Atlanta Airport: Passenger Traffic Insights And Trends

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world. In 2022, nearly 94 million passengers passed through the airport, an increase of 23.8% compared to 2021. The airport serves 150 US destinations and more than 75 international destinations in 50 countries. It has the tallest air traffic control tower in North America, at 398 feet (121 meters), and is the fourth tallest in the world.

Atlanta Airport's busiest year

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been the busiest airport in the world every year since 1998, except for in 2020, when its passenger traffic dipped due to travel restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport served over 104.6 million passengers, making it the busiest airport in the world for that year. This was an increase of 11.7% from 2022, when the airport served 93.7 million passengers.

The airport's busiest year was fuelled by the international travel segment, propelled by several factors, including the anticipated benefits from China's reopening and a growing inclination towards travel despite macroeconomic conditions.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is located in the heart of the southeastern United States, just two hours from major American hubs like New York, Dallas, Houston, and Chicago. It is also just a few hours from most of the Caribbean and Central America, making it an ideal connecting point for flights between North America, Europe, and Latin America.

The airport is also easily accessible, with connections to major highways and rail networks, attracting passengers from a wide geographic area.

To accommodate its high volume of passengers, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers advanced facilities and systems that ensure efficiency and enhance the passenger experience. These include modern terminals equipped with dining and retail options, efficient baggage handling systems, and convenient transportation services.

Atlanta Airport's quietest year

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world, with nearly 94 million passengers passing through in 2022. However, the airport experienced a quieter year in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a closer look at Atlanta Airport's quietest year and how it has since rebounded to its record-breaking passenger numbers.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted air travel globally, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was no exception. In 2020, the airport saw a dip in passenger traffic due to travel restrictions and safety concerns. That year, the airport handled only 42.9 million passengers, a sharp decline from its pre-pandemic numbers. This drop in passenger volume was not unique to Atlanta, as airports worldwide experienced similar challenges. Chinese airports, which had been among the busiest before the pandemic, saw a significant decrease in travel as the crisis first emerged in the country in late 2019.

Rebounding from the Pandemic

Despite the challenges of 2020, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport quickly rebounded to reclaim its title as the world's busiest airport. In 2021, the airport handled 75.7 million passengers, a remarkable year-over-year increase of 76.39% compared to 2020. This surge in passenger traffic propelled Atlanta back to the top spot in the Airports Council International rankings, overtaking China's Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, which held the number one position in 2020.

Record-Breaking Passenger Numbers

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has consistently maintained its position as one of the world's busiest airports. Even during the pandemic, it ranked second in 2020, showcasing its resilience and importance as a global transportation hub. In 2022, the airport served over 94 million passengers, an increase of 23.8% compared to 2021. This record-breaking number solidified Atlanta's position as the busiest airport, with nearly 275,000 passengers passing through each day. The airport's recovery can be attributed to the resumption of travel, particularly on domestic itineraries, as Americans began to travel again en masse.

A Hub of Connectivity

The airport's success is also a result of its extensive network, serving 150 U.S. destinations and over 75 international destinations in 50 countries. Atlanta is within a two-hour flight of 80% of the United States population, making it a convenient and accessible travel hub. Additionally, the airport handles a significant amount of cargo, reporting over 730,000 metric tons of cargo and mail in 2022.

Looking Ahead

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport continues to thrive, with a constant focus on improvement and expansion. With multiple construction projects and a commitment to providing exceptional customer service, the airport strives to maintain its position as a global leader in aviation. Atlanta's airport is a vital economic driver, generating a $34.8 billion economic impact for the metro Atlanta region and employing over 63,000 people.

Atlanta Airport's monthly passenger numbers

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world, with nearly 94 million passengers passing through in 2022. This was an increase of 23.8% compared to 2021, when the airport handled around 75.7 million passengers.

In June 2023, 4,598,774 passengers used the airport, representing a 15.08% increase compared to June 2022. While monthly data is not available for all months, we do know that the airport served over 104.6 million passengers in 2023, the most of any airport in the world.

Hartsfield-Jackson has been the busiest airport in the world every year since 1998, except for 2020, when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacted passenger numbers. The airport is located 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Atlanta and covers 4,700 acres (7.3 sq mi; 19 km2) of land. It has five parallel runways and handles over 725,500 flights per year.

The airport is the primary international airport serving Atlanta and its surrounding metropolitan area. It serves 150 US destinations and more than 75 international destinations in 50 countries. On average, there are 2,700 arrivals and departures daily, with a daily average of 275,000 passengers.

Atlanta Airport's daily passenger numbers

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world. In 2022, nearly 94 million passengers passed through the airport, an increase of 23.8% from 2021. In 2021, the airport handled around 75.7 million passengers, a 76.39% increase from 2020, when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic were in place. The airport serves as a major hub for Delta Air Lines, with just over 1,000 flights daily to 225 destinations worldwide.

The airport has averaged 275,000 passengers a day and has seen approximately 2,700 arrivals and departures each day. In June 2023, 4,598,774 passengers used the airport, a 15.08% increase from June 2022. In 2023, the airport served over 104.6 million passengers, the highest number of any airport in the world that year.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has consistently ranked as the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, except in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted travel. The airport's high passenger volume is attributed to its role as a primary international airport serving Atlanta and its surrounding metropolitan area, its efficient operations, and its extensive network of domestic and international destinations.

Atlanta Airport's busiest times of day

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world. In 2022, nearly 94 million passengers passed through the airport, an increase of 23.8% from 2021. The airport is the primary international airport serving Atlanta and its surrounding metropolitan area. It covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways.

The busiest times of day for security checks at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., and 11 p.m. and 12 a.m. During these times, the average reported wait time is 26 minutes.

To improve your overall airport experience, it is recommended that you arrive at the airport at least two hours before your scheduled departure time and stay up to date with real-time minute-by-minute updates on TSA wait times.

Frequently asked questions