With Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) being the world’s busiest airport in terms of passenger numbers, understanding how and when to check in will make your trip less time-consuming and stressful. No matter whether you’re taking a domestic flight from the Domestic Terminal or a trip abroad from the International Terminal (F/Concourse E area), this guide covers all of the ways to check in at ATL, their timing restrictions, location, and useful tips about it.
Over 2,700 flights and more than 275,000 passengers use Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) daily, and they do so by using one of the 7 terminals (T, A, B, C, D, E, and F) and their ATL SkyTrain and underground Plane Train. The huge scale of ATL makes it especially important to choose the proper way of check-in, as well as know its location.
Methods of Boarding ATLS
Below are the common methods through which you can board your flight:
1. Online Check-In
Major airlines that fly from ATL Airport (Delta, one of the main hub carriers in ATL, American, United, Southwest Airlines, and international carriers) allow their passengers to check in online starting 24 hours before departure. You can do that either on their website or mobile app, pick up your seat, choose additional options such as baggage, and print a mobile boarding pass. It is the most convenient method and allows you to completely avoid check-in lines when traveling without any baggage.
2. Mobile Application Check-In
Using an application of the respective airline (Fly Delta, American Airlines, United, Southwest), you can check in for your flight, get updates regarding your gate location, and even save your digital boarding pass in your mobile wallet. On top of that, ATL airport applications provide live wait times for security checks.
3. Airport Kiosk Check-In
The self-service kiosks are available in the check-in lobbies of both the Domestic Terminal (North & South) of all the major airlines. The kiosks help in checking in, printing boarding passes, and printing bag tags. This is a nice midway alternative when you want to bypass standing in a line but do not wish to use the app.
4. Counter Check-In
Traditional counter check-in service desks are available in the North & South check-in lobby of the Domestic Terminal depending on the airline. Counter check-in service is essential for passengers who have to check in luggage without pre-checking baggage via the app or the kiosk service, or those who carry some special items like firearms, oversized baggage, or pets in cargo, and international passengers who require document verification.
5. Curbside Check-In
Several airlines provide the curbside check-in service, and the main among them is Delta Airlines at ATL Airport terminals. Skycaps will be able to check your bags and give you a boarding pass at the very entrance of the terminal for a nominal charge along with gratuity.
Where to Check In: Terminal Layout at ATL
Whether you will be boarding your aircraft domestically or internationally determines where you should check in:
- Domestically: You have two options – you can either check in at the North Terminal of the Domestic Terminal, or you may use the South Terminal of the Domestic Terminal.
- Internationally: Your international check-in is also performed in the Domestic Terminal ticketing area, but from there you will move onto Concourse E/F after passing through passport control.
- Real-time information about the counter numbers by airline and flight is shown on digital wayfinding screens in the terminal.
Recommended Check-In Time at ATL
Due to the airport’s size and high volume of passengers, it is always advisable to have buffer time when planning your arrival at the airport. Below are the recommended times that one should arrive at the airport depending on their flight type.
| Flight Type | Recommended Arrival before Departure |
|---|---|
| Domestic Flights | 2 Hours |
| International Flights | 3 Hours |
| Holidays/Peak Travel Season | 3+ Hours for domestic, 3.5 to 4 Hours for International |
Bag check counters close 45 minutes before domestic departures and one hour before international departures. The gates close 15 minutes before departure and do not open up again after closing.
Tips for a Smooth Check-In at ATL
Here are some tips for making your check-in process easy and stress-free:
- Make sure you always check in online 24 hours before your trip whenever that is feasible.
- Use the ATL SkyTrain or Plane Train judiciously since concourses are quite distant from each other and it might take about 15-20 minutes to commute between them.
- Have your ID and travel documents ready before going to the check-in counter since international flights involve verifying your passport and visa during check-in.
- Download the app of your airline to get up-to-date gate and security wait times for ATL.
- Weigh your checked luggage at home before coming to the check-in counter to avoid any hassle due to weight restrictions.
Unique Check-In Circumstances
Here are some situations where unique procedures apply:
- TSA PreCheck & Clear Passengers: These members have access to specialized lanes at the main security checkpoints at ATL, which helps reduce waiting times but not the regular check-in process.
- Unaccompanied children: They must be checked in person using a counter, while kiosk and web check-in are not allowed.
- Group check-in: Groups tend to go faster through counters rather than kiosks due to multiple seat assignments.
- Connection flights at ATL: If you’re only going through ATL, there is no need to check in again, unless your journey involves two different tickets or terminals.
FAQ
Check-in through the online platform usually becomes available 24 hours before the flight. Check-in at airport counters and kiosks may be available 3-4 hours before the initial flight of the day.
Arrive at least 2 hours before departure for a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. For holidays or peak periods, give yourself an additional hour owing to the high number of passengers at ATL.
The check-in counters for both international and domestic flights are situated in the ticketing lobby in the Domestic Terminal – North or South Terminal, based on your airline.
Most airlines provide an option to check in online 24 hours prior to your international flight. You can still be required to go to a check-in counter to get your documents verified before boarding, depending on the requirements of the destination country.
If you miss your bag-check time (45 min. domestic & 60 min. international) or the gate closing time (15 min. before departure), then you might get rescheduled to a later flight along with a charge, depending on the airline’s policy.