Atlanta Airport Map: A Sprawling Hub's Geography

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the world's busiest airports, with tens of millions of passengers travelling through its terminals every year. The airport is located 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Atlanta, Georgia, and covers 4,700 acres (7.3 sq mi; 19 km2) of land. It has five parallel runways and three terminals with 192 gates, offering flights to 150 domestic and 75 international destinations. With such a large expanse of land and a high volume of passenger traffic, Atlanta Airport can be an overwhelming experience for travellers. This article will provide an overview of the airport's layout, including its terminals, concourses, and ground transportation options, to help travellers navigate this busy aviation hub.

The airport's location and transport links

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is located 10 miles (16 km) south of the Downtown Atlanta district, in the U.S. state of Georgia. The airport covers 4,700 acres (7.3 sq mi; 19 km2) of land and has five parallel runways. The airport is mostly in unincorporated areas of Clayton County but also spans Atlanta, College Park, and Hapeville, in Fulton County. The airport is close to Interstates 20, 75, 85 and 285, and its address is 6000 North Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia.

The airport has two terminals and seven concourses, with a total of 192 gates. The Domestic Terminal is on the west side, with entrances on both sides, known as Domestic Terminal North and Domestic Terminal South. The Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal is on the east side. The terminals and concourses are connected by the Transportation Mall, an underground pedestrian tunnel with moving walkways, and The Plane Train, an automated people mover operating 24/7. The SkyTrain connects the Domestic Terminal to the Rental Car Center, the West Parking Deck, and various hotels and venues. The ATL SkyTrain provides complimentary transportation for more than 5 million guests annually.

The airport shuttle service allows passengers to transfer between the public areas of the terminals without going through security, although some passengers have reported long wait times. The Plane Train and the SkyTrain are also available for transfers between the terminals and concourses post-security.

In terms of ground transportation, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) operates Atlanta's local public transportation system, with the airport's domestic terminal served by the Red and Gold rail lines. Hotel shuttle services are available, and more than 200 companies provide limousine services to and from the airport. Uber and Lyft are the only authorised rideshare companies allowed to pick up from the airport.

Terminal maps and layout

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is located 10 miles (16 km) south of the Downtown Atlanta district. The airport covers 4,700 acres (7.3 sq mi; 19 km2) of land and has five parallel runways. The airport's domestic terminal is served by MARTA's Red and Gold rail lines. The international terminal has its own entrance, separate from the domestic terminal, and is accessible from Interstate 75 at Exit 239.

Roadway signage directs motorists to the international terminal via Interstates 75, 85, and 285. Surface street signs have also been updated to direct motorists to the facility. The address for the international terminal is 2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd. Atlanta, GA 30354. To get to the domestic terminal from I-75/85 South, take Exit 239 and continue following the signs to Domestic. If you're coming from I-20 East or West, take I-285 South and follow the signs to Domestic. For those taking I-75 North, take I-285 West and follow the signs accordingly.

The airport offers a free shuttle service from the international terminal, with shuttles departing from the curb outside the international terminal and dropping off passengers at the west end of the domestic terminal. Passengers can also take the Plane Train from the international terminal to the domestic terminal.

Due to construction, security screening and parking availability at both the international and domestic terminals may be impacted. It is recommended to arrive three hours early for domestic and international flights to navigate the airport comfortably.

Runway and flight capacity

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport covers 4,700 acres (7.3 sq mi; 19 km2) of land and has five parallel runways aligned in an east–west direction. Three runways are 9,000 feet (2,743 m) long, one runway is 10,000 feet (3,048 m) long, and the longest runway measures 12,390 feet (3,776 m) and can handle the Airbus A380. The airport is one of only a few in the world that can perform triple simultaneous landings, thanks to its fifth runway, which increased the capacity for landings and take-offs by 40%, from an average of 184 flights per hour to 237 flights per hour.

The airport has been the world's busiest by passenger traffic since 1998, except in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, it served over 104.6 million passengers, and in 2015, it became the first airport in the world to serve 100 million passengers in a year. It is also the busiest airport in the world by aircraft movements. With just over 1,000 flights a day to 225 domestic and international destinations. The airport is the corporate headquarters and primary hub of Delta Air Lines, which has been using the airport since 1930. It is also an operating base for Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.

The airport has international service within North America and to Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia. In 2014, Virgin Atlantic began offering direct flights to London, and in 2016, Turkish Airlines started direct flights to Istanbul. In 2019, WestJet initiated direct flights to Calgary, and in 2023, the airline started non-stop service to Vancouver and Winnipeg. In 2024, WestJet began non-stop service to Edmonton, and Copa Airlines became the first Latin American carrier to serve the airport with direct flights to Panama City.

History and development

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the primary international airport serving Atlanta and its metropolitan area. It is located 10 miles (16 km) south of the Downtown Atlanta district and is accessible from Interstates 20, 75, 85, and 285. The airport covers 4,700 acres (7.3 sq mi or 19 km2) of land and has five parallel runways aligned in an east-west direction.

The history of the airport began with a two-mile racetrack funded by Asa Candler, the founder of the Coca-Cola Company and Atlanta's mayor from 1917 to 1919, in Hapeville. In 1925, Mayor Walter A. Sims signed a five-year lease on the abandoned auto racetrack, committing the city to transforming it into an airfield. The 287-acre tract was renamed Candler Field after its former owner's family. The infield of the old racetrack had been used as a landing site for many years prior to 1925.

In 1926, the inaugural airmail plane from Miami landed at Candler Field, marking the beginning of regular airmail service. William Berry Hartsfield, an Atlanta alderman and later mayor, played a crucial role in the airport's development. He chaired the city council's Municipal Airplane Landing Field Committee and secured funds to establish Candler Field as an airmail route stop. Hartsfield was instrumental in turning the airfield into a 24-hour operation with beacon lights for nighttime flights and securing Atlanta as a key point on various airmail routes.

In 1928, the city bought Candler Field from the Candler family, and in 1936, Hartsfield became Atlanta's mayor. During his six terms in office, he consistently supported the airport's expansion, and it grew exponentially. Candler Field became a vital hub for Eastern Air Lines, and in 1941, Delta relocated its headquarters to Atlanta. The airport was renamed Atlanta Municipal Airport in 1942.

In the following decades, the airport continued to expand and improve its facilities. In 1984, a fourth parallel runway was completed, and another runway was extended in 1985. The airport station, connecting the airport to Atlanta's rapid transit system, opened in 1988. In 1994, Concourse E, the largest single international facility in the nation, was opened. In 1999, the airport's leadership established the "Focus On the Future" development program to handle a projected demand of 121 million passengers in 2015.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has consistently ranked as one of the busiest airports globally, accommodating over 73.5 million travelers in 1998 and more than 78 million passengers in 1999. It has retained the title of the world's busiest airport for 18 consecutive years as of 2015. The airport's efficient operational model, extensive connectivity, and comprehensive amenities have solidified Atlanta's position as a global gateway.

Passenger facilities and services

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the primary airport serving Atlanta and its surrounding metropolitan area in the US state of Georgia. It is one of the world's busiest airports, serving 100 million passengers in 2015 and topping the Airports Council International rankings in 2022 and 2023. The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways, with the longest runway measuring 12,390 feet long.

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport provides various services and facilities to ensure a comfortable and seamless journey for its passengers. Here are some of the key passenger facilities and services offered:

• Transportation Services: The airport offers a range of transportation options, including the ATL SkyTrain, public buses, taxis, and ridesharing services. The SkyTrain connects the terminals to the Rental Car Center, Georgia International Convention Center, hotels, and office buildings.
• Parking: The airport provides a variety of parking options for both domestic and international terminals, including hourly, daily, economy, and park-ride lots. It also has designated parking spaces for disabled passengers and a cellphone lot for brief stays while waiting for arriving travellers.
• Accessibility Services: ATL is committed to providing a seamless travel experience for passengers with disabilities or special needs. The airport is free of architectural barriers, with wheelchair-accessible restrooms, visual paging for the deaf and hard of hearing, and TDD telephones for passengers with hearing disabilities. Wheelchair service is also available from curbside drop-off to the gates.
• Dining and Shopping: Passengers can enjoy a great range of dining and shopping options throughout the airport.
• Charging Stations: ATL offers numerous charging stations for electronic devices, including 275 electric vehicle charging stations accessible from various parking locations.
• Medical Services: The airport provides reliable medical services, including a medical clinic located on the main terminal's upper level and approximately 200 Automated External Defibrillator (AED) units distributed across the terminals, concourses, and outdoor locations.
• Nursing Pods: Nursing mothers have access to private and secure Mamava pods, located within the airport.
• Prayer Rooms: The airport offers serene and peaceful prayer rooms that are accessible 24 hours a day, contributing to the overall calm atmosphere.
• Other Amenities: ATL also provides a Lost & Found office, free Wi-Fi, ATMs, currency exchange booths, airline lounges, and pet relief areas.

Frequently asked questions