Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta Airport Lost and Found: How to Get Your Items Back

Losing something at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is stressful, especially in a busy, fast-moving hub like Atlanta. The good news: most lost items follow predictable paths, and ATL has a structured Lost and Found system—but where you lost it matters a lot.

This guide walks you through exactly what to do, step by step, whether you’re an Atlanta local, a frequent flyer, or visiting the city for the first time.

First Step: Figure Out Where You Lost the Item

Before you start calling or filling out forms, try to narrow down where the item was last seen:

• On the plane (seatback pocket, overhead bin, floor, lavatory)
• At a security checkpoint (TSA bin, conveyor, inspection table)
• Inside the terminal (gates, restrooms, seating areas, food court, trains, rest areas)
• On the Plane Train, SkyTrain, or shuttle
• In a rideshare/taxi to or from the airport
• At rental car counters or lots
• In parking decks or outside areas

This matters because different agencies handle different areas:

Once you have a rough idea where your item disappeared, you can go to the right place faster and avoid a lot of runaround.

Airport Lost and Found at ATL (Terminals & Public Areas)

If you think you lost your item inside the airport building—not on the plane and not at TSA—then you’ll usually deal with Hartsfield–Jackson’s own Lost and Found office.

This typically covers items lost:

• At gates or seating areas
• In restrooms
• In the Domestic or International terminals
• In food courts, shops, and general concourse spaces
• On the Plane Train within the secured area
• In nearby hallways and public waiting areas

What to Do

1. ⏱ Act quickly. Items are often turned in the same day, but it may take several hours for them to be logged.
2. 📝 Submit a Lost and Found report with:
   • Detailed description (brand, color, size, unique marks)
   • Date and approximate time
   • Airline, terminal, and gate (if you remember)
   • Your full contact details
3. 📸 Mention any tracking features:
   • AirTag or other tracker
   • “Find My” on Apple devices
   • Device lock screen with your name/phone/email

Picking Up Your Item

If ATL staff locate your property, they may:

• Allow in-person pickup at the designated Lost and Found location within the terminal, or
• Arrange shipping to your Atlanta address, hotel, or out-of-state address (usually at your cost)

Bring:

• A photo ID
• Any proof of ownership you have (serial number, photo of you with the item, purchase info)

Because procedures and office locations can occasionally change, it’s wise to call or check airport information displays in the terminal for current Lost and Found directions once you arrive.

Airline Lost and Found (Items Left on the Plane)

If you left something on board the aircraft—in the overhead bin, seatback pocket, or under the seat—it will not go to the airport’s main Lost and Found. It goes to the airline’s system.

At ATL, this mainly means airlines like:

• Delta Air Lines (Atlanta’s largest carrier)
• Southwest
• United
• American Airlines
• Spirit, Frontier, JetBlue, and others

How to Handle Items Lost on the Plane

1. If you’re still at the gate:

   • Go immediately to the gate agent and explain what you left and your seat number.
   • If the plane is still at the gate and accessible, a crew member may be able to check your seat.

2. If you’ve already left the secure area or left ATL:

   • Visit the airline’s Lost and Found or “Baggage Services” counter in the ATL terminal.
   • Or use the airline’s online Lost Item form and include:
     • Flight number and date
     • Departure and arrival cities
     • Seat number
     • Detailed description of the item

3. If your item may be in checked baggage:

   • Go to your airline’s baggage claim office near the baggage carousels in ATL.
   • Report missing contents as soon as you realize something is gone.

For those who live in Atlanta, it can help to keep a record of recent flight numbers and dates in your email or notes app so you can quickly fill out the airline forms when something goes missing.

TSA Lost and Found at Atlanta Airport (Items Lost at Security)

If your item went missing at a security checkpoint, it is usually handled by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), not the airport and not the airline.

Common TSA-lost items include:

• Laptops, tablets, and phones left in bins
• Belts, jewelry, and watches
• Keys and wallets
• ID cards and passports
• Prohibited items that had to be surrendered

When to Contact TSA Lost and Found

Contact TSA Lost and Found at ATL if you:

• Walked away from the conveyor without all of your belongings
• Were asked to step aside and later realized something is missing
• Left a laptop, phone, or bag in a screening bin

You can:

• File a TSA Lost and Found claim detailing the time, specific checkpoint (North, South, or International Terminal security), and description of the item.
• Provide identifying details such as:
  • Serial numbers for electronics
  • Distinguishing markings or stickers
  • Case color and brand

If TSA confirms they have your item, they can often arrange pickup at the airport—helpful if you live in the Atlanta area—or shipping for travelers who have already left Georgia.

Items Lost in ATL Parking, Shuttles, and Outside Areas

Many Atlanta travelers misplace items outside the main terminals, especially when juggling luggage, kids, and ground transportation.

Airport Parking Garages & Lots

If you lost something in:

• North or South parking decks
• Economy lots
• Park-Ride lots
• Walkways or elevators connected to parking

Your item might be turned over to:

• ATL Parking Services, or
• The airport’s main Lost and Found office

Commonly lost here:

• Sunglasses, small bags, or suit jackets in carts
• Phones or wallets dropped near payment machines
• License plates or car accessories

If you’re local, it may be worth:

• Returning to the exact deck level or area where you parked
• Checking near payment kiosks, elevators, and stairwells
• Asking a parking attendant which office manages found property

Airport Shuttles & Rental Car Center Trains

The SkyTrain and rental car center shuttles connect ATL’s terminals to the Rental Car Center and nearby facilities. Items left here:

• May be reported to airport operations or Lost and Found
• Sometimes are turned over to staff at the Rental Car Center

If you think you lost something on these systems, explain:

• That it was on the SkyTrain or specific shuttle
• Approximate time, direction of travel, and what you were carrying

Lost Items in Rideshares, Taxis, and Rental Cars Around Atlanta

Sometimes the item isn’t lost in the airport at all, but on the way to or from Hartsfield–Jackson.

Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.)

If you took a rideshare from anywhere in the Atlanta area to ATL or vice versa:

1. Open the rideshare app.
2. Go to “Your Trips” and select the relevant ride.
3. Use the “I lost an item” option.
4. The app will usually:
   • Try to connect you with the driver by phone or messaging, or
   • Let you submit a report for the company to review

Include that your trip was from or to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport to help the driver remember.

Traditional Taxis

If you used a taxi:

• Check your receipt or credit card statement for the cab company name.
• Call the company’s main number and explain:
  • Your pickup and drop-off locations (e.g., Downtown Atlanta to ATL South Terminal)
  • Approximate time
  • Description of the driver or car, if remembered

If you don’t know the company, you can contact airport ground transportation staff at ATL, who may advise how to trace taxis operating from the airport.

Rental Cars

If you rented a car from the ATL Rental Car Center (near Camp Creek Parkway and I-285):

• Contact the local Atlanta branch of the rental company, not just the national hotline.
• Provide:
  • Your rental agreement number
  • Dates of pickup/return at ATL
  • Exact places in the vehicle where you think it might be (trunk, door pocket, console)

Many rental branches keep a local Lost and Found shelf where items are held for a limited time.

Special Cases: IDs, Passports, and Prescription Items

Some items need extra attention because they’re crucial for travel or identity.

Lost Driver’s License or State ID

If you lose your driver’s license or state ID around ATL:

• Check with:
  • TSA Lost and Found (if lost at security)
  • Airport Lost and Found (if lost in the concourse or restrooms)
• If it can’t be recovered, you may need to:
  • Plan a visit to a Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) office if you’re a Georgia resident
  • Use other forms of ID for the remainder of your trip, following TSA’s identity verification procedures

Atlanta residents often schedule a DDS visit at a metro Atlanta location (like Decatur, Kennesaw, or Norcross) after returning home.

Lost Passport

If you lose a passport in the airport:

• Reach out promptly to:
  • TSA Lost and Found (for security)
  • Airport Lost and Found (for terminals and public areas)
• If it cannot be located quickly, contact:
  • Your country’s consulate or embassy to report it lost or stolen and get instructions for emergency travel documentation

Travelers staying in Atlanta may need to coordinate with consular services in the region and possibly appear in person, depending on their nationality.

Medications and Medical Devices

For prescription medications or medical devices lost at or around ATL:

• Retrace your steps and contact:
  • The airline if it was on the aircraft
  • TSA if it was at security
  • Airport Lost and Found for terminals and concourses
• If you cannot recover them, contact:
  • Your prescribing professional or pharmacy for advice on next steps while in Atlanta

Because medical needs are individual, it’s important to seek personalized guidance rather than relying on general travel tips.

Practical Tips to Improve Your Chances of Getting Items Back

People traveling through Atlanta’s busy airport often follow these common-sense practices to boost their odds:

• File only where it makes sense. Don’t send the same report to every possible office; first narrow down where you lost it.
• Be specific and consistent. Use the same description (color, brand, case, size) in every report and call.
• Check spam/junk folders. Lost and Found responses or shipping notifications sometimes land there.
• Answer unknown calls temporarily. If you’re expecting a callback from Atlanta-area or airline numbers, pick up.
• Give yourself time. Items sometimes appear in the system a day or two after being turned in.

For Atlanta residents who fly frequently through Hartsfield–Jackson, it can help to:

• Label your laptop, tablet, and important items with your name and local phone number.
• Add emergency contact info on your phone’s lock screen.
• Keep a simple list of important serial numbers (phones, laptops, tablets) stored securely in case you need to prove ownership.

Quick Reference: Who to Contact Based on Where You Lost It

If you’re in the airport right now, you can also stop by an information desk or ask an airport employee for the nearest Lost and Found contact point; staff at Hartsfield–Jackson are used to helping Atlanta travelers navigate these steps.

By quickly narrowing down where your item went missing and contacting the right office, you give yourself the best chance to recover your belongings while traveling through Atlanta’s busy international airport.