Jazmin Li
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the primary international airport serving Atlanta and its surrounding metropolitan area. The airport is located 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Atlanta, Georgia. It was established in September 1926 as Candler Field, beginning life as an abandoned racetrack. The airport has since undergone several name changes, including to Atlanta Municipal Airport in the 1930s, and has grown to become the largest airport in the world by passenger traffic, serving over 104 million passengers in 2023.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport |
| Former Names | Candler Field, Atlanta Municipal Airport, William B. Hartsfield Atlanta Airport, William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport |
| Location | 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Atlanta, Georgia |
| Size | 4,700 acres (7.3 sq mi; 19 km2) |
| History | Began as a racetrack in 1909; leased as an airfield in 1925; opened as Candler Field in 1926; renamed Atlanta Municipal Airport in the 1930s; renamed William B. Hartsfield Atlanta Airport in 1971; renamed William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport in 1971; current name adopted in October 2003 |
| Terminal Buildings | First passenger terminal opened in 1930; new terminal building constructed in 1958; Centralized Terminal design similar to Miami International Airport; world's largest terminal complex opened in 1980 |
| Passenger Traffic | World's busiest airport since 1998 (except in 2020); served over 104.6 million passengers in 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
The Atlanta airport was originally a racetrack
The Atlanta airport, now known as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, was originally a racetrack called the Atlanta Speedway. The City of Atlanta signed a five-year, rent-free lease for 287 acres of land on April 16, 1925, with the intention of converting it into an airfield.
The racetrack was first built in 1909, and it was eventually transformed into the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic. The airport's evolution over the past century is a testament to the city's commitment to aviation development.
In the mid-1950s, the Atlanta Municipal Airport, which had been established in 1926 as Candler Field, began planning for a replacement passenger terminal to accommodate the overwhelming demand. The old facilities, dating back to 1948, were no longer sufficient, and a new, centralised terminal design was chosen. Construction began in 1958 on a site adjacent to the old terminal, which had sprouted two concourses but was still inadequate.
The new terminal building was completed in 1961, and by that time, the airport was handling close to 15 million passengers annually. To accommodate this growth, airport officials embarked on an expansion programme, including the extension of the Ticketing/Baggage Claim Building and the shortening of walking distances to certain concourses.
The airport has continued to expand and develop over the years, solidifying its position as one of the world's major aviation hubs. It has undergone various name changes, including incorporating the names of former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson, who played significant roles in its development.
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It was renamed Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in 1971
The Atlanta airport, officially known as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, has a long history that dates back to the early 20th century. The site where the airport is currently located was an abandoned auto racetrack named "The Atlanta Speedway" until the City of Atlanta signed a five-year, rent-free lease for the land on April 16, 1925, with the intention of transforming it into an airfield.
The airport has undergone several name changes over the years. It was initially called Candler Field when it opened in September 1926. A little over a year later, in June 1930, Delta Air Services (later rebranded as Delta Air Lines) began operating from the facility, which was then known as Atlanta Municipal Airport. This name remained in place for four decades.
On February 22, 1971, former Atlanta mayor William B. Hartsfield passed away. Six days later, the airport was renamed William B. Hartsfield Atlanta Airport in his honour. However, this name was short-lived as just five months later, it was updated to William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport. This change recognised the airport's first international flights to Mexico City and Montego Bay, operated by Eastern Airlines.
Finally, in 1971, the airport was renamed Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. This change honoured two former Atlanta mayors, William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson, who played significant roles in the airport's development. The recognition of both individuals in the airport's name reflected their important contributions to the growth and success of the airport.
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The airport has been the busiest in the world since 1997, except in 2020
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has been the busiest airport in the world since 1997, except in 2020 when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic reduced passenger numbers. The airport's history can be traced back to 1909 when it was a racetrack. However, the City of Atlanta officially signed a five-year lease for the site of the abandoned racetrack, formerly known as The Atlanta Speedway, on April 16, 1925, committing to developing it into an airfield. The airport then started life as Candler Field in September 1926. Within a few years of opening, Candler Field was renamed Atlanta Municipal Airport, a name it retained for forty years.
In the mid-1950s, officials at the Atlanta Municipal Airport began making plans for a replacement passenger terminal as the old facilities, which dated back to 1948, were struggling to cope with the demand. Construction of the new terminal building began in 1958 on a site adjacent to the old terminal. By 1961, the terminal was handling close to 15 million passengers a year, and ambitious expansion programs were launched to accommodate further growth.
In February 1971, former Atlanta Mayor William B. Hartsfield passed away. Six days later, the airport was renamed William B. Hartsfield Atlanta Airport in his honour. Just five months later, the name was updated again to William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, in recognition of the airport's first international flights to Mexico City and Montego Bay. In 1972, Eastern Airlines added three upper-level departure lounges to Concourse A, and several regional carriers were awarded routes to Atlanta in 1978 as a result of the Airline Deregulation Act.
In 1980, the airport opened what was, at the time, the world's largest airport terminal complex, capable of handling up to 55 million passengers. This expansion cemented the airport's position as one of the world's major aviation hubs and contributed to its continued growth. In 1998, the airport officially became the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic, a title it has retained every year except for 2020.
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It has five parallel runways
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the primary international airport serving Atlanta and its surrounding metropolitan area, in the U.S. state of Georgia. The airport covers 4,700 acres (7.3 sq mi; 19 km2) of land and has five parallel runways aligned in an east-west direction.
The five runways at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport vary in length. Three runways are 9,000 feet (2,743 m) long, while another runway is 10,000 feet (3,048 m) long. The longest runway at the airport measures 12,390 feet (3,776 m) in length, capable of accommodating the Airbus A380.
The existence of five parallel runways at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a significant feature, as it enables efficient aircraft operations and contributes to the airport's high capacity and ranking as the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic and aircraft movements. The runway configuration allows for simultaneous take-offs and landings, optimizing the airport's ability to handle a large volume of air traffic.
The combination of runway length and width also ensures that a wide range of aircraft, including large planes like the Airbus A380, can safely operate at the airport. This flexibility in accommodating different aircraft types further enhances the airport's capacity and ability to serve a high number of passengers and flights.
The five parallel runways at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are a key factor in the airport's operational efficiency and ability to handle a significant volume of air traffic, contributing to its reputation as one of the world's leading aviation hubs.
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The airport covers 4,700 acres of land
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport covers 4,700 acres of land, with five parallel runways aligned in an east-west direction. Three runways are 9,000 feet long, one is 10,000 feet, and the longest measures 12,390 feet, capable of handling the Airbus A380. The airport is located 10 miles south of downtown Atlanta, Georgia, and is named after former mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson.
The site began as a 287-acre abandoned auto racetrack, leased rent-free for five years from 1925. The land was developed into an airfield, initially named Candler Field, and soon became Atlanta Municipal Airport. By the mid-1950s, the airport was struggling to cope with demand, and plans were made for a new passenger terminal. Construction began in 1958 on a site adjacent to the old terminal, which was completed in 1961.
The airport underwent an ambitious expansion program in the 1970s, which included expanding the Ticketing/Baggage Claim Building and shortening walking distances to concourses. In 1978, several regional carriers were awarded routes to Atlanta, and the airport continued to grow, becoming one of the world's major aviation hubs. In 1980, the airport opened the world's largest terminal complex, capable of handling 55 million passengers.
The airport has continued to expand and, since 1998, has been the world's busiest by passenger traffic, except in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, the airport served over 104.6 million passengers, solidifying its position as the largest airport in the world.
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Frequently asked questions
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was established in September 1926.
The Atlanta airport was previously known as Candler Field.
As of 2026, the airport has been in operation for 100 years.
The airport is located 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Atlanta, Georgia.
The airport covers 4,700 acres (7.3 sq mi; 19 km2) of land.
