Jazmin Li
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is located mostly in unincorporated areas of Clayton County, but it also extends into the city limits of Atlanta, College Park, and Hapeville, in Fulton County. The airport is about 10 miles from Downtown Atlanta and can be reached in just 15 minutes via the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) train. ATL is the world's busiest airport, serving over 100 million passengers annually and offering flights to more than 150 domestic and international destinations. The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and features five parallel runways, with the longest runway measuring 12,390 feet in length.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) |
| Location | Mostly in unincorporated areas of Clayton County, but it also spills into the city limits of Atlanta, College Park, and Hapeville, in territory extending into Fulton County |
| Year of Opening | 1925 |
| Previous Land Use | Abandoned auto racetrack named The Atlanta Speedway |
| Number of Runways | 5 |
| Direction of Runways | East-West |
| Number of Terminals | 2 (Domestic and International) |
| Number of Eateries and Retail Businesses | Over 300 |
| Number of Employees | 55,300 |
| Number of Destinations | Over 150 domestic and international destinations |
| Number of Airlines | 23 |
| Primary Airline | Delta Air Lines |
| Transport to Atlanta City Center | Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) train (Red or Gold line) |
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What You'll Learn
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
The airport's history dates back to 1925 when Atlanta's mayor, Walter Sims, signed a five-year, rent-free lease on 287 acres of land that was once an abandoned auto racetrack called The Atlanta Speedway. The airport was renamed in 2003 to honour former mayor Maynard Jackson, who played a crucial role in Atlanta's development and race relations. The Maynard H. Jackson International Terminal and Concourse F opened in 2012, providing a dedicated facility for international passengers.
Hartsfield–Jackson Airport is easily accessible from Atlanta's city centre, which is just a 15-minute train ride away via the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Red or Gold lines. The airport also has a designated pickup and drop-off area for ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft near domestic ticketing and baggage claim. Additionally, the ATL SkyTrain provides free, 24-hour access to nearby hotels such as the AC Hotel Atlanta Gateway, Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway, and Renaissance Atlanta Airport Gateway.
The airport boasts a wide variety of culinary options, ranging from quick cafes to gourmet restaurants. Notable dining choices include One Flew South in Concourse E for sushi, Papi's Cuban Grill in Concourse T for Cuban sandwiches, and Atlanta Chophouse & Brewery in Concourse A for steaks and craft beer. For those with a sweet tooth, Varasano's Pizzeria in Concourse A offers thin-crust pizza. The airport also has a range of shops, lounges, and other amenities to keep travellers entertained and comfortable during their time there.
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Location and transport
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is located mostly in unincorporated areas of Clayton County, but it also extends into the city limits of Atlanta, College Park, and Hapeville, in territory reaching Fulton County. 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 airport is about 10 miles from Downtown Atlanta, providing easy access to the city and the surrounding metropolitan area. The immediate area surrounding the airport is known as "The ATL Airport District" due to its proximity.
The airport's domestic terminal is served by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)'s Red and Gold rail lines, connecting the airport to Atlanta's city centre in just 15 minutes. The Red and Gold lines also extend to various neighbourhoods south of the airport. Additionally, MARTA Bus 191 travels directly to the airport's international terminal from these neighbourhoods, departing every 40 minutes. Several other bus routes connect to MARTA train stations close to the airport. The standard bus fare is $2.50. For those travelling to Atlanta from other parts of the country, Amtrak trains are available, arriving at Atlanta Peachtree Station in midtown, where passengers can transfer to the MARTA train or opt for a taxi or rideshare to the airport.
The airport has designated a specific area for pickup and drop-off by rideshare services (such as Uber and Lyft) near domestic ticketing and baggage claim, separate from the main park-and-ride area. When meeting a rideshare driver at the Domestic Terminal, passengers should head to the North Lower level, which is adjacent to the North Economy parking deck. The airport also offers a complimentary shuttle service from the curb outside the international terminal, dropping off passengers at the West end of the domestic terminal near the SkyTrain entrance and hotel shuttle pick-up area. The ATL SkyTrain provides free access to the Gateway Centre Campus hotels, which include the AC Hotel Atlanta Gateway, Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway, Renaissance Atlanta Airport Gateway, and SpringHill Suites Atlanta Airport Gateway. Hotels near the airport are priced around 30% lower than similar accommodations in Downtown Atlanta, and many provide free airport transportation.
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Dining and drinking
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers a wide variety of dining and drinking options to suit all tastes, ranging from quick cafes to gourmet restaurants.
For a high-end dining experience, One Flew South in Concourse E is a top pick, especially for sushi lovers. Travellers have called it "exceptional" and "worth the splurge", although it can be pricey and service can be slow during peak hours. Bantam and Biddy, a Southern restaurant on Concourse C from Atlanta chef Shaun Doty, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a menu centred around chicken and meat-and-three plates. Another option for a refined dining experience is Atlanta Chophouse & Brewery in Concourse A, which offers steaks and craft beer in a lively atmosphere.
If you're looking for a drink and a relaxed atmosphere, Atlanta Braves All Star Grill is ideal, although service can be slow during busy times. For a full-on bourbon experience, check out the Jim Beam-sponsored Atlanta Stillhouse, which offers bourbon flights. Blue Moon Brewhouse is another great option to sit back and relax with some orange beer. El Taco serves up pre-flight margaritas and Tex-Mex. If you're craving Mediterranean food, Ecco is the place to go, offering wine and cocktails alongside their dishes.
For a quick bite, there's the Global News Kiosk, which is open 24 hours a day and located in the International Terminal, as well as various vending machines scattered throughout the different concourses. Starbucks, in F Arrivals, F Mezzanine, is also a good option for a quick coffee fix.
If you're looking to drink alcohol early in the morning, you may want to call around to ask about alcohol service at that time, bring your own mini bottles to mix with juice purchased at the airport, or purchase alcohol at one of the airport bars before boarding your flight.
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History
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is located mostly in unincorporated areas of Clayton County but extends into the city limits of Atlanta, College Park, and Hapeville, in territory extending into Fulton County. The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways aligned in an east–west direction.
The airport has a long history, dating back to the early 20th century. Here is a chronological overview of the key moments in the history of the Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport:
The Early Years:
The site of the airport was originally an abandoned auto racetrack named "The Atlanta Speedway." In 1925, the city of Atlanta signed a five-year, rent-free lease on 287 acres of land with the intention of developing it into an airfield. The property was renamed "Candler Field" after its former owner, Asa Candler, a Coca-Cola tycoon and former Atlanta mayor.
First Flights:
The first flight into Candler Field arrived on September 15, 1926, operated by Florida Airways. Pitcairn Aviation (later Eastern Air Lines) began service to Atlanta in 1928, and Delta Air Service (later Delta Air Lines) followed in 1930. These airlines would both use Atlanta as their chief hubs. By the end of 1930, Atlanta was the third busiest airport in the country, after New York City and Chicago, with sixteen arriving and departing flights each day.
World War II and Post-War Expansion:
In October 1940, the airport was declared a military airfield by the U.S. government, and it was jointly operated by the Army Air Forces and Candler Field during World War II. The airport doubled in size during this period and set a record of 1,700 takeoffs and landings in a single day in 1948, making it the nation's busiest in terms of flight operations. In 1942, Candler Field was renamed Atlanta Municipal Airport.
The Jet Age:
In the post-war years, Atlanta Municipal Airport entered the "Jet Age." A new $21 million terminal, the largest in the country at the time, opened in 1961. It could accommodate up to 6 million travellers annually. By 1957, Atlanta claimed to be the country's busiest airport, with more than 2 million passengers passing through each year.
The Modern Era:
In 1978, after airline deregulation, Delta Air Lines adopted the hub-and-spoke route system, with Atlanta as a hub, giving it a competitive advantage. The current terminal complex opened in 1980, solidifying Atlanta's position as a major aviation hub.
In 2003, the Atlanta City Council voted to rename the airport Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport to honour former mayor Maynard Jackson. The airport continued to break records, becoming the first airport in the world to serve 100 million passengers in a year in 2015. Today, it remains one of the world's busiest airports, offering a wide range of dining and retail options and employing about 55,300 people.
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Efficiency and reputation
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is located mostly in unincorporated areas of Clayton County, but it also extends into the city limits of Atlanta, College Park, and Hapeville, in Fulton County. The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways, with the longest runway measuring 12,390 feet long, capable of handling the Airbus A380.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is often the busiest airport in the world based on passenger numbers and operations. Despite this, it has consistently been ranked as the most efficient airport by the Air Transport Research Society (ATRS), a consortium of academics. In 2021, the airport was recognised as the most efficient airport for the 18th consecutive year, measured against more than 200 airports worldwide.
The airport's efficiency is attributed to its operational and management efficiency, cost competitiveness, and financial performance. For example, the airport has one of the tallest control towers in the world at 398 feet, which allows for triple simultaneous landings, increasing landing and take-off capacity by 40%. The airport also employs about 55,300 people, has a payroll of $2.4 billion, and has a direct and indirect economic impact of over $23 billion on the local and regional economy.
However, the airport has received mixed reviews online. While some passengers praise its efficiency, especially the plane train, others have criticised it as "filthy, overcrowded, [and] poorly staffed". The airport has also faced challenges, such as a suspicious package incident in 2021 that temporarily halted passenger movement and prompted complaints about conflicting instructions from authorities. Nevertheless, the airport's general manager, Balram "B" Bheodari, has expressed confidence in the airport's resilience and commitment to providing a safe and efficient travel experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is located 10 miles from Downtown Atlanta and is accessible by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) train.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is home to over 300 eateries, including quick cafes, gourmet restaurants, bars, and fast-food outlets. Some popular options include One Flew South in Concourse E, Atlanta Braves All Star Grill, and Papi's Cuban Grill in Concourse T.
The Gateway Center's hotels, including AC Hotel Atlanta Gateway, Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway, Renaissance Atlanta Airport Gateway, and SpringHill Suites Atlanta Airport Gateway, are easily accessible from the airport via the ATL SkyTrain.
