How the Expansion of Atlanta’s Airport Affects You: A Local’s Guide to Changes at Hartsfield-Jackson

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is already one of the busiest airports in the world, but it’s not standing still. A long-term expansion and modernization effort is underway, and it directly affects how you fly in and out of Atlanta, how you get to the airport, and what the surrounding communities can expect in the coming years.

This guide walks through what’s changing at ATL, what’s planned, how it may impact your travel routine, and where to go for the most current local information.

Why Atlanta’s Airport Is Expanding

Hartsfield-Jackson is a major hub for both domestic and international travel. For people who live in metro Atlanta, the airport is:

• A primary gateway to the rest of the country and world
• A major employer and economic engine
• A key factor in traffic, noise, and development around the city

The ATL expansion is driven by a few core goals:

• Handle more passengers and flights without overwhelming existing facilities
• Modernize aging infrastructure, from concourses to parking
• Improve passenger experience (shorter lines, more amenities, better wayfinding)
• Support long-term regional growth, including business and tourism

Most of this work is being carried out through a long-range capital program branded locally as ATLNext, a multi-year plan to upgrade and expand the airport.

Big-Picture Projects in the Atlanta Airport Expansion

While the program has many moving parts, most travelers will notice changes in these areas:

• Terminals and concourses
• New gates and expanded aircraft capacity
• Roadways and parking
• Security and baggage systems
• Amenities and passenger comfort

Key Changes Inside the Terminals

ATL’s expansion includes both renovations and additions to existing passenger spaces.

What Atlanta travelers may notice:

• Updated check-in areas with more self-service kiosks and streamlined layouts
• Refreshed concourse interiors (lighting, flooring, seating, and signage)
• Expanded and modernized restrooms
• New or reconfigured restaurants and retail options in busy concourses

If you fly often from Concourse T, A, B, C, D, E, or F, expect pockets of ongoing construction over the next several years. You may see:

• Temporary wall barriers
• Rerouted walking paths
• Gate changes or relocated food options

📝 Tip for Atlanta-based frequent flyers:
Build a little extra time into your walk between concourses, especially if you’re connecting through peak times (early morning and late afternoon), when construction can make crowded areas feel tighter.

Expansion of Gates and Airfield Capacity

A major focus of the airport’s growth is adding more gates and improving how planes move and park.

What this means in practical terms

• More flight options over time: As gate capacity grows, airlines can potentially increase routes or frequencies to and from Atlanta.
• Smoother operations: Extra gates and improved taxiways can help limit ground delays during peak periods or bad weather.

As a local traveler, you may see:

• Brand-new gate areas with updated seating and power outlets
• Extended concourses that require a slightly longer walk or Plane Train ride
• Occasional bussing to remote stands if construction temporarily reduces available gates

For most passengers, these changes are subtle day to day but can help reduce congestion in the long term.

Roadway, Curbside, and Parking Changes

If you live in or around Atlanta and typically drive to the airport, the roadway and parking expansions are some of the most important changes to understand.

Roadway and Curbside Adjustments

ATL’s expansion includes improvements to roadways that feed into:

• The Domestic Terminal (North and South sides)
• The International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)

Locals may encounter:

• Changes to traffic patterns, especially near the domestic curbside drop-off and pickup
• Periodic lane closures or detours during construction
• Updated signage that can feel unfamiliar if you haven’t flown in a while

🚗 Local driving tip:
Plan your route before you leave home, especially if you’re used to a specific entrance or parking deck. Waze, Google Maps, and similar services often reflect short-term construction changes around 6000 N Terminal Pkwy (Domestic Terminal) and 2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd (International Terminal), but give yourself extra time just in case.

Parking Expansion and Changes

The airport’s long-range plan includes:

• Replacement and expansion of older parking decks
• Adjustments to hourly, daily, and economy parking options
• Updated payment systems and clearer signage to available spaces

For Atlantans, this may mean:

• New or temporary economy lots opening or closing as decks are rebuilt
• Different walking distances or shuttle rides to terminals
• A stronger incentive to consider MARTA, rideshare, or off-airport parking during heavy construction phases

Security, Baggage, and Behind-the-Scenes Upgrades

Not all of ATL’s expansion is visible, but it can affect your experience significantly.

Security Screening (TSA)

Long-term improvements at security checkpoints aim to:

• Speed up screening with more efficient layouts and updated equipment
• Reduce bottlenecks at Domestic North, Domestic South, and International checkpoints

Locals might see:

• Reconfigured security lines
• New screening technology
• Occasional longer lines when old equipment is replaced or lanes are shifted

🕒 Atlanta traveler tip:
For early-morning flights out of the Domestic Terminal, aim to arrive at least 2 hours early during busy seasons (holidays, summer), especially while construction is active around check-in or security.

Baggage Systems

The expansion also includes modernizing baggage handling, which can help:

• Reduce mishandled bags
• Speed up delivery to carousels
• Improve efficiency during thunderstorms and peak traffic

From a passenger standpoint, the main changes you may notice are:

• Baggage claim layouts being updated
• Certain carousels temporarily out of service
• New signage directing you to different claim areas

How the Airport Expansion Affects Atlanta Communities

The expansion of Hartsfield-Jackson is not only about travelers. It has real local and regional effects.

Jobs and Economic Impact

The long-range construction program supports:

• Construction and trade jobs during building phases
• Permanent airport jobs as facilities expand
• Indirect opportunities for hotels, restaurants, logistics, and transportation in surrounding communities

If you live in Clayton County, South Fulton, College Park, East Point, Hapeville, or nearby areas, you may notice:

• Increased construction traffic
• New or renovated airport-adjacent facilities (hotels, offices, cargo facilities)

Noise and Neighborhood Concerns

Airport expansion can raise questions around aircraft noise, air quality, and traffic in nearby neighborhoods.

Residents sometimes want to know:

• Whether new or redesigned runways/taxiways will change flight paths
• How noise is monitored and what mitigation programs exist
• Where to share feedback or complaints

Locally, many concerns related to aircraft operations can be directed to Hartsfield-Jackson’s Noise Management Office or similar departments managed by the City of Atlanta – Department of Aviation.

What Atlanta Travelers Should Expect in the Near Term

If you’re planning upcoming trips, here’s how the expansion may affect your travel experience over the next few years.

1. More Construction Zones Inside and Outside

You may see:

• Areas of plastic sheeting and closed-off corridors
• Work crews in and around parking decks and roadways
• Occasional rerouting of pedestrian paths between parking, MARTA, and terminals

What you can do

• Add 15–30 extra minutes to your normal airport routine.
• Follow posted signs rather than relying completely on habit.
• If you travel with kids, strollers, or mobility devices, allow for detours and elevator wait times.

2. Shifting Airline Check-in and Gate Assignments

As terminals and concourses are renovated:

• Airlines may temporarily move check-in counters or baggage drops.
• Some flights may depart from different concourses or gates than you’re used to.

What you can do

• Double-check your airline app or email the day of travel.
• When you arrive, confirm gate and concourse on the departure boards.

3. Changes to Ground Transportation

During roadway improvements, pickup and drop-off arrangements may shift for:

• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
• Hotel shuttles
• Off-airport parking shuttles
• Taxis and limos

What you can do

• Confirm pickup zones with your rideshare app or shuttle provider.
• If you’re receiving guests in Atlanta, give them clear instructions on where to meet you, as curbsides or decks could be modified.

Summary: What’s Changing at ATL and How It Affects You

Here’s a simple snapshot of the Atlanta airport expansion and what it means for local travelers:

Using MARTA and Other Alternatives During Construction

If you live in Atlanta or the nearby suburbs, this is a practical time to consider alternatives to driving directly to the terminal.

MARTA to the Airport

The MARTA Airport Station is located directly inside the Domestic Terminal, at the western end, near baggage claim and Ground Transportation.

Benefits for locals:

• Avoids parking changes and roadway congestion
• Provides a predictable trip from many points in Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton Counties
• Ideal if you live near stations like Five Points, Lindbergh Center, College Park, East Point, or North Springs

🚌 Tip:
If you’re flying internationally out of Concourse F and arriving by MARTA, you can:

• Take the Plane Train from the Domestic Terminal to Concourse F, or
• Use the free shuttle from the Domestic Terminal to the International Terminal curbside, depending on airline directions.

Rideshare and Taxis

During expansion phases, rideshare pickup areas may shift slightly. Apps typically show the correct pickup zone at ATL in real time, so follow:

• On-screen directions inside your app
• Signs inside the terminal pointing to “Rideshare” or “Ground Transportation”

Where to Get Up-to-Date Local Information

Because airport expansion is a long-term project, details can change. For the most accurate, Atlanta-specific updates, residents and visitors can check:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (City of Atlanta – Department of Aviation)

  • Main address:
    Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
    6000 N Terminal Parkway
    Atlanta, GA 30320
  • General airport information line is typically listed on official airport materials and recordings.

• MARTA Customer Information Center (for updates on Airport Station access and train schedules)

  • Headquarters:
    2424 Piedmont Rd NE
    Atlanta, GA 30324

For neighborhood-level questions, especially around traffic and noise, Atlantans can contact or monitor:

• City of Atlanta government offices (for planning and transportation information)
• Local city halls in communities near the airport, such as College Park, Hapeville, East Point, and Clayton County authorities, which often share updates that affect their residents directly

As the expansion of Hartsfield-Jackson moves forward, passengers from Atlanta can expect short-term inconvenience in exchange for a more efficient, modern airport in the long run. By planning a little extra time, staying alert to signage and airline messages, and considering options like MARTA, you can navigate these changes with far less stress while the airport grows to match the region’s future needs.