ATL's North vs South Terminals: What’s the difference?
Travelers who find themselves beginning or ending their domestic flights at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are often confronted with terms like “South Terminal” or “North Baggage Claim.” The way that these terms are used on flight itineraries and app notifications could leave travelers with anxiety about going to the wrong area to check in for their flight or pick up their luggage at ATL. In reality, the difference between north and south is very major. Understanding the distinctions between the North and South Terminal at ATL can help empower domestic travelers to traverse the Domestic Terminal with ease.
Domestic Terminal Layout
Domestic flight operations, such as check-in, TSA security checks, and baggage claim all occur within ATL’s Domestic Terminal, which is subdivided into the North Terminal and South Terminal. Often flight itineraries or airline apps mention checking in at the “North Terminal”, or retrieving checked bags at “South Baggage Claim #9.” The way these terms are used it could leave a traveler believing that the North and South Terminals are two distinct, separate locations.
In fact, the North Terminal and South Terminal are merely opposite sides of the same large Domestic Terminal structure dedicated to all domestic airlines at ATL. With only approximately 300 ft (~92 meters) separating the North and South Terminals, visitors to ATL can freely move between the two with ease. Between the North and South portions of the Domestic Terminal there is a large atrium along with various shopping and food venues that are available pre-security.
Checking in and Dropping off Checked Luggage
When it comes to checking in and dropping off your checked bags, it's pretty simple to determine which Terminal you need to be in. If you are flying with Delta Airlines, you need to be at the South Terminal. If you are flying with any other domestic airline you need to be at the North Terminal. The reason Delta dominates the southern half of the Domestic Terminal complex is that Atlanta is home to Delta’s largest hub and its corporate headquarters. Around 72% of the passenger flights arriving or departing ATL are Delta flights.
Security Checkpoints
After checking in with your airline and dropping off any checked baggage, the next task for flyers to complete is going through TSA Security. There are 3 TSA Security checkpoints in the domestic terminal - Main Security, North Security, and South Security. The largest one is Main Security, which is located in between the North Terminal and the South Terminal. The Main Security Checkpoint offers only standard security screening. The North Security Checkpoint is located adjacent to the North Terminal. It handles Standard Screening, Priority Screening, and CLEAR Standard. The South Security Checkpoint is adjacent to the South Terminal and handles only screening for travelers with TSA PreCheck.
Baggage Claim
Domestic travelers returning to ATL can find their checked luggage in one of two baggage claim areas. The South Security Baggage Claim contains baggage carousels for returning Delta flights. The North Security Baggage Claim handles the returning baggage for all of the other non-Delta domestic flights. Additionally, just outside each bag claim area are ATL’s parking decks. The South Baggage Claim is connected to the South Parking Deck while the North Baggage Claim is connected to the North Parking Deck.
ATL Interactive Domestic Terminal Map
Map List for ATL Airport
Select one of the listed terminals/concourses below to view a zoomable map, where you can search for all of Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Airport's restaurants, shopping, cafe's, bars, and lounges.