Delta at Atlanta Airport: Do You Use the North or South Terminal?

If you’re flying Delta at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the “North vs. South” terminal question comes up a lot. Atlanta is Delta’s main hub, so understanding which terminal to use and how Delta is set up at ATL can save you a lot of confusion (and stress).

Here’s exactly how it works.

North or South Terminal for Delta in Atlanta?

Delta uses the Domestic North Terminal for check-in at ATL.

• Domestic Delta flights:
  • Check-in and baggage drop are in the North Terminal (sometimes called the Domestic North terminal).
• International Delta flights (departing from Atlanta):
  • You’ll typically check in at the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (Concourse F), not the North or South domestic sides.
• South Terminal:
  • Used mainly by other major airlines (not Delta) for domestic departures.

🧭 Simple rule of thumb:
If you’re flying Delta within the U.S., head to the North Terminal.
If you’re flying Delta internationally, follow signs for the International Terminal / Concourse F.

Quick Delta Terminal Guide at ATL

Here’s a simple overview of where Delta operates at Atlanta’s airport:

Remember: “Terminal” in Atlanta mainly refers to the landside check-in areas (North, South, and International).
The gates are in Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, and F, all linked by the Plane Train.

How Delta Is Set Up at Atlanta Airport

Check-In Areas for Delta

1. Domestic Delta flights (most trips from Atlanta)
If you’re flying from Atlanta to another city in the U.S. (New York, Orlando, Los Angeles, etc.):

• Go to the Domestic North Terminal
• Look for Delta check-in signs and kiosks
• You’ll find:
  • Self-service kiosks for check-in and bag tags
  • Full-service counters for checked baggage, special assistance, and complex tickets
  • Sky Priority and Delta One check-in areas if your ticket qualifies

2. International Delta flights

If your first flight from Atlanta is to another country (Paris, Mexico City, London, etc.):

• Follow signs on the interstate and airport property for:
  “International Terminal / Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal”
• Check-in is usually in Concourse F’s main check-in hall
• You’ll go through international security there and depart from Concourse E or F

Getting to the Right Delta Terminal from Around Atlanta

Whether you’re a local or visiting, here’s how to get to the correct area.

Driving to the Delta Terminal

Airport address (general):
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

When you approach the airport on I-85 or I-285, watch for these signs:

• For domestic Delta flights:
  Follow signs for “Domestic Terminal North”.
• For Delta international flights:
  Follow signs for “International Terminal / Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal”.

Each terminal area has its own:

• Parking decks
• Curbside drop-off and pick-up
• Rideshare and taxi areas

If you accidentally go to Domestic South when you need North, you can:

• Drive across via the airport loop roads, or
• Park once, and then walk inside the building from South to North (they’re connected, but it’s a bit of a walk).

MARTA: Getting to Delta at ATL

If you’re using MARTA, the train drops you at the Domestic Terminal, in the area between North and South:

• Exit at Airport Station (the last stop on the Red and Gold lines).
• Once you come up from the station, just follow the overhead signs for “North Terminal / Delta”.
• It’s a short indoor walk; no extra trains or buses needed once you’re at the airport.

If you need the International Terminal (Concourse F) from MARTA:

• Ride MARTA to Airport Station.
• Go inside the terminal and take the Plane Train to Concourse Fafter going through security.
  (Or use the free airport shuttle bus from the domestic side to the International Terminal on the airport road if you specifically need to check in at F.)

Security Checkpoints: Where Delta Passengers Go

At ATL, security is split between:

• Main Domestic Security (between North & South)
• Additional North and South checkpoints (sometimes open based on demand)
• International Terminal security (Concourse F)

For Delta domestic flights:

• You can use any open domestic security checkpoint (North, South, or Main).
• If you checked in with Delta at North, most people walk straight to the North security area.
• TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are available at the domestic side (check posted signs for which lanes are open).

For Delta international flights checking in at Concourse F:

• Go through security at the International Terminal, which generally has its own PreCheck and priority lanes.

Where Delta Gates Are at ATL

Once you’re through security, the North/South distinction no longer matters.
Everything is connected airside.

Delta Gate Areas by Concourse

• Concourse T:
  Close to the main terminal; Delta uses many gates here.
• Concourse A:
  Almost entirely Delta; one of the busiest Delta concourses.
• Concourse B:
  Heavily Delta-operated.
• Concourse C & D:
  Mixed carriers, but plenty of Delta flights.
• Concourse E & F:
  International concourses with Delta and partner airlines.
  Concourse F is tied directly to the International Terminal.

You move between concourses using:

• The Plane Train (underground automated train) – fastest and easiest
• Walkways between concourses if you prefer to walk

If You’re Connecting Through Atlanta on Delta

Many travelers pass through Atlanta without exiting to the public terminal areas.

• If you arrive on Delta and connect to another Delta flight, you:
  • Stay inside security
  • Move directly between concourses to reach your next gate
  • Do not need to worry about North vs. South terminals

The only times you typically deal with terminals during a connection:

• Your journey starts or ends in Atlanta
• You’re switching between domestic and international and are required to clear customs and re-check bags (for example, arriving from abroad into Atlanta and then continuing domestically)

Checking Your Delta Terminal and Gate Before You Go

Because gates and, occasionally, specific check-in locations can change, it helps to verify a few things:

• Your departure terminal (Domestic North vs. International Terminal)
• Your gate and concourse (T, A, B, C, D, E, or F)
• Boarding time and any schedule changes

The most common ways Atlanta travelers confirm this are:

• The Delta mobile app
• The boarding pass from online or app check-in
• The flight information screens throughout ATL

If your boarding pass shows “ATL – Departing from Concourse F” or lists an international city as your first destination, plan for the International Terminal.
If it shows T, A, B, C, or D for a domestic destination, you’ll almost always start at the North Terminal if checking bags or getting help in person.

Delta Baggage Claim Areas in Atlanta

For flights arriving in Atlanta:

• Domestic Delta flights:
  • You’ll arrive at one of the concourses.
  • Take the Plane Train back to Baggage Claim / Ground Transportation for the Domestic North area.
  • Follow signs for Delta baggage claim carousels and then to the North arrivals curb for pickup.
• International Delta flights (final destination Atlanta):
  • You’ll typically arrive at Concourse E or F.
  • Go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection if needed.
  • Claim your bags in the International Terminal baggage claim area.
  • Follow signs to the International Arrivals curb or connect onward as directed.

If you have an international arrival with a domestic connection, you might:

• Clear customs
• Re-check your bag at the designated re-check area
• Then use the Plane Train to reach your next concourse

Practical Tips for Atlanta Residents and Visitors Using Delta

• Give yourself extra time during peak Atlanta travel periods
  Morning rush (around 6–9 a.m.), early evening, and holiday weekends can be especially busy at ATL.
• Plan your drop-off or pickup spot carefully
  If a friend or rideshare is meeting you, tell them:
  • “Domestic North – Delta” for most domestic trips
  • Or “International Terminal – Concourse F Arrivals” for many international flights
• Know that the terminal and concourse are different things
  • Terminal (North / South / International): Check-in, security, curbside areas
  • Concourse (T–F): Where your gate actually is
• If you’re unsure, follow the Delta signs
  At ATL, Delta is everywhere; look for the red Delta logo and overhead directions to “Delta Check-in” and “Delta Baggage Claim.”

For travel to, from, or through Atlanta, just remember:
Delta check-in is at the Domestic North Terminal for U.S. flights and the International Terminal for most overseas flights. Once you’re past security, all the concourses are connected, making it straightforward to get to your Delta gate anywhere in the airport.