Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport: Definitive Terminal Transfer, Plane Train, and Connection Guide

Quick Summary

• Primary Update: Connecting across Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) relies on the underground Plane Train automated people mover (APM), which runs 24/7 inside the secure airside zone between the Domestic Terminal and Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, and F every 108 to 120 seconds.
• Transit Impact: The United States does not maintain sterile international-to-international transit corridors. Arriving international travelers must possess valid US entry documentation, clear US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) passport control, retrieve all checked baggage, clear customs, and hand luggage to airline re-check transfer belts before re-clearing Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security.
• Traveler Advice: Allow a minimum connection window of 40 to 50 minutes for domestic-to-domestic transfers on a single ticket, 75 to 90 minutes for domestic-to-international departures, and 90 to 120 minutes for international-to-domestic arrivals. For self-transfers booked on separate tickets or transfers between international arrivals and domestic landside ground transport (MARTA rail), reserve at least 180 minutes.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (IATA: ATL, ICAO: KATL) ranks as the world's busiest aviation hub by annual passenger volume, handling more than 104 million travelers each year. Anchored by the primary global hub of Delta Air Lines and served by major international carriers across SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and oneworld, the airport processes thousands of flight banks daily.

Despite its vast physical footprint covering 4,700 acres, Atlanta is organized on a disciplined linear spine. Seven parallel concourses—T, A, B, C, D, E, and F—are arranged west to east between two landside terminal complexes: the Domestic Terminal on the west and the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal on the east.

Navigating flight connections at ATL requires understanding the critical distinction between airside transfers (via the subterranean Plane Train and pedestrian Transportation Mall) and landside terminal transits (via the roadway Terminal Connector shuttle bus). This operational guide details concourse assignments, automated train systems, walking alternatives, CBP border clearance procedures, baggage re-check protocols, and minimum connection times.

1. Airport Layout and Concourse Architecture

The airport campus features two distinct landside terminal complexes separated by the runway network, with seven parallel island concourses situated between them:

[Domestic Terminal] --- [Concourse T] --- [Concourse A] --- [Concourse B] --- [Concourse C] --- [Concourse D] --- [Concourse E] --- [Concourse F / Int'l Terminal]
  (West Entrance)          (Airside)         (Airside)         (Airside)         (Airside)         (Airside)         (Airside)           (East Entrance)
        |                      |                 |                 |                 |                 |                 |                      |
        +======================+=================+=================+=================+=================+=================+======================+
                                  UNDERGROUND PLANE TRAIN & PEDESTRIAN TRANSPORTATION MALL (SECURE AIRSIDE)

The Two Landside Terminals

1. Domestic Terminal (West Campus):

   • Terminal South: Dedicated check-in, ticketing, automated bag-drop kiosks, and baggage claim carousels for Delta Air Lines domestic flights.
   • Terminal North: Check-in, ticketing, and baggage claim carousels for all non-Delta domestic and cross-border carriers, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and JetBlue.
   • Ground Transportation: Directly houses the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Airport Station, regional hotel shuttles, rental car SkyTrain access, and shared-ride pickup zones.

2. Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (East Campus / Concourse F):

   • Houses check-in desks, international ticketing, and international baggage claim for Delta Air Lines international departures and foreign flag carriers, including Air France, KLM, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Copa Airlines.
   • Provides direct passenger vehicle access from Interstate 75 (Exit 239) and dedicated international hourly and park-ride parking garages.
   • Crucial Caveat: MARTA heavy rail does not stop at the International Terminal. Passengers terminating in Atlanta who require the MARTA train must take the free landside shuttle bus to the Domestic Terminal.

Concourse Profiles and Airline Allocations

2. Airside Inter-Concourse Transit: The Plane Train vs. Walking

Once passengers clear TSA security screening or disembark from a domestic flight, all seven concourses are connected airside. Travelers do not need to exit the secure zone or re-clear security to travel between any concourse from T through F.

[Domestic Baggage] < 90s > [Concourse T] < 90s > [Concourse A] < 90s > [Concourse B] < 90s >

< 90s > [Concourse C] < 90s > [Concourse D] < 90s > [Concourse E] < 90s > [Concourse F]

* Plane Train Run Time: 108–120s between stations | Total End-to-End Travel Time: ~10 minutes
* Pedestrian Walkway: 400m per segment with moving walkways | Full Walk Time: 30–35 minutes

The Plane Train (Automated People Mover)

The Plane Train is an automated underground train operating on dual tracks in a dedicated tunnel beneath the concourses. It operates continuously 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

• Frequency: Trains depart every 108 to 120 seconds throughout the day and evening, and every 3 to 4 minutes during late-night hours.
• Speed and Transit Times: The train travels at speeds up to 26 mph (42 km/h). Transit time between any two adjacent concourses is approximately 90 seconds. Traveling the entire length of the tunnel from the Domestic Terminal / Concourse T station to Concourse F takes 10 to 11 minutes including station stops.
• Boarding Protocol: Each concourse features a single underground Plane Train station located at the exact midpoint of the concourse building. Clear overhead directional signs marked "The Plane Train" point to central escalators, moving walkways, and elevators descending to the track level.
• Platform Navigation: Station platforms feature automated safety doors and distinct directional boarding tracks:
  • Westbound Platform: Trains heading toward Concourses E, D, C, B, A, T, and Domestic Baggage Claim.
  • Eastbound Platform: Trains heading toward Concourses A, B, C, D, E, and Concourse F (International Terminal).
  • Clear multi-lingual automated audio chimes and voice announcements state: "Next stop is Concourse B, B as in Bravo. The doors will open on the left side."

The Pedestrian Transportation Mall (Walking Alternative)

Running directly above or adjacent to the Plane Train tracks is the underground Pedestrian Transportation Mall. It extends uninterrupted from the Domestic Terminal all the way through Concourse F.

• Infrastructure: The walkway is fully air-conditioned and fitted with moving sidewalks (travelators) along every segment.
• When to Walk: If your connecting flight departs from the immediately adjacent concourse (e.g., arriving at Gate A18 and departing from Gate B12), walking through the Transportation Mall is often faster than descending to the train platform, waiting for a train, boarding, and ascending two flights of escalators.
• Segment Distances and Walking Times:
  • Domestic Terminal to Concourse T: 150 meters / 2 minutes walk.
  • Concourse T to Concourse A: 400 meters / 4 to 5 minutes walk.
  • Concourse A to Concourse B: 400 meters / 4 to 5 minutes walk.
  • Concourse B to Concourse C: 400 meters / 4 to 5 minutes walk.
  • Concourse C to Concourse D: 400 meters / 4 to 5 minutes walk.
  • Concourse D to Concourse E: 450 meters / 5 to 6 minutes walk. This corridor houses the interactive "A Walk Through Time in Georgia" historical exhibition and simulated evergreen rainforest soundscapes.
  • Concourse E to Concourse F: 450 meters / 5 to 6 minutes walk. This link features a prominent permanent exhibition of contemporary stone sculptures hand-carved in Zimbabwe.
  • Total End-to-End Walk: Approximately 2,250 meters (1.4 miles); requires 30 to 35 minutes at a steady pace using moving walkways.

Inter-Concourse Transit Times Matrix

3. Landside Terminal Transfers: The Terminal Connector Shuttle

Because the Domestic Terminal (West) and the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (East) sit at opposite ends of the airfield separated by active runways, there is no public pedestrian walking route between the two facilities outside of the secure airside zone.

If you are on the landside (unscreened public area) and must travel between the Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal, you must take the free landside Terminal Connector Shuttle.

Who Must Use the Landside Terminal Connector?

1. Terminating International Passengers Needing Public Transit: Passengers arriving from abroad at Concourse E or F who finish their air travel in Atlanta and wish to ride the MARTA rail train into Downtown or Midtown Atlanta. Since international baggage claim empties landside at Terminal F and MARTA is situated exclusively at the Domestic Terminal, these passengers must take the shuttle bus to reach the train.
2. Passengers Parked on the Opposite Campus: Travelers who parked their personal vehicle in the Domestic North/South parking lots but whose return flight arrived internationally at Terminal F (or vice versa).
3. Self-Transferring Passengers with Separate Tickets: Passengers arriving on an international flight who must collect their checked baggage at Terminal F, transfer to a separate domestic itinerary booked on an ultra-low-cost carrier (such as Spirit or Frontier at Domestic Terminal North), and drop luggage at the domestic check-in lobby.
4. Incorrect Drop-Offs: Departures passengers dropped off by taxi or family at the Domestic Terminal who are flying an international airline that does not maintain check-in desks at the Domestic Terminal (such as British Airways, Qatar Airways, or Lufthansa).

Pickup and Drop-off Locations

• Domestic Terminal Pickup: Located outside the building at the Ground Transportation Center, positioned directly between Domestic Terminal North and Domestic Terminal South, adjacent to the MARTA station entrance. Follow blue overhead signs for "International Terminal Shuttle."
• International Terminal Pickup: Located on the Arrivals Level (Level 1) curb, outside Door A1. Follow signs marked "Domestic Terminal Shuttle / Ground Transportation."

4. Connection Scenarios and Step-by-Step Blueprints

Transfer logistics at Atlanta vary dramatically depending on whether your routing is purely domestic, domestic-to-international, or international-to-domestic.

Scenario A: Domestic to Domestic Transfer (Single Ticket)

Example: Arriving from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) on Delta, connecting to Orlando (MCO) on Delta.

[Arrive at Inbound Gate]
       │
       ▼
[Check Overhead Flight Information Displays (FIDS)]
       │
       ▼
[Walk to Center of Concourse]
       │
       ▼
[Descend to Plane Train Station OR Take Pedestrian Mall]
       │
       ▼
[Ride Plane Train to Outbound Concourse (T, A, B, C, D, E, or F)]
       │
       ▼
[Ascend Escalators to Gate Level & Proceed to Departure Gate]

1. Deplane into the Airside Concourse: You arrive directly into the secure gate area. You do not collect checked luggage; your bags are transferred automatically between aircraft by the airline ground handlers.
2. Verify Outbound Gate: Do not rely solely on the gate printed on your original boarding pass. Concourse and gate assignments at ATL change frequently due to ramp congestion. Verify your outbound flight number on the large overhead digital screens situated at the center of every concourse.
3. Move to Outbound Concourse:
   • If your departure gate is in the same concourse, walk directly along the gate corridor.
   • If your gate is in an adjacent concourse, walk via the moving walkways in the underground Transportation Mall.
   • If your gate is two or more concourses away, take the central escalators down to the Plane Train platform. Board the next arriving train in the direction of your departure concourse.
4. Ascend to Gate Level: Exit the train at your target concourse, take the central escalators up to the concourse floor, and proceed to your departure gate. No security screening is required.

Scenario B: Domestic to International Departure (Single Ticket)

Example: Arriving from Nashville (BNA) on Delta, connecting to London Heathrow (LHR) on Virgin Atlantic or Delta.

[Arrive at Inbound Domestic Gate]
       │
       ▼
[Checked Bags Transferred Automatically to International Flight]
       │
       ▼
[Descend to Plane Train -> Ride Eastbound to Concourse E or F]
       │
       ▼
[Ascend to Gate Level in Concourse E or F]
       │
       ▼
[Document Verification at Gate & Biometric Boarding]

1. Remain Airside: Your checked baggage is checked through to your final international destination at your domestic origin city. You do not claim luggage at Atlanta.
2. Navigate to Concourse E or F: Almost all long-haul international departures depart from gates in Concourse E or Concourse F. Walk to the center of your arrival concourse and take the Plane Train eastbound toward Concourse F.
3. No Exit Passport Control: The United States does not maintain sterile government exit immigration booths. You will not pass an exit passport control desk. Instead, airlines enforce Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) document verification at the departure gate.
4. Gate Document Check: Present your passport to the gate agent before boarding commences to verify entry visas or transit requirements for your destination country. At boarding, Atlanta employs facial biometric boarding cameras across international gates.

Scenario C: International to Domestic Connection (Mandatory CBP Clearance)

Example: Arriving from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) on Air France, connecting to Miami (MIA) on Delta.

[Arrive at Concourse E or Concourse F Gate]
       │
       ▼
[Follow Signs to CBP Federal Inspection Services (FIS)]
       │
       ▼
[Pass US Passport Control / Global Entry / Mobile Passport Control]
       │
       ▼
[Claim ALL Checked Baggage from Customs Carousels]
       │
       ▼
[Pass US Customs Exit & Hand Bags to Airline Re-Check Belts]
       │
       ▼
[Clear TSA Connecting Passenger Security Checkpoint]
       │
       ▼
[Take Plane Train from Concourse E or F to Domestic Connecting Gate]

1. Follow Sterile FIS Corridors: Upon exiting the aircraft at Concourse E or F, all passengers are funneled through enclosed, one-way elevated corridors directly into the CBP Federal Inspection Services facility.
2. Primary Passport Control:
   • Select the appropriate queue: US Citizens/Lawful Permanent Residents, Global Entry kiosks, Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app lane, or Non-US Visitors/Visas.
   • Present your passport, visa, or ESTA clearance. Biometric fingerprints and photographs will be captured.
3. Baggage Retrieval (Mandatory for All Passengers):
   • Regardless of whether your baggage tag indicates your final destination airport (e.g., MIA), US federal law mandates that every international passenger claim all checked baggage before clearing customs at their first port of entry into the United States.
   • Retrieve your suitcases from the baggage carousels inside the customs hall.
4. Clear Customs Inspection: Walk past the CBP agricultural and customs inspection exit. If you have declareable biological, food, or monetary items, proceed to secondary inspection.
5. Drop Bags at Airline Re-Check Counters: Immediately after passing the customs exit doors, look for the dedicated airline baggage re-check counters (Delta Air Lines and interline partner desks). Hand your tagged luggage directly to the baggage agents. You do not need to pay additional fees if your bags were through-tagged at origin.
6. Pass TSA Connecting Passenger Security Checkpoint: Proceed directly to the dedicated TSA security screening area located adjacent to the baggage re-check desks.
   • All standard TSA screening rules apply: liquids over 100 ml (3.4 oz) purchased prior to travel must remain in your checked luggage, electronics must be screened, and shoes/jackets removed unless you possess TSA PreCheck.
   • Duty-Free Exception: Duty-free liquids over 100 ml purchased abroad are permitted through security only if sealed in tamper-evident secure bags (STEBs) with an authentic receipt visible from within the preceding 48 hours.
7. Re-enter Secure Airside Zone: After clearing TSA screening, you emerge on the airside concourse level at Concourse E or F. Descend to the Plane Train station and ride westbound to the concourse hosting your domestic onward flight.

Scenario D: Self-Transfer / Separate Tickets

Example: Arriving from Frankfurt on Lufthansa (Concourse F), connecting on a separately booked Frontier Airlines ticket to Denver (Domestic Terminal North).

1. Clear CBP and Retrieve Bags: Clear immigration and customs at Concourse F as described in Scenario C.
2. Do NOT Use Airline Re-Check Belts: Because your tickets were booked separately, your bags are not through-tagged. You cannot hand your bags to the transit re-check belt.
3. Exit to Public Landside Arrivals: Follow signs for "Ground Transportation / Exit to Atlanta" and exit into the public arrivals lobby of Terminal F.
4. Board Terminal Connector Shuttle: Walk outside to the Arrivals curb (Door A1) and board the free landside Terminal Connector shuttle bus. Ride the bus 15 to 20 minutes to the Domestic Terminal Ground Transportation Center.
5. Re-Check In at Domestic Terminal: Walk into Domestic Terminal North, locate the Frontier Airlines check-in lobby, print boarding passes, pay any baggage fees, and deposit your suitcases at the bag drop desk before the airline's strict check-in cutoff window (typically 45 to 60 minutes prior to departure).
6. Clear TSA Main Security: Enter the Domestic Terminal security queue (Main or North Checkpoint), clear TSA screening, and ride the Plane Train eastbound to your domestic departure gate.
7. Time Budget Required: An absolute minimum of 3.5 to 4 hours (210 to 240 minutes) is required for self-transfers at ATL.

5. Minimum Connection Times (MCT) and Buffer Windows

Airlines publish Minimum Connection Times (MCT) representing the tightest allowable connection window for which they will issue a single valid ticket. However, realistic connection buffers must account for arrival delays, taxiing times on ATL's lengthy dual runways, and peak-hour TSA wait times.

Connection Routing                     | Official Airline MCT | Recommended Safe Traveler Window

Domestic to Domestic (Delta to Delta)  | 40–50 minutes        | 60–75 minutes
Domestic to Domestic (Interline)       | 60 minutes           | 90 minutes
Domestic to International              | 50–60 minutes        | 90–120 minutes
International to Domestic (With CBP)   | 90 minutes           | 120–150 minutes
International to International (No TWOV)| 90 minutes          | 120–150 minutes
Self-Transfer (Separate Tickets)       | Not Applicable       | 210–240 minutes (3.5–4 hours)

Factors That Erode Connection Buffers at Atlanta

• Runway Taxi Times: Atlanta operates five parallel runways (8L/26R, 8R/26L, 9L/27R, 9R/27L, and 10/28). Landing on Runway 10/28 (the southernmost runway across Interstate 285) requires a 15 to 20-minute taxi back across active runways and taxi bridges to reach Concourses T or A.
• Afternoon CBP Peak Banks: International widebody arrivals peak between 14:00 and 18:00 daily. Queue times for standard non-US visitor passport lines in Terminal F can exceed 45 to 60 minutes during these banks unless using Mobile Passport Control or Global Entry.
• TSA Transit Security Queues: During mid-afternoon arrival waves, the connecting TSA checkpoint immediately following baggage re-check at Concourse F experiences significant surges.

6. US Transit Visa and Regulatory Entry Mandates

Unlike major European or Middle Eastern transit hubs such as London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Doha Hamad, or Singapore Changi, the United States does not offer sterile international transit.

Every traveler touching US soil on an international inbound flight must legally enter the United States.

Passenger Category                     | Mandatory Documentation Required for ATL Transit

US Citizens & Permanent Residents     | Valid US Passport or Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Citizens     | Approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)
Foreign Visitors (Standard)           | Valid US B1/B2 Visitor Visa OR Valid US C-1 Transit Visa
Canadian Citizens                      | Valid Canadian Passport (Visa-exempt)
Indian Passport Holders                | Valid US Visa (B1/B2, C-1, H-1B, F-1, L-1); NO TWOV

Direct Airside Transit (TWOV) Status

The United States suspended its Transit Without Visa (TWOV) and International-to-International (ITI) programs decades ago. Even if you are flying from Toronto to Buenos Aires via Atlanta on a single Delta ticket and never intend to leave Concourse F:

• You must possess an approved ESTA (if eligible by citizenship) or a valid US visa (such as a B1/B2 visitor visa or C-1 transit visa).
• Indian passport holders, Chinese passport holders, and citizens of all other non-VWP countries cannot transit through Atlanta without a valid US physical visa stamped into their passport.
• Boarding will be denied at your foreign departure point if you lack US entry authorization, regardless of onward international ticketing.

7. Traveler Logistics Guide

Ground Transportation to Atlanta City Center

If your connection involves an overnight layover or an extended delay exceeding six hours, you can reach central Atlanta via public heavy rail without hiring private cars:

• MARTA Train Station: Situated inside the Domestic Terminal building at the western end, between North and South baggage claims.
• Lines: Both the Red Line and Gold Line depart directly from the airport station. Both lines run directly through Downtown Atlanta (Five Points, Peachtree Center) and Midtown Atlanta (Arts Center, Midtown).
• Fares: A single one-way trip costs $2.50. You must purchase a reloadable Breeze Card ($2.00) or disposable Breeze Ticket ($1.00) at automated station vending machines before entering the fare gates. Contactless bank cards and Apple Pay/Google Pay are supported at modern fare gates.
• Operating Schedule: Trains depart every 10 to 12 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends from approximately 04:45 until 01:15 nightly. Travel time to Downtown (Five Points) is 17 minutes; to Midtown it is 22 minutes.
• Reaching MARTA from International Terminal F: Take the free landside Terminal Connector shuttle bus outside Door A1 on the Arrivals Level to the Domestic Terminal Ground Transportation Center (15 to 20 minutes travel time).

Expedited Security: TSA PreCheck and CLEAR

• TSA PreCheck: Dedicated PreCheck lanes are operational at the Domestic Terminal South Checkpoint, the Domestic Main Checkpoint, and the International Terminal (Concourse F) Checkpoint. Connecting security checkpoints past CBP also offer expedited PreCheck screening.
• CLEAR Plus: Biometric CLEAR pods are deployed alongside TSA PreCheck lanes at Domestic Terminal South and Concourse F.
• Mobile Passport Control (MPC): International arriving US citizens, permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 visitors, and returning ESTA travelers can use the free CBP Mobile Passport Control smartphone app at Concourse E and F to bypass standard primary inspection lines.

Quiet Lounges, Day Rooms, and Showers

• Minute Suites (Daybed Private Suites): Private soundproof rooms with daybeds, work desks, and television are available inside the secure zone:
  • Concourse B: Near Gate B16.
  • Concourse E: At the central atrium.
  • Showers and nursing stations are available for purchase in 15-minute and 1-hour increments.
• Airline Lounges and Showers:
  • Delta Sky Clubs: Located across all seven concourses (T, A, B, C, D, E, and F). The flagship clubs in Concourse E and Concourse F feature dedicated private shower suites, outdoor Sky Decks, and hot buffet dining.
  • The Club at ATL (Concourse F): A shared-access independent lounge accessible via Priority Pass, LoungeKey, or day-pass purchase, featuring workstations, bar service, and private shower facilities.
• Luggage Storage Restrictions: In accordance with federal TSA security mandates, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport does not provide passenger luggage storage lockers or left-luggage counters inside the terminal campus. Passengers with long layovers must keep luggage in their personal possession or check luggage with their operating airline if check-in windows have opened.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Can I walk between terminals at Atlanta instead of taking the Plane Train?

Yes. Inside the secure airside area, the underground Pedestrian Transportation Mall connects all seven concourses (T through F) with moving sidewalks. Walking between adjacent concourses takes 4 to 5 minutes. Walking the entire 1.4-mile corridor from Concourse T to Concourse F takes 30 to 35 minutes. However, outside security (landside), there is no pedestrian path between the Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal; you must take the free landside Terminal Connector shuttle bus.

Is the Plane Train at Atlanta Airport free?

Yes. The Plane Train is completely free of charge and operates 24/7/365 within the secure airside transit zone. Trains arrive every 108 to 120 seconds. No ticket, token, or boarding pass scan is required to board the train.

Do I have to re-check my bags on an international connection at ATL?

If you are arriving on an international flight and connecting to a domestic flight, yes. Under US federal law, all passengers must claim checked baggage from the CBP customs carousels in Terminal F or Concourse E, clear customs, and drop luggage at the airline re-check belts before proceeding to the TSA connecting security checkpoint. If you are connecting from a domestic flight to an international departure on a single ticket, your bags are transferred automatically and you do not collect them at ATL.

How much time do I need between connecting flights in Atlanta?

For domestic-to-domestic connections on a single ticket, budget a minimum of 45 to 60 minutes. For domestic-to-international departures, budget 75 to 90 minutes. For international-to-domestic connections requiring CBP immigration and baggage re-check, budget at least 120 minutes (2 hours). For self-transfers booked across separate airline tickets, reserve 3.5 to 4 hours.

Does the MARTA train go to the Atlanta International Terminal?

No. The MARTA Airport Station is located exclusively inside the Domestic Terminal at the western edge of the airport. Arriving international passengers who terminate in Atlanta must exit Terminal F, board the free landside Terminal Connector shuttle bus outside Arrivals Door A1, and ride 15 to 20 minutes to the Domestic Terminal to access the train station.

Can an Indian passport holder transit through Atlanta without a US visa?

No. The United States does not maintain sterile transit or Transit Without Visa (TWOV) programs. All Indian passport holders transiting through Atlanta must hold a valid US visa (such as a B1/B2 visitor visa, C-1 transit visa, or valid work/student visa) prior to boarding their flight to the US. Without a valid US visa, airline check-in staff will deny boarding at your origin airport.