Navigating Atlanta’s Domestic Airport: A Local Guide to Hartsfield-Jackson’s Domestic Side

When people search for “Atlanta Georgia domestic airport,” they are almost always talking about the domestic side of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)—the main airport serving the Atlanta metro area.

There is one primary commercial airport in Atlanta, and its domestic operations are centered around the Domestic Terminal on the north side of the airfield. This guide walks you through how the domestic airport works, how to get there, which airlines use which side, and what locals and visitors should know to move through it smoothly.

Atlanta’s Domestic Airport: The Basics

Official name: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Airport code:ATL
Location: Just south of downtown Atlanta, near I-75 and I-85
Main public address:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 N Terminal Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30320

Within ATL, domestic flights primarily use:

• The Domestic Terminal – North (North Terminal)
• The Domestic Terminal – South (South Terminal)
• Concourses T, A, B, C, D (plus part of Concourse E for some domestic flights)

There is no separate “Atlanta domestic-only airport” for commercial airlines. Instead, domestic and international operations share the same airfield, with different terminals and concourses.

Domestic Terminal vs. International Terminal

ATL has two main passenger terminal areas:

If you are flying within the United States—for example, from Atlanta to New York, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, or a smaller U.S. city—you will almost always:

• Depart from the Domestic Terminal, and
• Use Concourses T, A, B, C, D, or occasionally E

You can still move between domestic and international sides airside (after security) using the Plane Train, but most domestic passengers never need to visit the International Terminal at all.

Airline Locations: North vs. South Domestic Terminal

The Domestic Terminal is divided into North and South. Different airlines use different sides for ticketing and check-in.

While airline locations can change over time, a common pattern at ATL is:

• South Terminal
  • Delta Air Lines (the dominant carrier at ATL)
• North Terminal
  • Southwest Airlines
  • American Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • Several smaller domestic carriers and regional airlines

If you live in Atlanta, you’ll quickly get used to heading South Terminal for Delta and North Terminal for most others. Always confirm with your airline, but this rule of thumb works well for most domestic travel.

Domestic Concourses at ATL

After check-in and security, you will access your gate via one of ATL’s concourses. For domestic flights, these are the ones you’ll see most often:

• Concourse T: Closest to the Domestic Terminal, often used for Delta and other carriers’ domestic flights.
• Concourse A, B: Heavy Delta presence; most Delta domestic flights use these.
• Concourse C, D: Used by various domestic airlines and some Delta flights.
• Concourse E: Primarily international, but may handle some domestic flights depending on scheduling.

All concourses are connected by:

• The underground Plane Train (automated people mover), and
• A pedestrian tunnel with moving walkways

You can move between any concourse and the Domestic Terminal without re-clearing security, as long as you stay airside.

Getting to the Domestic Terminal

By MARTA (Public Transit)

For many Atlanta residents and visitors, MARTA is one of the easiest ways to access the domestic airport.

• MARTA Airport Station is located directly inside the Domestic Terminal, at the west end between North and South.
• Both the Red Line and Gold Line trains run to and from the airport station.
• From Midtown, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, or Downtown, you can ride one train line all the way to ATL with no transfer.

This is a popular option to avoid traffic and parking costs, especially during peak travel seasons and rush hours.

By Car

If you’re driving to the domestic side:

• From I-85: Take the clearly marked Airport exits and follow signs for Domestic Terminal (not International Terminal).
• The airport roads split between North Terminal and South Terminal—look for signage indicating your airline and terminal side.

For locals, bookmarking or memorizing the route from your neighborhood (via I-75, I-85, I-285, or GA-166) can save stress when traffic is heavy.

Rideshare, Taxi, and Drop-Off

• Passenger drop-off for domestic flights is on the upper level (Departures) of the Domestic Terminal.
• Pick-up for arriving passengers is typically on the lower level (Arrivals) or in a designated rideshare zone, as clearly signed.
• Rideshare services (like app-based pickups) usually have designated pickup lanes near baggage claim; signage and app directions will guide you once you land.

If you’re picking someone up, it often helps to agree on a specific door number or zone near Domestic North or Domestic South baggage claim.

Parking for Domestic Flights

ATL offers several parking options near the domestic side. For most domestic passengers, the main choices are:

• Domestic Terminal Hourly Parking
  • Closest to the terminal; good for short stays, drop-offs, or meeting arriving passengers.
• Domestic Terminal Daily Parking
  • Slightly farther but still walkable or a short shuttle ride; better for multi-day trips.
• Economy and Park-Ride Lots
  • Located farther away with shuttle service to the Domestic Terminal; usually more budget-friendly for longer trips.

Locals who fly frequently often compare:

• Cost per day
• Walking distance vs. shuttle time
• How predictable traffic and shuttle timing are during peak periods

Give yourself extra time during holidays or major events (like big conventions or sports events in Atlanta) when lots fill faster.

Domestic Arrivals: Baggage Claim & Ground Transport

When you land at ATL on a domestic flight:

1. Deplane into your arrival concourse (T, A, B, C, D, or sometimes E).
2. Take the Plane Train or walk via the tunnel to the Domestic Terminal.
3. Follow signs for Baggage Claim at either North or South, depending on your airline.
4. Pick up checked bags from the carousel assigned to your flight.
5. Head outside to:
   • Personal pick-up / family pick-up
   • Taxis
   • Rideshares (in marked areas)
   • Rental car center shuttle
   • MARTA Airport Station

If you’re connecting from a domestic to another domestic flight within ATL, you usually do not need to exit to baggage claim—just go directly to your next departure gate using the Plane Train.

Security for Domestic Flights

For domestic departures, you’ll go through TSA security inside the Domestic Terminal. There are:

• Main security checkpoints accessible from both North and South
• Additional lanes that may open during peak times

Tips for smoother domestic screening at ATL:

• Arrive early, especially for morning flights when lines can be long.
• If you live in Atlanta and fly often, many residents find TSA PreCheck or similar programs helpful to reduce wait times.
• Organize your items before you reach the bins to move through more quickly.

Connecting Between Domestic and International Flights

If you’re:

• Arriving domestically in Atlanta, then flying internationally, or
• Arriving from abroad, then flying domestically from ATL

You’ll likely:

• Use domestic concourses (T–D and sometimes E) for U.S. flights, and
• Use Concourse F (International Terminal) for international flights (or sometimes Concourse E).

You can transfer between concourses airside using the Plane Train. If you arrive internationally and must clear U.S. Customs and Immigration, follow the signs—after clearance, you may be directed back into the domestic side for your next flight, depending on the airline and routing.

Nearby General Aviation & Alternate Airports

If you’re searching “Atlanta Georgia domestic airport” because you’re curious about smaller airports or non-airline domestic flying, the Atlanta area also has:

• DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) – A major general aviation airport serving private and corporate flights.
• Cobb County International Airport (RYY) – Another general aviation facility northwest of the city.
• Other smaller fields across the metro area for private, charter, or training flights.

These are not commercial airline airports, but Atlanta-area residents may use them for private charters or flight school.

Key Things Atlanta Travelers Need to Remember

1. There is one main commercial airport.
ATL is both Atlanta’s domestic and international airport. The “domestic airport” is the Domestic Terminal area of ATL.

2. Know your terminal side.

• Delta → South Domestic Terminal
• Most other major domestic airlines → North Domestic Terminal

3. MARTA drops you right into the Domestic Terminal.
No shuttles or transfers once you get off the train—just walk straight into check-in or baggage claim.

4. All concourses are connected.
Once you clear security, you can reach any domestic concourse (T–D) via the Plane Train.

5. Use clear meeting points.
If you’re picking up friends or family, agree on North vs. South baggage claim and a specific door or zone to avoid confusion.

Quick Reference: Domestic Side of ATL

• Airport code: ATL
• Domestic Terminal address: 6000 N Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30320
• MARTA access: Airport Station (inside Domestic Terminal)
• Main concourses for domestic flights: T, A, B, C, D (and sometimes E)
• Key airline pattern: Delta at South Domestic; many others at North Domestic

With this understanding of Atlanta’s domestic airport setup, you can move through Hartsfield-Jackson’s Domestic Terminal more confidently—whether you’re a long-time Atlanta resident catching a quick hop to another city, or a visitor trying to make sense of one of the busiest airports in the country.