How to Board the Plane Train at Hartsfield‐Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

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Last Updated: July 23, 2024 References

At Hartsfield Jackson-Atlanta International Airport, Atlanta's world-famous and busiest airport^{[1]
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Ask the Pilot book by Patrick Smith, Kindle Edition (ASIN:B000OIZT0O)}^{[2]
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Research source}, it can be a daunting task to get to the people mover - also called the Plane Train - that takes you to and between each terminal. It allows you to get swiftly between terminals, and allows first-time visitors or tight connectors to get where they need to go rather quickly and allowing many to get to these gates on-time. Although it is easiest from the Main terminal (where the escalator to the Plane Train is directly ahead of the Security Checkpoint as you exit the terminal), it's just as easy between terminals if you follow some directions. This article will explain how you can get to them so you can get to your gate easily.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Between Gates

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1
Disembark from your plane (if you arrived from a previous flight into this airport). Don't go too far.
- Once back inside the airport, you can ask airport workers to help you locate your gate. They will be knowledgable with both where you are, and where you need to be, despite your loss of finding the Plane Train.
2
Look at your gate's terminal letter and number assignment. Dependent on where you flew into, you could be in gates T, A, B, C, D, E (from west to east) or a separate International Terminal (that there only is a walkway to). Your gate will also have a number.
- Some airlines' mobile apps will even tell you which gate you arrived at; however, it's just as easy to look up to tell which terminal building you are in. Step to the side or sit down if needed to figure it out, or ask an airline attendant.
- Places such as near baggage claim in the T-terminal and many airport information desks still have terminal maps, but you can also find terminal maps within the airport's app through Wi-Fi or through your cell connection that are easy to use.
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3
Figure out your next gate ahead of time if you are planning to take a connector flight. Many times before the Plane Train walkway, you can find the current timetable and gates information on the Departure screens. These are updated frequently and may be more up-to-date than your ticket or boarding pass.
- Continue watching for gate changes as you make your way to the plane train, because it's possible the plane might find another gate - in some instances.
- Plan ahead for changes and delays to happen, but don't let yourself linger in any spot for more than a few moments - especially in tight-connections.
4
Walk quickly (but don't run) throughout the terminal. Each terminal's Plane Train is at a point down a walkway midway between the one end of the terminal and the other, and you'll want to walk towards it.
- Use all moving walkways inside the terminal, to speed up your walking, if necessary - but keep moving.
5
Arrive at the walkway between the directions of trains. Dependent on which terminal you're in, the nearby signs will tell you which gates are in the Plane Train direction you are near, while on the other side of the Plane Train, the concourses will be going in the opposite direction. Plane Train signs are posted with a classic "P" above the doors leading you downstairs.
- There is a place next to the escalators (where there will be either a small shop or a major-known restaurant) where some people check their flight data.
- If you need to use an elevator, look for signs sending you to the elevator; you'll be able to cross over around the bend to send you on the right way to your terminal. The signs may be overhead or around the opposite escalator, so look accordingly.
6
Get down using the escalator. Keep to one side if people are trying to walk down faster than you.
- Those with mobility issues, or with lots of carry-on baggage may need to find alternative elevators located near most of the escalators.
7
Walk down towards the double-doors that will take you to the Plane Train.
- Plane Trains come every minute or two, so if it's not right there, there will be one on its way soon. However, the system is open continuously, so don't worry.
8
Board the Plane Train. Walk quickly into the train, but don't run, for safety reasons.
- Hold onto the handrails, and clear the doors as they shut.
Don't push or barge into people with or without your carry-on baggage. Move carefully around people as you make your way to a safe spot.
Plane Train distances last between terminals in under two minutes, though there are spots where this will seem to take longer or take additional time to move between because of other stops. There are no physical seats on these trains. Hang onto the hanger bars as the train moves. Listen to the soothing voice overhead. Her helpful announcements will offer an audible guide to let you know what terminal you are approaching next. Although the train moves forward, it will feel like you are moving sideways from terminal to terminal.
11
Get off at the destination terminal. Don't try to exit the train with a mob of people if people try to barge through or around you. Walk to a place inside the train where there are few to no people making their way in.
- When you get to the terminal, head down the hallways and up the escalators to find your gate.
- Watch out for your fellow riders. Wait for them to get out before you, unless you are holding up the line, or need to step aside to let the others go.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

From the Main Terminal

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If you are in the T terminal, you need not worry about taking the Plane Train, as you'll have arrived in the center court of this Terminal building. For others, you'll need to look up at the boards in the Atrium portion as you enter to see for gate assignments. Although your ticket gives you some of the information, the most up-to-date data is available on these screens or your airline's app.
You'll need to pass through both the main and north/south checkpoints to be able to go any further. If your flight takes off from the T terminal, you don't have to walk too far past the security checkpoint, as your terminal is on either side of the main checkpoint. It's best to walk through either the North or South security checkpoints to get to your gate, and you won't have to travel on the Plane Train at all.
3
Take the escalators or elevators down. Stand aside if people are trying to rush by.
- If you need to use an elevator, look for signs sending you to the elevator. The signs may be overhead or around the opposite escalator, so look accordingly.
4
Walk down towards the double doors that will take you to the Plane Train.
- Plane Trains come every minute or two, so if it's not right there, it will arrive soon.
Walk quickly into the train, but don't run - even if there aren't any people on the train.
Don't push or barge into people; slowly make your way to a safe spot.
There are no physical seats on these trains. Hang onto the hanger bars as the train moves. Although the train moves forward, it will feel like you are moving sideways from terminal to terminal.
8
Get off at the destination terminal. Don't try to exit the train with a mob of people if people try to barge through or around you. Move carefully around people and out of the train.
- When you arrive at your terminal, head down the hallways and up the escalators to find your gate.

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I'll be arriving at Terminal A at 5:03 pm, and my next flight leaves from Terminal F (international) at 5:50 pm. Does the Plane Train go all the way to Terminal F? Do I have enough time?

Carmilly

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I do believe the Plane Train goes to Terminal F. I have used the Plane Train when I park at the completely wrong side of Hartsfield. You should have enough time to get there, unless the Plane Train breaks down or stops for some reason (which doesn't happen very often). Go to atl.com for the maps and such.

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Does the Plane Train at Atlanta Airport have an operator or is it automatic?

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They’re automatic. Once you get on, a voice will come through a speaker directing you to what gate is next, and the screens on the top have a map of the line.

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I will be in a wheelchair on the train. Will this be a problem for me?

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No, you just need to tell security and they will help you get on and off of the train.

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Tips

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the corporate hub of Delta Airlines. It is also Atlanta's maintenance facility. If you didn't see either the "Fly Delta Jets," "Fly Delta Air" or maintenance bays coming into this airport, you will see them going out (if you sit on the same side of the aircraft coming and going from both ways.) Their corporate address is 1030 Delta Blvd, Atlanta, Georgia, which when mapped is just to the north side of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport^{[4]
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At this airport, they call their terminals, concourses though they are on one level^{[5]
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Much like other airports, this airport serves more than just Delta. However, the main company they proudly serve is Delta because Delta's headquarters are centered at this airport, and it will seem like there are Delta terminals everywhere you look.

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Warnings

When you walk the hallways here, the hallways may seem like they are endless. Hang in there!

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Watch your luggage as you make your way through the maze of hallways to get to the Plane Train. It's awfully busy at this airport.

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