Flights to Atlanta From Cleveland: What Travelers Need to Know

Flying from Cleveland to Atlanta is a common route, whether you’re heading home to Atlanta, visiting family, or connecting through Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). This guide walks you through how the route works, what to expect at both airports, and how to plan your trip so your arrival in Atlanta is as smooth as possible.

Key Facts About Flights From Cleveland to Atlanta

Flights from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) to Atlanta (ATL) are typically:

• Nonstop and frequent on major carriers
• Around 1 hour 45 minutes–2 hours in the air
• Popular for both business and leisure travel
• Used heavily as connections through Atlanta to the rest of the U.S. and abroad

Because Atlanta is a major hub, flights from Cleveland often arrive at times that connect easily to other domestic and international departures.

Which Airlines Fly From Cleveland to Atlanta?

Several major airlines usually serve the Cleveland–Atlanta route, most commonly:

• Delta Air Lines – Often offers multiple daily nonstop flights to ATL, using Atlanta as a central hub.
• Other large domestic carriers – May operate nonstop or one-stop itineraries via their own hubs.

When searching for flights:

• Look for “nonstop CLE → ATL” if you want the quickest option.
• Compare departure times carefully; early morning and late afternoon flights are often popular for same-day meetings or weekend trips to Atlanta.
• Pay attention to which concourse you’ll arrive at in ATL if you have a connection.

Typical Flight Time and Distance

• Flight distance: About 550–600 miles
• Typical flight duration:
  • Nonstop: Around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours gate-to-gate
• Time zone: Cleveland and Atlanta are both in the Eastern Time Zone, so you won’t have to adjust your watch.

Even though the flight is short, you’ll still want to account for:

• Boarding time (usually 30–45 minutes before departure)
• Taxi time at both CLE and ATL
• Potential delays during busy travel periods or weather events

Best Times to Fly From Cleveland to Atlanta

When planning your trip to Atlanta, consider:

Time of Day

• Early morning flights (often before 9 a.m.)
  • ✅ More likely to depart on time
  • ✅ Ideal if you need to be in Atlanta by midday
  • ❗Often busier with business travelers
• Midday flights
  • ✅ Good balance between crowds and schedule flexibility
  • ✅ Often easier to pair with hotel check-in times in Atlanta
• Evening flights
  • ✅ Helpful if you’re finishing a workday in Cleveland
  • ❗Arriving late in Atlanta can mean less frequent MARTA service and busier rideshare demand

Time of Week and Season

• Weekdays (especially Monday and Friday)
  • Can be busier and sometimes pricier due to business travel.
• Weekends
  • Often popular for game days, concerts, and Atlanta events, especially in the fall and spring.

Atlanta’s peak visitor seasons, including:

• Spring (for festivals and mild weather)
• Fall (football season, conferences, events)

…can influence demand on Cleveland–Atlanta flights, especially around major sports events or large conventions at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Understanding Atlanta’s Airport: Your Arrival at ATL

All commercial flights from Cleveland will land at:

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320
Main Information Line: (800) 897-1910 (widely available contact)

ATL is one of the busiest airports in the world and serves as Atlanta’s main aviation hub. For someone coming from Cleveland, a few local details matter:

Domestic Terminals and Concourses

Most Cleveland flights arrive at domestic concourses, which could include:

• Concourse T – Closest to the Domestic Terminal
• Concourses A, B, C, D – Accessible via the Plane Train underground transit system
• Concourse E/F – Primarily international, but sometimes used for domestic operations

Check your boarding pass or airline app to see:

• Your arrival gate and concourse in ATL
• Whether you’re connecting or ending your trip in Atlanta

Getting From ATL Into Atlanta

Once you land from Cleveland, you’ll need to decide how to get from Hartsfield–Jackson into the city or suburbs.

1. MARTA (Public Transit) 🚆

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) offers a convenient rail option:

• Station: Airport MARTA Station (at the Domestic Terminal, near baggage claim)
• Lines: Primarily Red and Gold Lines
• Destinations:
  • Downtown Atlanta (Peachtree Center, Five Points)
  • Midtown (Arts Center, Midtown Station)
  • Buckhead and North Atlanta via the Red Line
• Tickets are purchased via machines at the station using cash or card.

MARTA is often one of the quickest ways to reach central Atlanta from flights arriving from Cleveland, especially during rush hour.

2. Rideshare and Taxis

Rideshare pick-ups (for services such as app-based transportation) are typically:

• Located in designated areas near the North and South Domestic Terminals
• Well-marked with signs as you exit baggage claim

Taxis are usually:

• Available at the taxi stands outside the Domestic Terminals
• A straightforward option if you prefer not to navigate MARTA with luggage

3. Rental Cars

If you’re planning to explore metro Atlanta after flying from Cleveland, rental cars are housed at the ATL Rental Car Center, connected by the SkyTrain.

• Follow signs to the SkyTrain from the Domestic Terminal.
• Major national rental companies operate out of this centralized facility.

Baggage, Connections, and Ground Time in Atlanta

Because Atlanta is such a major connection hub, many CLE → ATL passengers don’t end their trips here. Still, whether you’re staying in Atlanta or passing through, it helps to plan:

If Atlanta Is Your Final Destination

• Expect baggage claim in the Domestic Terminal after taking the Plane Train from your arrival concourse.
• Allow a bit of extra time for:
  • Busy baggage carousels, especially during large event weekends in Atlanta
  • Security lines on your return trip from ATL to Cleveland

If You’re Connecting Through ATL

• Minimum connection times are generally manageable, but:
  • Try to give yourself at least 1–1.5 hours between flights.
  • Remember you may need to change concourses, which requires using the Plane Train.

This is especially important if your Cleveland flight arrives during peak afternoon hours when ATL is busiest.

How Far Is Atlanta Airport From Key Atlanta Neighborhoods?

Below is a general overview of how long it can take to reach major parts of Atlanta after you land from Cleveland. Times vary based on traffic and transit schedules.

*Times are approximate and depend on time of day and any transit delays.

Tips for Choosing the Best Cleveland–Atlanta Flight

When you’re comparing flights to Atlanta from Cleveland, consider:

• Nonstop vs. one-stop
  • Nonstop is usually best for reliability and total travel time.
• Arrival time in Atlanta
  • Think about hotel check-in, event start times, or MARTA hours.
• Airport experience in Atlanta
  • If crowds and airport navigation stress you, you may prefer midday arrivals when lines can be shorter.
• Weather considerations
  • Atlanta can experience summer thunderstorms and occasional winter weather, which sometimes affect schedules.
  • If your trip is time-sensitive, earlier flights from Cleveland may give you backup options later in the day.

Navigating Cleveland Hopkins (CLE) Before Your Atlanta Flight

From the Atlanta traveler’s perspective, you may be starting in Cleveland and coming home or visiting Atlanta:

• Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
  5300 Riverside Dr
  Cleveland, OH 44135

Typical steps before flying CLE → ATL:

1. Arrive at CLE at least 1.5–2 hours before departure for domestic flights.
2. Check in online when possible and confirm your seat assignment and gate.
3. Allow time for security screening, which may be longer during morning rush or holiday periods.

Once you land in Atlanta, the arrival process is usually fast, especially with only carry-on baggage.

Planning Your Stay in Atlanta After Arriving From Cleveland

If your flight from Cleveland is bringing you to Atlanta for a short visit or a longer stay, your arrival time can affect:

• Check-in and luggage drop-off at Atlanta hotels
• Ability to catch evening events, games, or reservations
• Access to same-day services like rental cars or downtown offices

A few Atlanta-specific planning notes:

• If you’re attending functions in Downtown or Midtown, consider using MARTA to avoid parking and traffic.
• If you’ll be visiting suburban areas like Alpharetta, Marietta, or Stone Mountain, a rental car or pre-planned car service is often more practical.
• Late-night arrivals from Cleveland may mean:
  • Fewer transit options outside of MARTA’s operating hours
  • Heavier reliance on rideshare and taxis

When to Arrive at ATL for Your Return Flight to Cleveland

When you’re leaving Atlanta to return to Cleveland, Hartsfield–Jackson can be busy:

• Plan to be at ATL about 2 hours before your scheduled CLE departure.
• Factor in:
  • Possible traffic on I-75/I-85 or local roads
  • Time to return a rental car at the Rental Car Center and ride the SkyTrain
  • Security lines at the Domestic Terminal

Allowing extra time keeps the return leg of your Cleveland–Atlanta round trip low-stress.

By understanding how flights to Atlanta from Cleveland typically operate—flight times, airport layout, transit options, and timing—you can choose the schedule that fits your needs and arrive in Atlanta ready to move, whether your plans pull you Downtown, to Midtown, or out into the wider metro area.