Your Guide to Concourse F at Atlanta Airport (Hartsfield-Jackson)

If you’re flying internationally through Atlanta, chances are you’ll pass through Concourse F at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). This concourse is part of the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal, on the east side of the airport, and it’s designed to handle many of Atlanta’s international departures and arrivals.

Below is a clear, local-focused guide to help you understand how Concourse F works, how to get there, what to expect, and how it relates to the rest of Atlanta.

Where Concourse F Fits in at Atlanta Airport

Hartsfield-Jackson is organized into:

• Domestic Terminal North & South
• Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E
• Concourse F + International Terminal

Concourse F is one of the two primary international concourses (the other is Concourse E).

Key points:

• Location: East side of ATL, attached to the International Terminal (often labeled the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal).
• Main use: Many international flights, especially long-haul and connecting flights.
• Connection: Linked to all other concourses by the Plane Train (underground people mover) and walkable corridors.

If your boarding pass or itinerary says “Gate Fxx” (for example, F3 or F9), your flight uses Concourse F.

Getting to Concourse F from Different Parts of Atlanta

Driving or Being Dropped Off

If you’re coming from Metro Atlanta by car, ride-share, or taxi:

• Follow airport signs for “International Terminal” or “Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal”, not just “Domestic Terminal.”
• GPS often recognizes:
  Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal, 2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30354

From most in-town neighborhoods (Midtown, Downtown, East Atlanta, etc.), it’s usually quicker to go directly to the International Terminal if you know you’re departing from Concourse F.

MARTA and Public Transit

MARTA trains only stop at the Domestic Terminal station (near Concourse T), not directly at Concourse F.

If you’re using MARTA:

1. Take MARTA to Airport Station (end of the Red/Gold lines).
2. From the station, enter the Domestic Terminal.
3. Go downstairs to the Plane Train.
4. Ride the Plane Train past Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E to Concourse F.

You do not exit security or get on a bus. It’s all inside the secure area once you clear screening at the Domestic side.

Domestic vs. International: When You’ll Use Concourse F

Concourse F is most relevant if:

• You are departing Atlanta on an international flight that lists an F gate.
• You are arriving in Atlanta from abroad and your flight parks at Concourse F.
• You are connecting from an international flight to another flight (either domestic or international).

Atlanta-based travelers sometimes get confused because:

• Some international flights still use Concourse E.
• A few domestic flights can occasionally use F (usually for aircraft routing), but this is less common.

Always check:

• Your boarding pass for “F” in the gate.
• Airline app or airport monitors to confirm your concourse and gate before you head too far.

What to Expect Inside Concourse F

Layout Overview

Concourse F includes:

• Gates F1–F14 (numbers may vary slightly)
• A central area with restaurants, shops, and services
• Direct connections to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for arriving international passengers
• Walkways to Concourse E and the Plane Train stations

The concourse is designed to feel more open and modern than some of the older concourses, with large windows and wide walkways.

Check-In and Security for Concourse F

Departing from the International Terminal

If your airline allows check-in at the International Terminal, you can:

• Check bags, get your boarding pass, and clear security there.
• Walk straight into Concourse F after security.

This can be more convenient for:

• Atlanta residents being dropped off at the International Terminal.
• Visitors with a rental car returned on the east side (if arranged).
• International-only itineraries (you’re flying out and then coming back to Atlanta internationally).

Using the Domestic Side but Flying from F

If you’re dropped at the Domestic Terminal or arrive via MARTA:

1. Check in and go through Domestic security.
2. Ride the Plane Train to Concourse F.
3. You do not need to re-clear security.

This is typical if:

• You’re already inside security from a connecting flight.
• You simply prefer the Domestic Terminal for check-in.

Arriving Internationally at Concourse F: Customs & Immigration

If you land in Atlanta from an international city at Concourse F, you’ll go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after deplaning.

General Arrival Flow

1. Disembark at your F gate.
2. Follow signs for Passport Control / Baggage Claim / Customs.
3. Go through:
   • Passport control (U.S. citizens/residents vs. visitors lines)
   • Baggage claim (for international arrival bags)
   • Customs inspection area
4. After customs, you’ll exit into either:
   • The arrivals hall at the International Terminal (if Atlanta is your final stop), or
   • A connections area if you have another flight.

Connecting to Another Flight

If you’re connecting:

• You often need to re-check your bags after customs (look for airline transfer counters).
• Then follow signs to Connecting Flights.
• You’ll rejoin the secure side and use the Plane Train to your next concourse (A, B, C, D, E, or F again).

Passengers connecting to a domestic flight commonly end up using:

• Concourses T–D for most mainline domestic flights.
• Concourse E or F if continuing internationally.

Moving Between Concourse F and Other Concourses

The Plane Train

The quickest option is the Plane Train, ATL’s underground people-mover.

Plane Train order (from Domestic side to International side):

Just ride until you hear or see “Concourse F”. Trains run frequently throughout the day.

Walking

There are underground pedestrian tunnels connecting some concourses:

• You can walk between concourses, including E and F, but it takes more time.
• Walking can be helpful if:
  • You want to stretch your legs.
  • The Plane Train is very crowded.

For most travelers, especially those on a connection, the Plane Train is preferred.

Food, Shops, and Amenities at Concourse F

While specific tenants can change, travelers commonly find:

• Sit-down restaurants offering American, international, and Southern-inspired dishes.
• Fast-casual and grab-and-go spots for quick meals between flights.
• Coffee shops and snack kiosks.
• Duty-free shops for international travelers (alcohol, fragrances, cosmetics, etc.).
• General retail: travel essentials, books, electronics, souvenirs.

Amenities often include:

• Restrooms and family restrooms.
• Nursing/pumping areas (designated lactation rooms).
• Charging outlets and seating areas.
• Currency exchange services or ATMs.
• Information desks for wayfinding and basic travel help.

Tip: If you have a long layover, it may be worth comparing Concourse E vs. F food options. You can quickly ride the Plane Train one stop over to explore more choices.

Airline Use of Concourse F

While assignments can change, Concourse F is typically used by:

• Delta Air Lines international flights (Delta is the main hub carrier in Atlanta).
• SkyTeam partners and other international airlines serving ATL.
• Select codeshare and long-haul flights from other international carriers.

Check your airline’s app or boarding pass for the definitive gate assignment; airlines can swap gates between E and F based on operations.

Parking and Ground Transportation for Concourse F

Parking at the International Terminal

If you are driving yourself and flying from Concourse F:

• Look for International Terminal Parking (signed on approach roads).
• Options typically include:
  • Short-term / Hourly parking near the terminal.
  • Park-Ride / Economy lots serving the international side.

Allow extra time during busy travel periods (holidays, summer, major events in Atlanta) when lots and approach roads can be crowded.

Taxis, Ride-Share, and Shuttles

The International Terminal has its own:

• Taxi pick-up area
• Ride-share pick-up area (check your app for designated zones)
• Hotel and off-airport parking shuttles

If someone is coming from Downtown Atlanta, Midtown, Buckhead, or nearby suburbs just to pick you up from an international flight:

• Tell them to follow signs for International Terminal / Arrivals.
• They can wait in designated short-term parking or a cell phone lot if available on the international side.

Time Planning for Concourse F

Because Concourse F involves international procedures, it’s smart for Atlanta travelers to build in extra time.

For International Departures from Concourse F

General guidance many airlines suggest for international flights:

• Aim to arrive at the airport 3 hours before departure.
• During busy times (early evening when many transatlantic flights leave, or holidays), consider even more buffer.

If you’re local to Atlanta:

• Factor in traffic on I-75/I-85 and local roads.
• Add time for parking or drop-off, plus walking to check-in.

For International Arrivals to Concourse F

Processing time can vary widely based on:

• How many international flights arrive at once.
• Whether you’re a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or visitor.
• Use of Global Entry or other trusted traveler programs (if enrolled).

If you have a tight connection to a domestic flight, consider:

• Choosing a longer layover when booking.
• Staying calm and following the “Connecting Flights” signs and staff directions—Atlanta airport staff are used to helping connect international passengers quickly.

Special Tips for Atlanta-Area Residents

For people who live in Atlanta or regularly use ATL, Concourse F can be easier to manage with a few habits:

• ✅ Know whether your flight uses F before you leave home. Check your airline’s app or itinerary.
• ✅ If you’re dropped off, tell your driver specifically: “International Terminal, Concourse F”.
• ✅ If you rely on MARTA, remember you will enter at Domestic and then ride the Plane Train to F.
• ✅ If you’re picking up international visitors, confirm whether they’re arriving at Concourse E or F; both feed into the international arrivals area, but pick-up locations and timing can differ.

Quick Reference: Concourse F at a Glance

Understanding how Concourse F functions within Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport makes international travel to, from, and through Atlanta smoother. With a bit of planning—knowing which terminal to use, how to get between concourses, and what to expect at customs—you can move through this international hub with confidence.