Atlanta Airport's Land: A Sprawling Acreage

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport covers 4,700 acres of land and is one of the busiest airports in the world. The airport is located 10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta and was named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson.

The airport's history

The History of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the primary international airport serving Atlanta, Georgia, and its surrounding metropolitan area. The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways. ATL is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson.

The Early Years: 1909-1948

The history of ATL can be traced back to 1909 when the site was a racetrack. In 1925, Mayor Walter A. Sims signed a five-year, rent-free lease on 287 acres of land that was once The Atlanta Speedway. As part of the agreement, the property was renamed Candler Field after its former owner, Coca-Cola tycoon and former Atlanta mayor Asa Candler. The first flight into Candler Field was on September 15, 1926, by a Florida Airways mail plane. In 1928, Pitcairn Aviation (later known as Eastern Airlines) began service to Atlanta, followed by Delta Air Service in 1930.

In 1939, Candler Field's first control tower opened, and by the end of 1930, Atlanta was the third busiest airport in the country for regular daily flights. During World War II, the airport doubled in size and set a record of 1,700 takeoffs and landings in a single day, making it the nation's busiest in terms of flight operations.

The Post-War Years: 1948-1961

In 1942, Candler Field was renamed Atlanta Municipal Airport. By 1948, more than one million passengers passed through a war surplus hangar that served as a terminal building. Delta and Eastern established extensive networks from Atlanta, but there were no nonstop flights beyond Texas, St. Louis, and Chicago until 1961.

The Jet Age: 1961-1980

In 1957, work began on a new $21 million terminal, which opened in 1961. It was the largest terminal in the country at the time and could handle over six million travelers a year. In 1964, the first transatlantic flight from Atlanta was operated by Delta/Pan Am to Europe via Washington.

The Midfield Terminal: 1980-Present

In the late 1970s, it became evident that a new terminal was needed to address the significant increase in air traffic. Construction began on the present midfield terminal complex in 1977 under the administration of Mayor Maynard Jackson. The new complex opened in 1980, on time and under budget. It was designed to accommodate up to 55 million passengers per year.

In 1999, ATL's leadership established the "Focus On the Future" development program to prepare the airport for a projected demand of 121 million passengers in 2015. The program involved multiple construction projects, including a new fifth runway that opened in 2006.

Recent Years

In 2003, the Atlanta City Council voted to rename the airport Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to honour former mayor Maynard Jackson. In 2012, the Maynard H. Jackson International Terminal and Concourse F opened for international passengers, and the original 1980 terminal became known as the Domestic Terminal.

ATL has continued to undergo expansions and improvements, including the addition of new concourses, a new control tower, and various sustainability initiatives. The airport has consistently been ranked as one of the world's busiest airports, serving over 104.6 million passengers in 2023 and offering flights to more than 70 international destinations.

Its runways

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport has five runways, all of which are aligned in an east-west direction. There are three runways that are 9,000 feet (2,743 m) long, one runway that is 10,000 feet (3,048 m) long, and one runway that is 12,390 feet (3,776 m) long. The longest runway can handle the Airbus A380.

The runways are designated 9R-27L, 9L-27R, 8R-26L, 8L-26R, and 10-28. The first number indicates the runway's heading in tens and the second number indicates the runway's heading in ones. The letter indicates the relative position of the runway on the airport (left or right) and whether it is used for landing or taking off (landing for even numbers and taking off for odd numbers).

The runways at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport are equipped with precision approach lighting systems, including instrument approach procedures such as ILS (Instrument Landing System) and MALSR (Medium-intensity Approach Lighting System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights). The airport also has a VASI (Visual Approach Slope Indicator) to guide pilots during landing.

The runways are constructed of concrete and are in good condition, with grooved surfaces to provide traction for aircraft during takeoff and landing. The weight-bearing capacity of the runways is suitable for a variety of aircraft, including large commercial planes.

The airport has a tall air traffic control tower, standing at 398 feet (121 m), which is the tallest in North America and the fourth tallest in the world. This allows air traffic controllers to have a clear view of the entire runway length and ensure safe and efficient aircraft operations.

The airport has an extensive ground transportation system, including shuttle bus services, taxi, limo, and sedan services, as well as rental car agencies located at the Rental Car Center. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) also provides train and bus services to and from the airport, connecting it to the city of Atlanta and the surrounding areas.

Transport links

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers a variety of transport links to help passengers get to and from the airport. The airport covers an area of 4,700 acres and is located 10 miles from Downtown Atlanta.

Public Transport

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) provides train and bus services to metro Atlanta. The Domestic Terminal is served by MARTA's Red and Gold rail lines, with the station located at the west end of the terminal. Trains typically run every 10-20 minutes and operate from around 5:00 am to 1:00 am. The fare for a one-way trip is $2.50, and discounts are available for seniors, disabled passengers, and Medicare cardholders.

Taxi

Taxis are readily available at the airport, with a designated pickup area in Zone 1 of the Ground Transportation Center. The fare for a taxi ride from the airport to Downtown Atlanta is a flat rate of $30. It's important to note that additional charges may apply, such as airport surcharges, toll fees, or extra costs for luggage.

Rideshare

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are also available at the airport. The pickup locations for these services are in the economy parking lots on the North and South sides for passengers arriving at the Domestic Terminal, and outside the arrivals lobby for those arriving at the International Terminal. The app for the rideshare service will provide information about the vehicle, driver, and estimated wait time. Payment is handled through the app, and there is also an option to tip the driver.

Shuttle

Shared-ride shuttles provide transportation to hotels, convention centers, businesses, and residences. The pickup location for these shuttles is at the Ground Transportation Center, West Curb, between doors W1 and W2. The fare for shuttle services varies depending on the destination. Some hotels near the airport also offer complimentary shuttle services for their guests.

Rental Car

The airport has an offsite Rental Car Center (RCC) that houses multiple rental car agencies, including Advantage, Enterprise, and others. The RCC can be accessed via the ATL SkyTrain, which operates 24/7 and takes about 5 minutes to reach the rental car center. It is recommended to make reservations in advance, especially during peak travel times, and most rental car agencies offer a variety of vehicles to meet different needs.

The terminal complex

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport terminal complex measures 156.1 acres or 63.2 hectares. It includes the Domestic and International terminals and Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, and F. Within these concourses, there are a total of 192 gates, with 152 domestic and 40 international gates. The airport is designed to be accessible for people with disabilities, with no architectural barriers.

The Domestic Terminal is located on the west side of the airport and is divided into two sectors: North and South. The South sector is dominated by Delta Air Lines, which operates its own curbside baggage claim and check-in area. The North sector is home to other domestic airlines, including Southwest, United, Spirit, Alaska, and JetBlue, each with its own baggage claim areas and check-in facilities. The Domestic Terminal offers various amenities, including dining options, shopping, free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and rental car services.

The Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal is located on the east side of the airport and handles all international flights. It is designed to offer a comfortable and efficient travel experience, with advanced facilities, streamlined customs and immigration services, and a range of amenities. The International Terminal has its own entrance, separate from the Domestic Terminal, and is accessible from Interstate 75. The terminal is organised into several levels, with Level 0 for arrivals and Plane Train access, Level 1 for parking, and Level 2 for departures and security checkpoints. Level 3 houses most terminal services, including VIP lounges and personal and business services.

The Plane Train connects all concourses with the Domestic and International terminals, consisting of eleven four-car trains operating on a 3-mile loop track. The trains run approximately every two minutes and carry over 200,000 passengers per day on average. In addition to the Plane Train, a complimentary shuttle service operates 24/7 between the Domestic and International Terminals.

Its status as one of the world's busiest airports

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has been the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, except in 2020 when its passenger traffic decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, the airport served 104.6 million passengers, an increase of 11.7% from the previous year. The airport also has the highest number of aircraft movements in the world.

The airport's status as one of the world's busiest can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, it is a major hub for Delta Air Lines, which operates just over 1,000 flights daily to 225 domestic and international destinations. Delta's hub at Hartsfield–Jackson is the world's largest airline hub and is considered America's first mega-hub. Additionally, the airport is a base for low-cost carriers such as Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.

The airport's location also contributes to its high traffic. Atlanta is within a two-hour flight of 80% of the United States population, making it a convenient option for domestic travel. The airport offers flights to more than 150 U.S. destinations and over 70 international destinations in 43 countries.

Hartsfield–Jackson's efficient infrastructure further enhances its status as one of the world's busiest airports. The airport has five parallel runways, including one that is 12,390 feet long and can accommodate the Airbus A380. The airport's terminal complex covers 6.8 million square feet and includes 192 gates. The airport also has an extensive ground transportation network, with parking facilities, train and bus services, and a rental car center.

The airport's resilience and adaptability have allowed it to maintain its position as one of the world's busiest airports. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hartsfield–Jackson regained its top position in 2021 and has held it since. The airport also demonstrated its ability to adapt by implementing enhanced security measures after the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Frequently asked questions