Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Overview

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the world's busiest airports, with tens of millions of passengers traveling through its terminals every year. Located south of downtown Atlanta, Georgia, the airport offers flights to 150 domestic and 75 international destinations, with an average of 2,700 arrivals and departures every day. The airport is expansive — the terminal complex covers more than 150 acres and has a total of 192 gates — so it can be overwhelming for both seasoned and first-time fliers. Because it's one of the world's busiest hubs, you'll want to arrive early to get through check-in and security lines and allow plenty of time for your layover (especially if you are traveling internationally). Whether you're at ATL for a layover or starting your journey here, we've rounded up the most important information to know before visiting the Atlanta airport, starting with an Atlanta airport map.

Terminals

The airport grounds are made up of two large terminals (Domestic and International) which in turn are subdivided by concourses. While the satellites in concourses A – E are parallel to each other, arranged successively in distance from the main terminal, concourses A, B, C, D, E and T are part of the domestic terminal, and concourse F (approximately 1 km (0.6 mi) away from lobby E) is part of the international terminal.

Domestic Terminal

The Domestic Terminal is located on the western side of the airport and is separated north and south by an atrium. Delta Air Lines occupies the South Terminal with its own curbside check-in and baggage claim area.

Other domestic airlines, such as Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue Airways, operate out of the North Terminal with a baggage claim area and check-in facilities. United has a dedicated baggage claim area located on the ground level that can be accessed via various escalators and elevators.

Concourse A

Concourse A is made up of 34 doors, many of which are operated by Delta. There is a Delta Ticket Service Center located opposite gate A18, a Delta Self Service Center at gate A27, and a Delta Sky Club lounge near gate A17.

If you are arriving from the domestic terminal, gates A1 to A18 are on the right and A19 to A34 are on the left.

Concourse B

Concourse B features doors B19-B36 on the left, B18-B1 on the right. The Delta Ticket Service Center and the Delta Self Service Center are near gate B9; the Delta charging station is near gate B16 and the smoking lounge is near gate B24. Food and beverage, retail stores and services are located throughout the B Concourse.

Airline Lounges: Delta Sky Club with 500 seats and natural lighting is now centrally located.

Concourse C

Concourse C has doors 1-57 with Plane Train connections to halls A, D, E, F and the International Terminal and the Main Domestic Terminal. Food and beverage, retail stores and services are located throughout the Concourse.

Airline lounges: Delta Sky Club

Concourse D

Concourse D features doors D21-D46 on the left; D15-D1 and D1A on the right, connected to the Plane Train to access lobbies E, F or C, B, A, T and the national terminal. Currency exchange is in the center.

Airline lounges: United Club (near gate D12) and Delta Sky Club (near gate D27).

Concourse E

Concourse E has doors E1 to E36 and is connected to the Plane Train to access halls F, D or C, B, A, T and the main domestic terminal.

Concourse T

Concourse T is the only one attached to the Main Domestic Terminal, with separate security checkpoints and with gates T9-15 on the left, T8-T1 on the right. In the center between the gates is the train that serves halls A – F and the International Terminal. Delta’s self-service center is close to T5. The Delta charging station is located in front of gates T2 / T3 and at gate T7. Food and beverage, retail concessions, and services are scattered throughout the Concourse.

Airline lounges: American Admirals Club and Delta Sky Club.

International Terminal

Concourse F

ATL International Terminal / Concourse F is located on Terminal Roadway, one mile west of Interstate Hwy 75, Exit 239, or one mile before I-85 Domestic Terminal Exit 242.

Arrivals level 1 of the International Terminal has entry / exit gates A1-A3. After disembarkation, passengers walk down the aisle towards the escalators taking them to the Arrivals level, where they go through Customs and Immigration, then proceed to the baggage claim area with 7 carousels.

Connecting passengers re-check their bags by proceeding to the transit area past the baggage claim area and turning left towards the baggage check counters, then follow the signs to the Concourse F Plane Train station or the pedestrian walkway that connects with lobbies E, D, C, B, A, T, and the Main Domestic Terminal. The E-F connector is located on the arrivals level.

Non-connecting passengers can meet friends and family in the Arrivals Hall or take the shuttle bus to the domestic terminal ground transportation hub, which offers several options for getting to Atlanta and beyond.

The Mezzanine, Level 3 houses airline VIP lounges and areas, business and personal services, accessible via escalators / elevators. The common use lounge ‘The Club at ATL’ is available to all passengers with a day pass available at the front desk – at $ 35 / day

Departure level 2 of the international terminal houses three rows of ticket counters and 70 self-service check-in kiosks, leading to security control and lobbies F and E. Exit gate 2 leads to the hourly parking deck . The 8 lanes at the main TSA security checkpoint are for passengers with boarding passes at the boarding gates in lobbies E and F; after the security check is the Transit Hall, a two-level open area with access to Concourse F and its Plane Train station.

Airport Maps

Click here to view

Airport Awards:

• 2020 Airport Service Quality Awards (ASQ) for "Best Airport By Size and Region (over forty million passengers annually in North America)" as well as "Best Hygiene Measures By Region (North America)". The ASQ Departures program, which was awarded by Airports Council International in (ACI), has been the benchmark for airport passenger satisfaction. It now includes nearly 400 airports from 95 countries. This year marks the debut of the Hygiene Measures category.
• 2017 - Global Efficiency Excellence Award for the 14th year in a row by the Air Transport Research Society ATRS.
• 2017 - Best Airport Dining Award by Global Travel Magazine.
• 2016 - World’s Busiest Airport 19th year by Airports Council International.
• 2015 - Top US Airport for Transit Access by Global Gateway Alliance.

Airport Traveling Tips

• Airport peak hours are morning hours and holidays.
• Arrive 2 hours (peak travel time 2.5 hours) before an international flight departure and 90 minutes before a domestic flight departure to account for ATL airport security wait times and any possible flight delays.
• Prior to leaving your house to catch your flight- take the following steps:
  • 1. Contact your airline 72 hours prior to scheduled departure to confirm your flight, as non-confirmation empowers your airline to cancel your reservation.
  • 2. Make sure that your name on the passport matches the name on the ticket.
  • 3. Take a few minutes to look at the Atlanta Airport map before heading to the airport for a flight.
  • 4. To get to the Domestic Terminal (on I-85/75 southbound through downtown Atlanta), use exit 242.
  • 5. To get to the International Terminal and I-75, use exit 239. ATL is also directly accessible via the MARTA's Red/Gold rail line.

Five steps from check-in to boarding using technology:

1. If traveling with a handbag only: check-in at home online with your airline; on Arrival at the Airport proceed directly to security control.

2. Attach the baggage tag to your checked bag, then proceed to the baggage drop machine (look at screens for location) using the scanner to scan your bags.

3. At E-Gates past security control - scan your boarding pass and proceed to security control.

4. Passengers heading to a non-Schengen destination or foreign airports, use the Passport scanner: put passport into the scanner and stand on the marked spot for camera view. Remove first glasses, hat, while a photo is taken.

5. At the boarding gate use the e-boarding kiosk: place a boarding pass onto the scanner, then proceed to board your plane.

Important Notice:

• TSA & American Airlines together implemented a new screening technology with automated security screening lanes (ASCL) & CT scanners - reducing security screening time by nearly 30 percent.
• Clear offers the latest biometric screening service.
• Eligible passengers may use the MPC (Mobile Passport Control) app, which can be downloaded free from Apple APP or Google Play Stores, or over the Airport's free WiFi system.
• Customer Service can be reached at 1-800-897-1910 / fax 1-404-530-7384.

Airlines

Airline	Terminal
Air France	Concourse F
Delta Airlines	Domestic Terminal
Qatar Airways	Concourse F
Southwest Airlines	Domestic Terminal
Spirit Airlines	Domestic Terminal
Lufthansa	Concourse F
KLM Airlines	Concourse F
British Airways	Concourse F
Frontier Airlines	Domestic Terminal
Boutique Air	Domestic Terminal
Turkish Airlines	Concourse F
American Airlines	Domestic Terminal
United Airlines	Domestic Terminal
Alaska Airlines	Domestic Terminal
Korean Air Lines Airlines	Concourse F
Air Canada	Concourse F
Jetblue	Domestic Terminal
Virgin Atlantic	Concourse F

Ground Transportation

The passengers have several transportation options after arriving at the airport for ground transport to their next destination. Some of the transportation options include airport shuttles, car rentals, buses, and trains. In addition, many passengers also utilize cab services like Uber, Lyft, and taxis.

Buses & Trains

The passengers can opt for bus services to go to their destination. Atlanta's MARTA Buses and their many routes are listed on their bus schedule (https://www.itsmarta.com/bus-schedules.aspx) - or e-mail: sutserv@marta.com.

Atlanta’s MARTA Trains are very efficient, check out the train schedule or contact the Customer Service at 404-848-5000 or e-mail: custserv@itsmarta.com.

Airport Shuttle

Airport Shuttle Services can be used to travel anywhere from the ATL airport. There are many different shuttle and transfer services, you can easily get a ride to any nearby location.

Airport Car Rentals

Car Rentals can be easily found at the Atlanta Airport. There are numerous car rental agencies onsite at the airport and well-known car rental providers offer airport travelers a large variety of vehicles to choose from.

Amenities

To make your stay enjoyable, the Hartsfield Jackson ATL Airport provides visitors with different amenities and services:

• Restaurants, cafes, and bars.
• Stores, gift shops, and local souvenir shops.
• Shoe shine stations and massage bars.
• Multiple art installations and exhibits on display.
• Free Wi-Fi internet throughout the entire airport.
• Currency exchange.

History

• April 16, 1925, Mayor Walter Sims signed a five-year lease on 287 acres abandoned auto racetrack named the Atlanta Speedway. As a part of the agreement, this land was renamed Candler Field after its former owner’s family including Coca Cola tycoon, Asa Candler.
• In 1948, Candler Field was renamed as Atlanta Municipal Airport.
• In 1957, Atlanta became the busiest airport in the world with more than two million passengers passing through.
• On September 21, 1980, a new terminal opened which covered an area of 2.5 million square feet and was designed to accommodate up to 55 million passengers per year.
• In 1999, the Development Program was established by Hartsfield Jackson’s leadership, known as Focus On The Future, which involved various construction projects with the goal to handle a projected demand of 121 million passengers in 2015.
• On October 20, 2003, the airport was renamed Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport to honor former mayor Maynard Jackson.
• The airport is the largest employment center in Georgia and employs around 55,300 airlines, concessionaires, the federal government, City of Atlanta, and airport tenant employees.
• On March 10, 2016, the final 20-year plan was finalized which included modernization of existing terminals, extension and expansion of concourses, a new park-and-ride lot, and more.
• In 2019 (pre-covid), the ATL airport served over 110 million passengers.