Exploring Atlanta's Airport: How Much Space Does It Take?

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a bustling travel hub, covering 4,700 acres (19 square kilometres) and featuring five runways. The airport is located 10 miles from downtown Atlanta and has been voted the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, excluding 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With a vast terminal complex spanning 6.8 million square feet, the airport accommodates both domestic and international flights, serving as a gateway to the world for travellers.

The airport covers 4,700 acres

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport covers 4,700 acres of land. To put that into perspective, that's the equivalent of 7.3 square miles or 19 square kilometres. The airport has five runways and is located 10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson. The airport was first established in 1925 when Mayor Walter Sims signed a five-year, rent-free lease on 287 acres of land that was once an abandoned auto racetrack. The lease was signed on April 16, 1925, with the commitment to develop the site into an airfield. The first flight into the then-named Candler Field was on September 15, 1926, operated by Florida Airways.

The airport has grown significantly since its early days. By the end of 1930, it was the third-busiest airport in the country for regular daily flights. During World War II, the airport doubled in size, and in 1948, over one million passengers passed through a war-surplus hangar that served as a terminal building.

Today, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a bustling hub, with up to 192 gates available each day for arriving and departing flights. The airport has two terminals: the Domestic Terminal and the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal. The complex includes seven concourses (Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, and F) and covers 6.8 million square feet. The airport is well-connected to the city of Atlanta, with excellent public transport links, ample parking options, and easy access to rental car services.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been voted one of the world's busiest airports by passenger traffic since 1998, with over 100 million passengers passing through in 2023. It is also a major employer in the region, with over 63,000 staff across various roles, including airline, ground transportation, security, and concessionaire positions.

It has 192 gates

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is a bustling hub of activity, with a vast expanse of 192 gates that serve as the gateway to the world for countless travellers. This impressive infrastructure is designed to handle a massive volume of air traffic, ensuring efficient and seamless operations for both arriving and departing flights.

The airport's 192 gates are distributed across seven concourses, namely Concourse A, B, C, D, E, F, and T. Each of these concourses plays a crucial role in managing the high volume of flights that ATL accommodates. Concourse F, in particular, stands out as it is the only one capable of accommodating the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger aircraft. This unique capability underscores the airport's ability to handle a diverse range of aircraft.

The allocation of gates across the concourses is as follows: Concourse T has 21 gates, Concourse A has 29, Concourse B has 32, Concourse C has 34, Concourse D has 40, Concourse E has 28, and Concourse F has 12. This distribution ensures a balanced and efficient utilisation of resources, catering to the varying needs of different aircraft and airlines.

The 192 gates of ATL are not just about numbers; they represent a strategic design to manage the immense traffic that passes through the airport. The efficient utilisation of these gates contributes to ATL's reputation as one of the world's busiest airports by passenger traffic. This efficient gate management system, along with the airport's five runways, enables multiple flights to arrive and depart simultaneously, maintaining the smooth flow of air traffic.

The gates at ATL are not just about functionality; they also offer a range of services and amenities to ensure a pleasant travel experience. The concourses feature various concession outlets, including food and beverage options, retail stores, and service providers. This diverse mix of offerings caters to the diverse needs and preferences of travellers, making their time at the airport more enjoyable and convenient.

The terminal complex measures 6.8 million square feet

The Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a massive complex, covering 6.8 million square feet. The airport is located 10 miles from downtown Atlanta and is named after former mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson.

The terminal complex is spread across two terminals and seven concourses, with up to 192 gates available for arriving and departing flights. The Domestic Terminal is located on the west side of the airport, while the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal is on the east side. The two terminals are connected by a Transportation Mall, which includes a pedestrian tunnel and the Plane Train, an automated people mover operating 24/7.

The Domestic Terminal is further divided into the North and South Domestic areas for ticketing, boarding, and baggage claim. The Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal handles all international flights, with Concourses E and F dedicated to international carriers. Concourse F is the only concourse capable of accommodating the Airbus A380, the largest passenger aircraft in the world.

The Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a bustling hub, with Delta Air Lines operating over 1,000 daily flights to 225 destinations worldwide. The airport has consistently ranked as one of the world's busiest airports by passenger traffic, serving over 100 million passengers in certain years.

There are 30,000 public parking spaces

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is a major economic hub, employing over 63,000 people and generating over $34.8 billion in economic impact for the state of Georgia. The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and has a total of 192 gates, including 152 domestic and 40 international gates. With more than 30,000 public parking spaces, ATL offers a range of parking options for travellers.

The North and South Domestic covered parking areas offer 12,000+ spaces, providing convenient covered parking for travellers. For those seeking a more affordable option, the North Economy parking lot provides 1,500+ spaces, while the Domestic Park Ride parking lot offers 4,800+ spaces with a three-minute shuttle to the Domestic curbside drop-off area. The ATL West Deck parking is another option, located just a two-minute Skytrain ride away from the Domestic Terminal, offering 5,700+ spaces.

For travellers seeking a more premium experience, the Gold Reserve Parking at the Domestic Terminal provides 1,000+ spaces with fast, convenient, and guaranteed parking. This option eliminates the need to wait in line for tickets or search for open parking spaces. Additionally, the Park ATL Select lot offers covered, uncovered, and oversized parking with 1,500+ spaces and a five-minute shuttle to the Domestic curbside drop-off area.

The International Terminal also offers easy and convenient parking options, with two facilities providing a total of 3,500+ spaces just minutes away from the terminal. The International Hourly parking deck has 1,000+ spaces located just steps away from check-in and arrivals, while the International Park-Ride deck offers 2,500+ spaces with a free shuttle service to the International Terminal.

The airport has five runways

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has five runways, all aligned in an east-west direction. The airport's five runways are:

• Runway 9R-27L, which is 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) long.
• Runway 9L-27R, which is 12,390 feet (3,776 meters) long.
• Runway 8R-26L, which is 9,999 feet (3,048 meters) long.
• Runway 8L-26R, which is 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) long.
• Runway 10-28, which is 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) long.

The runways are an essential component of ATL's operations, enabling it to handle a high volume of air traffic and contributing to its reputation as one of the world's busiest airports. The fifth runway, which was completed in 2006, is particularly noteworthy. It is the only runway in the nation that passes over an interstate, and it has helped increase the airport's capacity for landings and take-offs significantly.

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