Hartsfield-Jackson Airport: A Gateway To Atlanta And Beyond

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is located in the U.S. state of Georgia, serving Atlanta and its metropolitan area. The airport is approximately 10 miles (16 km) south of Downtown Atlanta and is accessible via Interstate 75, Interstate 85, and Interstate 285. With a vast expanse of 4,700 acres, the airport features five parallel runways and handles a significant volume of passenger traffic, earning its reputation as the world's busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic and aircraft movements.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is located 10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta, Georgia

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is easily accessible from Interstates 20, 75, 85, and 285. During normal traffic, it is approximately a 20-minute drive from downtown Atlanta. The airport has two terminals: the Domestic Terminal and the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal. The Domestic Terminal is served by the Red and Gold rail lines of Atlanta's rapid transit system, MARTA.

The Domestic Terminal can be reached by taking I-75/85 South to I-85 and following the signs to the Domestic Terminal, or by taking I-20 East to I-75/85 South and following the same signs. Alternatively, one can take I-20 West to I-285 South or I-75 North to I-285 West and follow the signs to reach the Domestic Terminal.

The International Terminal has a separate entrance from the Domestic Terminal and can be accessed from Interstate 75 at Exit 239. The Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal is located at 2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30354. To reach this terminal from downtown Atlanta, one can take I-75/85 South and Exit 239, or take I-75 North and Exit 239, following the signs to the International Terminal. Additionally, one can take I-20 West to Exit 67, then I-285 South, or take I-20 East to I-285 South, following the signs to reach the International Terminal.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a major hub for Delta Air Lines, offering over 1,000 daily flights to domestic and international destinations. It has been the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, excluding the year 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, the airport served over 104.6 million passengers, reclaiming its top position.

The airport is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson.

In 1971, the airport was named after Hartsfield, who had served as mayor of Atlanta and had steered the airport from the barnstorming era to the jet age. The Hartsfield plaque at the airport reads:

> "He loved his city, and served its people with rare foresight and fidelity. As an expression for his gratitude for his leadership and achievements, this airport shall be known as the William B. Hartsfield International Airport. The airport was named after Hartsfield in 1971."

In 2003, the city council voted to add Jackson's name to the airport, honouring him after his death. Jackson had been Atlanta's first African-American mayor and had led the rebuilding of the airport in the 1970s. The Jackson plaque at the airport reads:

> "As Atlanta's first African-American mayor, he worked to ensure equal opportunity for all to participate in the city's growth and prosperity. That he was instrumental in the expansion of the airport and its transformation into the world's busiest, in acknowledgment of his love of and commitment to our city, this airport shall be known as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport."

The airport's full name is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. It is located in the U.S. state of Georgia, about 10 miles (16 km) south of Downtown Atlanta. It is the primary international airport serving Atlanta and its metropolitan area. The airport covers 4,700 acres (7.3 sq mi; 19 km2) of land and has five parallel runways. It is the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic and aircraft movements.

It is the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic and aircraft movements

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, located in the US state of Georgia, has been the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, except in 2020 when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused a dip in passenger numbers. In 2023, the airport served over 104.6 million passengers, the most of any airport globally that year.

The airport is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson. It covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways. The airport is located 10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta and is accessible via Interstates 20, 75, 85, and 285.

Hartsfield-Jackson is the primary international airport serving Atlanta and its metropolitan area. It is the corporate headquarters and primary hub of Delta Air Lines, offering over 1,000 daily flights to 225 domestic and international destinations. The Delta hub is considered the world's largest airline hub and America's first mega-hub. In addition to Delta, low-cost carriers such as Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines also operate from Hartsfield-Jackson. The airport offers international services to North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia.

Hartsfield-Jackson's status as the world's busiest airport by aircraft movements is attributed to its ability to handle a high volume of flights. The airport has two terminals and seven concourses with a total of 192 gates. The terminals are served by MARTA's Red and Gold rail lines, and an automated people mover called The Plane Train connects the concourses. The airport's efficient ground transportation network, including interstate access and a rental car center, further contributes to its high aircraft movement capacity.

The airport has undergone significant expansion and improvement projects over the years, including the addition of a fifth runway in 2006, which enhanced its capacity for landings and take-offs. With its efficient infrastructure and high passenger volume, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport maintains its position as the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic and aircraft movements.

The airport covers 4,700 acres of land and has five parallel runways

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a large airport, covering 4,700 acres of land. It is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson. Located 10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta, the airport is 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's vast area allows it to accommodate five parallel runways, all aligned in an east-west direction. These runways vary in length, with three measuring 9,000 feet, one at 10,000 feet, and the longest at 12,390 feet, capable of handling the Airbus A380. This runway configuration enables Hartsfield-Jackson to handle a high volume of air traffic, contributing to its reputation as one of the world's busiest airports by passenger traffic and aircraft movements.

The five runways are essential to the airport's efficient operation, allowing for triple simultaneous landings. The addition of the fifth runway, which opened in 2006, significantly increased the airport's capacity for landings and take-offs. This runway, however, was not without controversy. Its construction required filling dirt up to eleven stories high, altering the landscape of nearby cemeteries, and impacting surrounding neighbourhoods.

The airport's size and infrastructure, including the five parallel runways, have made Hartsfield-Jackson a significant transportation hub. It serves as the primary international airport for Atlanta and its metropolitan area, offering both domestic and international services to numerous destinations. The airport is also the corporate headquarters and primary hub of Delta Air Lines, further emphasising the crucial role it plays in air transportation.

It is accessible from Interstates 20, 75, 85 and 285

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is accessible from Interstates 20, 75, 85, and 285. The airport is located about 10 miles from Downtown Atlanta and is approximately a 20-minute drive during normal traffic. The Domestic Terminal can be reached by taking I-75/85 South to I-85 and continuing to follow the signs to the Domestic Terminal. Alternatively, one can take I-20 East or West to I-285 South and follow the signs. The International Terminal has a separate entrance and can be reached directly from Interstate 75 at Exit 239, with signs directing motorists via Interstates 75, 85, and 285.

The airport is served by MARTA's Red and Gold rail lines, with the train station located inside the main building between the north and south domestic terminals. The airport is also accessible via several local shared-ride shuttle services.

For those driving to the airport, there are numerous parking options available at both the Domestic and International Terminals, including hourly, daily, economy, and Park-Ride lots. It is recommended to check the airport website for the latest information on parking availability due to construction projects and road closures.

Frequently asked questions