Airports In Atlanta: How Many And What's Their Story?

Atlanta, Georgia, is served by 29 airports, including both public and private airports. The Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the primary airport serving Atlanta and its surrounding metropolitan area. It is the busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic and aircraft movements, serving over 104.6 million passengers in 2023. The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways. It is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson and is located 10 miles south of the Downtown Atlanta district.

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

The airport has five parallel runways aligned in an east-west direction, including one that is 12,390 feet (3,776 m) long and can handle the Airbus A380. In 2023, the airport served over 104.6 million passengers, and in 2015, it became the first airport to serve 100 million passengers in a year. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the corporate headquarters and primary hub of Delta Air Lines, with over 1,000 daily flights to 225 domestic and international destinations. It is also an operating base for Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.

The airport has two terminals and seven concourses with 192 gates. The Domestic Terminal is on the west side, while the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal is on the east side. The Transportation Mall, an underground pedestrian tunnel with moving walkways and the Plane Train, an automated people mover, connect the terminals and concourses. The airport is accessible via Interstate 85 and Interstate 75 and is served by MARTA's Red and Gold rail lines.

Atlanta's second airport

Atlanta is served by Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, except for 2020 when travel was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, the airport served over 104.6 million passengers.

Despite this, there have been discussions about the need for a second airport in Atlanta. In 2007, the Federal Aviation Administration's report, 'Capacity Needs in the National Airspace System, 2007–2025', identified the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the Atlanta metropolitan area as needing additional capacity by 2025. Following the report, Atlanta received a $1 million federal grant to study the possibility of adding another airport.

In 2011, the Atlanta Metropolitan Aviation Capacity Study, Phase II, was completed by the FAA, the City of Atlanta, and a consulting team. The study considered eight possible locations for a second airport, concluding that the best site from a market potential and development cost perspective was Dobbins Air Reserve Base. However, airspace and environmental aspects posed significant challenges. The second-best option was Cobb County Airport, but high development costs made this prohibitive.

The idea of a second airport in Atlanta has been met with skepticism by both the city and Delta Air Lines, which operates its primary hub at Hartsfield-Jackson. They argue that constructing another airport would be expensive and potentially economically unsuccessful.

In 1975, the City of Atlanta purchased over 10,000 acres of land in Paulding County, west of the city, with the potential for developing a second airport. A portion of this land was later sold to Paulding County for the development of the Paulding County Regional Airport, which opened in 2009 as a general aviation airport. The remaining property could still be utilised for Atlanta's second commercial airport if needed.

Additionally, the city owns another 10,000 acres of land southwest of Dawsonville, Georgia, which was previously the site of the Georgia Nuclear Aircraft Laboratory. This property, known as the Dawson Forest City of Atlanta Tract, is currently managed by the Georgia Forestry Commission and is open to the public for recreational use.

While there are no immediate plans for a second airport, the discussion highlights the ongoing considerations for managing increasing air travel demand in the Atlanta area.

Public and private airports

Atlanta, Georgia, is served by 29 airports, both public and private. The primary international airport is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, located 10 miles (16 km) south of the Downtown Atlanta district. It is one of the world's busiest airports, serving over 100 million passengers annually. The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways. It is the primary hub for several major and regional airlines and is home to Delta Air Lines' corporate headquarters and primary maintenance, repair, and overhaul division.

There are several other public and private airports in the Atlanta area, including:

Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK)

Located 12 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta, this airport is one of the most popular choices for private flights in the area. It has three runways, including a 6,001-foot runway capable of accommodating private jets. Dekalb-Peachtree Airport is easily accessible and centrally located, making it a convenient option for corporate and VIP flights.

Fulton County Airport (FTY)

Also known as Charlie Brown Field, this airport is situated just seven miles west of downtown Atlanta, making it the closest public airport to the city. With three runways, the longest being 5,796 feet, it can handle mid-size private jets and turboprops. Fulton County Airport is a popular option for general aviation flights and is just a 20-minute drive from the city centre.

Cobb County International Airport (RYY)

Cobb County International Airport, also known as McCollum Field, is located 21 miles northwest of Atlanta. It features a lengthy 6,305-foot runway capable of accommodating large-cabin private jets. This airport handles significant general aviation and air ambulance operations, and while it is a bit further from the city centre than other airports, it is still easily accessible via highway.

Gwinnett County Airport-Briscoe Field (LZU)

Gwinnett County Airport is situated about 35 miles northeast of Atlanta in Lawrenceville, Georgia. It has a single 6,000-foot runway suitable for super midsize and large-cabin private jets. While not as centrally located as other airports, it can be a good alternative when other airports are unavailable. It is also home to hospital flight operations and air ambulance companies.

Commercial air carriers

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (IATA: ATL, ICAO: KATL, FAA LID: ATL) is the primary airport serving Atlanta, Georgia, and its surrounding metropolitan area. It is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson. The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways. Since 1998, with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic. In 2023, the airport served over 104.6 million passengers, the most of any airport globally.

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International is the corporate headquarters and primary hub of Delta Air Lines, with just over 1,000 flights a day to 225 domestic and international destinations. It is also an operating base for low-cost carriers 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.

The airport has two terminals and seven concourses with a total of 192 gates. The Domestic Terminal is located on the west side of the airport, and the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal is on the east side. The Transportation Mall, an underground pedestrian tunnel with a series of moving walkways and The Plane Train, a 24/7 underground automated people mover, connect the terminals and concourses.

In addition to Delta Air Lines, other commercial air carriers serving Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport include:

• American Airlines
• United Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• Air France
• KLM
• Korean Air
• Virgin Atlantic
• Scandinavian Airlines
• WestJet
• Copa Airlines
• Aeromexico
• JetBlue
• British Airways
• Air Canada
• Ethiopian Airlines
• LATAM Perú
• Qatar Airways
• Turkish Airlines
• Cathay Pacific Cargo
• China Airlines Cargo
• China Cargo Airlines
• Polar Air Cargo
• Lufthansa Cargo
• Emirates SkyCargo
• FedEx Express
• UPS Airlines

Airport efficiency

Atlanta, Georgia, is served by 29 airports, both public and private. However, when discussing airport efficiency in Atlanta, the focus is often on the Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), which is the primary international airport serving the city and its metropolitan area. ATL is located 10 miles (16 km) south of Downtown Atlanta and covers 4,700 acres of land.

ATL is renowned for its operational efficiency, and since 1998, it has consistently ranked as the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic, except in 2020 due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions. In 2023, the airport served over 104.6 million passengers, reclaiming its title as the busiest airport worldwide. This efficiency is further demonstrated by ATL being named the world's busiest airport by aircraft movements.

Several factors contribute to the efficiency of ATL:

Runway Configuration

ATL has five parallel runways aligned in an east-west direction, providing efficient takeoff and landing operations. This configuration allows for triple simultaneous landings, which is a rare capability among airports.

Efficient Air Traffic Control

ATL's air traffic control is aided by the tallest control tower in the United States, standing at 398 feet tall. This height provides air traffic controllers with an unobstructed view of the entire runway length, enabling efficient management of aircraft movements.

Comprehensive Ground Transportation Network

ATL boasts a well-developed ground transportation system, including access to interstate highways such as Interstate 85 and Interstate 75. Additionally, the airport has its own train station on the city's rapid transit system, MARTA, with direct connections to the Red and Gold rail lines.

Strategic Location

As the primary international airport serving Atlanta, ATL benefits from its strategic location in the heart of Georgia. This central position enables efficient travel connections within the United States, with business travellers able to reach 80% of the country within a two-hour flight time and any major North American city within four hours.

Efficient Cargo Handling

As the 10th-largest air cargo hub in North America, ATL plays a critical role in Georgia's transportation network. The airport efficiently handles approximately 54,000 metric tons of cargo and over 60,000 metric tons of mail annually, contributing to the efficiency of goods transportation in the region.

Streamlined Passenger Experience

ATL prioritises a streamlined passenger experience, with a focus on convenience and efficiency. The airport provides efficient parking options, a variety of shopping and dining choices, and an automated people mover called the Plane Train, which facilitates easy navigation within the airport.

Frequently asked questions