04. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL)

ATL

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) stands as the undisputed titan of global aviation, consistently ranking as the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic for over two decades. This sprawling transportation hub serves as both the primary gateway to the southeastern United States and a crucial connecting point for travelers worldwide, embodying efficiency and operational excellence on a massive scale while powering the economic engine of Georgia and the entire region.

Southern Roots: The History of Hartsfield-Jackson Airport

The story of Atlanta’s airport begins in 1925, when Mayor Walter Sims signed a five-year, rent-free lease on 287 acres of land that was previously an abandoned auto racetrack known as The Atlanta Speedway. This property, owned by Coca-Cola founder Asa Candler, would become the foundation for what would eventually grow into the world’s busiest airport.

Initially known as Candler Field, the airport began operations as Atlanta Municipal Airport. The facility’s strategic importance became evident early on—by 1942, it was already recognized as the nation’s busiest airport. As air travel expanded in the post-World War II era, Atlanta’s position as a key transportation hub solidified.

A significant milestone in the airport’s development came in 1961 with the opening of a new $21 million terminal. At the time, it was the largest single terminal in the country, designed to handle over six million travelers annually. However, demand quickly outpaced capacity, with 9.5 million people passing through the facility in its first year of operation.

In 1971, the airport was renamed William B. Hartsfield Atlanta Airport in honor of the former Atlanta mayor who had played a crucial role in the airport’s development. Hartsfield had served as mayor from 1937 to 1941 and had been instrumental in securing the airport’s future by luring major airlines like Delta and Eastern Airlines to establish operations there.

The airport underwent a massive expansion in the 1970s and 1980s, with construction of what was billed as the largest construction project in the South. This included new domestic terminals and concourses, setting the stage for Atlanta’s emergence as a global aviation powerhouse. In 1980, the airport was renamed William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport to reflect its growing international service.

In 2003, the airport’s name was extended to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, adding recognition for Maynard Jackson, who served as Atlanta’s mayor from 1974 to 1982 and again from 1990 to 1994. Jackson had overseen the major terminal expansion project that transformed the airport into a modern aviation hub capable of handling the increasing passenger volumes and preparing it for the 1996 Olympic Games.

A historic milestone was achieved in December 2015 when Hartsfield-Jackson became the first airport in the world to serve 100 million guests in a single calendar year, cementing its status as the world’s busiest airport—a title it has held continuously since 1998, with the exception of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By the Numbers: ATL Stats

Hartsfield-Jackson’s position as a global aviation powerhouse is reflected in its impressive statistics:

  • Served over 108.1 million passengers in 2024, the most of any airport in the world
  • Has been the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998 (except for 2020)
  • Averages approximately 295,000 passengers daily
  • Handles around 2,700 arrivals and departures each day
  • Houses 192 gates across two terminals and seven concourses
  • Employs more than 63,000 people, making it Georgia’s largest employer
  • Generates an estimated $35 billion economic impact for Metro Atlanta and $66 billion for Georgia annually
  • Features five runways, including one measuring 12,390 feet (3,776 m) long
  • Serves more than 150 U.S. destinations and more than 75 international destinations in 50 countries
  • Boasts the tallest air traffic control tower in North America at 398 feet (121 meters)
  • Accommodates roughly 725,500 flight operations per year
  • Home to Delta Air Lines’ global hub, the world’s largest airline hub
  • Processes thousands of tons of cargo annually
  • Located within a two-hour flight of 80 percent of the U.S. population
  • Spans across parts of Clayton and Fulton counties

Terminal Facilities: ATL’s Passenger Experience

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport operates with a highly efficient layout featuring two terminals and seven concourses:

  1. Domestic Terminal: Divided into the North and South terminals, this is the primary entry point for domestic passengers. The terminal houses check-in counters, security checkpoints, baggage claim, and ground transportation options. The North Terminal primarily serves airlines other than Delta, while the South Terminal predominantly serves Delta Air Lines.
  2. Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal: Opened in 2012, this terminal serves international travelers, with dedicated facilities for customs and immigration processing. It connects seamlessly with the rest of the airport via the automated people mover system.

Connecting these terminals are seven parallel concourses, labeled T, A, B, C, D, E, and F, all aligned east to west:

  • Concourse T: The closest to the Domestic Terminal, serving primarily domestic flights
  • Concourses A-D: Primarily serving Delta Air Lines domestic operations
  • Concourse E: Opened in 1994 in preparation for the 1996 Olympics, primarily serving international flights
  • Concourse F: The newest concourse, connected to the International Terminal and serving international flights

The concourses are connected by an efficient underground Automated People Mover system called “The Plane Train,” which operates on a 3-mile loop track with trains running approximately every two minutes. On average, this system transports more than 200,000 passengers daily between the terminals and concourses, making it one of the busiest mass transit systems in the world.

ATL is also known for its extensive art program. The airport houses thousands of different exhibits and artworks throughout its facilities, including permanent installations and rotating exhibitions. Notable exhibits include “Good Trouble: A Tribute to Congressman John Lewis” and numerous other works that showcase Atlanta’s cultural heritage.

Airlines and Destinations: ATL’s Global Reach

Hartsfield-Jackson serves as a crucial global aviation hub with service from numerous domestic and international carriers:

  • Delta Air Lines: ATL serves as the primary global hub for Delta, which operates over 1,000 flights daily to 225 domestic and international destinations from the airport. This makes it the world’s largest airline hub and is considered the first mega-hub in America. The airport is also home to Delta’s Technical Operations Center, the airline’s primary maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility.
  • Other Major Carriers: ATL serves as an operating base for low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. The airport also hosts operations from all major U.S. carriers and numerous international airlines.
  • International Service: The airport offers international flights to destinations across North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia. Recent additions include Ethiopian Airlines, which started service in 2023 as the first African carrier to serve ATL since 2006, LATAM Perú, which began service in October 2023, and Scandinavian Airlines, which launched direct flights from Copenhagen in June 2024. Etihad Airways is scheduled to begin nonstop service to Abu Dhabi in July 2025.
  • Destination Coverage: From ATL, passengers can reach virtually every major city in the United States as well as key international destinations across six continents. The airport’s central location in the southeastern United States makes it an ideal connecting point for travelers moving between various domestic and international destinations.

Ground Transportation: Accessing ATL

Hartsfield-Jackson offers comprehensive ground transportation options connecting the airport to Atlanta and the surrounding region:

  • MARTA Rail: The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) provides direct train service from the airport’s domestic terminal to downtown Atlanta and other parts of the metropolitan area, offering an efficient alternative to road transportation.
  • Rental Cars: The Rental Car Center, opened in December 2009, houses 13 rental car agencies in a state-of-the-art 67.5-acre facility. The center includes two four-story parking decks with more than 8,700 parking spaces and a 137,000-square-foot customer service center. It is connected to the terminals via the ATL SkyTrain.
  • ATL SkyTrain: This automated people mover connects the Rental Car Center, the Domestic Terminal, and the Georgia International Convention Center.
  • Taxis and Rideshare: Designated pickup areas for taxis and rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are located at both terminals.
  • Shuttle Services: Various shuttle services connect the airport to hotels, off-site parking, and destinations throughout the metropolitan area.
  • Parking: ATL offers extensive parking options with more than 30,000 public parking spaces across various facilities, including covered parking at both terminals, economy lots, and a cell phone waiting lot.
  • International Terminal Connectivity: A free 24-hour shuttle connects the International Terminal with the Domestic Terminal’s ground transportation area, providing access to MARTA rail service and other transportation options.

Economic Impact: ATL’s Regional Significance

Beyond its role as a transportation hub, Hartsfield-Jackson serves as a powerful economic engine for Atlanta, Georgia, and the entire southeastern United States:

  • The airport is Georgia’s largest employer, with more than 63,000 employees working for airlines, ground transportation companies, concessionaires, security firms, government agencies, and various airport tenants.
  • ATL generates an estimated $35 billion in economic impact for the Metro Atlanta region and $66 billion for the state of Georgia annually.
  • The airport’s efficiency and connectivity have played a crucial role in attracting major corporations to establish headquarters or significant operations in the Atlanta area.
  • The cargo operations at Hartsfield-Jackson facilitate billions of dollars in international trade, supporting both local and national economic development.
  • Tourism in Atlanta and throughout Georgia benefits significantly from the airport’s extensive domestic and international connections, bringing millions of visitors to the region each year.

Looking Ahead: ATL’s Future

Hartsfield-Jackson continues to evolve with several major initiatives aimed at enhancing capacity, efficiency, and the overall passenger experience:

  • In March 2016, the airport unveiled a multibillion-dollar master plan to guide future development over the next 20 years. This capital improvement plan includes terminal modernization, concourse renovations, and airfield enhancements.
  • Sustainability remains a priority for ATL. In 2015, it became the first airport in the world to earn ISO 15000 certification for effective energy management programs, positioning itself to become one of the world’s greenest airports.
  • The airport continues to expand its international service, with new carriers and routes being added regularly to enhance global connectivity.
  • Technology implementations, including biometric processing and enhanced security screening, aim to further improve efficiency and reduce wait times.
  • Ongoing art installations and cultural programming continue to enhance the passenger experience and showcase Atlanta’s vibrant cultural scene.

With its strategic location, operational excellence, and continued investment in infrastructure and services, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is well-positioned to maintain its status as the world’s busiest and most efficient airport while continuing to serve as the primary gateway to the southeastern United States and a crucial global aviation hub for decades to come.

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