Understanding the T Gates at Atlanta Airport (ATL): A Local’s Guide

If you fly in or out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) often, you’ll hear people talk about the “T Gates” or Concourse T. This is one of the most convenient areas of the airport—especially if you live in metro Atlanta and use ATL regularly.

This guide walks through what the T Gates are, how to get there, which airlines use them, and what to expect if you’re arriving, departing, or connecting in Atlanta.

What Are the T Gates at Atlanta Airport?

At ATL, the main terminal and concourses are laid out like a spine:

• Domestic Terminal (North & South)
• Then concourses in order: T, A, B, C, D, E, F, plus the International Terminal

The T Gates (or Concourse T) are the first concourse right behind the Domestic Terminal, and they are connected landside and airside to the rest of the airport.

Key points about Concourse T:

• It serves primarily domestic flights
• It’s directly attached to the Domestic Terminal (no train required if you don’t want to)
• You can walk from ticketing and baggage claim to the T Gates quickly
• It connects to the rest of the concourses via the Plane Train and underground walkways

For many Atlanta residents, a flight from a T Gate is the fastest way through the airport.

Layout: How the T Gates Fit into ATL

Think of the airport like this:

The T Gates sit directly behind the Domestic Terminal, so if your flight leaves from Concourse T, you’re essentially right behind the main ticketing and security area.

Getting to the T Gates from Around Atlanta

By MARTA

If you’re using MARTA (Atlanta’s rail system):

• Take the Red or Gold line to Airport Station
• The station is located inside the Domestic Terminal near baggage claim
• From baggage claim, follow signs for:
  • “Concourse T”
  • “Gates T1–T15” (exact gate range may vary slightly over time)
• You’ll go upstairs toward security, pass through a checkpoint, and you’ll be very close to Concourse T

For many locals in Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, or Doraville, MARTA is often the simplest way to reach the T Gates without worrying about parking.

By Car or Rideshare

If you’re driving or being dropped off:

• Use GPS for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – Domestic Terminal
• Drop-off is usually at:
  • North Terminal (many non-Delta airlines)
  • South Terminal (Delta and partners)
• Either terminal works for accessing the T Gates; both lead to security, which then connects to Concourse T

After security, look for overhead signs pointing to “T Gates”.

Security and Access: Getting to the T Gates Inside the Airport

Once you’re inside the Domestic Terminal, here’s how to reach the T Gates:

1. Go through security at either:
   • North checkpoint, or
   • South checkpoint
2. After security, you’re in the main atrium that leads to:
   • Concourse T (T Gates) via a short walkway, and
   • The Plane Train that goes to A, B, C, D, E, F

If your boarding pass says T1, T2, T3, etc., you can usually skip the Plane Train and just walk straight to Concourse T. It’s close, which is one reason many travelers prefer flights out of the T Gates.

Airlines and Flights You’ll Commonly Find at T Gates

Exact gate assignments can change throughout the day, but Concourse T is generally used by:

• Delta Air Lines (some domestic flights)
• Other major U.S. carriers operating domestic routes
• Select regional and partner airlines

If you’re an Atlanta resident flying to common domestic destinations (like New York, Chicago, Florida cities, Texas, or up and down the East Coast), your flight might depart from a T Gate or a nearby concourse like A or B.

Always check:

• Your boarding pass
• The departure boards once you arrive at the airport

Gate changes are common at ATL due to how busy the airport is.

Connecting Through the T Gates

Domestic to Domestic Connection

If you’re connecting through Atlanta and one of your flights uses a T Gate:

• If both flights are at T Gates, it’s usually a simple walk down the concourse
• If your next flight leaves from A, B, C, D, E, or F, you can:
  • Take the Plane Train from the T level
  • Or use the underground pedestrian walkway

✅ Tip: ATL’s Plane Train is fast and frequent. From T to A or B is just a couple of minutes.

International Connections

For connections involving international flights:

• Arriving at T, departing international
  • Follow signs for Plane Train
  • Ride to Concourses E or F for most international departures
• Arriving international, departing from T
  • You’ll typically clear passport control and customs
  • Then follow signs to re-check bags and re-enter security
  • From there, take the Plane Train back to T if your connecting gate is there

If you live in Atlanta and are coming home from abroad, you may arrive at another concourse like E or F, then collect checked bags, clear customs, and possibly take ground transportation or the shuttle between the International and Domestic terminals depending on your airline and arrival process.

Amenities at the T Gates (What to Expect)

Concourse T has many of the essentials you’d expect at a major airport concourse:

• Food and drink options
  • Quick-service restaurants
  • Sit-down dining in some areas
  • Grab-and-go snacks and coffee
• Restrooms and family restrooms
• Newsstands and convenience shops
• Charging stations and seating areas
• Airline customer service counters

Options and brands can shift over time, but you can generally find:

• Coffee and breakfast early in the morning
• National fast-food chains
• Bars or casual sit-down spots for longer waits

If you want more food choices, you can easily hop to Concourse A or B via the Plane Train, as those concourses often have a wide variety of dining and shopping options.

Using the Plane Train from the T Gates

The Plane Train is the automated underground train that connects:

• Domestic Terminal
• Concourse T
• Concourses A, B, C, D, E, F

From the T Gates:

• Look for escalators or elevators marked “Plane Train”
• The station is one level down from the main T concourse
• Trains run continuously, and trips between adjacent concourses are very short

This is helpful if:

• You’re connecting to another concourse
• You want to explore different dining or shopping options
• You’re meeting someone arriving at another concourse

Baggage Claim and Ground Transportation from T Gates

If you’re arriving at a T Gate and Atlanta is your final destination:

1. Follow the signs for “Baggage Claim / Ground Transportation”
2. You’ll walk toward the main terminal and either:
   • Go up escalators/elevators to the Domestic Terminal, then
   • Proceed to baggage claim (North or South) based on your airline
3. After picking up bags, you can access:
   • Rideshare pick-up
   • Taxi stand
   • MARTA station
   • Airport parking shuttles
   • Rental car center shuttle

The Domestic Terminal address is:

For general airport information, travelers often use the airport’s main published phone line, which can be found through official City of Atlanta or airport resources.

Helpful Tips for Atlanta Travelers Using the T Gates

Here are a few locally useful tips if you live in or often travel through Atlanta:

• Build in time for security:
  Morning rush hours and Sunday evenings can be busy at ATL. Even though the T Gates are close to security, the checkpoint wait time is the real variable.

• Check which terminal your airline uses:

  • Many domestic airlines check in at the North Terminal
  • Delta and partner airlines primarily use the South Terminal

• If possible, travel light:
  With just a carry-on, it’s easy to:

  • Glide through security
  • Walk straight to the T Gates
  • Hop on MARTA or into a rideshare quickly when you land

• Use the T Gates as a “home base” for people-watching and shorter walks:
  If your gate moves between T, A, or B, you may find it more comfortable to wait at the T concourse and adjust once you get closer to boarding time.

When to Pay Special Attention to Your T Gate

You’ll want to double-check your gate if:

• You’re traveling during holidays or busy seasons
• Weather is affecting flights in or out of Atlanta
• You booked a tight connection (especially under 45 minutes)
• You’re switching airlines between flights

Monitors in the T concourse and across the Domestic Terminal show real-time gate and time updates. For Atlanta-based travelers, checking again before you leave home or the office can help you avoid rushing to the wrong concourse.

Understanding how the T Gates at Atlanta Airport work can make your trips smoother—especially if you’re an Atlanta local who flies often. With easy access from the Domestic Terminal, a short walk from security, and quick connections to all other concourses, T is one of the most convenient spots in the entire airport.