Hartsfield-Jackson Airport: A Sprawling Aviation Hub

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a behemoth. Covering 4,700 acres, it is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving more than 110 million passengers in 2019. The airport is a hub of activity, with 200-plus concession outlets, including food and beverage, retail, and service options. The complex includes the Domestic and International terminals and Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, and F, with a total of 192 gates. The airport also boasts an impressive ground transportation system, with ample parking, taxi, and shuttle services, making it a vital transport hub for the region.

Passenger numbers

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, except for in 2020 when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic were in place.

In 2019, over 110 million passengers travelled through Hartsfield-Jackson. The airport averaged 286,000 passengers a day in 2023, serving over 104.6 million passengers that year—the most of any airport in the world.

The airport has two terminals and seven concourses with a total of 192 gates: 152 domestic and 40 international. The airport's underground The Plane Train connects all concourses with the Domestic and International terminals. On average, the trains carry more than 200,000 passengers per day.

The airport is the corporate headquarters and primary hub of Delta Air Lines, which operates just over 1,000 flights daily to 225 domestic and international destinations. Delta's hub is the world's largest airline hub and is considered the first mega-hub in America. The airport is also an operating base for low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.

Terminal complex size

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport terminal complex covers 156.1 acres (63.2 hectares) or 6.8 million square feet. The complex includes the Domestic and International terminals and Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, and F, with a total of 192 gates. The Domestic Terminal is situated on the west side of the airport, while the International Terminal is on the east side.

The Domestic Terminal is divided into North and South parts and has entrances on both sides. It is where passengers purchase tickets, check in, and claim their baggage. Passengers pass through security in Concourse T, which also houses fifteen gates. The Domestic Terminal has over 12,000 covered parking spaces and is served by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) train service.

The International Terminal, on the other hand, has its own entrance, separate from the Domestic Terminal. It includes check-in, customs, and immigration services for passengers on international flights. The Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal has two parking facilities that provide more than 3,500 spaces within minutes of the terminal. It is also accessible via the MARTA train service.

The terminals and concourses are connected by an underground transportation mall, featuring moving sidewalks and nine four-car trains that operate on a 3-mile loop track. The Plane Trains carry over 200,000 passengers per day, running approximately every two minutes.

Runway length

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has five runways, all aligned in an east-west direction. The inside runways, closest to the terminals, are the longest. One is 12,390 feet (more than two miles) in length, and the other is 10,000 feet long. The remaining three are each 9,000 feet long.

The length of the inside runways is important because it allows aircraft that are fully laden with passengers, cargo, and fuel to accelerate safely to takeoff speed. It also provides enough distance to stop before takeoff if something goes wrong. Additionally, the length of the runways can accommodate the largest passenger aircraft in the world, the Airbus A380.

The addition of a fifth runway in 2006 made Hartsfield-Jackson one of the few airports capable of performing triple simultaneous landings. This increased the capacity for landings and take-offs by 40%, allowing for an average of 237 flights per hour.

Cargo volume

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a major hub for cargo operations, handling a large volume of cargo and mail each year. The airport's cargo facilities cover a significant area and consist of multiple complexes designed to accommodate the efficient movement of goods.

The cargo operations at Hartsfield-Jackson are spread across three main air cargo complexes: the North, Midfield, and South complexes. Together, these complexes provide an extensive 1.8 million square feet (approximately 167,000 square meters) of cargo handling space. This vast area allows for the efficient processing and storage of cargo, ensuring smooth operations at the busy airport.

Each of the three cargo complexes is well-equipped with its own stands, refuelling capabilities, and support systems. Additionally, they offer excellent dockside access to major interstate highways, including Interstates 75, 85, and 285. This strategic location enables quick turnarounds for cargo operators, streamlining their logistics and reducing delays.

The North and South complexes have a total of 28 parking positions dedicated to cargo aircraft, with 19 positions at the North complex and nine at the South complex. This dedicated parking ensures that cargo planes have the necessary infrastructure to support their operations.

Adjacent to the airport is the Atlanta Tradeport, a 260-acre (104-hectare) facility that further enhances the airport's cargo capabilities. The Atlanta Tradeport serves the air cargo community by providing a range of services for shippers, forwarders, and brokers. Its multipurpose foreign trade zone status offers significant advantages, allowing users to manage import duties effectively.

Hartsfield-Jackson's cargo operations are not limited to traditional cargo handling. The airport also boasts an on-site perishables complex, spanning 42,000 square feet (approximately 3,789 square meters). This complex is specifically designed to accommodate perishable goods, such as flowers, pharmaceuticals, seafood, and fresh produce. The facility's ability to handle perishable items expands the range of cargo that can be transported through the airport.

The airport's cargo volume is further enhanced by its status as a U.S. Fish and Wildlife port of entry, one of only 16 airports in the United States with this designation. This allows Hartsfield-Jackson to receive fish and wildlife shipments, catering to a unique segment of the cargo industry.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport's cargo operations are a significant contributor to its overall stature as one of the busiest airports in the world. The efficient management of cargo, combined with the airport's passenger traffic, solidifies its position as a key transportation hub.

Parking spaces

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers a wide range of parking options for both domestic and international travellers. The airport provides more than 30,000 public parking spaces across its Domestic and International Terminals.

Domestic Terminal Parking

The Domestic Terminal offers various parking options for travellers flying within the US.

• Hourly Parking: Ideal for short-term stays and picking up or dropping off passengers. It is located adjacent to the terminal.
• Daily Parking: Suitable for overnight or short trips, providing quick access to the terminal.
• Economy Parking: Affordable long-term parking option with shuttle service to the terminal.
• North and South Domestic Covered Parking: 12,000+ spaces.
• North Economy Parking: 1,500+ spaces.
• Domestic Park Ride Parking: 4,800+ spaces with a three-minute shuttle bus ride to the Domestic curbside drop-off area.
• ATL West Deck Parking: 5,700+ spaces with a two-minute Skytrain ride to the Domestic Terminal.
• Park ATL Select: 1,500+ covered, uncovered, and oversized spaces. A five-minute shuttle bus ride is available to the Domestic curbside drop-off area.
• Gold Reserve Parking: 1,000+ spaces with fast, convenient, and guaranteed parking on the lower level of the International Hourly parking deck.

International Terminal Parking

The International Terminal also offers convenient and comfortable parking options.

• International Hourly Parking: Over 1,000 spaces just steps away from check-in and arrivals.
• International Park-Ride Deck: 2,500+ spaces with a three-minute shuttle bus ride to the International Terminal.
• International Reserve Parking: 200+ spaces with fast, convenient, and guaranteed parking on the lower level of the International Hourly parking deck.

Additional Parking Information

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport also provides:

• Designated parking spaces and EV charging stations for disabled passengers.
• A cellphone lot for customers waiting for traveller arrivals.
• Complimentary shuttle services at the Domestic Park-Ride, International Park Ride deck, and ATL Select locations.
• Automatic ticket dispensers at the entry of Hourly, Daily, Economy, ATL Select, and Park-Ride lots.
• Credit card payment options at the International Hourly, International Park Ride deck, and ATL Select.
• Pay-on-Foot machines in the terminal and parking areas for guests to utilise upon exit.

Frequently asked questions