Panda Express at Atlanta Airport: What to Know Before You Fly Through ATL

If you’re craving Panda Express at Atlanta Airport (Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport), you’re not alone. This is one of the more popular quick-service options for travelers who want familiar American Chinese food between flights or before heading into Atlanta.

Below is a clear guide to where Panda Express is in ATL, what to expect, and how to plan your visit if you’re connecting or starting your trip in Atlanta.

Where Is Panda Express in Atlanta Airport?

Hartsfield–Jackson is a huge airport, so knowing exactly where Panda Express is located can save you time and stress.

As of the most commonly reported layout, Panda Express is typically found:

• In the terminal concourses past security, not in the public (pre-security) area.
• Most often in or near Concourse A or Concourse B, depending on current food-court configurations and renovations.

Because ATL occasionally updates its concessions:

• Check the airport’s official dining directory on their website or through their mobile resources.
• Ask an airport information desk or gate agent which concourse currently has a Panda Express.
• Use terminal wayfinding signs labeled “Food Court” or “Dining”, which often list major brands like Panda Express.

📝 Tip: If you are on a tight connection, confirm Panda Express is in your current concourse before you walk or take the Plane Train to another concourse. Walking between concourses can take longer than expected.

Getting to Panda Express Once You’re in ATL

Understanding the airport’s layout will help you get to Panda Express efficiently.

Security and Access

• Panda Express is located airside (after security).

• If you’re originating in Atlanta, you’ll:

  1. Check in at the Main Terminal.
  2. Go through TSA security.
  3. Take the Plane Train or walk through the underground corridor to your concourse.
  4. Follow dining signs to find Panda Express in the appropriate concourse.

• If you’re connecting in Atlanta, you will:

  • Stay in the secure area.
  • Follow signs for your next gate and then see how far the nearest Panda Express is from that gate.

Using the Plane Train vs. Walking

ATL has:

• The Plane Train (underground automated train) connecting all concourses (T, A, B, C, D, E, F, and the Domestic Terminal).
• A walkway with moving sidewalks parallel to the Plane Train.

If you’re in another concourse and want Panda Express:

• Taking the Plane Train is usually fastest.
• Walking may be better if you:
  • Have extra time.
  • Want to avoid crowds.
  • Prefer to stretch your legs between flights.

Typical Menu at Panda Express in Atlanta Airport

While airport locations can be smaller than standalone restaurants, most Panda Express at ATL locations serve a familiar core menu.

You can generally expect:

• Entrees (served with rice or chow mein)
  • Orange Chicken
  • Beijing Beef
  • Kung Pao Chicken
  • Broccoli Beef
  • Teriyaki Chicken (often grilled, sliced to order)
• Sides
  • Chow Mein
  • Fried Rice
  • White Steamed Rice
  • Super Greens (mixed vegetables, depending on location)
• Add-ons
  • Egg Rolls
  • Spring Rolls
  • Cream Cheese Rangoons (if available)
• Drinks
  • Fountain sodas
  • Bottled water and juices
  • Hot tea or coffee may be available at some locations

Because airport kitchens can be tight on space, some regional or limited-time items may not be offered at the ATL location.

📝 Tip: If you’re vegetarian or watching ingredients, ask which entrees are meat-free and how they are prepared. Options can vary by day and location.

Price Expectations at ATL’s Panda Express

Prices at airport locations are often higher than at neighborhood restaurants due to airport operating costs.

Typical patterns at Panda Express in Atlanta Airport:

• Combo plates usually cost a bit more than what you’d find at a non-airport Atlanta location.
• Adding premium entrees (like shrimp or steak dishes) often carries an extra charge.
• Bottled drinks are often marked up compared to outside the airport.

To avoid surprises:

• Check the overhead menu boards for combo pricing, premium surcharges, and drink sizes.
• Consider ordering water (fountain water cups are sometimes available) if you want to minimize cost.

When Is Panda Express Open at Atlanta Airport?

Hours can vary by:

• Concourse
• Day of the week
• Flight schedule and airport traffic

In general, travelers can expect:

• Opening times to align with morning flight banks, often sometime after early breakfast hours.
• Closing times to track with the last heavy wave of departures in the evening.

Because ATL operates from early morning to late at night, most major food vendors, including Panda Express, aim to cover busy daytime and evening hours, but may not be available:

• Very late at night
• Very early before the first big wave of flights

To avoid missing out:

• Check your arrival or connection time and consider whether it falls outside typical restaurant hours.
• If you have late-night or very early flights, have a backup plan (like snacks, another 24-hour option, or eating before you get to the airport).

How Long Will It Take? Lines and Wait Times

At a busy airport like ATL, wait times at Panda Express can vary widely.

Common patterns:

• Peak times:
  • Around lunch (11 a.m.–2 p.m.)
  • Early dinner/evening (4 p.m.–7 p.m.)
  • During heavy connecting waves, especially Monday mornings and Thursday/Friday afternoons
• Lines often move quickly because:
  • Food is prepped in batches and served cafeteria-style.
  • Most orders are customizable but simple (pick a plate, choose entrees and a side).

If you have a short connection (less than 45 minutes between flights):

• Check the line length before you commit.
• Ask a staff member or a fellow traveler how long they’ve been waiting.
• Consider a grab-and-go option if the line looks long and your gate is far away.

Panda Express vs. Other Food Options in ATL (Without Endorsing)

If you’re specifically craving American Chinese food, Panda Express is one of the more recognizable national brands inside ATL. But you may want to consider:

• Proximity to your gate: The closest option might save you from rushing.
• Time of day: Some smaller vendors may close earlier; Panda Express often maintains hours consistent with major food courts.
• Dietary preferences: If you need gluten-sensitive, vegan, or allergy-friendly options, compare menus nearby. Panda Express can accommodate some preferences but may not fit every dietary need.

A reasonable approach is:

• Use airport directory boards or ask at an information desk.
• Decide if walking to Panda Express is worth the time or if another nearby spot is more practical before your flight.

Quick Reference: Panda Express at ATL

Below is a simple summary you can scan on the go.

Tips for Atlanta Travelers Planning Around Panda Express

Whether you live in Atlanta and fly regularly from Hartsfield–Jackson or you’re just passing through, a few practical tips can make your Panda Express stop smoother:

• Build in buffer time
  If Panda Express is a must-have, add 10–20 extra minutes to account for:

  • Walking or taking the Plane Train to the right concourse
  • Standing in line
  • Finding a seat in the food court

• Check your gate first
  Gates sometimes change. Verify your current gate on the monitors before walking to another concourse for food.

• Traveling with family or a group
  Consider:

  • Having one person hold a table while others order.
  • Ordering a few large combo plates and sharing if seating is limited.

• Layovers in ATL
  If you have a long layover (2+ hours), you’ll have more flexibility to:

  • Walk between concourses.
  • Sit down and eat without rushing.
  • Explore other dining options if Panda Express is too busy.

For Locals: How This Fits Into Your Atlanta Travel Routine

If you’re an Atlanta resident:

• You might already know where your usual concourse is based on your preferred airline:
  • Many domestic flights, especially on Delta, use concourses A–D.
• If your flights often leave from a concourse near Panda Express, you can:
  • Plan to arrive a bit earlier to grab a meal before boarding.
  • Use it as a reliable backup when other spots are full or closed.

If you’d rather avoid airport pricing altogether and still want similar food:

• Consider eating at a Panda Express or other Chinese restaurant in the Atlanta area before heading to the airport.
• Popular nearby activity and business areas like College Park, East Point, or Downtown Atlanta offer a variety of restaurants if your timing allows a stop before security.

Key Takeaways for Panda Express at Atlanta Airport

• There is a Panda Express at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, located after security in one or more concourses (commonly near Concourse A or B).
• Expect the standard Panda Express menu, with familiar entrees like Orange Chicken, chow mein, and fried rice, but with slightly higher airport pricing.
• Plan for extra time during busy travel hours, and always verify:
  • Your current gate
  • The concourse location of Panda Express via airport directories or staff

With a bit of planning around concourse location, timing, and lines, it’s entirely realistic to fit a Panda Express stop into your ATL travel day, whether you’re an Atlanta local or just passing through the city.