
• You exit the secure area voluntarily (to meet someone at baggage claim, leave the airport, or go outside to smoke).

Security checkpoints at ATL:

• Domestic Terminal – North Security Checkpoint
• Domestic Terminal – South Security Checkpoint
• International Terminal (Concourse F) Security Checkpoint

Guests in Atlanta often find:

• South Checkpoint is heavily used by Delta flyers.
• North Checkpoint is often used by other major carriers and sometimes shorter lines, depending on the time of day.

For connections, you do not choose a checkpoint—your re-screening point is determined by the path from Customs or where you exit/re-enter.

Food, Restrooms, and Amenities During a Layover

If you have some time to spare between flights, ATL has many options across all concourses:

• Restrooms: Available frequently along each concourse.
• Food and drink:
  • Every concourse has quick-service food, sit-down spots, and coffee.
  • More variety is usually found in Concourses A, B, and T, and the main Domestic Terminal atrium.

Simple approach for layovers:

1. Get to your new gate first.
2. Check your boarding time and any delays.
3. Choose a nearby food or restroom option on the same concourse to avoid long walks back.

If you’re meeting someone in Atlanta during a long layover, you’ll need to:

• Exit security and meet them in the Domestic Terminal atrium or arrival/baggage level.
• Leave enough time to go back through TSA and ride the Plane Train to your next gate afterward.

Special Considerations: Families, Mobility, and Assistance

If you’re traveling through ATL with children, older adults, or mobility needs, keep these points in mind:

• Wheelchair assistance:

  • Can be requested through your airline in advance.
  • Staff can help you move quickly between gates, especially for tight connections.

• Strollers and car seats:

  • Gate-checking is common; factor in a few extra minutes when boarding and deplaning.
  • Allow more connection time—60–90 minutes or more is usually more comfortable.

• Nursing rooms and family restrooms:

  • Available in several concourses; look for signs or ask airport staff.

For local Atlantans helping family connect through ATL, sharing these details in advance can ease their trip.

Missed Connections and Rebooking at ATL

If you miss your connecting flight at Atlanta Airport:

1. Go to your airline’s gate agent or customer service desk.
2. Many airlines will automatically rebook you on the next available flight, especially if the delay was caused by the airline.
3. Check:
   • Your boarding pass (sometimes new passes appear in the app).
   • Terminal monitors for updated flight and gate information.

ATL has many daily flights—particularly on hub carriers—so new options may be available the same day, although seats are not guaranteed on your preferred time.

By understanding how Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is laid out and how connections work here, you can plan realistic layover times, move confidently between concourses, and reduce the stress of changing planes in one of the busiest airports in the world.