Delta at Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson: Which Terminal You Need (and How to Navigate It)

If you’re flying Delta in or out of Atlanta’s Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport (ATL), you’re in Delta’s home hub. That’s good news—because the airport is designed around Delta’s operations. The tradeoff is that it’s big and can feel confusing if you’re not sure where to go.

Here’s exactly what terminal Delta uses at Atlanta Hartsfield, plus how to find check‑in, security, baggage claim, and connections step by step.

Quick Answer: What Terminal Is Delta at Atlanta Hartsfield?

Delta primarily uses:

• Domestic flights:
  • Main check‑in:Domestic Terminal – South
  • Gates: Mostly Concourse A, Concourse B, Concourse C, Concourse D, and portions of Concourse T
• International flights:
  • Check‑in and arrivals:Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (Concourse F)
  • Some international flights may also use Concourse E

Think of it this way:

Understanding Atlanta Hartsfield’s Layout (Delta Edition)

ATL is laid out differently from many airports. Knowing the structure makes Delta flights much easier to handle.

Terminals vs. Concourses

At Atlanta Hartsfield:

• Terminals are where you enter the airport from the street:

  • Domestic Terminal – South: Delta’s main check‑in area for U.S. flights
  • Domestic Terminal – North: Primarily other airlines
  • International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr.): Check‑in for most Delta international flights and international arrivals

• Concourses are where the gates are, connected by the underground Plane Train:

  • Concourse T: Closest to the Domestic Terminal
  • Concourse A–D: Primarily domestic, heavy Delta presence
  • Concourse E–F: Primarily international, with Concourse F directly attached to the International Terminal

You can move between all concourses airside (after security) using the Plane Train or the underground walkways, so you don’t have to re-clear security when connecting.

Where to Go for Delta Departures in Atlanta

1. Delta Domestic Departures (Within the United States)

For most domestic Delta flights (including to other Georgia cities and anywhere in the U.S.):

• Terminal:

  • Use the Domestic Terminal – South for:
    • Check‑in counters
    • Bag drop
    • Delta customer service
    • Main Delta security checkpoint

• Likely gate concourses for Delta domestic flights:

  • Concourse T
  • Concourse A
  • Concourse B (one of Delta’s busiest)
  • Concourse C
  • Concourse D

Your exact gate will be listed on:

• Your boarding pass
• Airport departure boards
• The airline’s app or confirmation email

📝 Tip for Atlanta locals and frequent travelers:
If you’re just being dropped off or using rideshare and flying Delta domestically, telling the driver “Delta, South Terminal” is usually all they need.

2. Delta International Departures (Leaving the U.S.)

If you’re flying Delta from Atlanta to another country (Europe, Latin America, Asia, etc.):

• Terminal:

  • Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal
  • This is physically separate from the Domestic Terminal and is on the eastern side of the airport

• Check‑in Area:

  • Delta check‑in and bag drop are inside the International Terminal building

• Likely international concourses for Delta:

  • Concourse F: Directly attached to the International Terminal
  • Concourse E: Connected via the Plane Train or walkway to F and the rest of the concourses

You do not need to go to the Domestic Terminal first for a typical outbound international Delta flight from Atlanta. You can go straight to the International Terminal and check in there.

Where to Go for Delta Arrivals in Atlanta

1. Domestic Arrivals on Delta

If you’re arriving on a Delta flight from another U.S. city:

• You’ll arrive at a domestic concourse (T, A, B, C, or D).
• Follow signs for:
  • Baggage Claim
  • Ground Transportation

You’ll ride the Plane Train toward Baggage Claim / Ground Transportation and exit at the station marked for the Domestic Terminal. From there:

• Follow signs to South Baggage Claim for Delta bags.
• Exit to:
  • Rideshares
  • MARTA
  • Parking garages
  • Rental car center shuttles

2. International Arrivals on Delta

If you’re arriving into Atlanta from another country on Delta:

• You’ll usually arrive at Concourse F or Concourse E.
• You will go through:
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
  • Immigration passport control
  • Baggage claim and customs inspection

After clearing, you have two main options depending on your situation:

• Atlanta is your final stop:
  You’ll exit via the International Terminal arrivals level. From there you can access:

  • Passenger pickup
  • Rideshares
  • Taxis and shuttles
  • Parking for the International Terminal

• You have a connecting domestic flight on Delta:
  You’ll follow the Connecting Flights signs, drop your checked bag (if required), and then:

  • Go through security (if directed), then
  • Ride the Plane Train to your next concourse

Driving, Drop‑Off, and Parking: Delta at ATL

Delta Domestic (South Terminal) – Directions & Areas

For Delta domestic flights:

• Look for roadway signs for:
  • “Domestic Terminal – South”
  • “Delta”
• You’ll find:
  • Curbside drop‑off for departures
  • South Terminal parking and access to additional parking decks
  • Ground transportation center for shuttles and some commercial vehicles

This is typically the area used by:

• Atlanta locals driving themselves
• Friends and family picking up/dropping off
• Many taxi and local shuttle services

Delta International (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal) – Directions & Areas

For Delta international flights:

• Follow signs from I‑75 and surrounding roads for:
  • “International Terminal”
  • Sometimes also labeled “Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal”

At the International Terminal, you’ll have:

• An arrivals and departures curbside area
• International parking structured closer to that side of the airport
• Direct access to Concourse F inside

Getting Between the Domestic and International Terminals

This is a common source of confusion, especially for Atlanta visitors.

Airside (After Security)

If you are already inside security, you do not have to exit the airport to move between:

• Domestic concourses (T, A, B, C, D)
• International concourses (E and F)

You can:

• Take the Plane Train between all concourses
• Or walk through the underground pedestrian tunnels

So, for example, if you arrive at Concourse B and depart from Concourse F, just follow the signs to the Plane Train and change concourses—no need to go back outside or re-check in.

Landside (Outside Security)

If you are outside security and need to move between:

• Domestic Terminal and
• International Terminal

You can:

• Use the free airport shuttle buses that run between the two terminals, or
• Drive between them if you’re in your own car or a taxi

Plan extra time if you’re switching terminals from the landside, especially during peak traffic.

Delta Check‑In Options at Atlanta Hartsfield

Whether you live in metro Atlanta or you’re just passing through, Delta gives several check‑in choices:

• Online or mobile app check‑in:
  Recommended, especially during busy times. You can head straight to:

  • Bag drop (if you have checked baggage)
  • Security (if you’re traveling with carry‑on only)

• Self‑service kiosks:
  Located in:

  • Domestic Terminal – South for Delta
  • International Terminal for Delta international flights

• Full‑service counters:
  Available at both:

  • Domestic South Terminal (Delta counters)
  • International Terminal (Delta international counters)
    Helpful if:
  • You need special assistance
  • You’re traveling with oversized baggage or pets
  • There are complications with your reservation

Security Checkpoints for Delta in Atlanta

Domestic Delta Security

For domestic flights:

• Use the main South Security Checkpoint in the Domestic Terminal for Delta.
• After security, you’ll:
  • Enter near Concourse T
  • Be able to reach all concourses (T–F) via Plane Train

Travelers in Atlanta often use:

• Standard TSA lines
• TSA PreCheck lanes, if eligible
• CLEAR lanes, if enrolled, which can speed up ID checks

International Delta Security

For outbound international flights:

• Use the security checkpoint inside the International Terminal.
• It feeds directly into Concourse F with access to:
  • Other concourses via Plane Train
  • International amenities such as duty‑free shopping and more spacious seating areas

Delta Connections at Atlanta Hartsfield: What to Expect

ATL is one of Delta’s main hubs, so many Atlanta‑area travelers and visitors connect here on the way to other destinations.

Domestic–Domestic Connections

If you’re connecting between two U.S. Delta flights:

1. Land at your arrival concourse (T–D most commonly).
2. Stay inside security.
3. Check the flight boards for your next gate.
4. Use the Plane Train to get to your connecting concourse.

Most travelers find these connections straightforward as long as they allow enough time between flights.

Domestic–International (or International–Domestic) on Delta

For domestic to international on Delta:

• You’ll arrive at a domestic concourse, stay airside, and go by Plane Train to Concourse E or F.

For international to domestic on Delta:

• You’ll go through:
  • Immigration and customs
  • Then re-check your bag (if applicable)
  • Then security
  • Then take the Plane Train to your domestic departure concourse

Plan extra time for these connections, especially at busy hours.

Simple Reference: Where Delta Is at ATL

Practical Tips for Atlanta‑Area Travelers Using Delta at ATL

• Build in extra time for traffic:
  Atlanta’s interstates and airport roads can back up, especially around I‑75, I‑85, and the connector leading to the terminals.

• Know your side of town:

  • If you’re coming from east or southeast Atlanta suburbs, it may be quicker to access the International Terminal directly for outbound international flights.
  • From downtown, midtown, or north Atlanta, many people head first to the Domestic Terminal – South.

• Using MARTA:

  • The MARTA station connects to the Domestic Terminal.
  • From there, you can reach all Delta domestic gates and connect airside to E and F for international departure if you’re already checked in.

• Check your confirmation before you leave home:

  • Confirm whether your Delta flight is domestic or international
  • Note whether your departure gate is in T, A, B, C, D, E, or F so you know which side of the airport will be easiest.

If you remember only one thing:
Domestic Delta flights: head to the Domestic Terminal – South.
International Delta flights: head straight to the International Terminal (Concourse F).