Delta Arriving Flights in Atlanta: What to Know at Hartsfield-Jackson

If you’re tracking Delta arriving flights in Atlanta, you’re dealing with one of the world’s busiest airline hubs: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Whether you live in metro Atlanta, are flying in to visit, or you’re picking someone up at the airport, it helps to understand exactly how Delta’s arrivals work here.

This guide walks through where Delta arrives, how to check status, where to meet passengers, and how to get from the gate to the city as smoothly as possible.

Where Delta Arrives at Atlanta Airport

Almost all Delta Air Lines flights in Atlanta arrive into the Domestic Terminal (South) or the international concourses connected by the Plane Train.

Domestic Delta Arrivals

Most Delta flights within the United States arrive at:

• Concourse A
• Concourse B
• Concourse C
• Concourse D
• Sometimes Concourse T (connected directly to the Domestic Terminal)

From any of these concourses, passengers reach baggage claim through the Plane Train or the underground pedestrian tunnel.

Delta’s main domestic baggage claim and check-in area is at:

Domestic Terminal – South (Delta)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

International Delta Arrivals

International Delta flights typically arrive at:

• Concourse E
• Concourse F (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)

If an arriving passenger is coming from outside the U.S., they’ll usually:

1. Deplane at Concourse E or F
2. Go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
3. Collect checked bags for inspection
4. Re-check bags if connecting onward
5. Continue through to the International Arrivals hall or back to domestic concourses

How to Check Delta Arriving Flights in Atlanta

When you search for “Delta arriving flights Atlanta”, you’re usually trying to see if a flight is on time, delayed, or already landed.

You can check status in several ways:

• Delta’s official flight status tools (app or website) using:
  • Flight number (e.g., DL 123)
  • Or route (e.g., New York to Atlanta)
• Airport flight information displays inside ATL
• Phone-based arrival information through automated systems

When checking status, pay attention to:

• Scheduled vs. Estimated Arrival Time
• Gate Number (e.g., A12, B20)
• Baggage Claim Carousel (posted after landing)
• Notes like “Arrived,” “Landed,” “At Gate,” or “Delayed”

📝 Tip: Flights often show “On Time” until closer to departure. If you’re driving to pick someone up at ATL, start checking frequently during the last 60–90 minutes of their flight.

Step-by-Step: What Happens After a Delta Flight Arrives in Atlanta

From the passenger’s point of view, here’s the typical arrival flow on a domestic Delta flight into ATL.

1. Deplaning at the Gate

After landing, the aircraft taxis to a gate—usually in Concourse A, B, C, or D for Delta. Passengers exit into the concourse.

Look for:

• Monitors showing baggage claim carousel and any connecting gate info
• Overhead signs pointing toward Plane Train / Baggage Claim / Ground Transportation

2. Getting to Baggage Claim

From any concourse:

• Follow signs for “Plane Train” or “Baggage Claim”
• Take the Plane Train (automated underground train) toward:
  • Domestic Terminal – South (Delta) for most Delta domestic arrivals
• You can also walk through the underground tunnel if you prefer not to take the train; it’s well-marked but takes longer.

3. Picking Up Checked Luggage

Delta’s domestic baggage claim is in:

Domestic Terminal – South, Lower Level

Look for monitors listing:

• Flight number
• Origin city
• Corresponding carousel number

Bags usually appear 10–30 minutes after arrival, though times vary during peak hours and weather disruptions.

4. Exiting to Ground Transportation

From the baggage claim area, you can access:

• Rideshare pickup zones (Uber, Lyft–signed and designated areas)
• Taxis (official taxi stands)
• ATL SkyTrain to the Rental Car Center
• MARTA train station to reach Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead
• Hotel shuttles and some private shuttle services

International Delta Arrivals: Extra Steps

If you or your guest is arriving from an international destination, the process at ATL is different.

Where You’ll Arrive

Most Delta international flights that originate outside the U.S. will arrive at:

• Concourse F (International Terminal)
  2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd
  Atlanta, GA 30354

or occasionally:

• Concourse E (also serving international flights)

What Passengers Do After Landing

1. Deplane at Concourse E or F
2. Follow signs for Passport Control / Customs
3. Go through immigration (U.S. passport holders vs. visitors often have separate lines)
4. Collect checked bags from the international baggage claim
5. Proceed through Customs inspection
6. Either:
   • Exit into the International Arrivals hall, or
   • If connecting, re-check bags and continue via the Plane Train to the next concourse

Meeting Someone on an International Delta Arrival

If you’re in Atlanta picking someone up:

• Confirm if they end their trip in Atlanta or continue to another city:
  • If Atlanta is their final stop, meet them at the International Terminal Arrivals level (Concourse F building).
  • If they’re connecting once they land (e.g., London → Atlanta → Orlando), you’ll usually need to meet them at the domestic terminal after their final flight.

🚗 Important for drivers: The International Terminal (Concourse F) is on a different side of the airport from the Domestic Terminal. Use the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal entrance, not the standard domestic entrance on Camp Creek Parkway.

Where to Meet Arriving Delta Passengers at ATL

Curbside vs. Inside the Terminal

You can:

• Wait at the arrival curb near the proper terminal (Domestic – South or International)
• Park in a parking deck and meet passengers inside at baggage claim or in the arrivals hall

Because curbside areas are monitored, drivers are usually not allowed to wait long unattended. Police and traffic officers may direct you to keep moving if you’re parked too long.

“Cell Phone Lot” Option

For Delta arrivals, it’s often easier to wait in a cell phone waiting lot near the airport until the passenger texts or calls from baggage claim. Then you drive up to the curb.

Atlanta’s airport has clearly marked cell phone lots near the terminals, allowing you to avoid circling the airport.

Simple Meeting Point Guide

Navigating Between Terminals for Delta Arrivals

Because Atlanta’s airport is so large, understanding the layout helps a lot.

Major Sections Relevant to Delta

• Domestic Terminal – South: Delta’s main home for check-in and domestic baggage claim
• Domestic Terminal – North: Other U.S. carriers (most Delta arrivals will not use this area)
• Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, F: Gates connected by the underground Plane Train and walking tunnel
• Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (Concourse F): Main building for international departures and arrivals

Moving Between Domestic and International Sides

If you arrive at one side but need to get to the other:

• There is no public road inside the airport directly connecting the Domestic and International curbsides for private vehicles. You drive around the perimeter roadways and follow signage.
• For passengers already inside the secure area (after TSA), the Plane Train seamlessly connects all concourses, including E and F, with no need to go through security again.

Ground Transportation After a Delta Arrival

MARTA (Train into the City)

If you want to avoid driving or paying for parking, MARTA is often the simplest way from ATL to central Atlanta.

• Station: Airport MARTA Station (attached to the Domestic Terminal, between North and South)
• Lines: Red and Gold
• Direct access to Downtown (Five Points), Midtown (Midtown Station, Arts Center), Buckhead, and North Springs/Doraville areas

From Delta’s baggage claim in the South Terminal, follow signs for “MARTA” through the connector walkway.

Rental Cars

To reach the Rental Car Center from Delta’s domestic arrivals:

1. Follow signs for “SkyTrain / Rental Cars”
2. Take the ATL SkyTrain (an elevated train) to the consolidated Rental Car Center
3. Pick up your reserved vehicle from one of the major rental companies operating there

Rideshare & Taxi Pickup

Atlanta has designated rideshare and taxi locations:

• Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.):
  • Follow airport signs to the rideshare pickup zone (location may be on lower level or in a designated area away from the busiest curbs)
• Taxi Stands:
  • Clearly signed, with lines managed by onsite staff at peak times

If you’re new to Atlanta, rideshare apps will typically give you instructions specific to each terminal’s pickup spot once you enter “Atlanta Airport” as your pickup location.

Timing: When Should You Arrive to Pick Someone Up?

For Delta arriving flights in Atlanta, timing your pickup matters because of traffic and security rules.

General Guideline for Domestic Arrivals

• Aim to get near the airport right around the scheduled arrival time
• Wait in a cell phone lot until:
  • The flight status shows “Arrived” or “At Gate”, and
  • The person confirms they are at baggage claim or outside on the curb

If they have checked luggage, add 15–30 minutes after landing.

For International Arrivals

International arrivals take longer due to customs and baggage:

• Expect 30–90 minutes from landing to exiting:
  • Shorter during lighter traffic periods
  • Longer during peak international arrival times or if multiple flights arrive at once

Ask your arriving passenger to message you after they clear customs and collect bags, then drive to the International Terminal arrivals curb or plan to meet inside.

Special Situations: Delays, Diversions, and Misconnections

Weather or Air Traffic Delays

Atlanta frequently handles high traffic and is occasionally affected by:

• Thunderstorms
• Seasonal weather disruptions
• Air traffic control delays

If a Delta flight is delayed:

• Keep checking flight status frequently
• Be ready for:
  • Gate changes
  • Updated arrival times
  • Potential diversions to other airports in rare cases

Missed Connections in Atlanta

Because ATL is a major Delta hub, many passengers are connecting here. If someone misses a connection:

• Delta’s systems often rebook them on the next available flight
• The new departure gate and time will appear in the app or on airport monitors
• For pickups, ask whether they:
  • Are staying overnight in Atlanta now
  • Or were rebooked same-day

Your meeting location may change depending on whether they end up staying in Atlanta or continuing their journey.

Helpful On-Site Services for Arriving Delta Passengers

Lost & Found / Missing Bags

If bags do not arrive:

• Passengers should go to the Delta baggage service office near the Delta baggage claim area in the Domestic Terminal – South
• They can file a missing baggage claim and receive a reference number

For items left on board a Delta aircraft, the process may involve both airport lost and found and Delta’s own systems, depending on where the item was left.

Accessibility and Mobility Assistance

Travelers who requested wheelchair or mobility assistance with Delta:

• Are usually met at the aircraft door or at the gate
• Escorted through the airport to baggage claim or to the next gate

If you’re picking up someone who needs assistance, coordinate with them in advance so they know to confirm assistance with Delta before departure.

Quick Reference: Delta Arrivals at ATL

Key Points to Remember

• Main Delta domestic arrivals:
  Domestic Terminal – South, via concourses A, B, C, D, and T

• International Delta arrivals:
  Typically via Concourse F (International Terminal) or Concourse E, with customs and baggage claim at the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal

• Meeting spots:

  • Domestic final destination: Delta Baggage Claim – South Terminal
  • International final destination: International Terminal Arrivals Hall (Concourse F)

• Transport into Atlanta:

  • MARTA for Downtown/Midtown/Buckhead
  • SkyTrain to the Rental Car Center
  • Rideshare/taxi from marked pickup areas
  • Cell phone lots make waiting easier if you’re driving

Understanding how Delta arriving flights work in Atlanta makes the airport feel far more manageable, whether you’re stepping off a flight yourself or greeting someone as they land in the city.