Frontier Airlines in Atlanta: How to Use Frontier at Hartsfield–Jackson

If you’re flying Frontier Airlines from Atlanta, Georgia, your trip will almost always start at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). This guide walks you through where Frontier is in the airport, how to check in, what to expect with fees, and how Atlanta travelers typically use Frontier for domestic and international trips.

Where Frontier Airlines Operates in Atlanta

Airport: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Main Frontier location:Domestic Terminal – South

Frontier uses the Domestic Terminal at ATL:

• Check-in & ticket counters: Domestic Terminal, typically in the South Terminal area with most other low-cost and domestic carriers.
• Departure gates: Usually on Concourse D or E (gate assignments can change, so always check your boarding pass and airport screens).
• Arrivals: Frontier flights usually arrive at the same concourse they depart from (often D). You’ll then follow signs to Baggage Claim in the Domestic Terminal.

If you’re coming from around metro Atlanta:

• From Downtown / Midtown / Buckhead: Drive south on I‑75/85 and follow signs for Domestic Terminal.
• From Cobb County / Marietta / Smyrna: Use I‑285 or the Connector to get to the Domestic Terminal.
• From Southside (College Park, East Point, Union City): Surface streets or I‑85 make it a short trip to the airport.

🧭 Key tip: At ATL, the airport is split into Domestic and International (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal). Frontier flights almost always use the Domestic side, even for many routes that connect to international destinations via other cities.

Getting to Frontier Airlines at ATL

By Car: Parking & Drop-Off

If you’re driving to catch a Frontier flight:

• Domestic Terminal – South curbside is usually the closest drop-off area.
• Short-term and long-term parking options near the Domestic Terminal include:
  • Domestic Parking Garages (North & South)
  • Park-Ride lots served by airport shuttles
  • Private off-airport parking lots around College Park and Hapeville

Leave extra time during Atlanta rush hours (early morning, late afternoon, and before big events like Falcons, Hawks, or concerts downtown).

By MARTA

Many Atlanta travelers prefer MARTA to avoid traffic and parking:

• Take MARTA Rail (Red or Gold line) to Airport Station.
• You’ll arrive inside the Domestic Terminal, near baggage claim and check-in areas.
• From the station, follow signs toward South Terminal check-in counters to find Frontier.

This is especially convenient if you live or stay in Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, Doraville, College Park, or East Point.

Frontier Check-In at Atlanta: What to Expect

Check-In Options

For flights from Atlanta, you can typically:

• Check in online or via app
• Use a self-service kiosk at the Domestic Terminal
• See an agent at the Frontier ticket counter

Most travelers aiming for smoother ATL airport experience check in online and arrive at the airport with:

• Mobile boarding pass
• Bag tags printed at a kiosk (if needed)
• Only needing baggage drop, security, and boarding

When to Arrive at ATL for Frontier

Because ATL is one of the busiest airports in the world, allow more time than you might in a smaller city:

• Domestic Frontier flights: Plan to arrive 2 hours before departure.
• If checking bags or traveling at peak times (holidays, early Monday mornings, Sunday evenings): Consider 2.5–3 hours.

Security lines at ATL can be long, especially at the Main Security Checkpoint serving both North and South Terminals.

Frontier Airlines Baggage and Fees for Atlanta Travelers

Frontier is known as an ultra-low-cost carrier, which usually means:

• Low base fares
• Additional fees for many extras

While exact fees can change, Atlanta travelers commonly see charges for:

• Carry-on bags beyond a small personal item
• Checked bags
• Choosing specific seats (including seats near the front or with extra legroom)
• Printing boarding passes at the airport in some cases

To avoid surprises:

• Check Frontier’s current baggage policy before leaving your home in Atlanta or your hotel.
• Measure and weigh your bags before heading to ATL so you’re not rearranging luggage in the airport line.

Security and Boarding at ATL for Frontier Flights

Security Checkpoints

For most Frontier departures:

• You’ll go through Main Security at the Domestic Terminal.
• After security, you’ll ride the Plane Train (underground train) or walk through the concourse tunnel to your gate.

⏱️ ATL tip: Even after security, getting to Concourse D/E can take time if trains are crowded or you choose to walk. Factor this in when you decide when to leave home.

Boarding Practices on Frontier

Frontier boarding in Atlanta tends to follow a group or zone system:

• Early groups: Special needs, families with young children (if permitted), some higher-tier customers or those who purchased priority boarding.
• Later groups: General boarding by zone.

Because overhead bin space is limited and carry-ons are often paid, Atlanta-based travelers often:

• Bring only a personal item that fits under the seat, or
• Pay for a carry-on in advance rather than at the gate, where fees are commonly higher.

Popular Frontier Routes from Atlanta

Exact routes change over time, but for Atlanta, Frontier typically focuses on:

• Leisure destinations: Florida beaches, Las Vegas, Denver, etc.
• Seasonal routes: Certain cities may only be available during peak travel seasons.

If you live in metro Atlanta, Frontier is often used for:

• Budget-friendly weekend trips to nearby states
• Visiting family in other major cities covered by Frontier’s network
• Connecting through another city to reach a final destination

Always check:

• Whether your Frontier flight from ATL is nonstop or connecting
• Total travel time vs. price, especially if you’re comparing with other airlines at Hartsfield–Jackson.

Frontier Airlines at ATL: Facilities and Services

Ticket Counter Hours

Frontier’s ticket counters at ATL typically:

• Open a few hours before the first Frontier departure of the day
• Close shortly after the last Frontier departure

If you’re in Atlanta and planning to purchase a ticket in person at the airport:

• Check current counter hours before making the drive to Hartsfield–Jackson.
• Be prepared for lines during high-traffic times, especially evenings and weekends.

Customer Support at ATL

At the Atlanta airport, you can usually get help with:

• Same-day flight changes or questions
• Baggage issues (delayed, damaged, or lost bags)
• Seat assignment questions for that day’s flights

For non-urgent issues or future trips, many Atlantans prefer to contact Frontier online or through their customer service numbers rather than going to the airport.

Tips for Atlanta Residents Using Frontier Regularly

If you fly Frontier from ATL often:

1. Know your terminal flow

   • Park in the Domestic Terminal area.
   • Head straight to the South Terminal for check-in.

2. Plan around Atlanta traffic

   • I‑285, I‑75, I‑85, and GA‑400 can back up quickly.
   • For early-morning flights, many Atlanta-area travelers leave home extra early rather than cutting it close.

3. Use MARTA when practical

   • Avoid paying for daily parking; MARTA from Downtown/Midtown can be more predictable and cost-effective.

4. Prepay for bags and seats

   • Many Frontier passengers in Atlanta avoid last-minute fees by selecting baggage and seats when booking.

5. Watch for schedule changes

   • For budget airlines, schedules and routes can change more frequently.
   • Double-check your departure time and gate the day before and day of departure.

If You’re Flying Into Atlanta on Frontier

When you arrive in Atlanta on Frontier:

• You’ll deplane at your assigned concourse (often D).
• Follow signs to the Plane Train and ride to Baggage Claim.
• Baggage claim for Frontier flights will be on the Domestic Terminal side.

From there, you can:

• Meet local family or friends at the Domestic Terminal arrivals area.
• Use MARTA Airport Station to get to Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead.
• Pick up a rental car from the ATL Rental Car Center, accessible by free SkyTrain from the terminal.

For visitors, this makes it easy to:

• Stay at hotels in Downtown Atlanta, Midtown, or near the airport in College Park/Hapeville.
• Access major attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium using MARTA or rideshare.

Quick Reference: Frontier Airlines at Atlanta (ATL)

Flying Frontier Airlines in Atlanta can be a cost-effective way to reach many destinations if you understand how the carrier operates at Hartsfield–Jackson and plan ahead for the airport’s size, traffic, and security lines. With the right timing, baggage planning, and terminal awareness, Atlanta residents and visitors can move through the Frontier experience at ATL with far less stress.