Flying Through Atlanta: How to Make the Most of Your Connection at Hartsfield‑Jackson

If your itinerary includes flights through Atlanta, you’re traveling through one of the world’s busiest and most connected airports: Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Whether you live in metro Atlanta, are visiting the city, or are simply connecting between flights, understanding how ATL works can make your trip much smoother.

This guide walks through how connections work at Atlanta’s airport, how much time you really need, what to expect in each terminal, and how to handle common issues like tight layovers, missed flights, and navigating between concourses.

Atlanta as a Major Flight Hub

ATL is a hub-and-spoke airport, meaning many passengers pass through Atlanta on their way somewhere else.

Key things to know:

  • Two main sides:
    • Domestic Terminal (North and South)
    • International Terminal / Concourse F (also called the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)
  • Seven parallel concourses: T, A, B, C, D, E, F
  • Airlines use Atlanta as a hub, especially for domestic connections and many international routes.

If you’re flying through Atlanta:

  • You may arrive and depart from two different concourses, even if you’re on the same airline.
  • You will almost always use the Plane Train (underground people mover) to change between concourses.
  • If you’re just connecting on domestic flights, you typically do not leave security.

How Long of a Layover Do You Need in Atlanta?

The right connection time depends on:

  • Domestic vs. international
  • Whether you checked bags
  • Your comfort with walking quickly and navigating large airports

General layover guidelines at ATL

For domestic–domestic connections:

  • 40–60 minutes: Often workable for same-airline connections on adjacent concourses.
  • 60–90 minutes: More comfortable if you:
    • Land at a distant concourse (e.g., A to F)
    • Want time for a restroom break or snack
  • Under 40 minutes: Possible, but you’ll need:
    • On‑time arrival
    • A gate that’s not too far away
    • To move quickly and avoid detours

For international connections:

  • International arrival to domestic departure (with U.S. passport control and customs):

    • Aim for 2–3 hours.
    • You’ll usually need to:
      • Clear U.S. immigration
      • Collect checked bags
      • Clear customs
      • Re‑check bags
      • Go back through TSA security

  • Domestic arrival to international departure:

    • Usually 1.5–2 hours gives enough buffer for:
      • Getting to concourse E or F
      • A quick restroom or food stop
      • Boarding earlier (international flights often start boarding earlier than domestic ones)

  • International–international through ATL:

    • If you’re entering the U.S. in Atlanta, you’ll still go through immigration and customs here, so 2–3 hours is generally sensible.

If you live in Atlanta and are booking your own connecting itinerary (especially on separate tickets), try to leave more buffer time than the airline’s minimum connection time.

Understanding ATL’s Layout When Connecting

Knowing the layout makes “flights through Atlanta” far less stressful.

Terminals vs. concourses

  • Terminals are where you enter/exit the airport landside:
    • Domestic Terminal – North and South
    • International Terminal – F
  • Concourses are where the gates/planes are:
    • T, A, B, C, D, E, F

Once you clear security:

  • All concourses are connected airside by:
    • The Plane Train (fastest, underground tram)
    • A walkable tunnel with moving walkways

You do not need to re‑clear security to move between concourses.

Moving Between Concourses: Plane Train & Walking

Plane Train basics

The Plane Train is the quickest way to get around ATL.

  • Runs between all concourses: Domestic Terminal (T) – A – B – C – D – E – F – International Terminal
  • Trains come every few minutes
  • Travel time between neighboring concourses is usually under 2 minutes

Approximate ride times (not including waiting, walking stairs/escalators):

From – ToApprox. Time by Plane Train
T to A2–3 minutes
T to C5–7 minutes
T to F9–12 minutes
A to F7–9 minutes
B to D4–6 minutes

👉 Connection tip: When your first flight lands, check the airport monitors or your airline app before leaving the gate area so you know which concourse your next flight uses.

Walking between concourses

Below the concourses is a pedestrian tunnel with artwork and moving walkways. You can:

  • Walk between T–A–B–C–D–E–F without taking the Plane Train
  • Expect roughly:
    • 10–15 minutes per concourse at a moderate walking pace
    • Much faster if you stick to the moving walkways and walk briskly

Walking can be helpful if:

  • You prefer to avoid crowded trains
  • The Plane Train is briefly out of service
  • You have time and want to stretch your legs

Domestic Connections Through Atlanta

If both of your flights are within the U.S., your connection in Atlanta is usually straightforward.

What typically happens

  1. Arrive at your gate
    • Deplane and follow signs for your next concourse.
  2. Check your next gate
    • Use airport departure screens near the escalators/elevators.
    • Confirm your concourse and gate; they can change.
  3. Use the Plane Train or tunnel
    • Head to the correct concourse (T/A/B/C/D/E/F).
  4. Go directly to your new gate
    • You generally stay within security the entire time.

You do not normally:

  • Pick up checked bags
  • Go through customs or immigration
  • Re‑clear TSA security

International Flights Through Atlanta

If one or both segments of your trip involve an international flight, your connection in Atlanta may be more complex.

Arriving from abroad and connecting onward

If Atlanta is your first point of entry into the U.S., you must:

  1. Deplane at concourse E or F
  2. Follow signs for Passport Control / Immigration
  3. Present passport and required documents
  4. Collect checked bags at baggage claim, even if they were tagged to your final U.S. city
  5. Go through Customs
  6. Re‑check bags for your next flight at the re‑check area just after customs (if your airline offers through‑check)
  7. Proceed to TSA security to re‑enter the secure side
  8. Use the Plane Train or tunnel to your domestic departure concourse

This process is why 2–3 hours is usually advised for international‑to‑domestic connections through Atlanta.

Departing Atlanta for an international flight

If you’re leaving Atlanta for another country:

  • You’ll depart from concourse E or F in most cases.
  • You can check in at either:
    • Domestic Terminal (North or South), then ride the Plane Train airside, or
    • International Terminal (F), which has its own check‑in, security, and parking areas.

If you’re already in Atlanta:

  • Flying out of International Terminal F can reduce transfers, but check your airline’s instructions and your ticket first.

Flights Through Atlanta With Checked Bags

Whether your bags follow you automatically depends on:

  • Whether your entire trip is on one ticket or multiple separate tickets
  • Whether your connection is domestic–domestic or includes international travel

Domestic–domestic, same ticket

  • Your checked bags are typically tagged to your final destination.
  • In Atlanta, you:
    • Do not pick up your bags
    • Simply move gate to gate

International arrival into Atlanta

  • If Atlanta is your first entry into the U.S.:
    • You usually must pick up your bags after immigration
    • Clear customs
    • Then re‑check them for your next flight (often in the same hall you exit customs)

Separate tickets

If you booked separate tickets (for example: one airline to Atlanta, another from Atlanta onward):

  • Your bags may not be checked through to your final destination.
  • You may need to:
    • Exit the secure area
    • Pick up your baggage at a carousel
    • Check in again with your second airline
    • Go back through TSA security

This is much more time‑sensitive. For this kind of connection through Atlanta, consider a longer layover (often 3+ hours, especially with bags).

Making Tight Connections in Atlanta

Tight connections can be stressful, but ATL is designed to move people efficiently.

Priority actions if your layover is short

  • Sit near the front of the plane (when possible) to deplane faster.
  • Check your next gate as soon as your first flight lands.
  • Use the Plane Train rather than walking if you’re short on time.
  • Skip non‑essentials (shopping, sit‑down meals) until you confirm you’re close to your gate.

If you feel you’re going to miss your next flight:

  • Speak with a gate agent as soon as you arrive in Atlanta.
  • Airline desks are available in each concourse.
  • Many airlines also help via their mobile apps or customer service phone numbers.

What if You Miss Your Connection in Atlanta?

If your incoming flight is delayed and you miss your connection through ATL:

  • Go to the nearest service desk for your airline (usually near your arrival gate).
  • Look at the departure boards:
    • Identify later flights to your final city.
    • Some routes have many daily departures, while others are limited.
  • Ask about:
    • Rebooking on the next available flight
    • Standby options
    • Meal or hotel assistance when applicable (policies vary by airline, time of delay, and reason)

If you live in Atlanta and your return itinerary brings you back through ATL with a misconnection risk, you might:

  • Build extra time into your arrival day
  • Avoid scheduling tightly timed ground commitments (meetings, events) immediately after landing

Using a Long Layover to See Atlanta

Some travelers intentionally book longer layovers in Atlanta to break up flights or briefly explore the city.

Can you leave the airport during a layover?

You can leave the airport during a layover if:

  • You have legal entry to the U.S. (citizenship, visa, or visa‑free eligibility, as required)
  • Your layover is long enough:
    • Realistically, 6+ hours between flights is more comfortable if you want to leave the airport.
    • Factor in:
      • Time to exit the airport
      • Travel to/from your destination (e.g., downtown)
      • Security screening upon return
      • Boarding time before the next flight

Quick ways into Atlanta from the airport

  • MARTA (rail):
    • The Airport Station is directly attached to the Domestic Terminal.
    • One ride puts you into Downtown or Midtown Atlanta in roughly 20–30 minutes.
  • Rideshares / taxis:
    • Available from designated pickups outside both Domestic and International Terminals.
    • Travel time to popular intown neighborhoods depends heavily on traffic; 20–40 minutes is common in non‑peak hours.

If your through‑flight keeps you in the airport, the concourses themselves have extensive:

  • Food and snack options
  • Seating, work areas, and charging stations
  • Airport art and exhibits, especially along the walking tunnels

Special Considerations for Atlanta‑Area Residents

If you live in Atlanta and often book flights through ATL:

Choosing connection times

  • For winter or storm seasons, add extra buffer (weather can cause delays).
  • If you’re checking bags on separate tickets, aim for 3–4 hours between flights.
  • When possible, choose earlier flights in the day for the first leg, since delays can intensify later.

Domestic vs. International Terminal choice

  • You can be dropped off or park at:
    • Domestic Terminal: Most U.S. departures, with access to the Plane Train to all concourses.
    • International Terminal F: Ideal when:
      • Your first flight departs from concourse F or E
      • You’re mainly traveling internationally

Both sides connect on the secure side, but the drive between Domestic and International terminals on the public road system takes time; it’s best to go directly to the side indicated on your reservation.

Accessibility and Assistance at ATL

If you or someone you’re traveling with needs mobility or other assistance:

  • Airline staff can arrange:
    • Wheelchairs
    • Escorts between gates
    • Priority boarding
  • It’s generally best to note this when booking and confirm before your travel day.
  • At ATL, wheelchair services are commonly available at:
    • Curbside drop‑off
    • Check‑in counters
    • Arrival gates

Planning this ahead is especially helpful if your connection time is short or your flights use distant concourses (for example, C to F).

Helpful On‑Site Information Points

When you’re on a through‑flight in Atlanta and need help:

  • Information desks: Located in the main airport atrium and in some concourses.
  • Airline service counters: Typically near the center of each concourse.
  • Airport customer service: Staff in uniform often circulate in high‑traffic areas to assist with directions and basic questions.

Physical address for reference:

  • Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
    6000 N Terminal Pkwy
    Atlanta, GA 30320

For up‑to‑date details on parking, terminal maps, or security wait times, travelers usually check the airport’s official channels or their airline’s tools before heading out.

Key Takeaways for Flights Through Atlanta

  • Plan realistic layovers: Around 1–1.5 hours for most domestic connections; 2–3 hours for connections that involve customs and immigration.
  • Use the Plane Train for fast concourse changes; walk the tunnel only if you have extra time or prefer to move.
  • Know your concourses: Domestic flights can use any from T to D, with many international flights using E and F.
  • International arrivals usually require:
    • Immigration
    • Baggage claim
    • Customs
    • Baggage re‑check and security
  • If you book separate tickets, build in extra time and be prepared to collect and re‑check bags.
  • Long layovers can be used to explore Atlanta, especially with easy access to downtown by MARTA or car.

Understanding how connections work at ATL makes flights through Atlanta far more predictable, whether you call the city home or are just passing through.