25 novembre, 2025

What is Atlanta Airport (ATL) like?

by Aviation Pin

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), located south of downtown Atlanta, Georgia, is the busiest airport in the world by number of passengers for several years. In 2024 it handled more than 108 million passengers, establishing itself as the main air connection point in the Southeastern United States and the flagship mega-hub of Delta Air Lines.

ATL combines scale, operational efficiency, and one of the smoothest internal connection systems in the country, making it a key airport for both domestic and international flights.

Atlanta Airport Quick Facts

· 5 runways · longest runway 10/28: 11,889 ft

· 108,067,766 passengers in 2024

· Global ranking: number one · United States ranking: number one

· 780,000+ aircraft operations per year

· 2 main terminals (Domestic and International)

· 7 concourses: T, A, B, C, D, E, F

· More than 225 nonstop destinations

· Primary hub of Delta Air Lines

ATL Airport Runways and Air Operations

ATL operates five parallel runways with an almost east–west alignment, designed to support a continuous flow of takeoffs and landings with minimal operational interference.

Runway lengths range between 9,000 ft and nearly 12,000 ft, sufficient for wide-body aircraft operating at high weight in warm or humid conditions.

The parallel runway design enables:

· Simultaneous arrivals and departures

· High cadence even during connection banks

· Quick reconfiguration depending on wind or weather

This layout is one of the reasons ATL can sustain over 2,000 daily operations without compromising efficiency.

Longest Runway at Atlanta Airport

Runway 10/28, at 11,889 ft, is the longest at the airport. Its length supports long-haul operations and departures of wide-bodies such as the B777, A330, and A350 with adequate margins in warm weather.

The combination of a long runway and high aircraft rotation is part of the model that makes ATL a reliable mega-hub for intercontinental flights.

Atlanta Airport Terminals and Concourses (Complete Breakdown)

ATL operates two main terminals: the Domestic Terminal (west side) and the International Terminal – Maynard H. Jackson Jr. (east side). From these, seven concourses are distributed and connected by the underground Plane Train, one of the most efficient people movers in the country.

Concourse T – Domestic Operations

Gates for domestic flights and direct connection with the Domestic Terminal.

Concourse A – Delta Domestic

Operated mostly by Delta. High volume of short- and medium-haul domestic flights.

Concourse B – Delta High-Rotation Hub

Another Delta area with high aircraft rotation. One of the busiest concourses in the country.

Concourse C – Mixed Domestic Operations

Base for several domestic and regional routes, also dominated by Delta.

Concourse D – Mixed Gates for Multiple Airlines

Mixed gates with additional airlines and some operations from other carriers.

Concourse E – International Wide-Body Gates

Traditional international concourse with gates prepared for wide-bodies.

Concourse F – Modern International Terminal

The airport’s most modern international terminal. Hosts long-haul departures and arrivals, including Delta and partner airlines.

The Plane Train connects all concourses with transfer times of 1 to 2 minutes between segments, enabling smooth connections even during peak hours.

Connectivity and Airlines at Atlanta Airport (ATL)

ATL is the operational heart of Delta Air Lines, its largest global base, and one of the most important hubs of the SkyTeam alliance. This drives the airport’s enormous connectivity.

· More than 225 nonstop destinations

· More than 75 percent of traffic associated with Delta operations

· International service to Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and the Caribbean

ATL appears repeatedly on itineraries of frequent travelers across the United States due to its strategic position in the Southeast, functioning as a natural connection point between coasts, regions, and international destinations.

Plane Train at ATL: Complete Guide to the Airport’s Internal Transportation

The Plane Train is the underground automated transit system that links all areas of the airport and is one of the key components of ATL’s connection efficiency.

Exact and updated facts:

· It has eight stations distributed across the Domestic Terminal, the seven concourses (T, A, B, C, D, E, F), and the International Terminal.

· It carries more than 200,000 passengers per day, making it one of the most used airport people movers in the world.

· It is undergoing expansion, adding new vehicles (up to 73 total) and a 700-foot tunnel extension to increase capacity and reduce wait times.

· After improvements, train intervals will drop from approximately 108 seconds to around 90 seconds.

The Plane Train allows ATL to maintain its reputation as the airport for fast connections, minimizing transit times and maximizing passenger flow during peak periods.

Why Atlanta Airport (ATL) Is a Key Hub

ATL is not just the busiest airport in the world. It is a benchmark in operational engineering:

· Constant flow of arrivals and departures with minimal disruption

· Concourse layout optimized for fast connections

· Dominance of a primary operator that enhances efficiency (Delta)

· Terminals highly integrated by a fast internal mobility system

· Real capacity to absorb extreme passenger volume without breaking flow

ATL is one of the pillars of commercial aviation in the United States.

ATL Airport Pin: A Tribute to Atlanta Aviation

Our ATL Airport Pin pays tribute to the airport that connects millions every year. Made in hard enamel, sized 1.5 inches, with a premium finish and dual function (pin + magnet), it represents the scale, movement, and operational identity of Atlanta.