Flights to Atlanta from New Orleans: How to Plan Your Trip to (or From) ATL ✈️

If you’re looking at flights to Atlanta from New Orleans, you’re usually thinking about one of two things:

• You’re in New Orleans and heading to Atlanta, or
• You already live in or are visiting Atlanta, and you want to understand your options for friends, family, or business trips between the two cities.

Because Atlanta is a major air hub, the New Orleans–Atlanta route is one of the more straightforward trips in and out of the city. Here’s how it works, what to expect at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), and how to make the most of this short hop between the two Southern cities.

Key Things to Know About Flights New Orleans → Atlanta

Most travelers on this route fly:

• From: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
• To: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

The flying distance is relatively short, and nonstop flights are common.

Typical nonstop flight time:
🕒 Around 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes in the air (plan on more time gate-to-gate).

Why This Route Matters for Atlanta Travelers

For people based in Atlanta, this route is useful if:

• You travel often between Atlanta and New Orleans for work, family, or events.
• You’re planning an Atlanta trip for someone coming from New Orleans and want to help them understand their options.
• You’re flying from New Orleans to Atlanta and then connecting to another U.S. or international destination via ATL.

Since Atlanta is one of the busiest connecting hubs in the world, many New Orleans departures are timed to line up with onward connections in Atlanta.

Flight Options: Nonstop vs. Connecting

Nonstop Flights MSY → ATL

Most travelers prefer nonstop flights because of the short distance and ease of travel. Nonstops are typically:

• Frequent throughout the day
• Focused on morning and late afternoon/evening time blocks
• Used heavily by business travelers and weekend visitors

Nonstop flights make it easy for:

• Weekend visits between Atlanta and New Orleans
• Day trips or quick overnights for meetings, sports, or concerts
• Coordinated arrival times for visits to downtown Atlanta, Midtown, or Buckhead

Connecting Flights via Atlanta

If you’re in New Orleans and connecting through Atlanta, you might:

• Land at ATL from MSY
• Have a short layover (often 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on schedule)
• Depart from another concourse to your final destination

From an Atlanta-focused perspective, this means:

• Friends or relatives from New Orleans might have tight connections and limited time to meet you at the airport.
• If you’re meeting someone arriving from New Orleans, check whether Atlanta is their final destination or just a connection.

When to Fly Between New Orleans and Atlanta

Best Times of Day for Easy Arrivals in Atlanta

If you’re trying to arrive in Atlanta at a convenient time, consider:

• Arriving mid-morning (around 9 a.m.–11 a.m.) if you’re headed into the Downtown/Midtown area for the day.
• Early afternoon arrivals if you want to avoid heavier morning commuting traffic on I-75/I-85 through central Atlanta.
• Later evening arrivals if you’re just going straight to a hotel near Hartsfield-Jackson or staying along the Airport/College Park area.

Busy Travel Periods to Keep in Mind

Flights between New Orleans and Atlanta can feel busier:

• Around major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year’s, Easter)
• During Mardi Gras season in New Orleans (extra visitors using Atlanta as a connection)
• For big events in Atlanta, like:
  • Major conference weeks at the Georgia World Congress Center
  • Large sports events at Mercedes-Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena
  • Major college football games and tournaments

If you live in Atlanta and are helping someone book from New Orleans, remind them to book earlier for these peak times and to expect heavier crowds at ATL.

What to Expect on Arrival at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Whether you’re an Atlantan flying home from New Orleans or welcoming someone from MSY, it helps to know ATL’s layout and ground options.

Airport Location & Basic Info

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

Located just south of downtown, ATL sits near I-85 and has both a Domestic Terminal and an International Terminal (Concourse F).

Most flights from New Orleans arrive at the Domestic side.

Domestic Arrival Process from New Orleans

Coming from New Orleans, you’re on a domestic flight, so the process is usually:

1. Deplane at your assigned concourse (T, A, B, C, D, or sometimes E).
2. Follow signs for:
   • “Baggage Claim” if Atlanta is your final stop
   • “Connecting Flights” if you’re just passing through
3. Take the Plane Train (underground people mover) to:
   • Baggage Claim / Ground Transportation if you’re leaving the airport
   • Your next concourse if you have a connection

Meeting Arrivals from New Orleans

If you live in Atlanta and are picking someone up:

• Have them confirm which airline and terminal they arrive in (most New Orleans flights will use the Domestic Terminal).
• Use the Cell Phone Lot near the airport to wait until they text you that they’re curbside.
• Ask them to follow “Ground Transportation / Passenger Pickup” signs.

Getting From ATL into Atlanta After Your Flight

Once a flight from New Orleans lands in Atlanta, there are several ways into the city or surrounding metro area.

1. MARTA Train (Public Transit)

Best for: Solo travelers, budget-conscious visitors, and anyone going to Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead.

• ATL has a MARTA rail station directly at the Domestic Terminal.
• Ride the Red or Gold line north into the city.
• Popular stops:
  • Five Points (Downtown Atlanta)
  • Peachtree Center (Downtown hotels)
  • Midtown Station (Midtown restaurants, hotels, and offices)
  • Arts Center and Lindbergh Center
  • Buckhead (northern business/retail district)

If someone is flying in from New Orleans to visit you in the city, meeting at a MARTA station (like Midtown or Peachtree Center) can be easier than navigating airport pickups during busy times.

2. Rideshare & Taxis

Best for: Direct trips to specific neighborhoods or when traveling with luggage or in a group.

• Rideshare pickup zones are marked near Ground Transportation.
• Taxis are queued at the official taxi stand at the Domestic Terminal.

This is convenient if your destination is:

• Downtown Atlanta (hotels, Georgia Aquarium, State Farm Arena, GWCC)
• Midtown (Piedmont Park, arts district, Georgia Tech area)
• Old Fourth Ward / Inman Park / Virginia-Highland neighborhoods
• Buckhead and parts of Sandy Springs

3. Rental Cars

Best for: Travelers who plan to explore beyond central Atlanta or visit spread-out suburbs.

• ATL’s rental car center is accessed via the SkyTrain from the terminal area.
• From there, you can drive to:
  • Decatur, Dunwoody, Smyrna, Marietta, Alpharetta, and other metro Atlanta suburbs
  • Outlying destinations like Stone Mountain or Lake Lanier

If you live in Atlanta and relatives are flying in from New Orleans for a longer visit, a rental car may give them the flexibility to explore without relying on you for every ride.

How Far in Advance to Book New Orleans → Atlanta Flights

For most regular weeks, travelers often find that:

• Booking a few weeks in advance can help secure better schedules and pricing.
• For big events or holidays, aim to book earlier to avoid limited options and higher prices.

If you’re in Atlanta and hosting visitors from New Orleans, try to:

• Coordinate dates early (especially for popular event weekends).
• Consider flexible times (e.g., midday arrivals to avoid heavy commuting traffic in central Atlanta).

Comparing Your Arrival Options in Atlanta

Use this quick guide to match your arrival plan with your final destination in the city:

Tips for a Smooth New Orleans → Atlanta Flight Experience

Here are a few practical tips especially relevant if Atlanta is your base:

• Check which concourse you’ll land at. This helps you estimate how long it’ll take to reach baggage claim or your connection.
• Plan around Atlanta traffic. If you’re arriving between roughly 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, expect heavier traffic on the highways into the city.
• Know your MARTA stop in advance. If you live in Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead, share the nearest MARTA station name with your visitors from New Orleans.
• Allow a buffer for connections. If your New Orleans flight is feeding into another departure from Atlanta, a bit of extra layover time can make the connection less stressful.
• Use the Plane Train confidently. It runs frequently and is the main way to move quickly between concourses.

Using the Route for Connections Beyond Atlanta

For many people, New Orleans → Atlanta isn’t the final trip—it’s the first leg of a longer journey.

From an Atlanta perspective, this means:

• You can suggest that friends or family in New Orleans connect through Atlanta to visit other places while also spending time with you in the city.
• If you’re an Atlantan returning home from a trip that started in New Orleans, the final leg into ATL will feel short, and you can expect a familiar arrival process.

Because ATL is such a significant hub, you’ll see many New Orleans flights carefully timed to connect smoothly with domestic and international departures from Atlanta.

When This Route Works Best for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

Flying between New Orleans and Atlanta is especially practical when:

• You’re splitting vacation time between the two cities.
• You have work or conferences in both places and want a quick, direct route.
• You live in Atlanta and are hosting friends from New Orleans, helping them navigate ATL, MARTA, or local roads.

With frequent service, a short flight time, and strong transit options into the city, flights from New Orleans to Atlanta are one of the more convenient ways to move in and out of the metro area—whether Atlanta is your home base, your destination, or your main connection point.