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Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the primary airport serving Atlanta, Georgia, and its metropolitan area. ATL is located 10 miles (16 km) south of Downtown Atlanta. The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways. Since 1998, it has been the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic, excluding 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted air travel worldwide. ATL is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson. The airport's history is closely tied to Atlanta's boosterism, characterised by ambitious pursuits despite challenging odds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport |
| IATA | ATL |
| ICAO | KATL |
| FAA LID | ATL |
| Location | 10 miles (16 km) south of the Downtown Atlanta district |
| Size | 4,700 acres (7.3 sq mi; 19 km2) |
| Number of Runways | 5 |
| Length of Runways | 4 are 9,000 feet (2,743 m), 1 is 10,000 feet (3,048 m), and the longest is 12,390 feet (3,776 m) |
| Number of Terminals | 2 (North and South) |
| Number of Concourses | 6 (A, B, C, D, E, and F) |
| Annual Passenger Traffic | 83.6 million (as of 2024) |
| Awards | Best Domestic Airport by Executive Travel magazine, Favorite Airport in North America by Trazee Travel, Best Airport by Size and Region (over 40 million passengers per year in North America) by Airports Council International |
| Year Opened | 1920s (began as a fledgling airport) |
| Year of Major Expansion | 1980 |
| Year of Most Recent Expansion | 2015 |
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What You'll Learn
- Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the primary airport serving Atlanta and its surrounding metropolitan area
- The airport is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson
- Atlanta's airport has been the busiest in the world by passenger traffic since 1998, excluding 2020
- The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways
- The airport's success is attributed to the determination of Atlanta's leaders and its geographic advantages
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the primary airport serving Atlanta and its surrounding metropolitan area
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (IATA: ATL) is the primary airport serving Atlanta and its surrounding metropolitan area. Located 10 miles (16 km) south of Downtown Atlanta, the airport covers 4,700 acres of land and features five parallel runways. Named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, excluding 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted travel worldwide.
The airport's history is closely tied to Atlanta's boosterism, characterised by ambitious endeavours that defy the odds. This spirit is exemplified by the airport's very existence, as it was established on the site of a former racetrack that went bankrupt. The airport's success is attributed to the determination of Atlanta's leaders, including William Hartsfield, who secured crucial airmail contracts in the 1920s, and Maynard Jackson, who played a pivotal role in expanding the airport and attracting federal investment.
Jackson's tenure as mayor was transformative for Atlanta, particularly regarding the airport's development. He implemented an affirmative action program that required 25% Black participation in city government contracts, significantly impacting airport construction. The airport's expansion was completed under budget and ahead of schedule, and it opened in 1980 as the “Midfield” passenger transfer hub. Jackson's initiatives inspired Congress to mandate minority contracting requirements across transportation funding, ensuring diverse involvement in airport projects nationwide.
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport has continued to evolve and enhance its facilities. It has five parallel runways, including one that is 12,390 feet long, capable of accommodating the Airbus A380, the largest passenger aircraft in the world. The airport has a complex consisting of multiple concourses, terminals, and a dedicated international terminal. It has earned various accolades, including being named the "Best Domestic Airport" and the "Favorite Airport in North America." The airport also prioritises community engagement and has partnered with local nonprofits to redistribute surplus food to those in need.
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The airport is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (IATA: ATL, ICAO: KATL, FAA LID: ATL) is the primary international airport serving Atlanta and its surrounding metropolitan area, in the U.S. state of Georgia. The airport is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson.
In 1971, the airport was named the William B. Hartsfield Atlanta Airport in honour of Hartsfield's death. The name was changed to William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport later that year due to the growth of international flights to and from Atlanta. During Jackson's tenure as mayor, he championed minority businesses and ensured that more municipal contracts were awarded to minority-owned businesses. Jackson was instrumental in the expansion of the airport, pushing for its growth and overseeing the construction of the present midfield terminal complex, which was the largest construction project in the South at the time.
In 2003, the Atlanta City Council voted to rename the airport Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport to honour former mayor Maynard Jackson, who had died four months prior. Jackson was Atlanta's first African-American mayor, and he ensured equal opportunities for all to participate in the city's growth and prosperity. Jackson's efforts as mayor meant that the city could claim an airport fully equipped to accommodate global travels and Olympic teams when Atlanta hosted the 1996 Olympic Games.
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Atlanta's airport has been the busiest in the world by passenger traffic since 1998, excluding 2020
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has been the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, excluding 2020. The airport is located 10 miles (16 km) south of Downtown Atlanta, Georgia, and covers 4,700 acres (7.3 sq mi; 19 km2) of land. It has five parallel runways, with the longest measuring 12,390 feet (3,776 m) and capable of handling the Airbus A380, the largest passenger aircraft in the world.
The airport's history dates back to 1980 when the William B. Hartsfield International Airport, named after former Atlanta mayor William B. Hartsfield, opened its doors. The airport underwent expansions and renovations over the years, including the addition of concourses and runways to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. The airport was later renamed Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in honour of another former Atlanta mayor, Maynard Jackson, recognising his contributions to the airport's growth.
The success of Jackson's affirmative action program, which promoted minority contractor involvement, led to the airport's expansion being completed under budget and ahead of schedule. This approach was so effective that the Federal Aviation Administration recommended it for airport projects across the nation. ATL's status as a busy airport is further enhanced by its role as the home base and megahub of Delta Air Lines.
In 2024, ATL retained its top position as the world's busiest airport, with over 108 million passengers, a 3% increase from 2023. This ranking coincided with the airport's 100th birthday. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a dip in passenger traffic in 2020, temporarily disrupting its decades-long record.
ATL's popularity as a travel hub is evident through its high passenger numbers and its recognition as the world's busiest airport for most years since 1998. The airport's efficient management, strategic location, and capacity to handle large aircraft have contributed to its enduring appeal.
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The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways
The Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, also known as Atlanta Airport, is the primary airport serving Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States. The airport is located about 8 to 10 miles south of the Downtown Atlanta district. It is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson.
The airport has been the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, except in 2020 when its traffic dipped. In 2022, the airport had over 93 million passengers, setting the world record for being the world's busiest airport. The airport is the primary hub of Delta Air Lines, with over 1,000 flights daily to 225 domestic and international destinations.
The airport's history dates back to 1980 when the William B. Hartsfield International Airport, also known as "Midfield," opened as an innovative passenger transfer hub. The airport has undergone expansions and renovations over the years, including the addition of concourses and runways to accommodate increasing international air traffic.
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The airport's success is attributed to the determination of Atlanta's leaders and its geographic advantages
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has been the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, excluding 2020 when travel was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The airport's success is attributed to the determination of Atlanta's leaders and its geographic advantages.
The airport's history dates back to the 1920s when Atlanta's leaders ambitiously pursued crucial airmail contracts for their fledging airport. The site, an abandoned racetrack, was leased by then-Mayor Walter Sims in 1925. The airport's early days were marked by a lobbying campaign to secure a route from the federal government, as aviation business at the time relied primarily on airmail.
The vision and commitment of Atlanta's leaders, including former Mayor Maynard Jackson, played a pivotal role in the airport's growth. Jackson, the first Black mayor of Atlanta, strongly believed in the airport's potential and pushed for its expansion. He implemented a minority contracting program, requiring 20-25% of contracts to be awarded to minority and women-owned businesses, addressing injustices in city contracting. This initiative had a profound impact on the airport's development, with the expansion finishing under budget and ahead of schedule.
Additionally, Atlanta's geographic location has been a significant advantage. The city is within a two-hour flight of 80% of the US population, making it an ideal hub for aviation. Its mostly ice-free weather and flat terrain provide favourable conditions for air travel. The airport's location, about 10 miles south of downtown Atlanta, offers both proximity to the city and ample room for expansion.
The presence of Delta Air Lines' world headquarters in Atlanta has also contributed to the airport's success. Delta's establishment of the hub-and-spoke network in 1955, along with its international expansion through mergers, has been a key factor in driving passenger traffic to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
In summary, the airport's success is a testament to the determination of Atlanta's leaders, their commitment to growth, and the recognition of the airport's strategic importance. These factors, combined with Atlanta's geographic advantages, have established Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport as a prominent global aviation hub.
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Frequently asked questions
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (IATA: ATL, ICAO: KATL, FAA LID: ATL).
Yes, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the primary international airport serving Atlanta and its surrounding metropolitan area.
The airport is located 10 miles (16 km) south of the Downtown Atlanta district.
The airport covers 4,700 acres (7.3 sq mi; 19 km2) of land and has five parallel runways.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, except in 2020 when its passenger traffic dipped.
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