How Many Airports Does Atlanta Have? A Local Guide to Flying In and Out of the City

If you’ve heard people talk about “Atlanta’s airports” in the plural, it’s natural to wonder: Does Atlanta have 2 airports?

The short answer: Atlanta is primarily served by one major commercial airport—Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)—but there are several other airports in the metro area that handle general aviation, private flights, and some limited commercial or charter activity.

Understanding the difference can save you confusion (and the occasional wrong Uber drop-off) whether you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are planning a trip.

Atlanta’s Main Airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

For almost all regular travelers, Atlanta = Hartsfield-Jackson.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

• Location: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Type: Major commercial passenger airport
• Role: Atlanta’s primary and essentially only full-service commercial airport

This is the airport you’ll use if you are:

• Flying domestic or international on major airlines
• Connecting through a big hub
• Using most low-cost carriers or legacy airlines
• Arriving for a business trip, convention, or vacation in Atlanta

Terminals and Layout

ATL has two main landside terminal areas:

• Domestic Terminal (split into North and South sides)
• International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)

Concourse areas (T, A, B, C, D, E, F) are all connected airside by the Plane Train and pedestrian tunnels.

Getting to and from ATL

From within the Atlanta area, you can reach ATL by:

• MARTA rail:
  • Airport Station is directly attached to the Domestic Terminal (North/South).
  • Serves Red and Gold Lines, making it practical from Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and parts of North Atlanta.
• Rideshare, taxis, and shuttles:
  • Designated pick-up zones for Uber, Lyft, and taxis.
• Driving and parking:
  • On-site daily, hourly, economy, and park-ride lots.
  • Many nearby off-airport parking lots also serve ATL.

For most people asking whether Atlanta has two airports, the important point is this:

Does Atlanta Have a Second Commercial Airport?

Not in the same way some cities do.

Some metro areas have two large commercial airports (for example, one on each side of town). In Atlanta, Hartsfield-Jackson is the only major commercial airport with large-scale passenger service.

However, there are several other airports in the Atlanta metro region that sometimes get called “Atlanta airports,” especially by locals, private pilots, or charter services. These often cause confusion when someone hears “Atlanta has more than one airport.”

Most of these airports focus on:

• General aviation (private planes, flight training)
• Corporate jets and business aviation
• Charter flights and occasionally limited scheduled service

If you’re a typical airline passenger using standard bookings, these other airports are not where your ticket will send you.

Key Airports Around Atlanta (Beyond ATL)

Here’s a look at the main airports in the greater Atlanta area and how they might matter to you.

1. DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK)

Often simply called “Peachtree-DeKalb” or “PDK,” this is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the region.

DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK)

• Location: 2000 Airport Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341
• Approx. distance from Downtown Atlanta: about 10–15 miles north
• Type: General aviation / corporate / charter

Who uses PDK?

• Private pilots and aircraft owners
• Corporate and business jets
• Charter and air-taxi operators
• Occasional air tours and aerial photography flights

What you won’t usually find at PDK:

• Large-scale scheduled commercial airline flights
• Standard airline check-in counters or TSA lanes like at ATL

If someone says, “I’m flying into Atlanta but not using Hartsfield,” they may be arriving at PDK via a charter or private flight.

2. Fulton County Airport – Brown Field (FTY)

Located on the west side of Atlanta, this airport serves corporate and general aviation traffic.

Fulton County Airport – Brown Field (FTY)

• Location: 3952 Aviation Cir NW, Atlanta, GA 30336
• Approx. distance from Downtown Atlanta: about 8–10 miles west
• Type: General aviation / corporate / charter

Who uses FTY?

• Corporate jets serving businesses in west Atlanta and nearby counties
• General aviation pilots
• Certain charter flights and government operations

Like PDK, this is not a mainstream commercial airline airport, but it is a key part of metro Atlanta’s aviation network.

3. Cobb County International Airport – McCollum Field (RYY)

Serving the northwest suburbs, especially Kennesaw and Cobb County, this is another important general aviation airport.

Cobb County International Airport – McCollum Field (RYY)

• Location: 1723 McCollum Pkwy NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
• Approx. distance from Downtown Atlanta: about 25–30 miles northwest
• Type: General aviation / corporate

Common uses include:

• Corporate travel for companies based in Cobb County
• Flight schools and pilot training
• Private and recreational flying

4. Other Regional Airports Sometimes Linked to “Atlanta”

Several airports in the extended metro area can show up in discussions about “Atlanta-area airports,” especially for people who live in the suburbs or use private/charter flights:

• Gwinnett County Airport – Briscoe Field (LZU) – Lawrenceville
• Henry County Airport (HMP) – Hampton
• Newnan-Coweta County Airport (CCO) – Newnan
• Cartersville Airport (VPC) – Cartersville

These points are mainly relevant if you:

• Are based in the suburbs and use general aviation
• Are arranging private or corporate flights
• Need a local field for flight training

They generally do not offer major commercial airline service.

Quick Comparison: ATL vs. Other Atlanta-Area Airports

Below is a simple overview to clarify how these airports differ for typical travelers.

Key takeaway:
For commercial airline travel, Atlanta effectively has one main airport: ATL.
For private, corporate, or charter flying, the region has multiple airports that support the city’s broader air traffic.

How This Affects You as a Traveler or Resident

If You’re Booking a Trip to or from Atlanta

• When you see “Atlanta” listed on airline booking sites, it almost always refers to ATL (Hartsfield-Jackson).
• Double-check the airport code “ATL” on your ticket.
• If someone sends you details for PDK, FTY, or another code, that typically means:
  • You’re on a private or charter flight, or
  • There has been a misunderstanding and you should clarify.

If You Live in Atlanta and Host Visitors

It’s helpful to remind guests:

• “Fly into ATL – that’s the main commercial airport.”
• Share whether they should aim for the Domestic or International Terminal, depending on their itinerary.
• If anyone mentions “Peachtree airport” or “that smaller Atlanta airport”, clarify whether they mean PDK and confirm their type of flight.

If You’re Considering Private or Charter Flights

For private or business aviation around Atlanta, you or your provider may choose airports based on:

• Proximity to your destination (PDK for north Atlanta, FTY for west, RYY for northwest, etc.)
• Runway length and facilities
• Hangar and maintenance services available on-site

In those situations, you may intentionally avoid ATL to reduce congestion and streamline ground transportation.

Getting Around Once You Land at ATL

Since ATL is the primary airport for most people, it also connects directly into how you get around Atlanta:

• MARTA rail from the Airport Station to:
  • Downtown (Peachtree Center, Five Points)
  • Midtown (Midtown Station, Arts Center)
  • Buckhead and parts of north Atlanta (Lenox, Brookhaven/Oglethorpe)
• Rental car center reachable via the SkyTrain from the Domestic Terminal
• Hotel shuttles, rideshares, and taxis with designated pick-up areas

If you land at one of the general aviation airports, ground transport is typically:

• Rental cars from nearby agencies
• Pre-arranged car services or rideshares
• Local taxis where available

These airports are not set up like ATL with large-scale transit and shuttle systems, so planning ahead is useful.

So, Does Atlanta Have 2 Airports?

• For standard commercial airline travelers:
  Atlanta effectively has one primary airport – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

• For aviation as a whole (including private, corporate, and charter):
  The Atlanta metro area has multiple airports, including PDK, FTY, RYY, and others, but they mainly serve general aviation, not regular airline passengers.

If you’re flying into or out of Atlanta on a regular airline ticket, assume you’re using ATL, check the “ATL” code on your reservation, and plan your ground transportation based on that airport.