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

Losing something at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) can feel overwhelming. The airport is huge, there are multiple terminals, and different agencies handle different types of lost items. The good news: ATL has a structured lost and found system, and if you act quickly and follow the right steps, there’s a good chance you can recover what you’ve lost.

This guide walks you through exactly what to do in Atlanta depending on where you lost your item and what it is.

First Step: Figure Out Where You Lost the Item

At Atlanta’s airport, who you contact depends on where you last had the item:

• On the airplane
• At the gate, airline counter, or check-in
• At TSA security
• Inside the main terminal or concourses (restaurants, shops, seating areas, restrooms, hallways)
• At baggage claim, on the plane train, or in the parking areas
• In an Uber/Lyft/taxi/shuttle to or from ATL

Once you identify the location, you can go to the right lost and found contact instead of wasting time calling the wrong office.

Lost Something on the Plane or at the Gate?

If you lost something inside the aircraft or at the gate area (including jet bridge and gate seating), it is usually handled by your airline, not the airport.

Common items handled by airlines

• Wallets, passports, IDs
• Phones, laptops, tablets
• Jackets, bags, headphones
• Books, toys, personal items left in seat pockets

What to do

1. Contact your airline immediately
   Do this as soon as you realize something is missing. You can:

   • Speak with a gate agent if you’re still at ATL
   • Visit the airline’s baggage service office near baggage claim
   • Call the airline’s customer service and ask for “Lost and Found – Atlanta”

2. Have these details ready:

   • Airline name
   • Flight number and date
   • Departure and arrival cities
   • Seat number (if you remember)
   • Exact description of the item (brand, color, case, stickers, initials, etc.)

3. If you’re still in the airport:

   • Look for your airline’s customer service desk in your arrival concourse
   • Or visit its baggage service office near the baggage carousels in the Domestic or International Terminal

Airlines at ATL commonly used by Atlanta residents and visitors include Delta Air Lines, Southwest, American, United, Spirit, Frontier, and several international carriers. Each has its own lost and found system, typically an online form plus local support at ATL.

Lost During TSA Security Screening?

If your property was lost or left behind at a TSA checkpoint at ATL (for example, shoes, belts, laptops, keys, IDs in bins), it is handled by TSA, not the airport or airline.

When TSA is likely responsible

• You walked away from the screening belt without all your items
• A prohibited item (like certain liquids or tools) was surrendered
• You think your bag or item was set aside during secondary screening and not returned

Who to contact

TSA Lost and Found – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Handled by TSA at the Atlanta airport security checkpoints.

Typical steps (always verify current process before visiting in person):

1. Search online for “TSA Lost and Found ATL” to get current directions, phone number, or an online inquiry form.
2. Provide:
   • Date and approximate time of screening
   • Checkpoint used (North, South, or International Terminal)
   • Detailed description of the item

TSA usually holds found items for a limited time. Items considered hazardous or prohibited may not be returned.

Lost Inside the Airport (Terminals, Concourses, Train, Restrooms, Food Court)

If your item went missing anywhere in the airport facilities that is not the plane or TSA checkpoint, it likely falls under Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Lost and Found, managed by the airport itself.

This includes items lost:

• In the Domestic Terminal North or South
• In the International Terminal (Concourse F) public areas
• In concourses A–E and T (walkways, seating areas, restrooms, food courts)
• On the Plane Train, elevators, escalators, or moving walkways
• In baggage claim areas
• In general public spaces inside the airport building

ATL Airport Lost and Found – Key Details

Location (typical):
Lost and Found is generally associated with the Airport Customer Service / Public Safety functions at Hartsfield-Jackson. The office is usually on the Domestic Terminal side of the airport. Exact office locations and hours can change, so it’s best to confirm before going in person.

How to contact ATL Airport Lost and Found

Common options (double-check for current details):

• Phone: Call the ATL main information line and ask to be connected to Lost and Found.
• Online form: The airport typically offers a Lost Item Report form where you can enter:
  • Date and approximate time you lost the item
  • Where in the airport you believe you lost it
  • Detailed description of the item
  • Your contact information

Be very specific in your description: brand, color, unique markings, lock combinations, initials, and what was inside a bag. This helps staff match your report to found items.

Lost in ATL Airport Parking, Rental Car Center, or Ground Transportation Areas

Items lost outside the main terminals but still on airport property may be handled by different offices.

1. ATL Parking Facilities

If you lost an item in:

• North or South Economy Parking
• Park-Ride lots
• Cell phone lots
• Hourly or daily parking garages

You can:

• Contact the ATL Parking Services office
• Give your parking lot/level/space if known
• Provide the date and approximate time when you were in that area

2. Rental Car Center

The ATL Rental Car Center (RCC) is a separate complex connected to the airport by the SkyTrain.

If you lost something:

• On the SkyTrain
• Inside the Rental Car Center
• Inside a rental vehicle

You may need to:

• Contact the SkyTrain / airport transportation lost and found via the main airport Lost and Found process
• Contact your rental car company (such as Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Alamo, National, etc.) directly:
  • Ask specifically for Lost and Found at the Atlanta Rental Car Center
  • Provide rental agreement number, dates, and vehicle description

3. Taxis, Rideshares, and Hotel Shuttles

If you left something in a vehicle to or from ATL:

• Uber or Lyft: Use the app’s “Help” or “Report lost item” feature, which allows you to contact the driver.
• Taxi: Call the taxi company you used, if known. You can also contact Ground Transportation at ATL for guidance if you don’t know the cab company, especially if you took a cab from the airport’s official taxi stand.
• Hotel shuttle: Call the hotel directly and ask for the shuttle driver or operations manager to check their shuttle vehicle.

The airport cannot usually retrieve items left in private rideshare vehicles; this must be done through the rideshare platform.

Who Handles What? Quick Reference Table

Below is a simplified overview of who to contact based on where you lost your item at Atlanta’s airport:

How Long Does ATL Keep Lost Items?

Retention policies vary by who has your item:

• Airlines: Often keep unclaimed items for several weeks to a few months, depending on the type of item.
• TSA: May hold items for a limited timeframe; certain items (like prohibited materials) might be immediately discarded or destroyed.
• ATL Airport Lost and Found: Typically keeps:
  • High-value items (electronics, jewelry, IDs) longer
  • Low-value items (clothing, umbrellas, books) for a shorter time

Because procedures and retention periods can change, it’s important to file a report as soon as possible and follow up if you don’t hear back.

What Information You Should Provide

No matter who you contact—TSA, the airport, or an airline—having these details ready makes it more likely you’ll be reunited with your property:

• Your contact details: Full name, mobile number, and email
• Date and time you lost the item or were at ATL
• Airline, flight number, and terminal (if relevant)
• Specific location:
  Example: “Concourse B, near Gate B12 at a charging station,” or “Security South Checkpoint around 10 a.m.”
• Detailed item description:
  • Brand and model (e.g., “Apple iPhone 13 Pro, blue, with black OtterBox case”)
  • Color, size, distinctive marks, stickers, or engraving
  • Contents of a bag or wallet (without sharing sensitive numbers)

The more specific you are, the easier it is for staff to match your report with an item they’ve found.

Tips to Improve Your Chances of Getting Your Item Back

A few practical habits help ATL travelers—especially frequent flyers and locals who use the airport often—reduce loss and increase recovery odds:

• Label your belongings
  Put your name and phone number on:

  • Laptops and tablets (on a sticker or tag)
  • Camera gear and headphones
  • Luggage (inside and outside)
  • Child’s backpacks and travel items

• Use a simple inventory check ✈️
  Before leaving:

  • The plane
  • A restaurant
  • A charging station
  • The TSA security belt
    Mentally check: phone, wallet, ID, boarding pass, laptop, bag.

• Enable “Find My” or similar tracking
  Tools built into many phones and devices can help you locate them if they’re still powered on.

• Act quickly
  Call or submit an online lost item report as soon as you notice the loss. Recent items are easier to trace.

• Keep screenshots of boarding passes
  If you misplace a paper boarding pass, a digital version helps you provide exact flight details when speaking with an airline or airport staff.

If You Live in Atlanta vs. If You’re Just Visiting

Atlanta residents who use ATL regularly:

• May want to save airline customer service numbers, the main ATL information number, and TSA Lost and Found contact details in their phone.
• If you lose something and are already back home in the metro area, you may have the option to pick your item up in person once it’s found, instead of paying for shipping.

Visitors to Atlanta:

• When filing a report, ask if the airline or airport can ship the item back to you if found.
• Confirm whether shipping costs or handling fees apply.
• If you’re staying at a hotel in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or near the airport in College Park or Hapeville, you can ask if the item can be sent to your hotel during your stay (if time allows).

When Your Lost Item Involves Identification or Money

Some lost items at ATL require extra care:

• Driver’s license or passport

  • If recovered, these are often handled with stricter procedures.
  • If not recovered quickly, you may need to contact:
    • Your state’s Department of Driver Services (DDS) if you live in Georgia
    • Your country’s consulate or embassy if your passport is lost while traveling through Atlanta.

• Credit or debit cards

  • If you can’t locate them promptly, consider contacting your bank to freeze or cancel the card.
  • If ATL Lost and Found or an airline later finds them, you can decide whether to retrieve or destroy them.

• Large amounts of cash

  • Airport and airline staff often turn these in to their official lost and found procedures.
  • Be ready to describe the exact amount and where it was stored (for example, “in a red wallet with three $100 bills and five $20 bills”).

Key Takeaways for Lost and Found at Atlanta Airport

• Identify where you lost the item first: On the plane, at security, or in the terminal area.
• Contact the correct party:
  • Airline for items on the plane or at the gate.
  • TSA for items lost at security checkpoints.
  • ATL Airport Lost and Found for items lost in terminals, concourses, Plane Train, and general public areas.
• Act quickly and be specific: Detailed descriptions and prompt reports raise your chances of success.
• Use local advantages if you’re an Atlanta resident: Picking up items in person may be faster and cheaper than shipping.

Understanding how lost and found works at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport helps you move from panic to a clear plan of action—whether you’re flying out of Atlanta, connecting through ATL, or welcoming visitors to the city.