How Many Airports Are in Atlanta? Understanding Your Options for Flying In and Out

If you’re planning a trip to Atlanta, Georgia or you live here and are wondering about flight options, you might ask: “Are there 2 airports in Atlanta?”

The short answer:

  • Atlanta has one major commercial airport that almost all visitors use:
    Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • There are also several smaller airports and airfields in the metro area, mainly for private, charter, business, and general aviation.

Below is a clear breakdown of what that means for you when you’re getting to and around Atlanta by air.

The Main Airport in Atlanta: Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL)

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is Atlanta’s primary—and essentially only—major commercial airport.

  • Official name: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  • Airport code: ATL
  • Location: About 7 miles south of downtown Atlanta
  • Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Type: Major commercial airport (domestic + international flights)

If you’re flying on a regular airline (Delta, Southwest, American, United, etc.), you are almost certainly flying into or out of ATL.

This is the airport connected to MARTA rail service, large parking decks, rental car facilities, and most hotel shuttles. It’s the airport most flight search engines will show when you enter “Atlanta.”

So… Are There 2 Airports in Atlanta?

In everyday conversation, some people say Atlanta has “two airports” because they’re thinking about:

  1. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) – the main commercial airport
  2. A secondary or regional airport in the metro area that handles general aviation, corporate jets, or limited commercial service

However, within the Atlanta city limits, there is only one major airport that serves commercial airline passengers: ATL.

What confuses people is that the Atlanta metropolitan area is surrounded by several other airports (often in nearby cities like College Park, Chamblee, or Peachtree City). These are very useful for private, business, flight training, or charter flights, but most travelers never use them.

Key Airports Around Atlanta: At-a-Glance

Here’s a handy summary of the main airports serving the greater Atlanta area and what they’re typically used for:

Airport NameCodePrimary UseTypical Traveler
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International AirportATLMajor commercial flights (domestic + international)Most visitors and residents flying airlines
DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (Chamblee)PDKGeneral aviation, business jets, charters, flight trainingPrivate/charter flyers, corporate travel
Fulton County Airport – Brown Field (near I-20/I-285 west)FTYGeneral aviation, corporate, air taxiWest-side corporate/charter users
Cobb County International Airport – McCollum Field (Kennesaw)RYYGeneral aviation, regional business aviationNorthwest metro-area users
Atlanta Regional Airport – Falcon Field (Peachtree City)FFCGeneral aviation, flight schools, private useSouthside general aviation users

For airline tickets and regular commercial flights, ATL is the airport you care about. The others are specialty/general aviation airports, not full-service commercial hubs.

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): What You Need to Know

Why ATL Feels Like “The Only Airport”

ATL is one of the busiest airports in the world by passenger volume. For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, it is:

  • The default airport for almost all commercial flights
  • The main hub for Delta Air Lines
  • A key connecting point for flights across the U.S. and internationally

When you type “Atlanta” into a booking site, ATL is what you get.
If a friend says, “What time does your flight arrive in Atlanta?” they mean Hartsfield–Jackson.

Main Terminals and Concourses

ATL is structured around:

  • Domestic Terminal – North and South
  • International Terminal – Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal
  • Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, F connected by an underground Plane Train and pedestrian walkways

You don’t need to change airports for a connection within Atlanta—everything is inside ATL.

Getting To and From ATL

For getting around Atlanta, ATL is well connected:

  • MARTA Rail:
    • Station: Airport Station (attached to Domestic Terminal)
    • Direct train to Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead
  • Rideshare & Taxis:
    • Designated pickup zones (signs guide you from baggage claim)
  • Rental Cars:
    • Rental Car Center (RCC) at 2200 Rental Car Center Pkwy, College Park, GA 30337
    • Access via the SkyTrain from the Domestic Terminal
  • Airport Parking:
    • On-site hourly and daily decks, economy lots, and off-site private lots

If you’re staying inside the Perimeter (I-285) or in common hotel areas like Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or near the airport, ATL is the airport that makes sense.

DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK): Atlanta’s Main General Aviation Airport

Some people think of DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK) as “Atlanta’s other airport,” especially if they work in business aviation or use charters.

  • Location: 2000 Airport Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341
    (Northeast of Atlanta, near Brookhaven and Chamblee)
  • Type: General aviation (no major scheduled airline service)

Who Uses PDK?

PDK is commonly used by:

  • Private pilots
  • Business travelers on corporate jets
  • Charter flights and air taxi services
  • Flight schools and training operations

If you’re just visiting Atlanta and booking a ticket on a major airline, you will not normally fly into PDK. But if you’re:

  • Flying on a private jet,
  • Arranging a small charter, or
  • Doing flight training,

PDK is a major hub for that in the Atlanta area.

Other General Aviation Airports in the Atlanta Metro Area

While they’re not “Atlanta airports” in the commercial sense, it’s helpful to know about nearby options if you’re in aviation, business travel, or charter services.

Fulton County Airport – Brown Field (FTY)

  • Location: 3952 Aviation Cir NW, Atlanta, GA 30336
    (Near the I-20 / I-285 interchange on the west side)
  • Use: General aviation, corporate jets, helicopter operations, air taxi

This is often used by:

  • Companies and travelers based on the west side of Atlanta
  • Those wanting to avoid ATL’s heavy airline traffic

Cobb County International Airport – McCollum Field (RYY)

  • Location: 1723 McCollum Pkwy NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
  • Use: General aviation, regional corporate operations

Popular with people and businesses based in Cobb County, Kennesaw, Marietta, and the northwest suburbs.

Atlanta Regional Airport – Falcon Field (FFC)

  • Location: 7 Falcon Dr, Peachtree City, GA 30269
  • Use: General aviation, flight schools, private aircraft

Often used by southside residents and companies in Peachtree City, Fayetteville, and surrounding communities.

When Do You Need to Care About the “Other” Airports?

For most people getting here and around Atlanta, you only need to think about ATL.

You might need to pay attention to the other airports if:

  • You’re booking a private or charter flight instead of a commercial airline.
  • Your company operates or charters business jets.
  • You’re learning to fly and comparing flight schools.
  • You live in the suburbs and are arranging a small aircraft flight closer to home.

In those cases, you’ll want to confirm:

  • Which airport your flight is actually using
  • Driving distance and traffic from your home, hotel, or office
  • Any security or check-in differences, since general aviation airports don’t operate like large commercial terminals

Quick Tips for Choosing the Right Airport in the Atlanta Area

  • ✈️ Booking a regular airline ticket?
    Plan on Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

  • 🚆 Want easy access by public transit?
    ATL is your best bet, with direct MARTA rail service.

  • 🚗 Live in the metro area and flying private or charter?
    Ask your provider whether they use PDK, FTY, RYY, or FFC, depending on where you’re located.

  • 🧭 Confused by search results?
    If you see ATL, that’s the main Atlanta airport. If your itinerary lists PDK, FTY, RYY, or FFC, you’re dealing with a general aviation or charter flight, not standard airline service.

In practical terms, Atlanta has one primary commercial airport—Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL)—plus several smaller regional and general aviation airports in the surrounding metro area. For almost all visitors and residents flying on major airlines, ATL is the airport you’ll be using.